Joseph Michalski - PA Home Inspector

You may have noticed - it's winter.

Here in the Philadelphia area that means that we have a layer of perma-snow covering everything. I can't remember what it looked like without it.

It impacts EVERYthing. Fewer parking spaces, horrible street conditions even a week after the snow which alter bus routes and create horrid traffic....

And, snow covered roofs which means limitations on Philadelphia home inspections.

Many times, we do not inspect the roof, simply because we can't see it or it is just plain too dangerous to attempt to.

That said, for flat roofs or roofs where I think I can achieve at least some minimal safe access, I pull out the Little Giant ladder and climb my chilled bones the 25-30 feet up to take a look.

Why? Why do I take any risk at all, regardless of how limited? I can't think of any other Philadelphia home inspector who is climbing roofs. Most (not all) clients seem to inherently understand the problem the snow creates, and do not expect it. The Realtors all go wide-eyed when I tell them I am going to look at the roof, clearly they are not expecting it.

So why do I do it?

Because I can't NOT do it. I don't know how not to try to do everything I possibly can, or tell clients anything that begins with "Our policy is..." To me that's weak - it's BS, and it's doing less (or maybe the minimum) that is expected of me.

I never do the least that is expected of me. I ALWAYS want to exceed expectations. I don't want my clients to be "satisfied," I want them to be flat-out HAPPY!

Yes, it opens me up to added liability when I light an unlit pilot, or test things other inspectors refuse to test, or go on roofs other inspectors wouldn't walk. But if I were the buyer, I would want my inspector to do those things. Sure, I would understand if he didn't for whatever mumbo-jumbo reason he have about insurance, or liability or policy....but inside, I would be quietly disappointed.

So, what is to be gained by going up on that roof? Well, a peaceful view for one....and roof shingles (not visible from the ground) and flashing that need to be replaced.

I understand that everyone has a different comfort zone and it's up to each inspector to make his/her own call on the safety aspect of it. But wherever possible, something in me pushes me those extra 30 feet.

And it is worth it every time.

I admit it – I like Valentine’s Day.

OK, so I love any chance to spend time alone with my wife and get all kissy-huggy, but it’s especially fun when we have an excuse to go somewhere new, try something different.

Last year, we took a get-away all the way to….Philadelphia. Yeah, about 30 miles from my front door to be exact. But we went to the Waterfront Hyatt and I booked a room on the top floor that was bigger than some houses I have inspected, with amazing river views.

It was like a vacation. But it happened by accident because I waited until the beginning of February to plan and we got shut out of the cool stuff I heard about.

So, this year, I started planning early. And no matter what part of the Philadelphia area you are in, there are cool (and inexpensive) things to do with your sweetheart.

Got a sweet tooth or love wine? There are a dozen Wine & Chocolate tastings over the weekend (Chaddsford Winery has many). Or if you’re in Bucks County, try a champagne tasting, candlelight dinner or wine and chocolate tasting at the Crossing Vineyard. There is even a Valentine’s Day wine at dessert (8 PM Monday night) at the Cairnwood Mansion in Bryn Athen for those in Montgomery County (it’s just cool to walk around there with a glass of wine and pretend it’s yours).

Looking for something a little different?

Maybe start at the LOVE statue in Love Park, and kick the romantic weekend off on Friday with Art After 5 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (stays open late, and great light food and cocktails are available). Or a Sweetheart’s Skate at the RiverRink.

And if you want your own mini-vaca, DON’T MISS the unreal values offered at dozens of local hotels. Some include champagne and chocolates, some have roses, candles and drawn baths, some even include a 3 course dinner (which by itself comes close to the cost of the package)!

I’m not going to say which events I have lined up (definite “Do Not Disturb” weekend), but I have something set up for each day from Friday through Monday, and the total bill will be less than $75 per day (I’m madly in love, but not made of money!!)

So, even if you are anti-Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved one and take advantage of the really amazing deals to try a new restaurant, stay in a local hotel, or visit a local vineyard.

It’s OK, I won’t tell anyone where you got the ideas.

First – this is NOT a political rant, or discussion of politics.

Last week, radio talk show host Glenn Beck said something so ridiculous, yet potentially harmful, that I can’t let it pass unchallenged.

First, the back story: Beck’s radio show was dropped from the line-up of the local AM (1210 AM) conservative talk station, effective last Monday.

Now back to the outrage….. Beck suddenly decided last Monday to decide smear the entire city of Philadelphia on his show. For no apparent reason, Beck came out with the following:

“You know how Philadelphia isn’t a place you want to be?” Entering a discussion where he announced people shouldn’t feel safe after 6 or 7 PM, especially on “the killing streets” around Independence Hall.

All of this before eloquently concluding: “Philadelphia sucks.”

Obvious sour grapes, and I tried to ignore the comments, but I can’t because they are SOOOOO wrong and they could give an entirely WRONG impression of our city.

Philly Raincampers will recall walking those “killing streets” Beck referred to on our way to the after party. Coincidentally, I took my lovely wife to Valentine’s Day dinner on those “killing streets” last year (it's the romantic in me).

The truth is: most of the area around Independence Hall is parks and museums, with a HEAVY presence of guards and police (as you might expect around national monuments like the Liberty Bell.)

Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, the Jewish History Museum, The Bourse, The US Mint, the Federal Court building, Carpenter’s Hall, Society Hill, Olde Town, Queen’s Village, Washington Square.

I know, it instantly conjures up images of gangs and guns – doesn’t it? Run for your life – it’s Besty Ross!!!!!!

I might suggest that this is one of the safest places in town for just that reason – well, unless you are afraid a guy in a Ben Franklin outfit might try to run you down in one of the horse drawn carriages.

The point is that Philadelphia takes a lot of punches, and some rightly so (like the guy who got tazed at a Phillies game, ugh!). There was a time when the city earned its reputation as rude and dirty.

Those days are gone now – gone the way of W. Wilson Goode (oh, wait, his son is a councilman?) Well, gone the way of Frank Rizzo (his son, too?) Bill Green? (Really? Can’t their kids find a job on their own?)

Anyway, Philadelphia is a GREAT town with A LOT to do and has become a legitimate world-class city.

We will fight back against cheap-shots and wrong-headed comments that smear our town, and tarnish the new image we have worked hard to build. (Hey, you all saw Rocky – you know we are fighters!!)

Sure, there are still some sketchy neighborhoods (as there are in any major city) and we still have the rough edges of our rowhouse roots (this video gives you good insight into how we protect our parking spaces, if you don’t have sensitive ears – it’s pretty crude, but very funny and very Philly).

But we are SO MUCH MORE. And it would be a shame for you if you miss out on it, because a jilted media figure (who, lived right outside Philly and knows better) decides to trash us as he is kicked to the curb.

Check us out: Love Park, the Art Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Mutter Museum (for the oddballs out there). Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, and the Founding Fathers got it right.

A West Coast inspector who I respect a lot recently posted about when clients can expect to receive their inspection reports, and it got me to thinking about the common questions clients usually have for me.

Aside from prices (which I post online and will address in a future blog), the most popular questions are:

“Can I attend the inspection?” (Of course!)

“Who is allowed to be there?” (Anyone you want)

“Can we follow you around and ask questions?” (That’s why we’re here!)

“Do I need to make notes?” (It will all be in your report)

“When do I get the report?” (By 8 pm the following evening)

In fact, these questions are so frequently asked that I include them in my “Preamble to the Inspection.”

“Bring anyone you want, to ask whatever questions you can think of.

We will inspect the entire house bottom to top, inside and out, and give you a full understanding of what you have, what condition it’s in, and about how long it will last.

If we see any concerns or issues, we will tell you what they are, why they are a concern, and suggest what can be done to correct them.

Based on experience, a home of XXXX square feet should take about xx hours to inspect, but we will stay as long as it takes to answer all your questions fully.”

On-site, the client is the boss and I will tailor the inspection to your needs, but I like to suggest an approach that might work best. (Realtors who have used me frequently can probably recite this by heart)….

“Everything I tell you is going to be included in your report, so you do not need to make notes although you are certainly welcome to if you want to. Your report is sent to you by email and posted online the next day.

Ask any questions you have, whenever they occur to you – don’t hold them for the end, or you might forget them. There are no bad questions.”

Of course every client and every home is different, so each inspection will be different. I like to listen to the clients to make each inspection fit their needs and fully address any concerns you may have.

I’m aware that this is not the way every inspector goes about things, but for 8 years it has served me well. It puts the client in charge, helps you set expectations for the inspection, and gets you all the answers you want.

Of course, if any questions pop up after the inspection – or after you are already in the home – just call, email or text me, I’m always happy to help (and, no, I usually don’t charge for re-inspections or helpful advice)

About half of my clients are buying Philadelphia rowhomes or twins. For reasons that only Philly natives can understand, that makes me feel great.

I grew up in those rowhomes. The first home I bought was a Philly rowhome. My daughter's first home was a Port Richmond rowhome. And I have renovated them, tearing them right down to the studs, rock wool insulation, and knob and tube wiring.

For over 8 years, I have inspected hundreds of Philadelphia rowhomes and have intentionally kept my prices low so that first time buyers (like I was) who are living the dream and buying a rowhome can afford the best inspection possible. I cut no corners, do an exhaustive inspection, and even use the thermal imaging camera for my first time buyers, just the same way I do for those who are buying houses 7 or 8 times the size and price.

I knew very little about houses when I bought that first one, and my home inspector was awful - but I didn't know that until much later. Fortunately, I was able to use my contracting skills (and a lot of coerced labor from friends) to overcome that problem. But most home buyers aren't so lucky.

So I give them the best inspection anyone ever could, because it means something more to me.

For that reason, I started writing a simple "how-to" manual for the first time buyer. In the midst of my writing, I found that the City of Philadelphia beat me to the punch (mostly, but more on that in a second).

I love to give credit where it is due, and the Philadelphia Rowhouse Manual is an excellent document full of great information for even veteran rowhome owners. I am including the link on all my rowhome inspection reports, because it is just that good.

So, for all my friends who own or inspect Philly rowhomes - check it out. And for all those who may be curious about the heart and soul of Philly, this explains a lot about who we are (from a housing perspective.) It's even useful in a general sense to understand more about buildings and houses of the age.

I still hope to write something a little more universal and complete from a maintenance perspective, but the information here is outstanding. Pass it on!!