So cousin Joe is going to help you out and save you $300 by inspecting your Metro Detroit home. Just don't come crying to me. Last week I had cousin Joe inspect one of my clients properties. I wanted to cry.
He spent more time talking about non essential things like:
what colors to paint the walls
how little he paid for his house
how they asked for 5 years of w-2s and they are going to do it to you to
he doesn't like the stove and refrigerator next to each other
that a $50,000 mortgage is going to have a $700 payment and if they need $30,000 to fix it up the mortgage payment is going to be $1500 a month. WHAT!!!!
that he's been a cement layer, hardwood floor installer, basement waterproofer and he knows how to do it all.....I honestly didn't know how many jobs he has had but.
that you need to pick up boxed electrical sockets and put them away.... because sitting in the kitchen cupboard will causes questions from the appraiser. WHAT!!!!
Sadly this guy did a bad job of inspecting the home but he knew about mortgages, and everything else. What was worse and he said it several times " AND THE REALTOR WILL BACK ME UP ON WHAT I'M SAYING" I about choked.
Who you have inspect your metro Detroit homeis important. So what I say to anybody that is thinking about having "cousin joe" or "uncle Bob" don't take their word for their expertise. I would only have cousin joe or uncle bob do it if they are a builder or a licensed contractor. If they only have a specialty in electrical work or just cement work, or just carpentry save yourself the potential problems. Hire a professional inspector for $300. It will be the best money you spend.
Just my thoughts. It's your house and I'll go along with whatever you decide. If you decide to have cousin Bob inspect your Metro Detroit home I won't over ride your decision. It's your decision.
Russ Ravary your Metro Detroit real estate agent
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Russ Ravary
"helping make your move easier"
your local Metro Detroit Realtor helping clients like you sell and buy homes through out the entire Metro Detroit suburbs. I love showing and selling Oakland County and Livingston County Lake front homes too.
So Russ, what was the conversation between you and your client after the so-called inspection was complete? Obviously you can't tell them they must get a bonafide inspector, but did they (your client) ask you what your thoughts were?
No they didn't. It's a tough position to be in. If there is something that I see that "cousin bob" missed I bring it up. But there are some many things that I never see that a professional inspector catches. I'm not an inspector and I don't get into their business who ever it is.
As a Realtor we can recomend and advise but we can't override our clients wishes and instructions.
Correct- suggest and advise but long ago I began adding a page with the offer paperwork. One of the items is I advise a professional home inspector and not to use one on a new or existing home. Just one more form I have them sign.
Russ, we try to head that off early in the buying process, when the buyer is writing the offer. The buyer is heavily advised that any home inspector or other service provider should be required to have errors and omission insurance, and they are made to sign a statement acknowledging they have been told. Untrained and unqualified and uninsured persons have no right to be tripping circuit breakers or potentially damaging a home or its mechanicals. Too much liability for everyone, it only takes one mistake and a hefty lawsuit to ruin a career. Works pretty well for us!
Great post Russ. I just had a client who was tempted to have "Uncle Joe" do his inspection as well. I was so happy he made the decision to have a "real" home inspector do the honors. He received a first-class inspection by a real pro. It was a great investment of the $280 it cost.