Back to Archive

Time to Read: 5 Minutes or Less

Routinely, agents confess how little they know about the physical product they sell…(the house). At times, they are embarrassed that they can’t answer client’s questions regarding the physical aspects of the house.

In each publication, you will find helpful comments and pictures to help build your knowledge base. This information is not to make you a home or termite inspector. It’s to increase your core knowledge to make you even more valuable to your client.

 

 

Abusive Termite Call

 

In a previous newsletter, I spoke about the risks of hiring inspection companies that perform their own corrective work. 

Below, you will find two "very small" examples that demonstrates how easy it is for your client to become a victim.

Here is the history:

NBI performed an inspection of this home for the seller in Nov, 2005.  In February, 2006, the agent encouraged the buyer to get "their own" termite inspection.  Below, is a picture of what we both saw under the master bathroom.

You are in the subarea looking up at the subfloor under the master bathroom shower.  Can you tell me the "history" of this floor?   Has anything happened here in the past?  What would you report if you were the inspector?

Here is what XYZ company reported in Feb, 2006. 

1B.  FINDING:  There is a surface fungus condition located to the subfloor and frame under the master bathroom stall shower.

RECOMMENDATION:  Scrape or wire brush this area and treat with a registered fungicide Timbor.  .........(SECTION I ITEM)........

Repair Price:  $200.00

Here is what NBI reported in November, 2005.

1.5    Evidence of past repairs and old water stains were noted to the subfloor under the master bathroom.  Recommend verifying the problem, its cause, and the extent of repair that was performed with the owner.  No statement can be made herewith regarding concealed areas (if any).  We recommend having a further inspection performed prior to the close of escrow.

Look at the picture again.    Which company do you think properly reported this condition? 

 

 

 

This is a picture of water stains.  You can see the streaking from a past water leak.

 

 

 

    

These are pictures of "surface fungus"  Notice that "surface fungus" is typically white and "fluffy"  This is the rooting system of fungus and is often times the precursor of fungus damage. 

There is a BIG difference between water stains and "surface fungus".  XYZ's inspector either can't tell the difference (in that case, he shouldn't be performing inspections) OR....he knew very well it was just water stains and he was calling for an unnecessary treatment because he receives a commission from all repair work he sells.

The same XYZ inspector also reported the following....

1A.  FINDING:  The outrigger has been damaged by fungus at the end.

RECOMMENDATION:  Remove and replace all the damaged wood members.  If any damage is found to extend into any enclosed areas a supplemental report and bid will be issued.     .........(SECTION I ITEM)........

Repair Price:  $520.00

NBI reported:

11.3    "SECTION I"   There is evidence of fungus-damage to the ridge beam at the front left side of the house.

RECOMMENDATION:  We recommend removing all damaged wood, replacing as necessary, and treating the adjacent area with a fungicide.

Repair Estimate:  $125 - $150

This beam is "decorative only".  It isn't supporting anything.  Only the outer 2-3 inches were damaged.  If the homeowner wanted to maintain the appearance, he could simply cut off the damage and re-attach another short piece.  The repair of this item wouldn't take more than 30 minutes.   (How could the repair ever cost $520 ???)

 

 

The owner got a little carried away and cut off the entire beam back to the wall.  Since it is not structural, this repair method meets all Structural Pest laws.   

XYZ is an active and agressive inspection company in the Bay Area.  Many unknowing home owners would have paid $720 for work that didn't need to be done.

Is it fair or "proper" to have your client's home inspected by someone that has a vested interest in their findings and corrective recommendations?

 

Designed to Fail (Continued)

Previously, I wrote an article regarding homes "designed to fail".  Robert Swickard (one of NBI's top inspectors) provided the following pictures of another classic case of a home Designed to Fail.

This is a beautiful, expensive new home (never been occupied).  Surely there wouldn't be anything wrong with this home...right??

 

 

Robert was shocked to see the builder hadn't properly elevated the house above the exterior soil level.  Notice the level of the air vents.  The builder probably realized his giant "OOOPS" when the landscapers started bringing in top soil. 

 

 

Notice the builder even extended the wood shingle siding down past the soil line.  In order to meet local building code, he created "mini" wooden retaining walls to keep the dirt away from the house. 

 

 

He has already created an "earth to wood contact" condition.  More importantly, this small space will ABSOLUTELY fill with dirt each year.  Within three years, the base of the siding throughout this house will be rotted.  This was a massive design error.

 

 

At the rear, you will notice the concrete patio was poured to the same height as the the air vents. 

 

 

Robert turned on the water spigot and water immediately started running through the air vents into the subarea.

Call me narrow minded.  Call me a "stick-in-the-mud"....but if you are wanting me to pay $4 Million for this house.....yes $4 MILLION.....I would think I deserve a house that would not rot out in three years or have standing water in the subarea. 

This house sits on a lot that is as flat as a table top.  With all of my construction experience, I frankly don't know how this condition can be properly corrected.  There is no way to lower the soil six inches because it would create just another water trap around the house.  This will be a CONSTANT problem for any home buyer. 

____________________________________________

PLEASE, PLEASE, have your listings inspected prior to entering into a purchase contract.  NBI's non-biased inspections will offer your clients the very best value.   We don't have a vested interest in your client's home; therefore if there are repairs to be performed, we can offer you the most practical repair methods... rather than those that are the most profitable for the repair contractor. 

Call our office at (800) Go-NBI-NOW (800) 466-2466.  Place your inspection order NOW! !

Place your inspection orders on-line, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

To the Top

 
 

 


(Snippets of life from NBI)

Picture of the Week:

 

“Following Instructions"

 

During training, Jack Burnett (one of NBI's Alameda Co. inspectors) was told to thoroughly test each stall shower.  I was shocked when I saw Jack testing this shower. 

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

 

 

Apparently, I forgot to tell him that all of NBI's inspectors take of their clothes when they test the shower.  (Believe me ladies....its not a pretty sight.  ha)

 

 

 

We need your help! !

Our records are showing that thousands of our emails are being swept out to Sea by overzealous spam filters that filter on graphic text and pictures. 

If you feel that NBI's newsletters are informative and helpful, we would really appreciate you jumping up and down, waving your arms during your next sales meeting asking all of the other agents in your office to put us in their email address book.  They are missing out on very worthwhile information.

Thank You

FREE Termite Inspection ! ! !

NBI has only two things to sell, unequalled construction knowledge and “TIME”. We understand that we will never be able to sell “TOMORROW” again. NBI would rather give your client a GIANT discount for acting fast, than not filling an open time slot.

By ordering a “Last Minute Home Inspection”, we will include NBI's famous "Non-Biased Termite Inspection for FREE! !

Our normal rates are:

(Based upon homes under 2000 sq. ft.) (Prices may vary between market areas.)

(San Francisco and Fresno County prices are slightly different.  Please call our office for exact fees.)

Home Inspection: $395.00
Termite Inspection: $240.00
Total:.. $635.00

If you order a home inspection and fill a vacant time slot for the following day; your client will receive a FREE termite inspection!

(Example: If you call NBI on Monday and you are able to fill an open time slot we have on Tuesday, you will receive a FREE termite inspection.)

(Note: Our condominium home inspection price is $265.00 .)

LIVE UPDATE! !

NBI has created a "Last Minute Inspection" web page so you can instantly check to see if we have any "next day" time slots in your area.  Open this web page and drag the Icon onto your desktop.  Each time you need an inspection...simply click on our web page.  It doesn't get any easier than that.

Call our office at (800) Go-NBI-NOW (800) 466-2466 for complete details. For additional information about our company, please visit us at www.goNBI.com.

NBI produces the highest quality inspection reports in the industry.   EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE! !

We provide pictures in our Home "AND" our Termite reports.  These pictures add a tremendous amount of clarity to our findings.  Click here for a Sample Home Report.   Click here for a Sample Termite report. 

Place your inspection orders on-line, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. 

Have you missed previous Straight Fax Newsletters?  Click HERE.  We have many posted for your review.  They contain a lot of great information.

Cute Jokes: 

DIVORCED  BARBIE

 One day a father gets off work and on his way home he remembers that it's his daughter's birthday.

He pulls over to a toy store and asks the salesperson, "How much is the Barbie on the display window?"

The salesperson answers, "Which one? We have: Work out Barbie for $19.95, Shopping Barbie for $19.95, Beach Barbie for $19.95, Disco Barbie for $19.95, and Divorced Barbie for $265.95."

The amazed father asks: "What? Why is the Divorced Barbie $265.95 and the others only $19.95?"

The salesperson annoyingly answers : "Sir... Divorced Barbie comes with: Ken's Car, Ken's House, Ken's Boat, Ken's Furniture, Ken's Computer and...One of Ken's Friends."

 

Pearl Necklace

Saturday, February 4, 2006

A young woman was taking an afternoon nap.  After she woke up, she told her husband, "I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace for Valentine's Day. What do you think it means?"

"You'll know tonight," he said smiling.  The wife bubbled with excitement.  She couldn't wait.

That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it--only to find a book entitled "The Meaning of Dreams."

 

To the Top

Like NBI's Straight FAX Newsletter?   Nearly 500 new agents per month are asking to receive our newsletter.  Encourage everyone in your office to register for this worthwhile information. Send to, Answerman@goNBI.com.

What issues would you like us to discuss in future Straight Fax Newsletters?  Electrical, Plumbing….Roofs???   Proper interpretation of pest control reports???   Let us know.

HAVE QUESTIONS or concerns regarding a potential home problem, ask NBI's AnswerMan at Answerman@goNBI.com 

Editor Notes:  Dale J. Luger founded National Building Inspectors in 1986.  Mr. Luger has purchased; rehabilitated and sold over 1000 residential units in his career.  His credentials as a General Contractor, Roofing Contractor (1976), CA Real Estate Broker (1982), Pest Control Operator (1987) make him uniquely qualified and knowledgeable of all aspects of real estate transactions.   

We never want to send unwanted mail. Your name is here because a fellow agent suggested you'd like to receive e-mail from us. To remove your name from our e-mail list, simply reply with the word REMOVE in the subject line.