I'll preface this post by saying that I always advise my buyers to hire a home inspector and have a thorough inspection done on the property they've decided to purchase. Additionally, I always add,
"I wouldn't buy a house without getting an inspection done!".
Then, I give my buyers the contact info. for 3 inspectors that I know and love, one of whom is the inspector I used for my own residence. I tell 'em that since they have the right to use any inspector they want, they should not feel obligated to use my list (and might want to ask family or friends for a recommendation or even use the Yellow Pages or the internet, if they so desire).
O.K., now that all of the disclosures are out of the way -- this is the story of the buyer who went on-line to find the...
Inspector Extraordinaire, 
The Inspector of all Inspectors,
The Inspecto-rama-nator-inator,
The guy who took 6 & 1/2 hours to inspect a 1100 square foot, 22 year old house.
I am not pulling your leg this wonderful New Year's Eve.
When this kook was done, he had nearly 6 pages of single-spaced, type-written "issues" with the house --
Yes, if you're counting (and as anal analytical as myself) that would translate to slightly less than 1 page o' issues per hour.
I had a home that was missing an anti-tip bracket on the stove (among a million other things) and a first-time buyer that was completely wigged out.
She didn't know her elbow from her...
But, I digress.
Guys, I've been doing this real estate thing for a minute or two and, although I am not an inspector, I've attended an inspection or two over the years. Subsequently, I've come to one conclusion --
It does not take 6 hours to inspect an 1100 square foot house.
It doesn't.
The purpose of the home inspection, and thus the inspector, is to inform the buyer. The buyer needs to know about the condition of the house and the inspector is there to help uncover any structural and/or mechanical defects within the property. Additionally, the inspector should be there to explain to the buyer that some things are truly repairs that need to be addressed by the sellers, yet other things are upgrades that the buyer should be alerted to, and still other things are maintenance issues that the buyer should be aware of having to do at certain intervals.
There are differences between repairs, upgrades, and maintenance items.
Granted, deferred maintenance items on the part of the seller, could indeed become a bonafide repair item at any given inspection -- don't get me wrong. However, I do not need Inspector Alarmist to provide a laundry list of everything that's wrong w/this house without tempering the issues. My job is hard enough. It's his job to put everything into perspective and not leave my buyer with her head spinning.
My buyer ran from this house. Literally.
She did not buy it or the other 2 houses that this kooky inspector inspected.
And he's not on my list of 3 contacts, either (never was, never will be).
All that to say -- A good home inspector is truly a buyer's best friend. Don't buy a home without one. I wouldn't.
What's Happening in Bel Air Right NOW?
Here's an up-to-the-minute snapshot of Real Estate activity in Harford County's Bel Air, Maryland (zip codes 
21014 and 21015):*
The inventory is abundant; there's something for everyone's taste and budget. What to buy? Choose from a 2 yr-old, 6 bedroom colonial priced at a cool $1.35 mil to a 35 yr-old 1 bedroom condo priced at a mere $112,000. Whichever you decide, now's an exceptional time to buy.
So, whether you're looking for that perfect first home, a decent fixer-upper, or your next buy-up -- call me for the best deals available.
If you'd like more information and/or have any questions about the Bel Air area give me a call or drop me a quick line. I'm very familiar with all that Bel Air has to offer and if you are a military
family relocating to the area (probably due to BRAC), I look forward to assisting you with your move. Edgewood, Abingdon, and Bel Air are just some of the several areas close to Aberdeen Proving Ground and I'd be happy to show you homes in these areas, too. I'm sold on Bel Air and I'd be pleased as punch to sell you on Bel Air as well!
It's a pleasure to be of service,
Lanette Branch, REALTOR
RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.
410-638-6661
800-975-7895
_________________________________________________________________________
*Information was obtained from our local MLS-Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc (MRIS) and is believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. Accuracy of square footage, lot size and other information is not guaranteed.
LAST WEEK in Bel Air, Maryland...
a total of $2.5 million in real estate was SOLD!
Highest Sales Price - $579,900 originally listed at $650,000
6 yr-old BRICK Colonial on slightly less than 1/2 acre
4 Beds/4 Full, 1 Half Bath
68 DOM
Lowest Sales Price - $175,000(originally listed at $205,000)
8 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/2 Bath
350 DOM
Above data is for week beginning Sunday, December 14th and ending Saturday, December 20th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.
Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.
Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.
What's Happening in Bel Air Right NOW?
Here's an up-to-the-minute snapshot of Real Estate activity in Harford County's Bel Air, Maryland (zip codes 21014 and 21015):*
The inventory is abundant; there's something for everyone's taste and budget. What to buy? Choose from a 2 yr-old, 6 bedroom colonial priced at a cool $1.35 mil to a 78 yr-old 2 bedroom bungalow priced at a mere $101,145. Whichever you decide, now's an exceptional time to buy.
So, whether you're looking for that perfect first home, a decent fixer-upper, or your next buy-up -- call me for the best deals available.
If you'd like more information and/or have any questions about the Bel Air area give me a call or drop me a quick line. I'm very familiar with all that Bel Air has to offer and if you are a military family relocating to the area (probably due to BRAC), I look forward to assisting you with your move. Edgewood, Abingdon, and Bel Air are just some of the several areas close to Aberdeen Proving Ground and I'd be happy to show you homes in these areas, too. I'm sold on Bel Air and I'd be pleased as punch to sell you on Bel Air as well!
It's a pleasure to be of service,
Lanette Branch, REALTOR
RE/MAX 1st Advantage Realty, Inc.
410-638-6661
800-975-7895
_________________________________________________________________________
*Information was obtained from our local MLS-Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc (MRIS) and is believed to be accurate, but should not be relied upon without verification. Accuracy of square footage, lot size and other information is not guaranteed.
LAST WEEK in Bel Air, Maryland...
a total of $2.4 million in real estate was SOLD!
Highest Sales Price - $872,500 originally listed at 1,165,000
5 yr-old BRICK Colonial on 1 1/4 acres
4 Beds/4 Full, 1 Half Bath
173 DOM
Lowest Sales Price - $170,000(originally listed at $184,900)
7 yr-old Condo
2 Beds/2 Bath
232 DOM
Above data is for week beginning Sunday, December 7th and ending Saturday, December 13th for zip codes 21014 and 21015.
Interested in more information on what's happening in Bel Air or looking to buy or sell some real estate of your own? Contact Lanette and let's get started.
Information is obtained from our local MLS and is believed to be accurate, but is not guaranteed.
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Successfully Moving Houses in Maryland for Over 15 Years. Ask me about anything Bel Air...go ahead, ask!
I've been doing this real estate thing for over 15 years (that's right, I started when I was 9) and I've gained a wealth of experience and expertise in negotiations and, most importantly, spearheading smooth transactions. I enjoy meeting and working with the many diverse people I deal with on a daily basis and I look forward to working with my next client (could it be you?) towards a successful closing! Visit me to find out more.
I specialize in marketing and selling homes in the Harford County area of Maryland. These areas include Bel Air, Abingdon, 
Belcamp/Riverside, Edgewood, Joppa, Darlington, Street, Jarrettsville, Fallston, Forest Hill, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, and Churchville. My marketing plan involves extensive internet exposure including impressive virtual tours and links to web sites that ensure my sellers' homes are seen by as many qualified potential buyers as possible. Add to that the fact that I work in concert with my sellers to affect a win for both buyer(s) and seller(s).
My goal is to get to the settlement table (that is, afterall, the goal of both sides!) with absolutely no bloodshed.
Seriously, I aspire to keep all sides informed throughout the process and nip all problems in the bud so as to keep the drama to an absolute minimum. I recognize the fact that while I do this everyday, my sellers (and buyers) do this only once or twice a lifetime--therefore, I bring my expertise to the table to affect a smooth transaction.
Oh yeah--my admittedly weird sense of humor doesn't hurt, either...
The links below have been added for your convenience. Check them out.
Blah, blah, blah...yada, yada, yada...
Drop me a quick line, call me, or drop by my place to find out more about me, for Pete's sake!
Who's Pete, anyway?
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