The Top 10 Deal Killers During the Home Inspection

Over the years I have witnessed many aspects of a home inspection or the process that can cause stress during the process and lead to a deal falling apart. Now keep in mind that regardless deals fall apart, whether the buyer got cold feet, the findings of the inspection made them walk away or it turned out it just wasn’t the right house for them. In some cases an inspector may convey the findings in an over alarming way and contribute. I have even seen where the buyer intentionally used the inspection to get out of a contract for their own reasons. Ultimately the inspector job is to report all findings to the client and help them make a more informed purchasing decision, not to talk them into or out of a deal.

So having said that, here are some contributing factors that may cause undo strain on the inspection process.

10. A client not present or distracted during the inspection; too much going on, builders, remodelers, cost estimates scaring them. Keep the client (and if you are the buyer this is for your benefit) focused on the inspection so the inspector can keep them up to date during the process.

9. Home Inspectors lacking of or improper training, utilizing bad, hard to read, inadequate reports, not a member of a national association, no standards of practice. Home inspectors giving inflated cost estimates.

8. Sellers present for the inspection; for example the buyer should be present for the inspection and follow the inspector not be distracted by the buyer talking about the neighborhood.

7. Last minute surprises, unknown problems, a roof leak, power outage, HVAC system not working.

6. Influence from outside parties such as.
-Builder friend
-Parent, In-laws
They can have input that they think is helpful but really not, sometimes they can contradict the inspector of give options when not present.

5. Substandard workmanship
-Product warranty failure
-Non-professional repairs
-Liability incurred by parties
When unprofessional work has been performed the inspector may become aware of the trend and could warrant request for building permits. There could also be a thread of liability issues due to unpermitted work or work that was not dome properly and could fail at a later date.

4. Environmental Concerns
-Mold
-Lead Paint
-Radon
-Septic
-Water
-Asbestos
-Buried Oil Tanks (UST)
Environmental concerns that the buyers were unaware of when they put the original offer in. In some cases abatement could be a costly expense such as a leaking buried fuel tank.

3. Have older HVAC, Septic and Fireplace systems cleaned and serviced, provide a copy for the buyer and inspector. A cracked flue liner could be an unforeseen expense. Many inspectors exclude the internal components of the fireplace and chimney and in this case the buyer should have a specialist lined up the same day of the home inspection.

2. Product failures, such as...
-Polybutylene
-FRT
-Aluminum wiring
-Omega, Central and Star sprinkler heads
-Federal Pacific Stab-Lok Electric Panels
-EIFS, Exterior Insulated Finishing System
Recalled products or products with a history of failure could be an unforeseen expense the buyer was not aware of and many times the seller was unaware of.

1. A house unprepared for an inspection
-Poorly maintained
-Areas blocked by stored items, attic, electric panel, below split foyer stoops,
-HVAC system, etc.
-Utilities turned off
This is possible the number one issue of why deals fall apart. A house that is poorly maintained can result in everything from mold, insect damaged, rot and even damaged to the heating system from a dirty filter. This can also clue the inspector in as to deferred maintenance.

Areas that are not accessible during an inspection may result in the need for an additional inspection which could also result in additional charges by the home inspector.
When the unities are turned off the inspector cannot evaluate the function of all of the components and this could delay the inspection or result in additional inspection fees.

Please contact us for any further questions

Stephen Showalter, MD License # 29634
Showalter Property Consultants
www.showalterpropertyconsultants.com