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Home of All
Ages-Need An Inspection
The age of a home
is an important factor in determining
a propertys desirability, condition
and, ultimately, its marketability. Anyone
interested in buying a property of
any age should engage a professional
inspector to evaluate the major
systems and the entire home. Not every
home ages in the same way or at the
same pace. Use, weather, location and
wear and tear all make a difference.
In general, though, the following rules of thumb apply.
In a new home, the
client can and
should expect a finished product
that is virtually problem-free.
It may need minor
repairs to correct poorly wired
circuits, cracked roof shingles,
binding doors, dirty HVAC
filter vents, missing hardware,
scratches in hardwood
finishes and chipped
paint. But any sign of
foundation settling, soil erosion,
water intrusion, or improperly functioning
appliances should be considered
a red flag.
A
property that is 2-10 years old should
remain mechanically and structurally
sound but may show some aging
due to routine wear and tear. Although
the foundation should be fully settled,
unresolved drainage problems may
still cause damage. The client should
make sure routine items
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such as
caulking and painting are checked during
the inspection, and that all mechanical
and electrical systems are reviewed.
A house 11-20 years
old will begin to show
additional signs of aging.
The need for repairs and replacements will
become more frequent as such components
as roofing shingles, cosmetic
and wood surfaces and sealants begin
to wear. Original appliances will be
reaching the end of their life expectancy.
But structural elements such
as major electrical and mechanical equipment
should still be adequate.
As the structure ages
into its third and fourth
decades, settling or movement in the
floors, foundation, walls and ceilings
is common. Your client
should also expect to
replace such major systems
and components as the air
Continued
on back page.
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Alban is proud to offer FREE Continuing
Education Courses in Real Estate Offices!Call Melissa For
Information and to Schedule at 301-404-8104 or
301-607-8114. | |
From the Desk of Arthur S.Lazerow
Fee Refund and Sloppy Scheduling
FULL FEE REFUND PROGRAM. Must
be the full moon effect, but for
the last several months we have
had repeated and unpleasant conversations with
Realtors who recommended clients to Alban, who
read the words "Full Fee Refund Program" and
failed to pay attention to the limitations. Here are
the limitations:
1. Sales price must be under $300,000.
2. A binding contract of purchase must have been executed
for a residential, owner-occupied acquisition.
No refunds on pre-offer inspections.
3. Environmental testing fees cannot be refunded.
4. A request for refund must be received within 90 days
of the inspection date.
5. Alban will either refund the home inspection fee or
perform one additional similarly priced inspection
for free. A third inspection is not free.
SCHEDULING PROBLEMS. 2004
has been an extremely busy year
for home inspections. Each inspection
must be scheduled, computerized, communicated
to the inspector, and of course, it must
be performed. It seems conducting the inspection
is the easy part. Gretchen Wright, our scheduling
secretary, must have rescheduled, postponed
or cancelled twenty-five percent of our appointments
this year.
We ask Realtors not to schedule an inspection until the
deal is set. We understand that real estate transactions
can be fluid, but it is unfair to our inspectors
to reserve an inspection time for a deal that
has not been finalized and then cancel at the last
minute. Last minute cancellations leave the inspector
without the opportunity to earn an income
during that period. This is why we charge a
fee for cancellations within 24 hours of the scheduled
inspection. Please, help us in this regard.
Thanks.
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