You Just Never Know....

 Monday-Monday, can’t believe that another week has gotten away from me.  Last week was very interesting in the world of WestCoast Home Inspection.  We had our normal houses from Spanaway to Bellevue and almost everything in-between but two things really stuck out.  One went directly into my “Never say you have seen it all” file and the other is one has become so common its starting to remind me of Starbucks (still just coffee but costs me lots of money).  First the “Never say you have seen it all” house.  Quite often I will have clients or agents ask me if it is really necessary to have a home inspection.  After all I think we all have a Dad or uncle who was or is in construction and will gladly look at the house for us.  That’s great but sometimes you need a pro.  Not because we are smarter or better but just because we do it every day.  This week I was called out to a house for some past clients who wrote an offer over six months ago on a short sale.  It was on five acres and a pretty good deal for being in town.  At first glance there were some obvious maintenance issues but nothing jumped right up and said run.   It was a two story house with several additions on the right, left and back of the house.  Unfortunately the additions all had flat roofs over them but hey life goes on.  There had also been a basement added under the main portion of the house, not a great idea but let’s see how they did.  Upon entering the house we noticed that several of the walls were two and a half feet thick. Ok now this is getting odd.  Several hours later and some exhausting investigation, it turns out that this house started life as someone’s recreational cabin (log cabin).  The log cabin was still in there.  A foundation had been poured under it (some concrete, some masonry block), a basement dug under it, a second story added to it and then additions added to all sides of it. The only two logs that were visible at the base of the old cabin were rotted and full of insects.  It was definitely an original plan and I am certain that no one from the county had ever issued a permit for this.  The clients were rather taken aback as was I.  Do you need an inspection?  Yes you do.  My average client is only in the house they make an offer on three times for a total of less than an hour.   Hire an inspector.  The second issue has become so common in the last three years that I just have to get it off my chest.  If you want to sell your house (bank agents listen up) you will likely have it inspected.  To complete an inspection you have to have power, water and gas.  The utilities have to be turned on and yes if the bills are not paid the utility company will shut them off and lock the meters.  This causes all parties involved (me included) to make a second, third and even sometimes a fourth trip to the property to complete our jobs.  Every trip costs me money and time as well as everyone else.  Please have the utilities on so we can all move forward and avoid more extensions.  Thanks for listening and have a great week all……

                                                Sincerely,   Matt Sorensen WestCoast Home Inspection.  

Rodents can be messy.  Take a look in your crawlspace.  

  

WestCoast Home Inspection                                                                                    Phone:           253-380-2922

903 291^st Street

                                                                                                        Scheduling:        253-380-5949

Roy, WA 98580                                                                                                                     Fax:        253-843-1807