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· Who owns the inspection report? The inspection and the report are for the benefit of the buyer. Therefore copies of the report will only be directed to parties designated by the buyer.
· Who defines the scope of the Inspection? The Texas Real Estate Commission has defined a scope of the inspection by adopting a Standard of Practice. The standards allow for the client to “customize” the scope for their needs and the inspector may include or exclude some items based on the qualifications of the Inspector. A buyer should clarify the scope of an inspection prior to hiring an Inspector.
· Since there is a standard scope aren’t all inspections equal? As in all fields, the quality of the inspection performed will vary based upon the experience and certifications of the Inspector. Look in the resume of the person performing the inspection for such items as “Code Certified” or “Licensed Professional”. Also look for the number of years the inspector has performed inspections.
· Do the Fees for Inspections vary ? An old adage states “you get what you pay for”! No one wants to pay too much for anything, but keep in mind, the better Inspectors are in higher demand and therefore charge more for their services. If an inspection is “really cheap”, look for the reasons.
· My Realtor says that the Inspector is too “picky”. Is there a problem with the Inspector? The majority of real estate sales persons do not want anything to cloud up the sale. A professional Realtor would want a buyer to find the most careful Inspector to protect the interests of their buyer. As a buyer you want to know the real condition of the property you are about to purchase, not just what the sales literature states.
· Since building codes change how do I know if my house meets code? Building codes are written to cover structures that are in the process of being built. The inspection performed for the buyer of an existing home is not within the scope of a code certification inspection; therefore, the Inspector will not make a blanket statement relating to code compliance. The State of Texas Standards of Practice may specifically require an Inspector to confirm compliance with a code. At the very least the standards may require the Inspector to note improperly installed or constructed features of the home which are not in compliance with accepted building practices, identified as the building codes.
· Are there errors in home construction that commonly appear in an Inspection? We have found over the years that the same mistakes are made on a regular basis. Part of the reasons for error may be attributed to the lack of a state wide building code in Texas. As of January 2002 all municipalities were required to adopt The International Residential Code for One and Two Family Dwellings as a standard for home construction in the State. However a builder may construct a home outside of a city limits and code compliance standards are not enforced by any municipal authority. Another reason relates to poor supervision of the construction process. Most homes are built by large “Builder Corporations” who struggle with their own quality control issues. The sub-contractors often are “taught while doing” which also contributes to errors.
· Are there geographic issues to be concerned with in parts of Texas? Geographic issues are a concern, in Harris and Fort Bend Counties (Houston Area ). Localized flooding does occur during severe thunderstorms or hurricanes. A buyer should check with their lender to determine if the property is in a flood plain, or if a levee has been provided by the community. Also homes constructed within 50 miles of the coast are also subject to wind storm damage.
· For more information please E-Mail us. |
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