Home Inspection... "House of Horrors"

I have a favorite expression I tell my clients when we discover "it" during the home inspection. "I never try to figure out why people do some of the things they do". "It"...is the second set of attic steps in the hallway... next to the original steps, or the electrical outlet in the shower wall (real stories) ! 

Bank sales and foreclosures have become commonplace in this housing market. Typically, the bank will have a property management company shut down all the utilities, natural gas and electricity, at the house to save money on basic utility costs. The problem arises when the basement sump pump no longer operates and the basement floods, or the heating system no longer is operating and maintaining conditioned air in the house. Mold has returned with a vengeance to these houses. I have personally inspected many houses that required substantial repair or renovations for these reasons.

New construction is not always that. I can't forget the main electrical panel in a brand new townhouse. Approximately half of the outlets and switches did not function thru the house. Three of the four "GFCI" circuit breakers would not trip with the simple "Test" safety button installed on the breaker. Yet there was a brand new final inspection sticker on the panel cover from the town...next to the 3 inoperable "GFCI" circuit breakers !

Unprofessional mechanical upgrades, typically the water heater or heating units, performed by homeowners or their "contractor friends" are the absolute worst. I have seen several incorrect and deadly water heater installations recently. One installation in particular sent the client to the hospital with carbon monoxide poisoning!

So remember..."Let the Buyer Beware" !!