How long ago is 1971? It is the year I graduated from College. I had not built my first house yet----five years to go. No kids yet----although some close calls. It was 39 years ago---if I have done my math correctly. It is quite common to call for repairs to homes during an inspection. In fact I have never inspected a house that didn’t need “something” fixed. It is also quite common for my recommendations to be ignored. About 5 years ago I inspected a house where the electrical service crossed the house from the street to the electrical mast on the back side of the house. The wire was resting on the ridge of the house and the wind had been moving the wire back and forth to the point that the granules were worn off the ridge and the bare conductors were exposed and touching the roof. A couple of weeks after I did this inspection I got a call from the electrician who was going through my report and making necessary repairs at the home. He was very impressed with the report and went on-and-on about how he had never seen anything like it and just called to let me know that. Cool----I thought----it is nice to get these kinds of calls now and then. I drive by this house almost every day----as it is very close to my house. Five years later----the wire is still in the same position it was when I inspected the house----except that the wire and the roof has five more years of abrasion on them. Back to 1971. On one of my recent inspections, my buyer sent me an old appraisal that had been done on the property----in 1971. The appraiser had noted that the steps from the sidewalk up to the house were in poor condition and were in need of repair. Here is a screen shot of the appraiser’s recommendation. Not sure what the “imp” refers to----and I am hoping that someone familiar with “appraiser-speak” can translate for us. I think the overall message is clear however. 39 years later----the stairs are still in need of repair-----only more so----and no real translation is required. I had the same recommendation as the appraiser did in 1971. Perhaps if I say, “Please?” Charles Buell
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I don't think Please will matter. The problem with lots of homeowners now is that they are "too busy" to fix anything, and they just go out and purchase a new one. Look how many people move in a little over 3 years after purchasing a property. Many have no idea what homeowner maintenance is. Maybe we should suggest a Get'er done type show for HGTV and then maybe people will see what they are suppose to be doing.
Some things are just more urgent than others for many people. Purhaps if you would have told them that the refridgerator was bad and their BEER was going to get warm, then they may have done something.
It is maddening.
Charles "please," is the magic word. hmmm...I never thought of putting "please" in my reports.......
Diane, but in the time they could watch all those shows, think of how many repairs around the home they could make:)
Vern, I have told buyers that falls from decks that should have barriers could waste a perfectly good cup of beer at the housewarming party.
Jim---perhaps we are onto something here:)
You can lead them to water, but you can't make them . . .
We listed a home two down the block from ours for some people we knew well eight years ago. The inspection read that the roof had to be replaced soon. The buyers demanded $15K for the roof that they would have to replace soon."
Now we know the new owners well. They just replaced the roof last fall. They didn't tell us if it had started to leak or not, but I'll bet that was the motivation.
Frank, ain't it true!
Hi Glenn---people can't stand for moving too many buckets around the interior----so roofs do get fixed----even if it is "eventually." The thing about hazardous walkway stairs that when someone falls and breaks something you have the costs of the lawsuit, the doctor bills and then you still have to fix the stairs:)
Looks as if someday those steps might get the TLC they deserve!
Have a great Super Bowl Sunday,
Paul
Paul, can you believe I have an inspection during the Super Bowl?:)
Charlie,
There is a stairway in town here. A friend of mine hit it with his car, when he was hit by another car, in 1971. The steps are wood and the broken steps today are almost the same as they were back then. Quite amazing.
Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow. I can understand people ignoring some things, but safety issues and issues that will cause more problems need to be handled right a way.
Mr Charles,
I have found that almost always people neglect to make the repairs that I cite.
Nutsy
Why don't you check back in 39 years to see if YOUR suggestion was followed!
As to "imp" - some suggestions:
impish
impending
impenitent
imperfect
imperiling
impertinent
impinging
impious
imploding
impolitic
important
imposing
impressive
improper
imprudent
impulsive
Or maybe not...
Apparently you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink.
Steve, and they haven't rotted away yet?:)
Gene, where would we be without procrastination?
Nutsy, well I am not surprised by that
Jay, not THAT is a list like what I would expect from someone stuck in the snow
Craig---yuppers
Well...I can tell you that I would almost always listen! BTW besides being an artist I also like the fact you have an open mind when it comes to literature (I saw your remarks to Jason about Bukowski) an we wold probably make good neighbors.
Russell----I love having great neighbors:) I think I would be difficult to "pigeon hole" as to interests----I suspect you would as well:)
Oh Lord Jay's list made me laugh.
Steps leading to the improvement (ah yes, appraisal speak for dwelling)
Now... 1971- I got my first kiss that year Charles, then I got in trouble for it when another student tattled on me. I was in the first grade.
Tammy, I think you may be right about the IMP----alas though----I am not sure that kissing ACTUALLY gets a person in "trouble":)
Well Charles, when snag that kiss while you are in the coat closet and supposed to be washing your hands to go to lunch and your cousin starts giggling and tells the teacher she saw you and a boy kissing... you get your hand popped with a ruler.
Very good laugh! 39 YEARS LATER? Wonder how the rest of the house faired....
debi
Tammy, can you imagine the uproar if anyone "ruller-popped" today?
Debi, the rest of the house was much better----fortunately.
The steps needed to be repaired when I was born. That's funny! Maybe the next 39 years will be a little easier on the steps.
But Charles, they haven't changed! They are durable. Perhaps you're a bit too picky. : )
Hi Charles, Those of us the real estate industry see this a lot. I have sold a number of homes several times and from owner to owner , many of things called out still exist. I guess these defects are considered as satisfactory characteristics of the home. NOT. Go figure. As I recall, a number received funds as a credit to closing costs for the very items that are still there.
Troy----I am thinking these steps are not going to get better with age:)
Barbara----perhaps----but after 39 years?
William, good point----perhaps these stairs have been credited several times. I remember one time hearing that people stay in a home an average of 7 years----that could be five times these stairs were paid for and not fixed:)
I didn't read comments so someone may have beat me to it - it's improvement, silly but you knew that right? I got married in 1971. No cracks.
or maybe it WAS "Imp" if Nutsy was hiding upstairs...
HA . . . funny stroll down memory lane, but -- please -- mind the stairs!
Well Charles, if none thing else, the cracks give the steps character. LOL
~ Life is Good ~
Charles you can make the recommendation but many fail to follow through. Hard to believe a 39 year old suggestion for repair was never done, surely the outcome was not going to be good.
Kate, what do you think I am nutsy? :)
Carla----no handrail either:)
Roy, for sure
Jennifer----it will surely make me think twice about other defects that have been unfixed for years. Like I had an inspection yesterday with combustible insulation installed around can lights in 1978----surely I can not be the first inspector that has called that out:)
Charlie - The problem is that many buyers proceed with the purchase with the seller willing to give a credit at closing for the repairs. Then that credit is used towards furnishing the new home.
Carol---I believe it:)
I'd love to see the photo of that wire.
Here you go Reuben:
Thanks!