A thought-provoking article just came across the wire on WRAL which I am sure will raise temperatures of buyers, seller, and Realtors.....
Basically, the article is relating to a proposal that would limit what Home Inspectors are allowed to put on their reports. I have a few inspectors that read this blog and I would welcome their perspective!
Currently, from what I have experienced and from what I understand, a home inspector can inlude on his report for a home his "opinion". An example would be: The 10 year old air conditioning system in a home. If the inspector inspects the system and it is "performing to the standards for which it was intended" they will put that on the report. They will also note the age of the system. However, they may also include in that report, in their opinion, that the system may need to be replaced due to age.
I have issue with that. I feel that the report should be based on fact and fact only. If the fact is stated that they system works and the fact is stated that the unit is 10 years old then it is up to the buyer/seller to then determine whether they feel the unit needs to be replaced.
I know that my home, personally, is a great example. I have a 5 year old system. Should an inspector have inspected it 4 months ago it would have been noted that "it was performing to standards for which it was intended" and that "the system is 5 years old". They, more than likely, would not have noted that the system would need to be replaced. Well, guess what? Who would have thought that my system now doesn't work! Had I bought this home 4 months ago would I have been able to go back to that inspector and blame him for not forseeing the future? No! And that is the way it should be. I just feel that reports should be based on facts and not assumptions or opinions. It either is or it isn't. It either works or it doesn't. It is either damaged or it isn't.
Board Delays Decision on Facts-Only Home Inspection Reports
What do you think?
Shucking by the facts....
4 comments:
I agree with you entirely. If the unit is functioning normally then the inspector's comments should be limited to that. I'm 45 years old, male, high cholesterol and need to lose a few pounds. My heart's in good shape, but maybe I should have a cardio-transplant "just in case."
I'm not sure. Sometimes there is an area that isn't clear in the report, and the inspector's opinion represents a third party with no financial interest in the repairs to be made. I.e.: There is a spot on the floor that shows former water damage. The now limited-to-fact-only-inspector lists that the damage is there. The seller doesn't think it needs to be repaired and his contractor agrees. The buyer insists that it must be replaced. Now the realtors have to sort it out, and the inspector can't give you their opinion in writing.
I don't think that inspection is a fact only business, it seems to be a fact with experience (i.e. opinion) business.
Well, Jeremy, you sure did add another element to this! What you have said does make perfect sense. Very good scenario that you gave!
Home inspection has got to be figured an opinion business more than a fact business. Too many of the observations seem to be made with both feet firmly implanted in mid-air, definitely divorced from "fact."
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