Editor’s Note: There are good reasons for reporting claims and incidents when they happen. Here is vital information, that even seasoned inspectors may not know, that can save you anxiety, money and maybe even your business. If you’re an appraiser, much of this story pertains to you as well
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Editor's Note: The following is intended for your clients because, as most seasoned inspectors will tell you, setting reasonable expectations about a home inspection report is more than half the battle in avoiding liability problems.
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Fritz Kelly, inspecting for 12 years in Arizona, has a problem common to inspectors: “I declined to go into an attic the other day. The access was in the master bedroom closet, full of clothes, etc. When I attempted to open the scuttle cover, it was obvious there were about 15 inches of blown in…
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The real estate business is evolving and starting to become Internet-centric. Ten years ago most clients didn't touch the Internet before buying, today over 80 percent do. Today's real estate professionals not only have to have a website, they need a website that ranks well on the search engines. If you’re still spending money on…
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Some home inspectors specifically solicit work as an “expert witness” as a matter of choice. Others find their way into a courtroom or deposition hearing when they’re drawn in by opposing parties, usually because their testimony is deemed relevant to the lawsuit at hand. In these cases the home inspector often is served a…
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When a dissatisfied homeowner dashes off a complaint that is heated, insulting, inaccurate or not very well thought-through- maybe just a belligerent phone call, it is human nature for us to take it less seriously and to want to respond in kind: garbage in, garbage out. But that’s a mistake. No matter how…
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Should You Include Cost Estimates in Inspection Reports? By Natalie Eisen, Staff Writer Are home inspectors obligated to detail expected costs of repairs in their reports? Inspectors line up on both sides of the issue. A home inspector’s job, first and foremost, is to help his or her clients make an informed decision by thoroughly…
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The home inspector’s relationship with the real estate agent is a topic often discussed among home inspectors and agents. Some home inspectors tout strong relationships with real estate associations and agents as the best way to grow an inspection business. Others say the reliance of the home inspector on agent-referrals is a key problem when…
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Editor’s Note: Most homeowners take smoke and Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms for granted but they are important pieces of safety equipment that we as real estate professionals need to be aware of.
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