When buying a home in a competitive market as we are currently experiencing here in West Texas, it’s tempting to make some risky decisions to make your offer seem like the best one. This could mean offering more than the asking price or a agreeing to a quick closing which aren't so bad. Insome cases, waiving the much needed inspections. This is a VERY BAD IDEA! Although waiving inspections might seem like a good idea when your offer keeps getting beat out, it’s not. Here's why:

While the house may look good to the eye, there are many problems the average buyer can’t detect that can cost you a lot of money down the line. More than once, I've had sellers and BUYERS tell me that they don't expect I'll find much in the way of defects during their home inspection. 100% of the time, those sellers and BUYERS are wrong! For example, beyond the surface there may be problems like termites, malfunctioning systems, or improperly installed electrical that is potentially hazardous! No matter how much you want the house, do not make an offer without having it thoroughly inspected. Here are some solutions to satisfy your need to inspect while remaining timely and competitive.

Pre listing or pre sale Inspection

If you really love this house, have it inspected before you make an offer or sign a contract. Although you might end up spending a few hundred dollars on a house you don’t end up purchasing, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If the house ends up passing inspection, now you can waive your inspection contingency.

A seller will often have his or her property inspected before putting it up for sale, called a pre
listing inspection. This way the seller can fix any issues before listing, or tell buyers upfront what they are getting. This protects the seller from future negotiations as well as allows proper pricing of the home. The only issue with this is that the inspector is liable to the seller only, the person who ordered and paid for the inspection.

Quick Inspection Contingency
Sellers like to keep the process moving, so there is usually a small window of time between when offers are due and a deal starts to move forward. When you need to get your offer in quickly and there’s no time to inspect, write a one- or two-day inspection contingency into your offer. This gives the seller comfort knowing the sale won’t lose momentum, and you’ll have peace of mind, too. If you are working with a good local agent, he or she should probably already works with me! I can usually fit in urgent inspections to help you meet your deadlines!
If you feel yourself getting caught up in the bidding war, keep in mind the bigger picture. You are purchasing a large asset, and you do not want to find yourself in debt due to a pricey problem you missed by waiving the inspection. 
To schedule a home inspection today, call me! (806)544-8540 or (432)202-7544
#realestate #inspection #texas #realtor

I inspect pools on a regular basis as part of a home inspection. Here are some great points to keep in mind regarding owning or installing a swimming pool.

If you're planning to install a pool, be prepared to spend a pretty penny. On average, in-ground pool installations average $40,000. A word to the wise: Don't expect to add the pool value to your asking price when you sell your home someday. The truth is, many buyers may consider a home with a pool more of a burden than a blessing.

 If you decide to begin with a pool installation, carefully consider pool placement in your yard. Consider daylight and how it will impact water temps, view from the home from a safety standpoint, etc. An experienced pool installer should be able to help you avoid making a mistake with pool placement.

I also recommend getting to know safety guidelines and requirements for pool installation. The short version amounts to you being responsible for whatever happens, so bear that in mind when planning your pool. Safety should be your #1 priority in considering buying or installing a swimming pool.

Of course, before you buy a home with a pool, get the pool inspected. Please remember that the pool should be operating as if it will be used for swimming at any time in order for a proper inspection to take place. Many times, some or all equipment has been shut down by the homeowner to save money or hide defective equipment. I do not turn on equipment or operate valves/components of the pool due to liability. Most experienced pool inspectors nationwide stick to these guidelines as well.
It may help to find out if the previous homeowner had a pool company servicing the pool so you can find out if it's been serviced regularly and what that company charges. Keep in mind that maintenance is never cheap, and can become a burden if you are attempting to DIY.
Many pool maintenance companies charge a few hundred dollars for the company to open the pool at the beginning of the summer (including removing the cover, cleaning out debris and getting the motor running again), and close it at the end of the season, while others also charge for weekly or biweekly cleanings. When homeowners don't pay for regular cleanings or clean it themselves, that can trigger costlier maintenance calls.
The cost of replacing motors, heaters, pumps and covers (which can get moldy if they're rolled up while wet) varies depending on the size and model used. Adding chemicals to balance the pool's pH level is another cost. Pools that are unused or partially filled in the heat of the summer are always a red flag. If the home you're considering has a pool that is not operating or partially filled, assume the wor$t!

Don’t forget about insurance costs. Insurance companies usually try to avoid insuring homes with swimming pools. Contact your insurance company or agent to make sure you can get coverage, and find out what it will cost you, since a pool increases the homeowner's liability risk.
Pools are meant to be fun, so getting a handle on the expected costs can help avoid costly surprises in the future.

If you're planning to purchase a home with an in ground swimming pool, feel free to contact me! I can take care of your home inspection and pool inspection.

#pool #swimming #realestate #lubbock #odessa #midland #texas #inspector #realtor
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AFCI’s and our future.

You may or may not be familiar with the term AFCI. An Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects an electric arc in the circuit it protects to prevent electrical fires. An AFCI selectively distinguishes between a harmless arc (incidental to normal operation of switches, plugs, and brushed motors), and a potentially dangerous arc (that can occur, for example, in a lamp cord which has a broken conductor).

Arc faults are one of the leading causes for residential electrical fires. Each year in the United States, over 40,000 fires are attributed to home electrical wiring. These fires result in over 350 deaths and over 1,400 injuries each year.

Conventional circuit breakers only respond to overloads and short circuits, so they do not protect against arcing conditions that produce erratic, and often reduced current. An AFCI is selective so that normal arcs do not cause it to trip. The AFCI circuitry continuously monitors the current and discriminates between normal and unwanted arcing conditions. Once detected, the AFCI opens its internal contacts, thus de-energizing the circuit and reducing the potential for a fire to occur.

AFCIs are not new. In fact, they've been required by the National Electric Code (NEC) since 1999. You may have never heard of AFCIs because your home was built prior to their widespread use. As of the 2014 NEC, AFCI protection is required on all branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, and similar rooms and areas. My prediction, is that AFCIs will be required for every circuit at every home in America, probably very soon. Safety and Security have come a long way in the last decade or so. Electrical systems can provide a tremendous amount of power and convenience to a home, with little to no concern or responsibility on the part of the homeowner. It's important for your home to have a certain level of safeguards installed in your electrical system, which could include AFCIs or other safety devices.

As a reminder, your responsibility as a home owner or occupant is to test your AFCI breakers (if installed) at least monthly.

How do you know if you're home has this safety device installed? The only way to know for sure, is to hire a licensed professional home inspector to check before you buy. If you'd like to learn more about AFCIs and other components of your home, please check back on my blog, as I plan to update often with great content!

Thank you for stopping by!

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Too often, I see DIY installation and repairs throughout the home inspection process that are wrong, and just plain unsafe! When it comes to doing electrical repairs and dealing with electrical problems, trying to sort them out yourself is one of the most dangerous and ultimately costly approaches that you can take. Too many people underestimate the complexity of the services carried out by a licensed electrician and think that they will be able to address the problem without the need for professional electrical contractor.

When working with electricity, safety should be priority one! While it is true that there are some electrical jobs that a number of people can successfully complete, all too often the average person is unaware of the safety measures and precautions that are taken by trained and reputable electricians.
There really is no substitute for having a job done thoroughly and safely by hiring a professional licensed electrician to complete your repairs. I can't stress enough, call a pro when it comes to electricity! It could save your life!
That being said, what are some of the most common electrical mistakes made by people who know little about working with electricity? Below is a great sample of what I see daily!
#1: Using incorrectly sized wires and cables
The term ‘gauge’ refers to the variety of sizes that electrical wire comes in. Different sized wires are used for different jobs and purposes and the gauge of the wire also dictates the areas in which it should be used. If the wrong sized wire is used for the electrical current, overheating or a shorting of the fuse or circuit breaker can result. Therefore, it is very important that the wire and devices that are appropriately rated for the amperage they will carry are used.
#2: Incorrect repairs of outlets and switches
We can all picture outlets and switches that seem to dangle from the wall. Perhaps you even have some of these around your home or office. Outlets and switches in such a state are categorically dangerous. When appliances are plugged in to loosely fitted outlets, the wires can loosen from their terminals and cause arcing and overheating.
#3: Poor connections in electrical boxes or missing junction boxes
Never attempt to make electrical connections outside of electrical junction boxes. The purpose of electrical boxes is to provide protection from external elements; if you wish for an extension, a metal or plastic box should be used.
It is also hazardous to add to or overfill electrical boxes with connections as this increases the likelihood of short-circuiting and overheating.
#4: Replacement of breakers/fuses
Protection of wire ampacity ratings, together with the electrical flow onto all connected appliances, is afforded by the safety mechanisms of breakers and fuses. It is often the case that when a fuse keeps blowing a person believes that it just needs to be replaced – over and over again – or that a bigger fuse or breaker needs to be used. Frighteningly, this is one of the major causes of home fires and continually replacing fuses or resetting breakers is dangerous.
If a fuse continually blows, or the breaker trips, there is a problem with the circuit wiring and this needs to be attended to by a professional and qualified electrician.
#5: Loose connections
It is important that all connections in a breaker/fuse box are tight and correctly placed. If connections are loose, appliances and lights will often flicker and perhaps even shut off. In the worst case, circuits will overheat, potentially creating a fire hazard!
If you suspect that you have a problem with your electrical connections, arrange to have them inspected by an electrician. While it is definitely not recommended that you try to inspect them yourself, be aware that it is essential that breakers are turned off before they are examined.
#6: Overloading outlets and electrical cords
Overloading switches or outlets is one of the most frequently seen electrical mistakes. It may not seem a problem as multiple adaptors and switches with many outlets can easily be purchased, but if a circuit is loaded up with more amps than it can handle, the breaker is at greater risk of tripping. This risk is especially great when switches and outlets are loaded up with big appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators and dishwashers.
When it comes to the use of electrical cords, electricians recommend that an electrical cord only be used if it has the required ampacity.
Please remember, extension cords are not designed for use as permanent electrical supply!

The common electrical mistakes covered in this article are ones that many of us relate to; in fact, many are present in the average home or workplace. It is important to be mindful of these problems and always seek the services of an electrician to fix electrical problems.

Have a question regarding your electrical system? Call me! I can help!