Skip the
inspection? No way!
By
Frank Ross
Catherine Marsh, a first time homebuyer, was on the brink of buying
what she thought was the perfect family home. But the findings in
her home inspection report pulled her back. At the initial viewing,
the home looked well kept and in good repair to the 31-year-old
school teacher. "And then Frank looked at it and he crushed my
dreams,'' laughs Ms. Marsh. “Actually I’m really grateful. He
helped me put things in perspective. He helped me to see both pros
and cons about the house and to understand which items needed to be
addressed right away and which could be dealt with later.”
Catherine’s inspection report included serious problems such as a
poorly functioning AC unit, leaky windows, missing GFCIs, plumbing
that was not up to snuff, unsecured porch railings and ductwork in
the attic that had come apart. I also noted that all the kitchen
appliances worked and that a couple of cracks in the ceiling
appeared to be cosmetic and not structural.
Unlike Catherine, many buyers in Southern Utah’s hot real estate
market are jumping in without the peace of mind provided by a home
inspection. "A home inspection in an important tool for any realtor
selling a home to a buyer. By offering this service the buyer will
usually have a peace of mind. Not only that they will obtain
valuable information to make such a major decision, but also a
feeling that they are not being pushed into a purchase just for the
sake of others receiving a commission,'' says
Steve Harrington a
Realtor® at GMAC Realty in St. George. “A
client who purchased a home over a year ago decided that they did
not want to pay for a home inspection. After being in the home for
awhile they noticed water spots on the ceiling of the first floor of
their two story home. It was discovered that the water heater had
been leaking for quite some time, and the leak worked its way down
through the walls. The work that is being done to replace the
sheetrock and pipes is in excess of $10,000.”
A
home inspection for the average sized home usually costs between
$250 and $350 and includes a written report. Inspectors don't just
focus on the negative: They also point out the positive aspects of
the home. “My job as an inspector is not to find things to kill the
deal,” I always say. “I just want to give people an accurate
picture of the condition of the house at the time I inspect it.”
According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly 99% of
Realtors recommend home inspections. Jim Watson, President-Elect of
the Iron County Board of Realtors and a Realtor® at Coldwell Banker
Advantage, says agents urge their clients to have an inspection
done. “I personally suggest all clients get home inspections on new
and existing homes.”
After her home inspection Nancy Nolin felt that she had enough
information on the property to make an educated purchase. “As a
first time homeowner Frank made the process less stressful by
explaining what I needed to understand about the inspection
process,” she states. The report notebook she received will help
her “to remain focused and organized with repairs and other property
improvements” during the time she owns the home. Will she recommend
inspections to her friends? Absolutely!
Frank Ross is a Certified Utah Home Inspector for Pillar to Post
Professional Home Inspection and a full member of the National
Association of Certified Home Inspectors and a member in good
standing with the Utah Better Business Bureau. Readers may contact
Mr. Ross at (435) 867-6400 or
frank.ross@pillartopost.com or view the website at
www.pillarposthomeinspection.com
