Homegauge is my second favorite.
InspectVue is my favorite, and, since it is out of California, you’ll find that the language and educational aspects are very similar to my own customized report. I wish I had found InspectVue in 2001 instead of 2002. I could have saved a lot of time creating my own reports by simply using theirs. And I did consider that at one time in 2003, but the $1,000 price tag scared me away since I had already invested so much time in my own report.
I just opened a letter from yesterday’s mail from some attorneys. Mail from attorneys always get my attention.
Seems like I might get involved in a lawsuit on the seller’s side. We did a pre-listing inspection over three years ago for the seller, who now is being sued for non-disclosure. I do know the seller provided my report to the buyer, but I don’t know if the buyer had a home inspection done on his own. Anyway, according to my seller’s/client’s attorney, everything the buyer is complaining about was addressed in my pre-listing report. I particularly enjoyed this part of the attorney’s letter, though: “In summary, I think you will agree that this is probably the most detailed home inspection report you have ever seen.” She (the attorney) goes on to say, “Your clients reviewed the document in its entirety and initialed all sections relative to the agreement.” That makes me think that the buyers didn’t get a home inspection but used my report instead. That also leads me to believe that the seller/seller’s Realtor made a copy of the report and had the buyers initial all the sections in the report, thereby indicating that they read/understood/etc. the report. Good going.
Here’s some more snippets:
“As you know, your client reviewed and signed a very detailed home inspection report which pointed out specifically that the report was prepared to document the general conditions of the residence at the time of inspection and note any major defects.”
“The report . . . discloses. . . that the roof appeared to be in the second half of its useful life, that the covering had deteriorated and that the shingles were curled, cracked, damaged or torn with missing granules and visible asphalt base. The report further indicated that leaks could develop at any time and recommended that the roof should be further evaluated by a qualified roofing contractor.”
I guess there’s a roofing complaint and no one called the roofing contractor.
I guess there’s a doors and windows complaint. Lots of doors and windows were difficult to open or close.
“The report also noted that the specialized services of a qualified civil engineer should be sought for further evaluation information with regard to settling damages at doors and windows.”
Apparent plumbing complaint: “Sections M & N . . . indicated that further evaluation by a qualified plumber should be sought to check the overflow drains which did not function properly in the bathroom and that there was physical damage and deterioration to the bathtub or shower enclosure which could allow moisture to penetrate between the bathtub or shower enclosure which could allow moisture to penetrate between teh bathtub/shower and into the walls, possibly causing moisture damage or other problems which are concealed and not visible. It was pointed out that ‘Definitive assessment might require destructive testing’ and that ‘concealed defects or damage and destructive testing is not within the scope of the home inspection.’ The report also identified large cracks in tiles, lots of cracked tiles or lots of loose tiles which could be signs of more serious structural moisture problems in the area and the report recommend further evaluation and repair or replacement of the damaged components and recommended consultation with a licensed plumber and/or a licensed structural engineer.”
Apparent zoning violations: “The report clearly states that items not within the scope of the inspection include compliance with any past or present codes or regulations of any type.”
Makes me feel absolutely giddy about my reports.
Note, though, that that was one of my earlier reports, from September 2002. If that attorney saw today’s Interactive Report System Version 2, she’d be absolutely blown away. Perhaps I’ll send her a copy.