Are you a savvy home buyer?

Below are two text book examples of why you should have your home inspected, whether it's 100 years old, or brand new.

The photo above shows a fireplace flue, or chimney,

A closer view of the label shows that the label reads "Hot surface, maintain a minimum 1 inch clearance from combustible materials."

Now, even if you are not a home inspector, you can see that this vent should not come in contact with potentially flammable materials, right?

A little back story regarding this new home construction and this defect. The above information was delivered to the SAVVY home buyer and equally SAVVY agent that hired a professional home inspector. The SAVVY home buyer and SAVVY agent presented this repar request to the home builder for an easy, dare I say, cost free repair. The builder flat refused to correct this issue, even though the vent manufacturer and a Licensed home inspector state that a change is necessary. Incredible! Why wouldn't a home builder want to take care of their customer, especially when it costs them nothing?

The answer is simple: Home builders in Texas are not licensed, and sometimes have zero training or education in home building.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: you NEED to hire a licensed independent home inspector to inspect your home! Protect your investment!