1. Why do I need a home inspection?
“For someone that has never owned a property, an inspection can help shed light on so many areas that may otherwise be overwhelming. The first reason to have a Home Inspection done when purchasing a property is for the educational value and your protection. A good inspector may uncover some problems that on the surface appear challenging. A good inspector can manage expectations by effectively communicating with you, the customer. If I have an understanding of your needs, concerns, and budget I can very often advise you on the best path forward. A game plan is essential when first getting into a home. And equally important is an inspector that can help you determine if the home is the right home for your situation.”
2. What exactly are you looking for during an inspection?
“There are so many things a Home Inspector has to look for. Some things are safety concerns, things that could harm you and your family. Other things are defective materials or substandard work. In so many cases we find people have hired contractors who are not qualified. In homes we are always looking for substandard electrical, plumbing, roof, and other repairs or modifications that have been done in a substandard fashion. The most important things to look for are things that could really cause harm to the building or occupants. Obsolete plumbing materials, electrical equipment, or even structural concerns are all in a good home inspector’s mind when inspecting a property. The most important concern is anything that may cause you to take on a financial burden like a roof that is near the end of its life expectancy. To answer the question in a complete way, we are looking out for you to make sure there are no real big surprises. We are human and cannot pretend to know it all, but if we do our best we can really be a valuable asset in the home buying process.”
3. What is WDO?
“WDO stands for Wood Destroying Organism. In the state of Florida that could mean Termites, Powder Post Beetles, or Wood Decay Fungi. In our industry there are Home Inspectors that rent licenses and perform WDO Inspections but may not necessarily be legitimate in the eyes of Florida Law. The WDO Inspection is usually very affordable but can provide peace of mind if performed by a state licensed WDO Professional. Even in a concrete block home there are wood trusses and interior wood wall studs, wall trim, doorjambs, etc. All homes would benefit from a WDO Inspection conducted by a state certified professional. “
4. Are home inspections fool proof?
“A Home Inspection is a non-invasive visual inspection that is not technically exhausting but designed to provide the customer with a much clearer understanding of the condition of a property. So, no we are not perfect but a good Home Inspector with experience can actually tell you more about a home than most General Contractors because we are in the business of defect recognition. It takes experience through years of repetition to know what to look for and where to look for problems. That does not make any Home Inspector perfect but does place an emphasis and value on experience as a Home Inspector. The company you choose should be one with inspectors who have a lot of experience in the field.”
5. What is the strangest thing you’ve seen during a home inspection?
“Some of the things that homeowners have done on their own absolutely amaze us in the field sometimes. One example is a homeowner had built an addition in the backyard. After a while they noticed that the flooring was wet and the addition had a strange sulfur odor. They called me out there and asked for my help. I asked a lot of questions which is a part of what I do to try to understand the customer’s needs. I did a public records search and inspected the property and found their addition was installed over the septic system. They had the home inspected prior to purchase and were told they were on city sewer. They did not pull a permit for the addition with Orange County. They were very upset with the results of my inspection but also with their previous Home Inspector. That was a very strange one because as I was uncovering the problem, part of me was so unsure like, “this cannot be happening!” Now here I am, 10 years later and over 5000 Home Inspections under my belt. I have seen a lot.”
“I think most inspections are routine and do not usually uncover major problems but rather help people understand the next five years of their new home purchase. But there are times when we find major problems that could cause someone to walk away from a property.”
“I have always said that I have the best job in the world. Helping people find the right home is very rewarding. I love working with truly professional Realtors that have their client’s best interest at heart. I enjoy teaching first time home buyers how to navigate through the maze of home ownership.”
You can learn more about Paul and his team at his website http://pjm-inc.com or by calling 407-816-8209.