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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    New Mexico
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    Default The One That Got Away

    The whole deal was a little shaky, but I called and confirmed last night. I show up this morning and see this. It was even worse than it looks in the photo. As we're getting ready to get started, I overhear her on the phone telling someone that she is with the pest inspector. I tell her that my inspection is not a pest inspection, but a home inspection.

    It turns out that she didn't want to do a home inspection. The bank is requiring a pest inspection, and she claims the lender gave her my name as a pest inspector. Probably not true, but I was glad to get out of there just the same. It would have probably been my worst house of the year.

    We talked for a little while at the property, and I tried to steer her into tearing it down and starting over. The lot is a sweet deal at her price, even if she does have to tear it down.

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    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  2. #2
    RANDY NICHOLAS's Avatar
    RANDY NICHOLAS Guest

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Jim,

    I've walked away from some better looking properties than that.

    UNINSPECTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

    There is too much liability there.


    RN


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Take heart Jim. If it is meant to be, it will come back to you.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  4. #4
    Mike Inspector's Avatar
    Mike Inspector Guest

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Quote Originally Posted by RANDY NICHOLAS View Post
    Jim,

    I've walked away from some better looking properties than that.

    UNINSPECTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

    There is too much liability there.


    RN

    Whaaat no way! It is the new 2500 square footer that sneaks up and bites. Ones like that you throw everything at it, those keep you sharp and suck the life out of you for the day.

    Mike


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Oregon
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    2,365

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    We have parts of town full of stuff like that... I've never understood how you can have a 1000 sq ft house that has had 4 additions put on?


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    3,509

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Looks like a bunch of Home Depot sheds trucked in and all screwed together.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Looks like it has potential for being a meth lab if the price is right.

    rick


  8. #8
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    I ended up doing that inspection. Here are some pictures of the basement.

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  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Rockwall Texas
    Posts
    4,521

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    I'm so glad we don't have basements in the Dallas area.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    South-West Michigan
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    Post Re: The One That Got Away

    That looks like a 9 hour job.

    Randall Aldering GHI BAOM MSM
    Housesmithe Inspection
    www.housesmithe.com

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Speaking as someone who has inspected more than his share of atrocities, houses like that believe it or not don't take as long as you think. Sometimes things are so bad with a particular area or system that I'll state the obvious defects and then make a blanket statement recommending that an entire system be serviced by the appropriate professional and all repairs/replacements made as needed. If you try to document every little defect in a house like that, you'll drive yourself insane.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    South-West Michigan
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    469

    Post Re: The One That Got Away

    That's a good point, Nick. I have another "one that got away" story. Fellow calls and schedules an appointment. Two (2) days later, calls and says: "I've been calling around, and the other guys will do it for $X.00". In a nutshell, the "other guys" are severely underselling themselves, or they are not providing much in the way of service. Any way, it is somewhat humorous how some people will quibble over $95.00, when they are signing a note for more than a sixteen-hundred times that amount. The last time this happened, the "cheap" inspection cost the guy another $25,000.00 in court costs and settlement fees when his "cheap" inspector failed to give proper advice and failed to properly document findings. So much for "the other guys". On a side note, e-mail traffic suggests that the real estate agents are happy with the "change". Probably counting the "extra change" they will be taking away from closing! The poor fellow has no clue, yet. Every once in a while, I just have to laugh at some of the things I see.

    Randall Aldering GHI BAOM MSM
    Housesmithe Inspection
    www.housesmithe.com

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    JAMES
    what did you charge for this wreak--and did you finish job -or walk and say this is a demolish job. the report had to be 100 pages long. i would have asked buyer "WHat ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO WITH THIS PROPERTY" if their answer was gut it and tear it down. i would have said, "good choice". pay me for my trip $150 and booked.

    cvf


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Northern, Ca.
    Posts
    81

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Quote Originally Posted by James Duffin View Post
    I ended up doing that inspection. Here are some pictures of the basement.
    James, how could you inspect a home in New Mexico when you are in another state


  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
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    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    GOOD POINT DAVID

    james please explain your travel cost on this one

    cvf


  16. #16
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    Quote Originally Posted by David Garton View Post
    James, how could you inspect a home in New Mexico when you are in another state
    I was adding to the story.... with a bit of breavety.... never been to NM....


  17. #17
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    WESTMINSTER CO
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    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    james
    stick to the thread and don't do what you did. don't waste our time to replys on your imagination. be constuctive. apoligize to jim he was asking for advice not what you gave.

    cvf


  18. #18
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    I'm sorry Jim....CVF got confused....hope you didn't. I was wrong in my impression this was a light-hearted post and you were not looking for information.


  19. #19

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    I got it James. I don't think Jim was looking for any help or advice on this one............

    To stay on topic....... I actually enjoy inspecting some of those, as long as I know what to expect ahead of time. I see some cool stuff, and like Nick said "make blanket statements". I've done several that other inspectors refused to inspect; it's all about managing clients expectations.


  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Lake Barrington, IL
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    1,367

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    James,

    Reminds me of the Batman movie where Jack Nicholson sat down at the restaurant table with Kim Basinger and looked through her photographs - Crap, Crap, Crap.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
    Posts
    4,245

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    I've done a few like that that went something like this: roof needs to be replaced, walls need to be replaced, electrical system needs to be replaced, Plumbing system needs to be replaced.
    Summary: the house is beyond practical repair within normal reason.

    Verbal summary: This house is a pusher... Hire a bulldozer and push it out of the way and start over.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    1,352

    Default Re: The One That Got Away

    No, I was with him all the way. I needed some back up, and James took it on for me. We've all had that house, or you will soon enough. Not looking for advice, just sharing what may have been a negative but actually worked out to be a positive for me.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

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