Do Not Pass Go Without an Inspection
An investor I know recently entered into a contract for a bank-owned property. It almost seemed too good to be true - gorgeous hardwood floors, all-brick, in-ground swimming pool. The only quickly identified flaw was the smell of some animal that didn’t appear to be house trained.
Yet the investor was urged to get an inspection. Get. An. Inspection. INSPECT IT!
Upon inspection, the foundation needed major repair work. Not only was there a crack that ran from the ground all the way up the side - separating the brick from the window frame - but in another part of the house the bricks were actually broken … usually a bad bad sign. But that wasn’t all. The chimney was falling away from the house by at least an inch due the foundation problems.
To top it off, the “wood destroying organism” (aka termite) inspector found mold underneath due partly to the absence of a vapor barrier.
Remember, this is a bank-owned house so there are additional problems and items that need repair including new paint, pool liner and possible pump, the jacuzzi has handles missing, all the light fixtures need updating, the floor in the kitchen is majorly messed up, there had been a leak upstairs so stains in the downstairs ceiling.
The investor now has the option to walk away from the property if they believe these repairs are just too much.
I don’t know what the buyer will decide to do, but this again emphasizes why sometimes things that are too good to be true really could be too good to be true!
Sometimes home inspection findings are kind of funny, though. This Old House (click on the link to see more crazy inspection pictures) has photos and this one reminds me of a home I once saw that had vines growing from the electrical outlets.
Another inspection: Duck!
Always always get a home inspection.




