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Read Why This Fort Worth Inspection Client Decided Not to Buy

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:40:11 +0000

Relax … there was no great drama.

These clients made an informed purchase decision, based in part on the information we provided them.

Isn’t it all about having enough information to make a good decision whether to buy? Here’s the story.

After a home inspection we did recently in rural west Fort Worth, the buyer sent us this email, expressing thanks for helping them know what might be involved if they bought a particular property. This was a house on acreage, with septic and well, and though the house was in relatively good condition, there were issues regarding grading and drainage and a few other concerns. Overall, though, it was a rather decent property.

Still, the clients decided not to buy, and they shared the decision with us in a thank you note. I removed the full name, but the following is a “cut-and-paste” of this client’s email to us.

Adam, Victor,

Thanks very much for the excellent work, and reports. Much appreciated. After much discussion with my wife, we have decided against the property. There is more work than we care to pursue to bring the property to the condition we would like to see it in.

We may possibly be contacting you regarding another property soon, this one being in Burleson. Burleson would be an easier commute for me, as i still ahve some time to go before retiring from working in Waco.

We were not expecting to have to procure another property inspection, but that’s the cost of home buying, I guess.

Thanks.
J. M.

Isn’t it all a matter of having enough information to make a good decision whether to buy or not? This client and his wife decided not to buy, based -at least in part – on what the inspection showed about the condition of the property, but also about commuting and retirement needs. We appreciate the confidence they showed in choosing House Exam Inspection, and we take seriously the trust all our clients place in us.

We have provided property condition information for more than two thousand households, and we’ll keep working for our clients for years to come. We’re in this business to stay, and we want to be your inspection and home ownership consultants for life.

Let us help YOU make a better informed decision. Call (817) 797-2461

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Fort Worth Home Inspector Finds Gas Leak At Builders Warranty Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:45:13 +0000

Our home inspector discovered a gas leak at a tankless water heater during this Irving home inspection a little while back. He was performing a Builder’s Warranty Inspection for the clients.

These owners were fortunate that the unit was mounted and installed at an exterior metal cabinet. It’s not uncommon to see these newer units installed inside a metal cabinet inserted into a niche in the exterior wall. But a gas leak is uncommon, and as always, it is best taken care of immediately so as to pose the least amount of hazard to the occupants.

Gas fittings are usually pretty safe and, when tightened to the correct pressures, will not leak. This one had not been properly tightened and was leaking just enough for our detector to register the leak.

There is another problem we are finding frequently with these niche cabinets and covers. The cabinets seem to be considered universal, since we find several brands of tankless units installed inside them. The problem is, however, that the mounting slots are at slightly different locations on different brands. So, when some units are mounted inside, the gas flue discharge port is off center, and the cover will not fit back on properly. If you notice in the photo, the cover has been bent with pliers or some other tool to make the cover fit.

The result? We’ve seen the covers lying on the ground before, where they just fell off because they were not secured properly. Others were on so tightly they had to pried off. We think this is pretty sloppy, and we don’t think the manufacturers would appreciate the treatment. In fact: they might void the warranty on the water heater!!

More and more new construction home owners in the Metroplex are deciding to have a property inspection performed on their homes before the builder’s one-year warranty expires. We happen to think that is a good idea, and we stand ready to help. But, whether you use House Exam or another company, you should protect your investment by making the builder repair what he is responsible to do correctly to begin with.

Leave your comments or questions below. We are open for questions, and we’d be glad to hear from you.

Call us at (817) 797-2461, OR

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A Satisfied Client Writes About His West Fort Worth Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:52:50 +0000

When Adam Sedinger (TREC 8894) inspected the 1920s vintage home in Fort Worth’s West Side, this client wrote to express his appreciation. It’s nice to hear that our work is appreciated most by the Clients, who need to make a purchase decision, based at least partially on what we find and how we present it. House Exam inspectors have always worked for YOU, the home buyer, and we promise to keep your best interests in mind.
For this review, we simply copied and pasted what this client said. Read for yourself:

Adam,
Thank you very much. I really appreciated the work you did and the
detail you did it in. I was telling my wife that I felt great leaving
know the work you had done.
If someone needs a home inspection, I will definitely recommend you.
Thanks again!
Travis B.

Please remember that we are an independent, family-owned, local company. We live in the community, and our reputation stays here. So we promise to treat you the same way we like to be treated.

House Exam Inspection and Consulting – 2318 Carleton Avenue – Fort Worth, TX – 76107 – (817) 797-2461

Aluminum Wiring Problems Revealed at Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:59:43 +0000

We found Aluminum wiring attached to switches and outlets that were approved for Copper wire only at this home inspection in the Grand Prairie area. Watch the video below while our inspector explains the procedure for inspecting a house with aluminum wiring at the electrical outlets and switches.

And let us work for you. We specialize in providing you with the information you need to make an informed decision about the house you are buying.

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Home Inspection Client Asked, “Do You Inspect In the Rain?”

FtWorthInspector — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:33:07 +0000

People sometimes ask if we inspect in bad weather. When I answer, I tell them stories. Here are two.
It was one of those rare days last summer when it not only rained – it poured. I was doing a final phase inspection on a newly constructed home. During the inspection the bottom fell out and it rained so hard that the clients and I were stuck in the house. Water was running down the street from curb to curb, like a river. We were talking as I inspected about how badly we needed rain, not just a “gully-washer.”
As we walked into the garage, I noticed two puddles of water. The puddles were on opposite sides of the garage. Each puddle was gathering at the floor, running from behind the sheetrock walls.
Upon entering the attic I found two distinct spots on the bottom side of the roof decking where the rain was coming in, dripping onto the sheetrock below, and running to the walls and below.
The moral of this story is, I would never have located those roof leaks on a dry day, and the home buyers wouldn’t have found them until they were home owners.
Recently, I was inspecting early in the morning after a hard over night rain. What made me think of this article was what I saw outside the home that morning. There was a 10-12 foot wide pool of water standing at the foundation on one side of the house. All along that side of the house, the water was puddling, and not running anywhere. My thought that morning was that the ground actually looked like it would drain pretty well, down the side of the house and off the property. The moral of this story is the same: Though we always check for grading and drainage problems, I would not have suspected that water would stand along the side of that house, unless I had been there after a hard rain.
We inspect in bad weather. We do so, because the inspection schedule doesn’t allow for a whole lot of juggling, but also because we know that when you buy that house, you will be living there in good weather and in bad. And you deserve to know our best opinion. So, give us a call and let us put our hard work to work for you.

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Is Water On At the House? It Makes a Difference For Your Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 04:24:36 +0000

With winter weather showing up in the Metroplex this week, it’s a good time to let home buyers know a few things that might save time, effort and frustration in scheduling a home inspection. Some listing agents, government agencies, and owners have started to “winterize” vacant homes on their inventory. This means that the water supply to the home will not only be turned off, but the plumbing fixtures and water heaters may have been drained.

When preparing to sign the purchase contract, ask the real estate agents involved to make sure that the house can be inspected, including plumbing fixtures. Get permission up front to keep water on, where it is possible, or to “de-winterize” the property, if the sellers or their agents insist on winterizing anyway.

Many inspectors will include a surcharge in their fees to de-winterize a home for the inspection, since the process takes extra time and care in order to prevent accidental water damage. Some inspectors will charge an additional fee to “re-winterize” the property, since this too takes extra time, tools and expertise. Ask your inspector if there are extra charges involved at the time you schedule your inspection.

At House Exam Inspection, our policy has always been to get permission from the listing agent before we de-winterize, and not to charge for de-winterizing. It’s a company choice. We take great care to prevent property damage, and we make certain that arrangements for re-winterizing have been made, or we do it ourselves. This is just another way we stand out from the average inspection company, and provide an extra measure of service to our clients.

If you have any questions, feel free to call, or email us. You may leave a comment below. We are always glad to be of service.

Fort Worth Inspector Found “Shocking” Problems At This Arlington Home Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:29:55 +0000

Our inspector was “shocked” to find at least three electrical surprises at this home inspection in west Arlington. First, there was a lone wire inside the electrical panel, which should have had no power present, that tested hot for power being present. There was a wire nut protecting the metal parts from contacting the wire, so it was relatively safe. It was unusual, but as we tell clients, no one should be inside the panel unless you have a license and know what you are doing.

As the home inspector continued, he found two more live wires inside the attic. These were not so well protected. In fact, if someone were not careful at the top of the attic ladder, there was a chance that one of those wires could have been accidentally touched, and a shock or electrocution would have occurred.

While we don’t like to see these dangerous conditions in any home, we are glad when we find them, so that folks can be informed, repairs can be made, and the homes can be returned to a safe condition before someone gets hurt. We consider it part of our job to pay attention to how safe the home appears to be. We think it is what our clients want.

Another part of the equation is for us to notify parties on both sides of the transaction of any unsafe or unhealthy condition. Whether our client buys the home or not, the Seller often is still living in the home, and their family should be safe in the home as well. So we inform the Seller’s agent when we find an unsafe or unhealthy condition. If the Seller is there, we inform them directly, and none of them has ever complained about our honesty and alertness.

All licensed home inspectors should be on the look out for such hazards as these. It is what the public needs. It is what our clients and home owners deserve from us. At House Exam Inspection, scores of our clients rave about the way we deliver our information regarding the safety conditions in the homes we inspect. They say that the calm and clear way we explained these conditions was helpful in keeping them focused on the purchase decision rather than some repairable problem. We simply explained that a licensed electrician could assess the condition and provide repairs as needed. Many of these clients went ahead to purchase these homes with confidence.

Every home needs some repairs, some more serious and perhaps more costly than others. But, if we do our job properly, folks can make a calm and rational decision, based on facts and information, rather than emotions. It’s what we would want if we were buying a house.

Give us a call for you inspection needs (817) 797-2461

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Wind Damaged Roofs Throughout Metroplex – Schedule a Roof Inspection

FtWorthInspector — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:08:44 +0000

This week’s surprising inspection discoveries were not spotted during an official home inspection. These photos of roof damage were taken in neighborhoods where we were inspecting last week. These are shingles which have been damaged by high winds. And there are storm damaged roofs all over the Metroplex.

It’s not unusual, either. All it takes is a high fastener raising a shingle tab up so the wind can get under it. Maybe the roof was installed on a cold or damp day, and the shingle tabs never stuck like they were supposed to.

So, here’s the question, “When was the last time you looked at your roof surface?”

Storm Damage Happens Around Here
Thunderstorms happen in various parts of the Metroplex on a fairly regular basis. Granted, we just passed through a pretty dry summer, but do you know if your roof suffered any damage when those rare storms came through? Do you have roof damage that you haven’t seen? Wind-damage to shingles doesn’t require a bad storm, either. Shingles can be easily damaged if they were not installed properly.

Storms aren’t the only thing that can cause damage. Shingles can be easily damaged in high winds if they were installed incorrectly. Or other damage can occur while a roof is being replaced. See the post in this section “Hazards Caused By New Roof Installation” about damage we found on an inspection, which had been caused by careless roofers.

From now until December 15, 2011, House Exam Inspection offers a stand-alone Roof Inspection. We’ll come and examine your roof for $99.00. That’s $30 off our regular price. We’ll let you know exactly what the damage is, where it is and how to present a claim to your insurance company along with our letter. No more wondering. No more guessing. You will have the factual information for your peace of mind.

So call to schedule a Roof Inspection, and get the Peace of Mind you are looking for.

Call (817) 797-2461

Attention DFW Home Buyers…

FtWorthInspector — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:38:19 +0000

Home buyers all over Tarrant and Parker Counties – from Weatherford to Arlington, from Keller to Crowley, from Azle to Mansfield, from Southlake to Benbrook – have relied on our accurate, down-to-earth information BEFORE they made up their minds to buy a particular home. Our home inspections have helped some families decide not to buy that particular house, and to keep looking for one that matches their needs and expectations … and their budgets.

Let’s be clear, the vast majority of the homes we inspect are just fine. Every home needs a little TLC. We are talking about the occasional “surprise” home, where even the owner didn’t know how bad things were. What we find in those homes even shocks us sometimes. We keep an ongoing blog of some of those surprises. We call them “Surprising Inspection Discoveries.”

No one wants to end up with a “money pit.” The only thing worse is finding out too late. That’s why we tell you calmly, carefully, and thoroughly what needs further attention. We’ll help you understand how serious some of the things could be, if left unattended. We work with you and your real estate agent. And we’ll stick with the conversation as long as it takes to help you decide.

Truth is: some of our clients have actually decided to go ahead and buy a home, even though there were lots of surprises. But they did so after we helped them see the whole picture. Let us provide that kind of confidence for you when you are ready to buy. Isn’t it all about confidence, after all?

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Newest Satisfied Client From an Inspection in East Fort Worth

FtWorthInspector — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 02:55:42 +0000

We couldn’t wait to get this most recent review up on the site. This California investor needed extra photos, extra information and got a private phone consult on a property he was wanting to buy in East Fort Worth. Listen to his comments on our service.

Dear Mr. Sedinger,

Thank you for this unusually thorough inspection report. I’ve had a number of inspections run in Texas and California, but yours is easily the most thorough I’ve ever read. As an out of state purchaser, the inspection is that much more important since I can’t see the property first hand, and you have helped us significantly. If you ever need an out of state reference, I’d be very pleased to describe what a great job you’ve done for us.

Best regards,
Steven B
San Jose, CA

Call now to book an inspection for your Fort Worth Area home inspection. We serve the Fort Worth, Arlington and mid-cities areas.

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