This is the One
 By Frank Ross
 
Cheryl was a first time homebuyer.  She and her real estate agent had found a home, and after making an offer, she scheduled a home inspection, but not with Pillar To Post.  Following the inspection, she called my office.  Disappointed by the lack of detail in the inspector’s report, she wanted me to look over the house.   We met at the house late in the afternoon.  From the street it looked like most of the other homes nearby—except the garage window was broken, probably by a stray soccer ball.
 
Climbing onto the roof, I could see damage from one of last year’s violent summer storms: an 8-inch by 4-inch spot where the wood sheathing was exposed, and a few broken shingles.  The heat pump was original, about 20 years old.  A look around at the neighboring roofs revealed that more than half the neighbors had replaced their units already.
 
There were some concerns in the garage: someone had cut a hole in the fire-rated door to install a pet door so the litter box could be kept in the garage.  And the cover for the attic hatch was missing. (It was later found in the attic.)  But the wiring and the plumbing were both copper, and all the exterior features looked normal.
 
When I went inside, I knew why Cheryl was buying it.  Quiet ceiling fans spun in each room.  The kitchen was full of new appliances.  New ceramic tile covered the floors everywhere but the bedrooms and living room.  Bathroom fixtures were new and shiny.  Two real estate agents drove up during the inspection, and Cheryl told their disappointed clients the home was sold.
 
We went over the inspection report.  She was beaming.  “I can handle this stuff!” she said.  “I’m so glad to know I’m not going to be broke and be worried about what’s going to go wrong next.  Even though I had to pay for two inspections, it was worth it.”  
 
The sellers came home and mentioned a back-to-school function at the nearby elementary school.  Cheryl took her daughter by the hand, smiled and said  “Come on, Honey.  Let’s go check out your new school!”
 
Buying a home is never easy.  Owning a home is never easy.  But buying a home that has been inspected by a professional, independent inspector can make home ownership much easier.  The inspection should be referred to when home improvements, remodeling, or additions are made.  It can help you budget for replacement of components that may be nearing their life expectancy.  And it can give you valuable peace of mind about the biggest investment of your life.  Just ask Cheryl!
 
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.  Readers may contact Mr. Ross at (435) 867-6400 or frank.ross@pillartopost.com.  You can learn more about Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection at www.pillarposthomeinspection.com