Thread: My favorite questions...

I've just been on a run of great questions this week.... here are a few... feel free to add you own:

So, who’s going to pay for that? (as if I know or care)

After explaining massive failures and shortcomings throughout the entire house they ask “How much will it cost to fix all of it?” (Like they’re just looking for one number and all their problems will go away – the number I usually give is an address for another house )

Do you think the seller should fix this?

Can I fix this myself? (as though my ESP is supposed to help me know everything they’ve done in their life and what they’re capable of… all after meeting them 10 minutes earlier)

Do you think I should fix it?

Will I ever get shocked if I don’t ground my outlets?

Will the deck collapse? (am I to assume your friends are the same size, fatter or skinnier than you? Do you like kegs of beer? How about hot tubs?)

How long until my roof leaks?

Will the appraiser see this?

Usually spoken by some old fart with a bad “comb-over” getting out of a 1983 Chevy S10 with a cord of firewood in the back in front of a run down 1920’s bungalow in a bad part of town – “Hi, thanks for coming out. I just want to make sure everything is up to code”

While starting to explain something simple like the purpose of a GFI I’m interrupted and in the span of about the 3 seconds the following questions are fired off “machine gun” style –

What do I do if it goes off?
Who do I call?
Will it stop working?
When will it stop working?
How do I fix it if it goes off?
How much will it cost to fix?
Where are these?
What do they do?
Why do they put these in my house?
How come I’ve never seen one before?
My thoughts/questions after this "assault" - Alright… forget explaining anything else.... How am I going to get out of here? Where the hell are my keys? Have I got my check yet? Where’s the nearest bar?

But still..... the worst day doing inspections is better than sitting a cubicle.

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Can I put a bathroom in my basement?

Can I put an addition on this house?

Can I finish the attic.

Can I take out this wall?

My typical response is, "You can turn this house into a three story apartment building for the right amount of money".

You can do whatever you want as long as you're willing to pay for it.

These types of questions just wear you out. The worst are the DIY questions and the constant "how much will this cost" ones.

Matt, sounds like you need a vacation

My least favorite questions

"Would you buy this house?"

"Do you think it is worth the price?"

"Where is the property line?"

"How much termite damage is there inside the walls"

Originally Posted by Matt Fellman

My thoughts/questions after this "assault" - Alright… forget explaining anything else.... How am I going to get out of here? Where the hell are my keys? Have I got my check yet? Where’s the nearest bar?

This is funny stuff Matt.

"Will you be able to find the things the inspector missed at my last house?"

HOW DO YOU BECOME A HOME INSPECTOR?

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

HOW DO YOU BECOME A HOME INSPECTOR?

You know, I have been asked that question more in the past year than I have in the past 15 years!

A few question that I'm asked often seem to be:
What would you repair first?
Is that dangerous if we do not repair it?
Do you think that roof will last another 5 years?

From realtors......

"Do you include a summary page?"

"Do you list items as major or minor?"

"Do you include pictures?"

I have had at least two inspections in the last couple of months that the buyer was a home inspector for a short time in the past. I guess they were smarter than me and got out quick.

Originally Posted by Frank Bombardiere

I have had at least two inspections in the last couple of months that the buyer was a home inspector for a short time in the past. I guess they were smarter than me and got out quick.

Yeah but Frank did you have to drop off their report to them at the McDonalds?

Hey.....if it weren't for McDonalds....where would the middle class go on "Date Night"?!!

Why didn't my inspector catch this when I bought the place?

After pointing out multiple circuit breakers with undersized wires and explaining the hazards associated with this configuration....."Why would somebody do that?"

"Is this wall structural?" Answer: "It's part of the structure".

and my number 1 question

Rick, why are you so dang handsome?

Buyer- 'Why did they DO that?"

Me- "I don't know, I wasn't here when they did that."

Originally Posted by Rick Hurst

and my number 1 question

Rick, why are you so dang handsome?

Answer: "That's the Elvis portrait. I'm over here."