"Hi, it's Agent Suzy, my buyer has an accepted offer on your listing at 1234 Park Place."
"Yes, Suzy....How can we help you today ?"
"My Buyer wants his father to do a pre-inspection tomorrow morning and then decide if he wants to proceed with the purchase...call in other experts or just what he should do...."
"Is your Buyer's father a licensed home inspector ?"
"No....But.....he knows a lot about houses....."
"Sorry Suzy, if your buyer's father is not licensed, any issues he would raise without a licensed inspection are not valid under the contract. Our sellers who work different shifts and have children to get to other places really can't be expected to leave the house for an inspection that isn't valid."
"I thought you might say that....OK....I will let the buyer know your decision."
"It's really not our decision Suzy, it's (I wanted to say real estate 101) contract law...a licensed home inspector is the person who does an inspection that is the basis for the buyer making any claims that may result in termination of the contract."
This blog is respectfully dedicated to Russel Ray and Jay Markanich and home inpectors everywhere who safeguard homeowners from coast to coast with quality, professional home inspections.
Oh no, Suzy again. How does she keep getting clients when she doesn't know beans about real estate? Will wonders never cease!
Now our FL contract does allow for the buyer to inspect OR hire a licensed inspector.
GOOD MORNING SALLY & DAVID! Oh the father in laws, the brother, or best friend who is always trying to save the Buyer a buck. The price to pay for a licensed person is much smaller than the price to pay in the end for a weekend warrior inspector. -- Gabrielle
I encourage them to bring their so called experts to the inspection.The inspector can then explain things to them.
DICK & DIXIE Yicks...Florida is an either/or state...how scary...and the buyer can walk cuz Dad says the shingles are crooked ? Yicks !
GABRIELLE- Everyone knows someone who knows someone...and whoever they know knows more than...
GITA- Good idea...as long as their experts are "with them" and not instead of a licensed inspector in Wisconsin...it it what the law requires here.
Haven't you put Suzy out of business yet? What have you been doing?
Out here, during the home inspection period, anyone could do a home inspection. If you have enough money to print some business cards and brochures, schedule a time for the inspection, you're good to go! Actually, it wouldn't even need to be an inspection. If the Buyer did a lot of research on the Internet about asbestos, went back to the property to look for popcorn ceilings, insulation on the furnace flue, and vinyl flooring tiles, and found them, the Buyer could cancel the contract based on his "home inspection."
There are also various books available: "Home inspections for dummies," "How to do a home inspection yourself," etc.
How did I know that California would be a bit more..shall we say "liberal" with the inspection rules...here...if you don't have a license...you don't have a valid claim....sounds like a piece of legislation everyone should adopt hmmmm ?
How did I know that California would be a bit more..shall we say "liberal" with the inspection rules...here...if you don't have a license...you don't have a valid claim....sounds like a piece of legislation everyone should adopt hmmmm ?
Remember when licensing was not a requirement with inspectors and they would bring their "uncle bob"? Bob had the home condemned before he entered it. Worst of all "Uncle Bob" never owned a home and rented. Thank god they make it a requirement for licensing in this area. remember in 1988 when they were thinking of adding a "home inspection clause" in Wisconsin to the offer? That was a great idea on the states part.
Getting a friend or relative to do an inspection is one of the 3 buyer's mistakes on my website. I don't know what people are thinking sometimes, but they think, don't they?!
Hey, thanks for the plug!
we will plug you anytime Jay.,and you aren't even a relative !
Billy Jays thanks you too.
Ohhh...I like it Jay...thre is not a man alive that doesn't look better with his face covered up !
My son did that. He thinks it is funny. That isn't my beard...
But look how cute you'd be...and "blonder" you'd look more like Santa !
Our Idaho contracts don't stipulate that a licensed inspector needs to inspect. Just says the Buyer has the right to conduct inspections, tests, investigations, surveys and other studies at the Buyer's expense. Then it says the Seller shall make the property available for inspection as well as make sure all utilities are turned on for the inspection. That's the way it worked in Colorado, too, and the only way I have ever seen it. WI sounds very hard nosed to me!
It's really very consumer pro-active Janna...prevents Uncle Harry, Mommy and Daddy and Cousin Jeb from deciding on repairs they are not qualified to decide...