Jack Gilleland

Now that we are back doing some rehabing for our out-of-state investors I have become more critical about the condition of the rehabs I inspect.

When a rehab is complete it should look complete. Anyone that presents their work for sale (all of ours are rentals) should be proud to walk any prospective buyer through the property. I don't understand the lack of pride in the completed work.

The homes in these pictures all had offers and I was doing the Home Inspection for the prospective buyer.

The blue line isn't decorative, it is painters tape.

If your trying to sell you don't leave this type of condition.

Today's market is one that demands you have an edge on every comparable house on the market. The above houses will sell or rent slower than ones that have been completed with pride.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

I truly mean this. The world is what we make it, and "This Year" at "This Time" we need to work very hard to make it the best.

Thanks to everyone who makes my experience on activerain a really good one.

Jack

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

There are a number of things you don't want to hear during an inspection. Some are said by the inspector, but others could be said by the homeowner, Real Estate Agent, or even client/buyer. Here are some of my favorites:

"We had an Electrician go through the whole house and there isn't any knob and tube wiring left."

"The roof is only 7 years old and they stripped it down to the rafters when they replaced it.

"We just had all the ducts and returns cleaned."

"You can get to everything real easy. We had a new door installed last year."

In doing this one I noticed that I didn't even scratch the surface. I guess that means you'll be seeing more of these pretty soon.

I'm sure in different locales with different inspectors there are many, many more.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

I recently did an inspection for a couple in southern Ohio. A beautiful home that fit there needs well. The home had one interesting feature that turned me green with envy.

On the lower level it had the Horseshoe. No not a horseshoe, "The Horseshoe".

This is the entry to the OSU room. It isn't a mural, it is all hand painted.

Imagine someone sitting down and deciding to do a whole room like this.

I enjoyed the experience completely. Even if you aren't an OSU fan you have to appreciate the determination. It took 2 years to do according to the plaque that was attached to the wall under the scoreboad.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

When a Home Inspector writes a report or takes notes for a report he usually begins the same way each time. I know I do. I start outside with the roof and work my way down and around the house. Taking everything in stride no matter what you may find. Oh, you might look at something and shake your head, snap a couple extra photos, and even write a cute (using the term loosely) little anecdote in the margins. But all in all home inspectors that have been doing it for a while take most things in stride.

When one downspout is missing, you report it and go on to the next item. In the picture to the left there are 2 downspouts missing within 6' of each other. Okay, maybe that isn't unusual enough to raise an eyebrow, or maybe just one eyebrow. I noted these on the report an went on around the house to the right.

As I proceeded around the front I noted the other side had been taken off too. Then (in the photo to the left) I saw the fourth incident of the same thing. All of the downspouts were missing so far and I only needed one more to make it unanimous. As I rounded the back corner there it was 5 of a kind. Someone needs a little downspout and gutter work.

Jack Gilleland