Tag Archives: home inspections

Jul 07

Free Termite Inspections are Usually not Guaranteed!

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Often, home inspectors will offer “a free termite inspection” included with their home inspection price. Almost always, home buyers aren’t aware that such termite inspections come with no guarantee whatsoever! When a licensed pest inspector prepares an inspection report, the inspection is also usually not guaranteed, so that if termites are discovered after the home is purchased, the purchaser is not protected against paying for related repairs. They usually will, however, guaranty most houses if they are treating them with pesticides. Unless, for example, there is no moisture termite barrier on the foundation top under the sill plate.  Newsday published an article on this subject and outlined how real estate lawyers in many states will recommend an independent termite inspector:

“The engineer found no termites, but when he wouldn’t give a guarantee, I suggested [the buyers] bring in a licensed pest controller,” Minella said. With a written guarantee, buyers would be protected against paying for repairs in case termites were found after they moved in.”

I became certified through InterNACHI to inspect for termites and other WDO (wood destroying organisms), that I offer along with a home inspection, using a separate inspection form, for the same inclusive fee. Pest applicators also offer WDO reports and these inspections and reports are usually competitively priced because the inspectors anticipate that some of these inspections will lead to work down the road. As a matter of fact, this gives them an incentive to make an extremely thorough inspection in order to find infestation. In one case, a termite inspector found a clean house but found infestation under a log right next to the house. In this situation, treatment was recommended in the report.

In a number of cases, licensed termite inspectors found infestation problems and these reports were used as negotiation tools because the buyers wanted the houses regardless. The slightly higher cost for a separate termite inspection may be worth it for a number of reasons.

(Revised 12-07-16)

Termite photo by Scott Bauer

Tags: Long Island termite inspections, termite inspectors, best home inspector, how to choose a home inspector, North Fork NY Home Inspector, East End Long Island NY,  Peconic NY home inspector, mid-island home inspector, experienced home inspector, licensed home inspector, certified home inspector, engineers report, Mattituck NY home inspector, Shelter Island, Cutchogue, Laurel, Jamesport, Abequogue, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Brookhaven, Middle Island, Riverhead, Southold home inspector,  mid-island home inspector, experienced home inspector, licensed home inspector, certified home inspector, engineers reports, North Fork NY home inspection reports, North Fork NY engineers reports, License #16000053978

Feb 15

Recession Buster – $425 Guaranteed Maximum Fee for a 4BR Home Inspection in Suffolk NY!

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guaranteeSHI has lowered the fee for a home inspection of up to four bedrooms including a basement. It used to be $500 and now it is $425 with no extra travel fees or hidden costs for any location in Suffolk County NY! Because of inflation, this price will not be indefinite. So call at the time of your inspection to verify the current price. Give us a call at 631 377 2046.

Tags: best price home inspections Long Island, best price home inspections in Suffolk NY

Nov 27

Increased Home Inspections After Hurricane Sandy

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Grace-presbyterianThere have been some aftershocks of Hurricane Sandy in the real estate market that have been noted in the aftermath of the storm. For example, homes that had already been inspected have been reinspected – just in case there were any fresh damages caused by the storm. A press release from the Business Journals site describes the situations:

“Many home sales as well as contracts that are in progress will be put on hold until homes can be inspected or re-inspected for damages caused by the hurricane.  If you’re selling your home, don’t be surprised if a buyer interested in your property wants a second inspection of your home.  And if your home is under contract, be aware that properties in areas impacted by the hurricane may require another appraisal by the mortgage lender. Estimates at property damage range from $60 billion to as much as $90 billion to date on homes in seven states.”

The site lists a number of other factors as well: Fewer homes are listed, sales contracts are being put on hold, fewer people are looking to buy homes near the damaged areas, lower home prices, and, as a plus, there are lower interest rates. The article offers a summary of the situation:

“Hurricane Sandy has inflicted much damage to homes and businesses along the East Coast.  It would be difficult to overstate the devastation of this storm,” Habib says. “To some, the storm could bear some bad news extending well beyond property damage.  For potential homebuyers, lower home prices and continued low interest rates may offer a small silver lining to an otherwise distressing situation. Ultimately, buyers who were on the fence may find that the cost of purchasing a home has become even more attractive,” Habib says. “That means good news for both homebuyers and home sellers.”

Hurricane Sandy changed the landscape in more ways than one. I pray that the victims of the tragedy find a sense of peace and the help they need in this time of great need. About 50 members of Grace Presbyterian Church, who were able to go on a Saturday, went on a bus to Breezy Point, NY in order to help victims with the clean up of their homes. That’s the context of the photo of damages included in this post.

Tags: increased home inspections after Sandy, two inspections common after Sandy