Sherlock Home Inspections Blog

IS YOUR PLUMBING HOLDING WATER YOU MAY ASK YOURSELF???

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:34:00 GMT

With Las Vegas Home Inspections-People Are Getting An Education Rather Than Negoitation

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:47:00 GMT

In this Las Vegas market everything we do as an inspector is leaning towards education (What is this property like, what condition is it in and what repairs will I have to do to make it habitable), rather than trying to help the buyer justify offering less on a property because of issues that are found. Basically, we are dealing with REO's (Bank Owned Real Estate) and homes are being sold AS IS. So the inspection a buyer is having performed is for their own knowledge, not for negoitation.

It was a different story before in the height of the frenzy in buying that you could ask an owner to take care of some issues. Today 99% of the properties are foreclosures and no one to talk to. Banks are taking as many offers as possible and according to agents I work with daily they are finding 20 to 25 offers on a property is not unusual. The Listing Price is typically bid UP and the home goes to the highest bidder usually. It is a frustrating occurence, putting an offer in and waiting 2-3 months to see if the offer is accepted.

Once the offer is accepted, that is where we as inspectors come in. We survey the condition, see what is functioning properly and what needs to be addressed. Typically the buyer has a clause in his/her contract (An Escape Clause) that the DEAL is based on the inspection. After the inspection is completed and everything that was discovered has been gone over, then the buyer can make an informed decision to continue with the purchase or explore other avenues.

We hope you find this blog interesting and educational and we invite you to let us at Sherlock Home Inspections Las Vegas know what you are interested in and we can address it for you. We can tell you this if your subject is beyond our scope, we will find the right person to address your question. Contact us through our website and thanks for your time.

Learning Something New Every Inspection-Air Conditioning Problem And Solution

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 05:23:00 GMT

With each and every home inspection in Las Vegas the challenges are many. On an inspection the other day I found the air conditioning was not activating. After several attempts with the thermostat I was ready to declare and write the A/C was not functioning.

The agent that was with me was curious also with many years under his belt. He also examined the main fuse block to the A/C and pulled one out. Low and behold it was installed upside down. He put it in the correct way and the unit fired up. He mention he had come across this before. Someone (Usually the owner of the property or listing agent) will do this so that the buyers agent doesn't enter the property and put the thermostat on 65 degrees and leave it that way.

Well, to my amazement, I learned something new to look for. As with every inspection I take care not to recommend service calls so the buyer can save money, but in a case like this, I would have definitely recommended one. I would rather a buyer spend $50-75. on a call than be informed upon move in that they need a new unit or costly repairs. Just goes to show you that on the job training never stops and neither does the learning. Please visit our website: www.SherlockInspections.com for many answers to your home inspection questions. I am Ed Albrecht, Owner/Inspector, Sherlock Home Inspections, Inc. of Las Vegas.

Home Inspections Las Vegas Utilities, Utilities, Utilities as Important as Location, Location, Location!

Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:42:00 GMT

Scenerio: Listing Agent, Buyers Agent with The Husband and Wife and the home inspector show up at a property with the intention to do an inspection only to find the water is "Locked" off by the Water Authority. Options: Do the inspection anyway or re-schedule (usually an additional fee involved ). Who is the finger going to be pointed at. First, the Listing Agent, as it is his/her responsiblitiy to have the utilities on. The Buyers Agent usually will call the Listing Agent and ask, "Are the utilities on?" They may have been 3 weeks ago when the property was viewed, but alot can happen in 3 weeks. Now everyone has a decision to make as what to do. This can be easily avoided.

The Buyers Agent has to do his/her due diligence and inspect the property for utilities prior to scheduling the home inspection. This takes the guess work out of the equation. The Listing Agent may be under the assumption that they are on, but do not assume. We arrived for an inspection on a brand new home in Seven Hills for a Surgeon, on arrival to meet the Superintendant, Buyers and Buyers Agent. Before we entered the property we noticed the power was off. When questioning the builders representative he stated, "Oh we can do the inspection and we will have the power on tomorrow." We asked the Buyer to step outside for a moment. We told him, " Call us when the power is on," and left. Upon leaving we could hear the Surgeopn screaming at the Rep about wasting his precious time. This should have been avoided.

Remember, utilities are a "Domino Effect." Gas is on, however without water you can not inspect the water heater. Without power you can not inspection A/C, most appliances as they are starting by electronic ignition, and so on. Avoidance saves embrassment. We have accomplished inspections without a utility, but it is not the best way to do it.

A little extra effort on the Buyers Agent part will go a long way. A phone call to the Listing Agent is not enough. Remember the responsibility is on the Listing Agent and usually the Broker of the office has an agreement with the institution, usually a bank, to turn on the utilities and be reimbrused. However, there are cases where utilities will not be turned on until prior bills are settled and they can range to alot of money. If the Listing Agent is rsponsible, he/she has to find a way of laying out these expenses.

In summation, a little due diligence on the buyers agent end can save headaches, re-scheduling and embarassment. They should take the time to see everything is on. If they do not know how to check for this, call your inspection company and in a few minutes they can walk you through it. Sherlock Home Inspections does it all the time. Especially with first time buyers who are nervous to begin with you do not need to place added pressure on them at this time. Remember, "Anyone purchasing a home in this marketplace should have their house examined!"

Should you have any comments, questions or suggestions for our blog, feel free to contact us call 702-683-8882. Visit our website at: www.SherlockInspections.com.

With Las Vegas Home inspections Listening To The inspector Can Save Money, Aggravation and Frustration

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:12:00 GMT

With the Summer months upon us, no wonder the first consideration a home inspector in Las Vegas will concern himself about is air conditioning. Today, most of us use a Laser Thermometer to read the vent outputs. From the ceiling a reading between 50-56 degrees is considered satisfactory as the cool air falls into the room and brings room temperature to 68-70 degrees (for testing) should be adequate for a household.

Remember, should an inspector report the a/c is not cooling or operating at an acceptable level, the first thing you should do after the inspection is to book a licensed HVAC company. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER CLOSING! You do not want any surprises. Find out what is happening. It could be as simple as a loss of freon (Usually meaning there is a slight leak and should be attended to) or it could mean there is far greater repair or replacement needed to the unit.

We know it is easier for us to schedule service calls once in the property, but once in the property there is no recourse as far as getting assistance with payment or reimbursement. Once you know what is involved with the system you can then make an informed decision to go ahead with the purchase or rethink your options. Take the guess work out of the equation.

Not listening to the home inspector can be costly and no home inspector wants you to spend money foolishly on unnecessary service calls. However, if a service call is recommended take heed. This will save you money, aggravation and frustration.

Should you have any comments, suggestions or a subject you would like us to cover, please call: Ed 702-683-8882 and please visit our website: www.SherlockInspections.com.

Las Vegas Home Inspections-A Necessity not a Luxury.

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 13:52:00 GMT

In this foreclosure marketplace, people walking away from their homes, no maintenance being performed, there is a good chance that many items may be in need of attention. Return air filters are recommended to be replace every 30 days, even the most avid homeowner barely reaches that goal. You can imagine someone losing their home wouldn't pay much attention to this. Changing them will make your air conditioning function properly and save energy.

Toilets running, drips from faucets and iriigation run amok are also wasteful and can do damage even further. A thorough inspector will note these potential negative conditions and it gives you the opportunity to update, replace or just correct the situation so as the fixture will function properly. Replacing furnance filters also will add to the "Greening" of your new home.

Appliances should be run, operated and examined. You can't assume because it is there it is operating to its potential. Dishwashers and water heaters are culprits. Starting up a dishwasher strikes fear in an inspector as he sees water pouring out the bottom. Water heaters corrode and with a life expectancy of approximately 10-12 years (Usually less) they pose a concern as if you ever had one go bad in the middle of the night as I have, you awake to 4" of water in the garage and streaming down the driveway.

At Sherlock Home Inspections Las Vegas we take pride in examining all appliances, built-in or stand alones, so their are no surprises to our customer and they are made aware of a service call is needed or replacement recommended. The "Greening" of your new home should be environmentally connected and that "Greening" doesn't have to be mildew or mold. I am Ed Albrecht, Owner/Inspector, Sherlock Home Inspections Las Vegas. I welcome any comments and can be reached at 702-683-8882. Please visit our website where you can obtain a Free Quote: www.SherlockInspections.com. Thanks for your time and remember, "Anyone purchasing a home in this marketplace should have their house examined!"

"You Can Always Get What You Want..."

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:04:00 GMT

Finding the right home inspector foy you, there is a formula to this. If you are working with an agent, they should supply you with a list of a minimum of 3 companies you can contact, possibly more. Take the initative and contact at least 3.

Ask alot of questions, like, "How long have you been in business?", "Can you supply me with a copy of your Certification and Insurance?," "Will you make me aware of positive issues with the home as well as items needing attention?." No question is too stupid, only the question not asked. I have been asked in the recent past for references of agents as well as customers. If there is any hesitation on any question, move on.

Next, Pricing? Compare the 3 quotes and DO NOT base your selection on price alone. There are businesses out there doing 1 page $99. Specials. Beware, you can not inspect a home using one page. Our report runs 21 pages.

Tell each company when you make the decision you will get back to them and thank them for their time. Believe me, a little respect can go a long way in getting that extra effort out of the inspector.

In my 12 years in home inspections in Las Vegas I have witnessed and inspected just about every situation you can think of, barring a home used as a meth lab. I would steer clear as I would not want to be in there with pilot lights lit. The challenge for the inspector in this marketplace is using imagination and common sense. He has to be aware of what he doesn't see as well as what he does. Example: A pool unequipped with a GFCI outlet (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor). This is for safety sake. Just because the pool is operational doesn't mean it is safe.

Once you hire that inspector, listen to him. That is what you are paying for. If he recommends further evaluation on a condition, do it. We, as inspectors, do not like having to recommend further evaluation as it is more money for you and more time for the agent, but if recommended, listen. There is definitely a good reason. So in any case, "You Can Always Get What You Want..."

I hope you find this information helpful, and should you have any questions, call: 702-683-8882 and I would be happy to help. Ed Albrecht, Owner/Inspector, Sherlock Home Inspections, Inc. Visit my website: www.SherlockInspections.com

PS: Example, gentleman called last week asking shouldn't have the inspector have told me it would take 15 minutes for hot water in the bathroom? First, I ask if he was a lawyer (I am not interested to get involved with someone elses ligitation). He said he was just a buyer concerned that as far as his inspection, he felt short changed. Well, to make a long story short, I told him after you call him and discuss the issue, if he doesn't at least reimburse you the cost of the inspection, ask for his insurance company. Most independents are carrying $5,000. deductible insurance and he will have to pay for repairs to right the situation out of his own pocket. (The answer to this gentlemens problem would have been to recommend he install a circulator on the water heater and he would have instant hot water). This gentleman was pretty upset and I am not sure of the outcome, but one thing I am sure of Sherlock Home Inspections did not do the inspection. (That was the first question I asked-My Mother did not raise a fool).

"Hot Town summer In The City..."

Sun, 24 May 2009 14:53:00 GMT

Summer is here and here is where you can maximize your A/C. Las Vegas in summer is like walking on the sun and our utility bills prove it. There are a few things you can do to be sure you get the most out of your cooling.

First, be sure to change your return filters often. (It is commended you change them every month. Hardly anyone does this out of shear laziness. It will help with your allergies as well as your bill). Next, be sure you have at least 1 inch of space between your interior doors and the floor, carpet etc. This allows air flow throughout the house. You may have to trim some doors to allow this, but it is well worth your time.

The last thing is to ballance your ceiling and wall vents. Many people close their ceiling or wall vents to pump additional cooling into the rooms they use most. All well and good, but actually opening all the vents will give even distribution and even cooling.

We at Sherlock Home Inspections recommend the above to save money and additional laundry to clean more clothes due to perspiration! Please visit our website at: www.SherlockInspections.com.

Ed Albrecht/Owner, Sherlock Home Inspections, Inc. Nevada Certified IOS-0050. Ph: 702-683-8882. You can call with any comments or suggestions for topics to me and I will do my best to answer them. Thanks!

Home Inspector versus Appraiser

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:49:00 GMT

The difference between a home inspector and an appraiser is the same as the difference between an auto mechanic and a doctor. Both are diagnosticians, but different environments. To date banks and lending institutions have used appraisers to estimate the value of a home using comps (comparable sales within a period of time as close to said property as possible). They measure room sizes, square footage of the property and on the interior examine the home for visible leaks, missing items such as a range, and come up with a fair market value to base a loan on.

The problem being an appraiser is not a home inspector. They are not exploring for poor drainage, missing concrete slab under a shed in the rear yard, whether the water heater has passed its life expectancy. Ask an appraiser the last time he tested the PRV (Pressure Relief Valve) on a water heater to determine whether it leaks, functions properly and drains correctly. I bet the answer is NEVER.

Thus to sum up the difference in short terms, an appraiser estimates value and a home inspector examines all systems and structure for operation and functionality. Lastly, an appraiser is not Certified by the State as a home inspector MUST be. An inspector must attend classes and pass the Certification Test given by the State. He MUST attend classes or related conventions for Continuing Education to Re-Certify every 2 years.

I understand through an acquaintance that appraisers are no longer allowed to do a home inspection for these companies because of possible litigation and taking on the responsibility we home inspectors do. I am also not aware if they carry Errors and Omissions Insurance, which a home inspector MUST do. I imagine they have Liability insurance and that is where the problem lies. They determine the value on a property and are NOT trained to spot the deficiences and conditions the way a home inspector is.

Ask your lender or bank if the appraiser ran the washer, dryer, dishwasher and tested the thermostat on the water heater. Chances are they did not. So the difference between a home inspector and an appraiser is as different as night and day. I have been doing home inspections in the Las Vegas Valley for over 12 years and have built and purchased many homes here since 1992 and I can tell you I would not rely on an appraisers report on a home I want to purchase. Again this is a case of value versus examination. I am Ed Albrecht, Owner, Sherlock Home inspections, Inc. I may be reached for comments, and or Free Estimates on an inspection at 702-683-8882. This is a lesson well intended to educate the public about a misconception.

First Time Home Buyers

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:54:00 GMT

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