Is Your Home Inspector Pushing Gimmicks?

Websters Dictionary Defines a Gimmick as: 

"a method or trick that is used to get people's attention or to sell something"

Recently, many home inspectors have started offering various warranties, memberships in homeowner networks, free stuff, house by-back guarantees etc.

Most, if not all, of these products have little or dubious value to the home inspector's client. It is reminiscent of free toasters many banks offered when you open a checking account.

So why do they offer them? Many times newer or unqualified home inspectors are trying to "set themselves apart" by offering these add-ons.


Don't be fooled. Always ask for the inspectors references. Ask how long they have been in business.

Download our free report "8 ways to avoid a bad home inspector." http://integrityinspection.com/avoid-bad-home-inspectors.asp

Mold Testing and Home Inspection

Occasionally, clients ask us about mold testing. Specifically, testing the air for mold spores to find elevated mold levels and “hidden” mold at their new home.

Below are some common questions and answers about this testing.

We do not do this testing.

Q. Aren’t some inspectors certified to test for Mold?

A. Not really – these certifications are often made up by the companies that sell the mold testing equipment. Usually the training involves watching a DVD or attending a short course. There is no real certification.

Q. Can an air test reveal if my home has “elevated” mold Levels?

A. There is no such thing as an Elevated Mold Level. There is no published guideline on safe or unsafe Mold Levels.

Q. What about comparing indoor Mold Levels, to an outdoor level for a reference.

A. There is no scientific basis for this comparison. As a matter of fact the same home, tested at different times can have dramatically different results. See the chart below:

These above tests were taken at the same home at different times of the day. Which result is correct?

Answer: They are all correct!!

Q. Do any states have advice on mold testing or outdoor air comparisons?

A. The Wisconsin Dept. of Health has this to say about outdoor levels : Outdoor counts will vary greatly and may in turn cause similar variation in indoor levels. Because of this variability, it can be difficult to differentiate true difference between outdoor and indoor samples without taking a large number of samples. Soil and plant materials are major sources of airborne mold. Studies indicate that outdoor fungal levels vary greatly by region, season, weather conditions, and air movement. According to data published by the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology (www.aaaai.org), outdoor mold counts for major U.S. cities regularly exceed 10,000 spores per cubic meter of air during much of the year.

Q. Is mold dangerous or harmful?

A. Yes, it can be, if you are sensitive or allergic to it. Just like peanuts, cats, or bee stings can be dangerous or harmful.

Q. What does the EPA Say?

A. Sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards.

Q. What does the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) say about Mold Testing?

A. Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds.

Q. Is mold a defect in a home?

A. No, not really. Mold is a symptom of a problem. Namely High Relative Humidity (RH)

Q. Isn’t this the same as Radon Testing?

A. No it is not. Radon Testing is regulated by the State of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Testers need to be licensed by the states. There are approved protocols for testing, as well as an accepted action level.

Q. Well, There must be some benefit to the test?

A. No doubt about it. The test benefits the testing company and the Lab that does the analysis. (It’s often been said – "Mold is Gold") The test will also lighten your wallet or purse.

Some people want a Mold Test, because they read about mold in a magazine or bought another house and had a test. “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” ~Mark Twain

Q. So what’s the bottom line?

“A. It's ludicrous for a home inspector to think that he can take a sample, send it to a lab, and let the lab interpret the results without bearing any responsibility. The inspector is promising something that is not being delivered – a reliable, technically accurate assessment of the building for the presence or absence of problematic mold.

In summary, we can conclude that in almost every case, routine sampling performed by home inspectors or so-called certified mold inspectors is completely worthless. The unscientific results lack accuracy, validity, and are not reproducible.” (1)

(1)Portions Reprinted with permission from the ASHI Reporter:

Home Inspectors and Mold Sampling – Hype or Help?

The article's author Mark Cramer"s website can be found here:
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Inc

My agent told me to call someone else . . .

(or gave me a list of other home inspectors).

Here’s why (and you won't read this anywhere else)

First let me say this,

There are very good, honest, and reputable real estate agents out there. Many of them refer our company or similarly qualified inspectors to their clients. They trust their clients - that given all the information they will make an informed decision. We have accepted referrals from many of these agents for over 15 years. These agents know that if we find things wrong with the home, they can negotiate repairs or a price change or in some circumstances find another home for their client.

The most important thing to these agents is their clients receiving the best possible inspection, and all of the information that is available.

Then there are other real estate sales people. They are short sighted, and don’t see past the next transaction. They try to insist that their clients use a less competent inspector, And really don’t trust their clients to make a good decision.

Sometimes, the sales people are clever and give a list of three inspectors. All three on the list are “patsies” They give the client the list so they can say “well that’s the inspector YOU picked” if the client complains months after the home was purchased.

Do these patsy home inspectors intentionally over look defects? – Sometimes – but more often it is soft reporting or minimizing the defect.

The DIRTY LITTLE SECRET is many home inspectors RELY on sales people for ALL of their business. The sales people RELY on a poor inspection to sell the home.

There are actually Home Inspection Marketing Schools and Franchises that teach inspectors how to write “agent friendly” reports.

Here is a recent lawsuit alleging such a scheme (which was settled) http://integrityinspection.com/assets/lawsuit.pdf

This suit is against a particular home inspector and Franchisee – but believe me, this could be about many of the inspectors out there.
Before Hiring any inspector, you should read this lawsuit.

Some agents call honest home inspectors “Deal Killers” It is up to the buyer to Kill the deal – not the home inspector. We present information.

At Integrity Inspection WE WORK EXCLUSIVELY FOR YOU ! It is our job to find things that are unsafe or things that may cost you money. We present our findings in a clear manner, and try to recommend a course of action.

Inspecting Stucco Homes

Many homes in the last 20 years have been clad with stucco.   There are several different types of stucco that are popular.  EIFS (aka Dryvit – which is a actually a trade name) traditional (aka  three coat stucco)  Artificial stone (which is stucco) and One Coat stucco which is really not “One Coat.”

Sound confusing?  It is. 

Missing cap flashing over door.

There are many components of a stucco system that must be installed for the system to perform properly.  Weep Screeds, Kick-out flashings, expansion joints, window and door flashings, building paper to name a few. 

Missing Kick Out Flashing

If any of these components are missing or installed improperly the results can be catastrophic.   I have seen 10 year old and newer homes that are rotted to the point of being unsafe – Costing the home owner 10s of thousands of dollars.  (or more)

Missing Weep Screed

If you are considering buying a home with any type of stucco cladding,   You definitely should hire an inspector who is familiar with stucco installation and repair.

Police: Falling stove kills toddler in Las Vegas

The Associated Press

Monday, Nov. 15, 2010 |

Police say an 18-month-old child has died after a stove fell on him.
Lt. Ted Snodgrass says it happened about 2:40 p.m. Sunday at a home on East Charleston Boulevard.
He says the boy opened the oven door, which somehow caused the stove to tumble over and crush him.
The boy was taken to University Medical Center's pediatric ward, where he was pronounced dead.
Snodgrass says it's still unclear who was supervising the young boy.
Detectives from police abuse and neglect detail and officials from Child Protective Services are investigating.
___
Information from: Las Vegas Sun, http://www.lasvegassun.com