AboutJohn McKenna, CMI Expertise I can answer your question about home inspections and the hidden aspects of of the industry. I own American Home Inspection for east Texas and am a Certified Master Inspector. Sometimes there are questions about buying and selling a home that a qualified and honest home inspector can answer. Many people are led to believe incomplete information about repair items and make costly mistakes when they respond. If you do not know enough information or know what to ask, you can buy a nightmare instead of a home. Is your home inspector working for you or the Realtor? Is the owner of the home telling the truth? How do you make sure the contractor who makes repairs will do it right? Is the Realtor moving too fast and causing a person to make hasty choices? What are some of the things the Realtor does not want you to know? What you discover after you are the owner of the home and then decide to sell? What type of box can the home inspector put you in when the new buyer is now inspecting your home? What can you do if the home inspector was negligent? How do you prepare for a home inspection? What should you do with the home inspection report at the negotiating table? What are the signs of sheeple being led to the slaughter? Why do some realtors hate the "deal killer" home inspector? What type of action can you take now to protect yourself from law suite after someone buys your home? When is something a minor or major problem? What are the most common problems found in a home inspection? What can you do to prepare for a home inspection? What questions can you ask the home inspector so you choose the right one? The list goes on and on... "The truth will make you free"
Experience Over 25 years experience in construction and board certified as a Certified Master Inspector. Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission as a Professional Home Inspector (TREC #4565) and Certified by the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI).
Education/Credentials Certified Master Inspector (CMI)
National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI)
Licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC #4565) See more info: http://texas-inspection.com
Expert: John McKenna, CMI Date: 6/9/2008 Subject: Unfair Billing of Home Inspection
Question Dear John,
In March 08' I made an offer on a home in California. The offer got accepted by the bank since it was a forclosure. For a couple weeks it was still at the in between stage of the process since the banks are so slow right now. They accepted the offer but was not in escrow yet. My agent asked if I wanted a Home Inspection since the house was fairly old. I said yes and he told me he would set everything up with who he uses. I just figured he knew what to do and would set it up when the time was right. I never had any contract with the Home Inspection Company or even had any communication with the company. I really even didnt know when everything was being set up. The inspection report came to me even before we started escrow, I signed a paper saying that I saw what the report had to say, but nothing further. I ended up backing out of the Home before it even hit escrow. I was not comfortable with how I felt the agent was going about the process. In June 08' I recieved a bill for the Home Inspection. Stating that It was my responsibilty to pay, and if I didnt then they were going to take legal action and take me to court. First, I never signed a contract for the work that was done. Second, I was never there during the inspection or aware of any dealings with them. My question is shouldnt my Agent be held responsible for this bill? Do they have any legal way of saying Im responsible for the Bill? How should I handle this problem? Thanks!
Answer You said you wanted a home inspection and you gave the agent permission to set it up. You received the report and signed off that you had received what YOU ORDERED.
Pay your bill Sir. The home inspector should not be punished because he did his job. When you gave permission for the agent to order the home inspection, then you are responsible to pay the bill.
