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NJ Home Inspections by NJ Home Inspectors Licensed and Certified
Not all NJ home inspectors ONLY work for home buyers. Many NJ home inspectors think the realtor who referred them to you as their customer. It is easy to see why. Most people only buy a home a few times in a life time. A top notch realtor sells several homes a month.
Thus if you were a home inspector who would you think is your client? 1. A person who sends you a dozen or two customers a year? OR 2. The person buying the home you are not likely to ever see again? The "correct" answer from a business point of view is #1. The "correct" answer from and ethical and legal point of view is #2. It is very unfortunate many NJ home inspectors will choose #1 consciously or unconsciously. Many home inspectors will not think what the implications of under reporting a defect to their client are when compared to losing the dozen or two referrals a year they are obtaining from the realtor who is selling you your home. NJ home inspectors fall under regulations that clearly indicate who the home inspectors client is. It is indeed unfortunate home inspectors must choose what side of the transaction to work on as there is no middle ground. When confronted with a structural problem like the masonry wall cracked right in half an inspector can tell a client "a crack in the wall exists that occurred a long time ago". That would be factually accurate but deceptive. The home inspector should tell you "there is a crack right through the foundation wall. It has been patched in the past however additional movement has occurred since the patch. Further evaluation is necessary to determine the cost and scope of the necessary corrective action because cracks through foundation walls can be signs of serious problems and issues." The difference in wording will make all the difference in the world when your attorney attempts to negotiate with the home sellers. The "soft" reporting of the first inspector would be all but ignored by the other side. The "correct" reporting of the defect, implications of the defect and need for further action increases the odds the owner will undertake corrective actions. Wood earth contact is so common many inspectors improperly ignore it. Our reports clearly indicate what is wrong, why it is wrong and what to do about it. After reading "Wood earth contact exists. It is necessary to regrade the exterior in order to provide at least 8" of clearance between the siding and the soil in order to help avoid further damages from rot, insects and water. Latent damages may occurring that I was not able to see today due to installed interior and exterior finishes. Invasive testing is necessary to determine if damages or problems have already occurred." There is little doubt as to what has to be done and why. Cracked and broken up steps are tripping hazards. The owner of these steps smeared some cement on the stringer and front of the bricks that are falling apart. Our report told the buyer "the steps are falling apart and that removal and replacement is necessary in order to avoid injury. " Short sweet and to the point. No since dancing around the fact corrective actions are necessary and smearing on more cement would be a further waste of time. Stains on ceilings are a big deal. Letting you know they are dry today is not in any way assurance the cause for the problem has been fixed or that latent damages do not exist. Just telling you the stain is dry today is a waste of every ones time and very well allow you (the home buyer) to sustain damages till water pours out the ceiling. When we see stains we tell you "Prior to expiration of your inspection contingency either obtain a written guarantee from the owner stating all necessary corrective action has already been performed OR obtain a written guarantee from the owner stating all the necessary corrective action will be performed, in order to avoid additional damages and surprises after closing. Sometimes latent water, insect and other damages exist, in addition to those I could see today. Read the LATENT DAMAGES MAY EXIST and the INDOOR AIR QUALITY FUNGUS, MILDEW AND MOLD sections of this report. If leaks are not cured promptly mold, mildew and fungus may grow, wood destroying insects and rot damage should also be expected to occur." Again no reason to make nice to the home owner and realtor. They are NOT our clients. You are paying our fee and you deserve to know the truth about the home. The municipality will inspect the smoke alarms and can issue Code Violation Notices. We will provide home maintenance suggestions and safety tips. Our web site also provides information about New Jersey septic inspections, what to look for when you look for a home, mold information and a list of questions to ask during a home inspection. Mortgage rate and second mortgage rate information. Bot report
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