Issue of home inspections draws response

  • Steve Tytler / Real Estate Columnist
  • Saturday, November 3, 2001 9:00pm
  • Business

Note: The following letter is in response to my Oct. 21 column, in which I said that a professional home inspector should have tested a furnace for the home buyers. The letter has been edited due to space limitations. I have included my response within portions of the reader’s letter.

Letter: As you stated, there are two nationally recognized organizations that set home inspection standards: The National Association of Home Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors. The two are similar organizations with similar inspection standards.

Both organizations state in their standards that the furnace heat exchanger is not included as part of the inspection. In most cases, the heat exchanger is deep inside the furnace and requires some dismantling in order to inspect it. The standards for both organizations do not allow dismantling of equipment or other invasive procedures. Also, neither organization requires a carbon monoxide test, although it is strongly recommend, as you stated.

Response: On the American Society of Home Inspectors Web site, I found the following quote under instructions for inspecting heating systems: “Watch for rusting of heat exchanger in steel hot-air furnaces. Implications: possibly dangerous conditions including high CO levels in the building. Test or recommend test of heat exchanger.”

As I stated in my previous column, “The existence of rust in the heat exchanger should have been visible with even a cursory examination of the furnace by the home inspector.” So it is not necessary to dismantle a furnace in order to inspect the heat exchanger.

Letter: A home inspector is not an expert in every craft or profession, nor could a typical home buyer afford to hire a specialized inspector for each system in the house. When there is doubt or concern on a home inspection, a recommendation is made to an appropriate specialist. Depending on the age and condition of any major system of a home, a qualified expert may be needed to further evaluate the system prior to closing.

You may have been a bit harsh on the referral process. If there are inspectors out there that have their Realtor’s needs ahead of their buyers, they won’t last long. Regardless of whether the issue is identified by the home inspector, the ultimate responsibility for the failure to disclose falls on the inspector. Those repair/replacements will fall back on him and eventually put him out of business. Most Realtors and home inspectors have figured that one out. A quality Realtor will only work with a quality inspector.

Response: I agree that good real estate agents prefer not to put themselves in a position where a bad inspection could come back to haunt them, but I also know for a fact that some real estate agents use inspectors who are known to be “easy” on properties because they want to make sure the deal will close. I could name names, but I won’t.

Letter: Here are some guidelines you may want to pass on to your readers to help them make a better decision about a home inspector:

Get referrals from friends and neighbors who have had experience with home inspection companies.

Be wary of an inspection company that is also in the home repair business, because it might encourage unnecessary repairs and is illegal in many states.

Be sure the company uses trained, experienced inspectors who are members of the National Association of Home Inspectors, the American Society of Home Inspectors or other professional associations.

Obtain a list of references, home buyers and real estate agents who have used the company’s services.

To determine the inspector’s level of experience, ask how many home inspections have been conducted by the individual who will examine your house and if he/she is a full-time inspector.

Insist on seeing a sample inspection report in advance and make sure it is more comprehensive than a simple checklist.

Be sure you can get a comprehensive written report within 24 hours.

Ask for a written agreement detailing the inspection fee and the scope of the inspection.

Be sure the inspection company has professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance.

Confirm that the inspection will be done when you can be there to attend. – Arnie Williams, World Inspection Network International Inc.

Response: I agree with most of your suggestions. However, I need to point out that there are also licensed engineers who perform home inspections. Most of them are not members of the National Association of Home Inspectors or the American Society of Home Inspectors, but they are qualified to inspect homes by virtue of their engineering license. The bottom line: Find an experienced professional home inspector and check references

Mail your real estate questions to Steve Tytler, The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. Fax questions to Tytler at 425-339-3435, or e-mail him at economy@heraldnet.com

Steve Tytler is a licensed real estate broker and owner of Best Mortgage, Inc. You can visit the Best Mortage Web site at www.bestmortgage.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Business

A closing sign hangs above the entrance of the Big Lots at Evergreen and Madison on Monday, July 22, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Big Lots announces it will shutter Everett and Lynnwood stores

The Marysville store will remain open for now. The retailer reported declining sales in the first quarter of the year.

George Montemor poses for a photo in front of his office in Lynnwood, Washington on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Despite high mortgage rates, Snohomish County home market still competitive

Snohomish County homes priced from $550K to $850K are pulling in multiple offers and selling quickly.

Henry M. Jackson High School’s robotic team, Jack in the Bot, shake hands at the 2024 Indiana Robotics Invitational.(Henry M. Jackson High School)
Mill Creek robotics team — Jack in the Bot — wins big

Henry M. Jackson High School students took first place at the Indiana Robotic Invitational for the second year in a row.

The computer science and robotics and artificial intelligence department faculty includes (left to right) faculty department head Allison Obourn; Dean Carey Schroyer; Ishaani Priyadarshini; ROBAI department head Sirine Maalej and Charlene Lugli. PHOTO: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College.
Edmonds College to offer 2 new four-year degree programs

The college is accepting applications for bachelor programs in computer science as well as robotics and artificial intelligence.

FILE — Boeing 737 MAX8 airplanes on the assembly line at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., on March 27, 2019. Boeing said on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, that it was shaking up the leadership in its commercial airplanes unit after a harrowing incident last month during which a piece fell off a 737 Max 9 jet in flight. (Ruth Fremson/The New York Times)
Federal judge rejects Boeing’s guilty plea related to 737 Max crashes

The plea agreement included a fine of up to $487 million and three years of probation.

Neetha Hsu practices a command with Marley, left, and Andie Holsten practices with Oshie, right, during a puppy training class at The Everett Zoom Room in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Tricks of the trade: New Everett dog training gym is a people-pleaser

Everett Zoom Room offers training for puppies, dogs and their owners: “We don’t train dogs, we train the people who love them.”

Andy Bronson/ The Herald 

Everett mayor Ray Stephenson looks over the city on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2015 in Everett, Wa. Stephanson sees  Utah’s “housing first” model – dealing with homelessness first before tackling related issues – is one Everett and Snohomish County should adopt.

Local:issuesStephanson

Shot on: 1/5/16
Economic Alliance taps former Everett mayor as CEO

Ray Stephanson will serve as the interim leader of the Snohomish County group.

Molbak's Garden + Home in Woodinville, Washington will close on Jan. 28. (Photo courtesy of Molbak's)
After tumultuous year, Molbak’s is being demolished in Woodinville

The beloved garden store closed in January. And a fundraising initiative to revitalize the space fell short.

Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Center executive director Larry Cluphf, Boeing Director of manufacturing and safety Cameron Myers, Edmonds College President Amit Singh, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, and Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, July 2 celebrating the opening of a new fuselage training lab at Paine Field. Credit: Arutyun Sargsyan / Edmonds College
‘Magic happens’: Paine Field aerospace center dedicates new hands-on lab

Last month, Edmonds College officials cut the ribbon on a new training lab — a section of a 12-ton Boeing 767 tanker.

Gov. Jay Inslee presents CEO Fredrik Hellstrom with the Swedish flag during a grand opening ceremony for Sweden-based Echandia on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Swedish battery maker opens first U.S. facility in Marysville

Echandia’s marine battery systems power everything from tug boats to passenger and car ferries.

Helion Energy CEO and co-founder David Kirtley talks to Governor Jay Inslee about Trenta, Helion’s 6th fusion prototype, during a tour of their facility on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
State grants Everett-based Helion a fusion energy license

The permit allows Helion to use radioactive materials to operate the company’s fusion generator.

People walk past the new J.sweets storefront in Alderwood Mall on Thursday, July 25, 2024, in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Japanese-style sweets shop to open in Lynnwood

J. Sweets, offering traditional Japanese and western style treats opens, could open by early August at the Alderwood mall.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.