Home Inspections in Utah Tip #5

 

I was inspecting a home the other day for a first time home buyer. The home was a foreclosure and was only a couple of years old. The couple was wanting the surety that the home was in good shape before committing to the biggest investment of their lives.

I made a quick walk through to see the layout before starting my inspection. Some of the first things I noticed were cosmetic issues. For example, I noticed that the door, from the house to the garage, had been kicked in and dented. It was then that I began to picture what might have taken place. I pictured the previous owners coming home to find that the locks on the house had been changed, due to the foreclosure. All of their stuff was still inside, so they kicked in the garage door to gain access. I began wondering what else I might find, due to their possible anger. Luckly, outside of some careless moving, dented and scratched walls, the damage was purely cosmetic. This doesn’t mean that the home was without issues. I found many electrical and plumbing issues down in the “DIY” basement as well as water entering through a window well. But in regards to whomever the bank hired to replace all of the locks and door knobs, is what leads to my next tip.

Tip #5
When you hire an inspector, you are paying for his expertise and ability to notice and report on all found issues. I found that the deadbolts did not line up with the face plate. Therefore, the deadbolts did not function as intended. The face plates where the wrong type. While explaining the cause of this to my client, I also noticed a loose screw in the door knob. I went and checked the other doors for the same problem, since they were all done by the same contractor/person. Come to find out, I found four exterior doors that only had one screw scewed in and the other just in place to give a false impression. There was even one door that I could move the knob enough to open the door, even though it was locked.

It is important to have an inspector that is willing to take the time to look at the small items as well as the major items. When you call to make an appointment or just to get a quote, spend a few minutes and talk with the inspector about what he looks for while inspecting you future home. It is through this conversation that you will know whether or not this inspector has your best interest in mind. Don’t be affraid to ask as many questions as needed.

 

Serving: Utah County, Salt Lake County, Weber, Davis, Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Bountiful, Layton, Provo, Orem, Lehi, Alpine, Springville, Spanish Fork, American Fork,  Pleasant Grove, Murray, Riverton, Park City, Heber, Tooele