October 10, 2010 | Posted by Lookin' Good
The inspector will return to the property at later date when the full inspection can not be completed or to review an unresolved issue. The second appointment is called a “re-inspection”. At Lookin’ Good, this service is provided at no charge as has a value of an average of $75.00.
Basically there are two reasons for a re-inspection. In this market, the typical reason is to return to inspect one or more of the systems, plumbing, electric or gas, because the respective utility was not on. Another reason, though less frequent, as most properties are being sold “as is”, is to see if a recommended repair was completed to a serviceable status and is satisfactory.
Encourage your real estate agent to contact the seller or his agent to notify them of the inspection appointment and to specifically confirm that are all utilities will be on as required by Nevada State Law and to remind them not to TURN THEM OFF, even if they are already on. This is not 100% guarantee of success, but does reduce the chance of the utilities being off or turned off before the inspection appointment.
I believe, the reason for this inconvenience is the banks have literally hundreds if not thousands of properties in their inventory. Each house could run up a minimum of $5 a day in utility charge a day. That amount times the number of properties in the bank’s inventory can add up to thousands of dollars a day. You can see, the banks are very motivated to turn off each utility on each property as quickly as they can.
Please understand this blog is based on opinion reflecting personal experience. We sincerely hope this information is useful. If you have any questions please call our office at 702.734.5665.
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November 22, 2009 | Posted by Lookin' Good
In homes that have natural gas there are seven potential uses: the furnace, the water heater, the stove and oven and possibly a fireplace, Bar-B-Q, swimming pool heater and other assorted exterior heating and lighting appliances.
Here in Las Vegas, when Southwest Gas dispatches a technician to turn on the gas to the property they check each connection to be sure the appliance and the gas line to the appliance are serviceable.
If there is a problem, you will see a 2″ x 3″ yellow tag, placed on the appliance or the attending gas line by the gas company technician. This is to alert anyone on the premises there is a hazardous condition present.
The alert can be something as simple as the appliance is in disrepair or as serious as a gas leak. Depending on the severity of the problem, it is the discretion of the technician whether to turn the gas on to the house or not. In some cases, the gas will not be turned on at all. Under different circumstances, the technician will turn the gas on to the house, but turn off the valve to the appliance with the problem.
The issue to be addressed is noted on the yellow tag as is the technician’s ID number. Usually, it is secured to the gas flex line that connects the appliance to the on/off valve. Also on the yellow tag can be the directive: “licensed contractor to repair”, meaning this is not a job for a handyman or do-it-yourselfer. A handyman may have a contractor’s license, but specifically gas line installations and repairs must be within the scope of the licensee.
Before a repair person is hired, they should asked the name of or State of Nevada code for the license. For instance, a plumber who is allowed by law to do this repair would have a C-1 license. Titles such as “journeyman” or “master” are trade designations, not legal State of Nevada contractor license designations.
You can go on line to the State of Nevada Contractors Board and research the description of the tasks allowed to be done under the scope of each license.
Be sure ask the gas company what will be accepted as sufficient proof that the correction or repair was made by the correct licensed contractor. Covering all these details is important so gas company will establish service as soon as possible, thus avoiding delays in closing escrow.
Please understand this blog is based on opinion reflecting personal experience. We sincerely hope this information is useful. If you have any questions please call our office at 702.734.5665.
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November 15, 2009 | Posted by Lookin' Good
In the past few weeks we have received several phone calls inquiring about add on services such as termite and mold inspections. We don’t provide such services and this is why: we do not believe it is in the best interest of the client.
Those services should be done by an expert. You have a reasonable chance of actually getting an expert by using someone who does it full time.
Typically, inspectors acquire additional certification or licensing to generate more income. This does not mean they are actually an expert. Certification or licensing doesn’t always require much training and is usually provided by the same company who is selling the lab services to process the test samples.
Offering a service in which the inspector is not now or ever has been a professional is not a business practice Lookin’ Good Inspections is comfortable with.
It is our advice to always, always, always ask the inspector three questions: 1. how long have they been providing the add on service; 2. what training did they complete to be certified or licensed and 3. was the training they received accredited by the State of Nevada?
If they don’t have a degree in a science and/or worked full time in that field for three to five years, they probably shouldn’t be doing those add on services.
Get a professional! Get what you pay for!
Please understand this blog is based on opinion reflecting personal experience. We sincerely hope this information is useful. If you have any questions please call our office at 702.734.5665.
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November 15, 2009 | Posted by Lookin' Good
Here are a few tips to make your home inspection go well:
1. Whenever possible, it is always best to be present at the home inspection. It is not mandatory. Whether you are an investor or a home buyer, Lookin’ Good Inspections understands what this means to you. This is a large investment and you should have all the information you can get.
2. Follow the inspector around or at least ask to be called over to see a problem first hand. Pictures are better than nothing, but seeing for yourself is priceless!
3. Don’t be bashful, ask all the questions you want. You won’t be “bothering” anyone! Bring a note pad to jot down questions and the answers.
4. Before making an appointment be sure you understand the report. A sample report is posted on this website. Lookin’ Good provides the report at the end of the inspection – no waiting. There is no doubt computerized reports are visually attractive, but are they worth the wait?
5. Speaking of timing, have a clear understanding of when your Due Diligence ends. You want the exact expiration date, not just the number of days it runs. Your real estate agent can provide that information. Leave adequate time to set an inspection appointment, to review the report and have time to deal with the findings in the report.
6. Another timing issue involves confirming and then reconfirming all the utilities - gas, water and electricity, will be on before the day of the inspection. Even if they are on when you last saw the house, please be sure they are left on. I encourage you to be insistent. It will save you time so you and/or your agent doesn’t have to go back. Nevada State Law says the seller must turn on the utilities to provide opportunity for an inspection.
I hope these tips prove helpful to you and make your home buying experience more pleasant.
Please understand this blog is based on opinion reflecting personal experience. We sincerely hope this information is useful. If you have any questions please call our office at 702.734.5665.
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