SAMPLE Inspection report

If you have recently gone under contract to buy a home, you may be planning for your physical inspection. A lot of information will be thrown at you in a very short period of time, and a large amount of it is confusing. Hopefully, this will simplify your process. Part I of this article covered roofs, foundation, plumbing and electrical systems. Here, we will cover windows, landscaping, and termites.

Your inspector may recommend new windows. If you are happy with your old windows, they function well, and the casings are in good shape, that is great. But installing new windows is a great way to make your home more energy efficient. New windows are not inexpensive, though. Your window installer may need to repair the window casing (see the termite section, below). If you would like to maintain a vintage look, know that custom windows are really expensive. Also, you will likely have to paint inside or outside once installed. There is one more issue with windows – if the exterior is not sealed properly, they can leak during rains. This is more common than you think, even with condominiums. However, new windows can save you energy dollars and really freshen the look of your home.

Depending on what part of the country you live in, you may have visions of all new landscape including hardscape (created mounds, decorative or retaining walls, etc.). Nothing makes a house look more like eye-candy than refreshed landscape. Or, you may want a simple grassy yard, which might require sprinklers. Be warned – all of this is can be really pricey. Hopefully, you and your gang will want to plant, weed and replant yourselves, which is very time-consuming but can be a lot of fun. And once it stops being fun, you can always hire a gardener.

The other landscape item that your inspector may point out are your home’s trees and their roots. You will need to trim branches regularly to keep them off your roof. The big thing, however, are tree roots as they can lift or crack a foundation and invade sewer lines. If this occurs with a big tree that you wish to keep, you may want to hire a tree surgeon to cut the right roots and leave the other roots alone.

Finally, your inspector will check your outside drains and sump pumps, if you have them. These need to function perfectly so you do not have standing water close to (or in!) your house after heavy rains.

Depending on where you live, you may have a separate termite and wood-destroying organism inspection. Just about every house has termites. Termites are often even present in brand new lumber for brand new houses! In addition to eradicating the little pests, you may need some wood replaced. This is common with window sills and casings, wood overhangs and wood posts. The termites will come back, as well. It is a good idea to have your home inspected every two years or so, top to bottom, and eradication done then.

Hopefully, this has taken some of the mystery out of your inspection. Remember that everything can be repaired or replaced – at a price, of course.

You know that old phone prank…

Someone calls and says, “Is your refrigerator running?”

The person on the other end then says, “Yes. Why?”

And then the caller says something like, “You better catch it before it gets too far away!!”

The joke worked because, for the most part, everyone has a fridge, and it is probably working.

And that is when you should have a home warranty in place… when your fridge is working, not once it is broken.

There’s a lot of things you probably notice, but ignore around your house. Until it is too late, and becomes a much bigger problem.

It’s not broken…but maybe you notice that your fridge is making a different sound lately.

Your garage door isn’t working quite right. It goes half way down and gets stuck.

The bathroom faucet is dripping.

You notice a little leak in your bedroom ceiling.

Little worries like these are super common for homeowners.

Maybe you have an even longer list of little worries than those…

But worries like those aren’t the real worry.

The real worry is the cost of getting them fixed.

For a lot of people, it is hard enough just paying the mortgage and other household bills.  It’s not like there’s tons of money sitting around to fix the little worries.

So you probably ignore it for as long as possible. Then the little problem becomes bigger and bigger. And the little problems become more numerous.

You figure you will deal with it when and if it becomes too big of an issue…which is usually once something is broken, or not working at all. You deal with it once you have to spend the money.

If all of that sounds too familiar to you, a home warranty can solve a lot of your worries.

But you need to get one before your appliance, your furnace, your air conditioning, or whatever else, is actually broken. They won’t cover your problem if it was a pre-existing condition…

Part of the problem might be that you don’t want to spend the money to buy a home warranty. They can cost hundreds of dollars. Maybe even upwards of a thousand or so, depending on the plan and coverages.

But in comparison to how much it could cost you if your furnace or water heater stopped working, the cost is really not so bad.

And, it isn’t like you can go and just buy a $500 home warranty once the furnace goes kapoot, call them up, and presto, have them send someone over to install a new one.

You can try… but they are gonna deny.

As with anything… not all home warranty companies or plans are reputable or great.

Just do a little research online, and you will see tons of complaints about home warranty companies. Enough to scare you away from even buying one.

With that said, sometimes it is a matter of having the right understanding, expectations, or following the right protocol.

For instance, a home warranty company won’t necessarily get you a new furnace…if the existing one can be fixed. A lot of people complain that they wanted something replaced, but the warranty company merely fixed the problem. They have that right. If it can be fixed, they fix it. If not, they replace it. Sometimes, people misunderstand what to expect, or simply want more than they should expect.

Or, some people will feel that they should be able to call their own contractor to have a problem fixed or replaced, and expect that the warranty company will pay the bill. Most don’t allow that. The warranty company needs to be called first, and they will usually give you a choice of a few contractors that they have relationships with. Not necessarily contractors you know, or want to hire.

A lot of times, people complain just because they presumed that something would be covered, when it really isn’t. You need to know what your policy will cover. (A pool, for instance.) There are usually a few options within each home warranty company. Obviously, the more and better the coverage… the more the cost.

And it isn’t uncommon to have to fight a little bit (or a lot a bit) to get something covered. They certainly have their loopholes and language in the policies that allow for them to deny coverage if they want to. Or even just do things as cheaply as possible.

So, do expect that just buying a home warranty is not a direct ticket to getting everything you want, at least without question or a little fight.

It’s aggravating, but the old adage about the squeaky wheel gets the oil is probably a good way to approach dealing with your home warranty company. Expect to squeak.

Hey, you may find a great home warranty company who addresses you and your problems thoroughly, quickly, and with little hassle. Without needing to squeak, even. If so, that’s great.

But probably not… judging by so much of what you read online. It is hard to find one that has an absolutely favorable reputation.

So a good trick you might want to consider is this…

…call your real estate agent.

Advice on:

Real estate agents often have affiliations with home warranty companies. They are in the business day after day. Home warranty companies do not want to be on their bad side.

So, if you are having an issue with a home warranty company, your real estate agent may just be helpful in getting the warranty company to get things done. Especially if it is one that they have an affiliation with, or recommend.

All it might take is a phone call, or an e-mail from your real estate agent, and whatever issue you were having might just get resolved more quickly than by you spending hours on the phone, sending e-mails, or writing a scathing complaint online.

Too often, some of the in-between-the-lines benefits of a real estate agent get overlooked.

If you have any little worry around your house…or a long list of them…call your real estate agent. Ask their advice. Most agents will give it freely, and for free. And gladly.

Psssst. Do you want in on a hot real estate deal?

How about a house that’s already underpriced, and is being overlooked by every buyer in the market? And the owner is super motivated. Desperate even. And would probably take even less than they are asking already.

Just by buying it at such a low price you’re going to make money. But, if you put a few bucks in, you’ll make way more money. And quickly.

So, what’s the secret? How do you get in on such a hot deal!?

Apparently, a lot of people think the road to riches is paved with one carefully worded question…

“Got any hot deals?”

If real estate agents had a dime for every time they hear that question…

You can certainly try that approach. Ask every real estate agent you meet that very question. But it probably won’t get you in on any hot deals.

It’s not that it’s a bad question. There’s nothing wrong with asking a real estate agent if they have any hot deals.

But, it can be aggravating to agents. And, even if they do know of any hot deals, it probably won’t do you any good.

Because reality.

First of all, who doesn’t want a good deal? There are always people in the market, ready, willing, and able to scoop up a good deal.

So, if you find yourself asking this and there isn’t a hot deal to be had, it’s because there are people actually, and actively in the market buying the deals. Some are just people looking for their own home, recognizing a deal when they see one, and grabbing it. Others are investors who are constantly on the lookout and in a position to buy deals when they see them.

So, if you’re just asking if there are any hot deals, it won’t do you any good. Unless you happen to be absolutely ready to pounce. Meaning, you have money lined up. Whether it’s in the form of financing or cash.

But it also means you have to be mentally ready to pounce. If you ask, and an agent does bring you a hot deal, you need to be ready to go after it…not wait to see if the price goes down more, or “posture” and wait for the seller to come groveling to you to make an offer, any offer. Or, just wait to see if another better deal comes along.

So, it’s perfectly fine to ask agents if they have a hot deal, but you need to be ready, willing, and able to do something about it. Otherwise, you can ask every agent you ever meet the same question, and it’s not going to get you anywhere.

Simply put, you need to be one of the people in the market… not just asking about the market.

It might seem to make sense to ask every agent you meet if he or she has a hot deal.

But it doesn’t really work that way.

This is probably an issue of how the question is worded, and some misunderstanding.

It seems that when people ask this question, they’re asking the agent if they have a house listed that is a good deal. This doesn’t make a lot of sense. If an agent is listing a house, they should be attempting to get the highest price possible for their seller. Not getting a buyer a good deal.

Sure, there may be agents who play in the sandbox that way. But most don’t and won’t. So the question is a bit insulting, and totally aggravating.

That same agent can find and get you a hot deal…But not necessarily one they personally “have”.

They can find you a hot deal listed by another agent. And they probably would love to do that for you. But you need to be aware of the reality that the hot deal they can bring you to is likely not their listing, and not necessarily something they can pull out of a hat for you in that very moment.

They will need some time to scour the market for a hot deal. After you give them some information.

Just because something is a hot deal, doesn’t mean it is a good deal for you…and your abilities, wants, and needs.

If you go around asking every agent you meet this question, they’re going to sense it. Having an army of agents all you on their mind for the next great deal just isn’t going to pan out.

Agents want and need to know they’re spending their time wisely on someone.

So, if you truly do want in on a “hot deal”, you should find and align with one agent (singular). Actually sit down with him or her and get into what you can actually do something about.

You can’t just say that you’re open to anything as long as it is a deal…and you’ll figure out how to make it work. And then expect the agent to spend a concerted amount of time and attention on finding you deals. Because the agent (unless they are new or desperate) probably won’t invest a whole lot of time or care truly finding you a good deal.

You need to show your sincerity, and your actual ability to an agent…at least if you want good attention from a good agent. And you should. So, align with the best agent you can.

A lot of the “hot deals” aren’t obvious.

The hot deals are made, as much as they are found.

And the best way to find and get a hot deal is not by offhandedly asking if an agent has one, but by being in the market, aligned with an agent, going out and making a hot deal happen. And, once in a while, just being in the right place, at the right time…but also being ready, willing, and able to scoop up the deal.