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  1. #1
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    Default Famous Last Words

    Before my inspection today, the buyer's agent said "The house is 3 years old. What could be wrong?"

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    More gems.

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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    ...the buyer's agent said "The house is 3 years old. What could be wrong?"...
    Don't they know that saying something like that is just a challenge? That agent couldn't have been in the game very long.


  4. #4
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    I agree with John, never ever challenge a home inspector, especially with words such as; “its been beautifully maintained, all work was done with permit so there can’t be any problems,” and/or “its brand new so I don't know why your here?”

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    "debris inside panel"

    Yeah, metal NM cable staple!

    I always loved it when they said "You won't find anything wrong with this house ... ", they really must not know the meaning of "visual inspection" ...

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Gotta love it when they start you off with that statement.

    What's with the rafter in the basement???

    Erby Crofutt, Georgetown, KY - Read my Blog here: Erby the Central Kentucky Home Inspector B4 U Close Home Inspections www.b4uclose.com www.kentuckyradon.com
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  7. #7
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Picky, picky, picky..............

    It's people like you that give some HIs the "deal killer" tag.

    Couldn't you let it slide?

    Ok.. just in case the funny faces don't state it...

    The previous comments were made tongue in cheek.....

    btw... loved the staple.....

    Critical Home Inspection Services
    www.Home2Spec.com

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Forwarded yesterday by a client for my comment, from the sellers attorney, in response to my report that an egress window in a 5' deep well was installed in an oversize opening, which had then been reduced in size with unpainted pressure treated 2x4"s, which are sitting with their lower ends in the wet debris at the bottom of the well:

    (6) There is no rot on the windows and no need to replace. Womanized wood was used, which is rot proof.

    Last edited by Michael Thomas; 05-31-2008 at 06:03 AM.
    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Nick,

    Is that a "shimmed rafter" (as labeled) or a shimmed josit shown in the second and third pictures - I ask as it appears to be bearing on a foundation wall...

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  10. #10
    Jim Zborowski's Avatar
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Rot Proof????????????
    Actually, rot resistant, not rot proof.


  11. #11
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Who knows... perhaps "Womanized" lumber is "rot proof"

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    You are correct Michael. The proper terminology in that pic should have been "shimmed joist". I guess I was going batty from documenting so many issues in a 3 year old house.


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Can womanized lumber only be installed by a woman? Is that what makes it womanized?


  14. #14
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Nick,

    Courious to hear what you stated about the first picture in the second post (the B vent with the 2 connections).

    Darren www.aboutthehouseinspections.com
    'Whizzing & pasting & pooting through the day (Ronnie helping Kenny helping burn his poots away!) (FZ)

  15. #15
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Michael Thomas View Post
    Forwarded yesterday by a client for my comment, from the sellers attorney, in response to my report that an egress window in a 5' deep well was installed in an oversize opening, which had then been reduced in size with unpainted pressure treated 2x4"s, which are sitting with their lower ends in the wet debris at the bottom of the well:

    (6) There is no rot on the windows and no need to replace. Womanized wood was used, which is rot proof.

    Make Him Prove it's Wolmanized Pressure Treated Lumber, or the Home Inspection Report stands as is.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  16. #16
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Darren, in addition to the condensate stains on the flue pipe, the vent also did not have adequate clearance to combustibles and the bottom vent pipe is for the water heater with the furnace entering the main stack above it. Pretty much a bad installation all the way around.


  17. #17
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    The other "Kiss of Death" is when the Realtor says "It was inspected by so and so , three months ago". You won't find anything wrong!

    Eric Van De Ven Magnum Inspections Inc. (772) 214-9929
    www.magnuminspections.com
    I still get paid to be suspicious when I got nothing to be suspicious about!

  18. #18
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Automatic deal killer statements by the Realtor:

    1. "You wont' find nothing wrong with this home, it was built for the builder himself.

    2. You won't find any termites here, the home was treated by ORKIN.

    3. The sellers are meticulous type people.

    4. You should be in and out of this one in 30 minutes, its in such good shape.

    rick


  19. #19
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    "You should be in and out of this one in 30 minutes, its in such good shape."

    Just booked an inspection for this evening off the web site from a buyer who wanted an inspection "in two hours or less". (I explained that my inspections take as long as is required to properly inspect the property).

    Realtor (I've inspected other of her listing and sales, she's a reasonable person, if not very sophisticated as regards property condition) called to ask if I could change the time.

    I asked about the property... she described it as 'crumbly".

    CRUMBLY???

    Somehow, I suspect it's not gonna' be a "two hour" inspection....

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  20. #20
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    "Just booked an inspection for this evening off the web site from a buyer who wanted an inspection "in two hours or less"

    Should be easy enough to answer that question. As others have stated here, regarding costs, Your answer would be along the lines of....

    "Sure, I can do that, Which part of the Inspection would you like me to leave out?"

    Critical Home Inspection Services
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  21. #21
    Jim Zborowski's Avatar
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Hope once it's done, you come back with a definition of " crumbly", LOL


  22. #22
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Jim,

    As I was driving to my first appt. this morning I thought of Michael's comment about "crumbly" when I spoted this old home.

    Hope this isn't what he had to inspect.

    rick

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  23. #23
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Just booked an inspection for this evening off the web site from a buyer who wanted an inspection "in two hours or less". (I explained that my inspections take as long as is required to properly inspect the property).
    My first question to the buyer would be "why" in two hours or less?
    Since I don't charge by the hour, a time limit would make no sense to me on the buyers part.
    I have had sellers and realtors take me to task over taking too long, but never a buyer.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  24. #24
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    Post Re: Famous Last Words

    Is that duct tape holding the B-Vent in place? Real estate agents call those types of comments "priming the inspector". I appreciate them very much. They prime me perfectly!

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

  25. #25
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Randy, it's actually a metal strap but it does look like duct tape in the pic.


  26. #26
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Zborowski View Post
    Hope once it's done, you come back with a definition of " crumbly", LOL
    You know, "crumbly", as in "the parts of the house that you can still find are crumbling".

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    Last edited by Michael Thomas; 06-03-2008 at 05:32 PM.
    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  27. #27
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall View Post
    My first question to the buyer would be "why" in two hours or less?
    Since I don't charge by the hour, a time limit would make no sense to me on the buyers part.
    I have had sellers and realtors take me to task over taking too long, but never a buyer.

    Turned out what the buyers really wanted was a "walk and talk" to hit the major exterior, roofing and structural issues before they made a bid (I can't do this in Illinois, where we are required to provide a written report).

    Everything worked out once everyone understood that it was not the time per se they wanted to limit, but rather the scope of the initial inspection.

    Last edited by Michael Thomas; 06-03-2008 at 04:02 PM.
    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  28. #28
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    I see, and I would also agree with the description of the house, "Crumbly"
    does seem to fit!

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  29. #29
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    This looks like Crumbly Asbestos .

    (or maybe what use to be drywall ? )

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    Last edited by Billy Stephens; 06-03-2008 at 05:33 PM. Reason: drywall
    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  30. #30
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    Default Re: Famous Last Words

    Quote Originally Posted by Billy Stephens View Post
    This looks like Crumbly Asbestos .

    (or maybe what use to be drywall ? )
    It's some type of 1/2" 1920's Celotex-like insulation board.

    ------------

    This was was actually one of the oddest structures I've ever inspected, but most of those aspects are either stuff that was excluded from the scope of the inspection or that don't show up well in pictures - this little "coach house" was built at one corner of a very large lot by a doctor as a place to live while he built the main house... but it was built in 1920s and the depression got the better of his edifice complex,

    Supposedly, he built it all himself, and I can believe it; it's a whole-house Harry Homeowner special, ridge to slab.

    But I do gotta' say, it's got "character".

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

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