Pre-inspection urged before sale

http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20080831/LIFE08/808310423/


August 31, 2008
Pre-inspection urged before sale
By Ellen S. WilkoweGannett News Service

Two cracked rafters, the central air conditioning that "worked fine last summer" and the hot water heater approaching its golden years.

Home sellers beware. Come closing, these are just some items that can make or break a deal, especially if found during the buyer's inspection, a little too little, a little too late.

As home sales have declined, this may be a good time for sellers to invest in a pre-inspection.

So what exactly constitutes a pre-inspection?

Consider it the prequel to the buyer inspection, a preparatory move on the seller's side to find out the true value of the home before listing it. This also may buy the seller time to fix any problems that surface.

One homeowner's comfort may register as a potential buyer's complaint.

"When you're living in a home you get used to things," says Sergio Angione of Towaco, N.J., a home inspector with the HouseMaster home inspection franchise. "For example, a buyer might say, 'Why should we have to press the garage door opener twice to open it?' "

Inspections often reveal something seemingly as trivial as a garage door opener quirk to more pressing issues often undetected by homeowners - such as cracked rafters in the attic or termite damage.

Depending on the size of the structure, a standard inspection can take from 1½ to 3 hours and cost $300 to $500, Angione says.

The inspector conducts a visual evaluation and provides written documentation on the following:

Heating system.

Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting).

Interior plumbing and electrical systems.

Roof, attic and visible insulation.

Walls, ceilings, floors windows and door.

Foundation, basement and visible structure.

Built-in major appliances.

The inspector may recommend and arrange for additional services such as septic and well evaluations, pool or lawn sprinkler inspections, and radon testing.

With the buyer in the driver's seat, the concept of pre-inspections is earning endorsements from real estate agents.

In parts of New Jersey saturated with septic tanks and private wells, seller-initiated inspections garnered the support of Linda McCullough, a broker with Re/Max Classic Group in West Milford.

Pre-inspections also instill confidence in the seller, McCullough says. "It's really a marketing tool."

HouseMaster can affix a pre-inspected logo to the online listing and post a sign on the lawn and tent cards throughout the home alerting buyers and agents that a pre-inspection report is available.

When it comes down to the wire, the seller can use the pre-inspection report as a bargaining tool much as the buyer does when hiring a home inspector.

"It's better to work out the deficiencies and address the issues than turn off a buyer," says Bret Kaufmann, treasurer of the Garden State Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors. "Some of these issues homeowners are unaware of and would likely address anyway."

Heating and air conditioning exhaust, mold-causing plumbing problems, and roof leaks are common problems that often surface as a result of an inspection, says Kaufmann.

Larry Shideler
Customer Loyalty Manager
Lshide37@aol.com
513-405-4773 Cell
Inspection Plus, LTD.
5381 Autumnwood Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
513-793-3552 Office Phone
www.inspectionplus.us

Never, Ever, Ever...Give UP!

Hi to all TBN members! First, I would like to say that I have been accused of getting my ideas from others, i.e. like Winston Churchill, and I have to admit that I do. One of my favorites is Winston Churchill. I truly love to read about the man and how he was able to overcome the Germans during WWII. It truly inspires me and my business. I have a quote on my wall that I read every single day of my life "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasism." Hmm...Clay Maybe I need to learn from the experts, but just to let you know I did it on purpose...the misspelling that it is..Here is why: Entrepenuers are not worried about the details, but getting business period! This is my great and positive plug for Clay...the greatest people in the world were never ever great at what they did, but were able to capitalize on the OPPORTUNITY! We all rag on each other about misspellings and the such, but to put together a wonderful organization, such as TBN, couldn't have happen without Clayton Hicks! My Kudos goes to him and all the members!

Now to what I would like to say....which I should have said today at the meeting...but I didn't want to take Clayton's....Spotlight? Back to Winston...I always like to quote one of my favorites, ole' Winston Churchill....I have learned a lot from reading about the man. (I have read many books.) As you may know, he was a great man, one that had childhood problems, made fun of, a lot of difficulties in life with people. However, I love to remind people that he gave a wonderful speech to a group of college graduates after WWII. While sitting at the speech that he was invited to, he sat very quite and listened intensively to the group of people, and didn't say a word, but just sat in his chair to listen. If you know anything about the man he listened intensively to those around him (probably one of the reasons he was a winner in the end), but to get to the point he had his turn to give his speech...and when it was his turn to come he didn't go to the podium, but sat up and said 'Never, ever, ever, ever, GIVE UP!' and sat back down and listened....and being Winston he watched the reaction to the people around him. My point being while working in business, ALL of us, (We) are the Winston Churchill's, we are the odd characters of the world, we are the stand out's that yell....what makes me different than my competitor?...but not all want to listen or take HEED!

Clay, My Kudos goes to you and the TBN Board and Members....

Whoever stands will succeed!

Call me if you have the gumption! I will make your business grow!

Greg Fowler

Executive Strategist

AmCorp Management, Inc.

859-653-3638

Never ever, ever give up!

Keepin' it REAL Estate Title Issues / closing becomes a challenge

Keepin' it REAL Estate Title Issues - closing becomes a challenge

I know I’ve written on this topic a couple of times, but lately everything seems to have a title issue. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting an owners title policy when you close. I’ve seen way too many bad title issues. My most recent adventure is in the form of mistakes on an original deed, which reeks havoc on an up coming closing.

Here is a short synopsis:
2 plots of land divided and deeded out to one owner. Owner goes to sell these two parcels. One parcel sells and the title company notices that the addresses are flip flopped on the deed (wrong address for each parcel). We get it fixed, no problems and we close. Next parcel sells and tries to close. New title company notices that the first parcel to sell actually got recorded as the 2nd property! Yikes. Upon further investigation, it doesn’t look so simple. Looks like the new deed to get recorded is correct (description, etc). Just so happens that an engineer who verified the deed was going off the old original deed and not on the most recent corrected changes!

Phone calls have been made and issue will hopefully get resolved. Mean while I’ve got a buyer who’s rate expires and has a moving truck and no home to call his own….

You can bet I’ve done all but forced him to purchase an owners policy. Its still not corrected, but it should be. We shall see.

Imagine if these things never were noticed. When ever these new owners of these houses would go to sell, the problem could be uncovered and then they’d be paying lawyers expenses to try and rectify it for themselves. Lots of billed hours at high prices. Don’t you wish you had an owners policy?

Larry Shideler
Customer Loyalty Manager
Lshide37@aol.com
513-405-4773 Cell
Inspection Plus, LTD.
5381 Autumnwood Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio 45242
513-793-3552 Office Phone
www.inspectionplus.us

Awesome Job Nick, Card by Design

I want to personally thank Nick for a job well done. You have to see my before and after. Thanks, Nick!

Now if there is anyone out there that would like some money back into their pocket or increase their operating capital please let me know. You may be able to pay off a credit card, go out to dinner for the year, or if you are real lucky, you might get yourself a new car? The greatest part about my business if we can't help you, it will not cost you a penny!

Greg Fowler
Executive Strategist
AmCorp Management, Inc.
859-653-3638

Membership

We realize there are many networking groups in the Greater Cincinnati area to choose from. One being ours. We have heard that we are just another social networking group, WE ARE, to a point. We do allow 5 minte commercials to members and 1 presenter for the last week of the month for general information.

We email to well over 3,000 people once per week. Last Tuesday when I sent the usual email out, we had an unusual 20% open rate within 12 hours. That is pretty impressive for a group that has only been around since April 8.

Now, I realize that not everyone understands how to blog on here, it took me a couple of tries before I got the hang of it. Just follow what it says to do is all I can really tell you, it isn't that difficult. Blogging is the new way of marketing yourself on the internet!

Rules for blogging:
1. Become a TBN Member, once I have your application with check in hand, I will send you and email to confirm you want to become an author.
2. Follow the steps it gives you to create an account
3. Start blogging, I would not suggest more than twice per week.

Happy Blogging and see you at the meetings
Clayton R. Hicks
937-671-6238

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859-653-3638 Cell

gfowler@amcorpmanagement.com

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