Buying or Selling a Home/1940 historical home

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Expert: - 2/9/2008


Question
QUESTION: I  want to buy a 1940 historical home but would like to know if a home inspector would be able to tell if there are serious problems with the house.  The home is a two-story house and sits on a large lot with 2700 sq. ft. of living space. The bathrooms and kitchen are not done. (The realtor says that the reason for this is that the plumbing and electrical wiring has been redone. They look new since they're exposed.  It's hard to tell if there is anything seriously wrong with it just by looking at it.  Would an inspector be able to tell me if the house is worth buying?  I mean, I don't want termites or asbestos in the house.  Please advise asap as I think this is the house that I've been looking for.   Also, the stairs don't shake or move.  However, the windows are the original and I feel the draft.  The hardwood floors seem to be in good condition.  Would it be expensive to put in the bathrooms and kitchen if the plumbing and wiring has been done, and what about the window replacement?

ANSWER: Hey, Esther.

A good, thorough, nitpicky, experienced home inspector would certainly be able to tell you if there are serious problems with the house. However, he would not be able to tell you if the house is worthy buying. Only you can make that decision, but there are many professionals who can help you arrive at that decision: your home inspector, your mortgage lender, your tax advisor, your pest control inspector, your appraiser, and your renovator; perhaps others depending on your specific situation and the specific needs of the home. Each home and each person are unique in everything that they are, so only you can make the decision to buy any specific home.

If you need a good, thorough, nitpicky, experienced home inspector, let me know what city you are in and I can probably get you a list of several home inspectors to help you.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live in Brownsville, Texas

Answer
Hey, Esther.

Give me about 24 hours and then come back with a follow-up and I should have a list of a few people for you.

021308.0827

Hey, Esther.

This link will provide you with the names of TREC licensed inspectors in Brownsville:

http://www.trec.state.tx.us/inspector/inspector_search_by_city.asp

Out of those, I have heard good things about Rowles, Chapa, and Turner. Based on what I have heard, as well as their experienced, I would recommend them in that order.

Good luck. Let me know how things turn out.

Russel

Buying or Selling a Home

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Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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