1,057,404
I'm assuming you mean what do they find that needs addressing most often.
GFIs.
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Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Alan May
Evanston, IL
4,583,784
What appears to be "normal" or "typical for the age" is often seen as needing replacement or repair. The inspection and post-inspection is now seen as another negotiating time for some.
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,257,583
1. Ill-fitting gutters - causing rotted wood or basement/crawl space moisture issues (band sill, etc.)
2. GFCIs not functioning properly or missing.
3. Window seals being compromised.
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
2,189,772
Home inspectors don't make recommendations. They merely report their findings. It is up to the buyer and their agent to determine what they want to be done.
That said, anything involving health and safety issues SHOULD be addressed.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
1,554,377
- Water Heater code issues
- GFCI outlets and other electrical code issues.
- Plumbing leaks
- Install Smoke & CO2 Detectors
- inoperable appliances
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Thomas J. Nelson, REAL...
La Jolla, CA
766,669
Water Pressure, Window Seals, Screens torn, Toilet loose, Dirt above weep line, Cracked tiles, Carpet Worn...
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Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
6,423,260
Generally insignificant things that had no impact on the last 100 years of owners, yet now the buyers will be feeling that it is a life and death situation if they are not fixed immediately.
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
5,062,845
It varies, but often safety issues (outlets not grounded, problems with GFCIs) and plumbing leaks. And commonly the recommendation is the need for further evaluation, especially regarding HVAC issues, electrical matters, and the roof.
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,202,422
Dana Hollish Hill
Home inspectors are not supposed to make recommendations. If I were to pick something it would be if mold was found that folks were unaware of.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
536,943
Handrails or railing is more common.
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly...
Hood River, OR
5,772,593
Dana,
Interesting question, I am not sure there are "common" repairs that hold true for every home...And what Carol Williams said. A
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Barbara Todaro
Franklin, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,728,656
The ones requiring immediate attention
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Kathleen Daniels, Prob...
San Jose, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
617,935
Because inspectors are rarely licensed trade vendors such as HVAC, plumbers, etc. it is common practice in Colorado for them to “suggest” that a licensed trade vendor inspect and service everything they aren’t licensed to do.
Of course the buyer takes that as a problem and wants the seller to pay for these inspections/servicing.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
2,072,993
The home inspector should not be "recommending" any repairs, at least not directly to your client.
Their inspection will list his/her findings... commonly in three sections....
1) Items that need repairs/replacement.
2) Items that will need repairs/replacement in the next few years.
3) Items to put on a watch list...
They'll also tell you about the "functions" of the property... how the furnace works, how the electrical works, etc...
But the conversation about "what repairs/credits you should request" is one that should be between you and your buyers.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,583,328
I agree with what Carol said.... I can remember decades ago, I had a home inspector I used who would do a thorough inspection; report repairs that were needed; and give a bid to do those repairs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THOSE WERE THE GOOD OLD DAYS....ONE STOP SHOPPING.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Doug Dawes
Topsfield, MA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,847,621
Those damn GFI'S in every location possible. I'm so sick of it. It's supposed to be grandfathered but they always have the buyers ask.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
906,912
Wow, this can vary:
Anti-tipping device for stoves missing
broken window seals
gfci outlet not working
Major items would be structural, mold, and moisture issues
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
1,390,113
Roof, outlets and other electrical issues, windows and screens, loose railings, plumbing issues.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
921,504
Reversed polarity outlets, GCFIs, wood rot, and garage service door replacement.
For homes/condo/townhouses built around the 60's, power panel replacement.
All are easy to identify and even easier for the agent to not allow the homeowner to be ambushed.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
3,416,038
The furnace has not been cleaned. Leaking faucets.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
759,785
Inspectors all differ in their approach. I had one Inspector that my buyer chose take 6 1/2 hours to complete their inspection. The buyers were practically begging him to just end it. I have had Inspectors make mountains out of mole hills. It's all in the way that they deliver the message. Some alarm the buyer. I had one say to me "I find the problems, then they're yours". I tell my buyers lets stick to asking the seller to fix safety issues and non functioning items. Some listen, some believe everything on the report is up for grabs. I just negotiated a huge inspection list successfully. The inspector left us holding the bag on over 30 items. I had to go over each item with this buyer, approximately a 3 minute explanation on each item, totalling 1 1/2 hours on the phone, in order to bring them down out of the tree. Then almost 3 weeks of negotiations, estimates, repairs, checkups, more questions, added items later and we finally are done. I made sure to point out the multiple inoperable items the Inspector missed as well as some safety ones. All the while I had to explain what he did not to the buyer. Speaking about what they think requires remediation but not explaining it is not a thorough inspection. Most commonly found issue- shortcuts someone took or deferred maintenance.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
7,869,880
Replace rotted wood.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,879,125
GFCI outlets, even if it is not mandated. In CO, a homeowner does not need to bring the home to current code. Lots of times - shingles missing or damaged.
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Dana Hollish Hill
Bethesda, MD
1,325,249
Electric sockets not grounded.
Double tapping electric circuits.
-
Aaron McColl
Welland, ON
3,350,439
It truly depends on the age of the home and how well the home has been maintained.
-
Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
3,140,848
Broken roof tiles, leaking outdoor spigots, insulation around exterior doors in poor shape, toilets needing re-sealed.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
469,510
The most common inspection items here are along the lines of the not too significant like the ones you mentioned - antitip bracket, improper dryer duct (the flexible corrogated stuff), not having two proper straps on the hot water tank, in operable or missing smoke/co detectors.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
5,115,873
The inspector's job is not to recommmend any repairs... it's to provide a snapshot of the condition of a home.
No such things as common... depends on age of home, maintenance of home, etc. At one time, before vinyl windows became the "norm," wood rot seemed to show up in most inspection reports.
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Peter Testa
Danbury, CT
5,244,229
Jeff Dowler, CRS and Michael Jacobs have this one covered well.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
4,905,762
Set the expectations up front. Houses are going to have problems. Ask for the major stuff. Don't nitpick.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
341,200
It's a very different market here- and most don't hire an inspector as their attorney is providing much of the due diligence when it comes to condition issues. The few that do the inspector generally comments on GFCI switches or whether the smoke detector needed to be hardwired or not.
In my market- the attorney does a lot of due diligence by reviewing the condo or co-op meeting notes seeking any indications of problem areas within the building. They also have their own questionaire sent to the building management (who is then required to disclose any known issues). They also review the building financials to backup anything else identified as a potential issue not disclosed.
6,070
hot/nutral reverse,double tap in the electrical panel, ungrounded recepticles, , Furnace draft inducer motor, parging that needs repaired or re done, down spouts draining next to the foundation. I would say these are the most common things here in Niagara, Hamilton regions of Ontario. https://www.trueinspection.net/2019/09/13/questions-and-answers-tips-tricks-for-home-owners/
1,598,452
63,441
I swear if I see one more inspection report with three pages about a Romex connector for the garbage disposal, I'll scream.
216,904
GFIs, strings attached to closet lights (should be chain), non-serviced furnaces...
420,003
GFI, rain gutters, HVAC vents not flowing, old leaks, foundation problems
231,948
Mostly GFCI's missing within 6 feet of water, non-functioning smoke alarms, no carbon monoxide alarms, no pan for the heater, the wrong strapping and bracing for the heater, loose toilets, stair rails with the wrong distance (4 inches) between each rail, un-level floors etc. As as several has mentioned, inspect-report and he/she is done. (No, I haver met a female inspector, they seems to be non-existent, lol).
2,402,139
Improper grounding of electrical outlets would top the list here. When I see that as the #1 thing I know they found NOTHING very important.
853,612
Mold... oh wait! That requires a mold assessor. The inspector will simply identify a "mold like substance"...
3,168,134
in my market we get a lot of GFCI replacing regular outlets (older homes when it wasn't code) and a ton of water heater pressure relief valves not being run to outside of the crawl space.
3,590,291
The dishwasher loop was never hooked up! I can't tell you how many times I've heard that one. Cost = .50 and a quick home depot trip.
3,383,434
- Outdated/miss matched smoke detectors
- Anti-tip brackets not installed on stoves
- CSST gas pipes not bonded and grounded
4,966,025
1,506,773
Depends, does the inspector know what he's doing? I had one recently who was from one of the larger companies out here who didn't know how to press a doorbell or test a smoke detector! He said "faulty" and I tested them the next day and everything was good.
2,990
Number one report issue with a Home Inspection in Washington State is servicing the furnace. Sellers need to maintain this major appliance!
1,753,413
Double-tapped neutrals or breakers in the panel box. Basically, two wires under one screw. Ironically, some Square D breakers allow this, but most inspectors don't know that. It shows up on the neutral/ground bar most often, it's not good tradecraft.
1,242,204
1,458,019
In my area you can identify the Inspector by the items mentioned, as they each have their pet peeves. One will speak only of roof vents. Another you can count on for GFIs. The 3rd will always comment on duct work. ETC If they recommend or estimate shelflife or cost, they're history!
2,785,276
Interesting as I tend to repair anything that stands out or doesn't work as the rule. Also buyers fear losing the deal so their demands for the most part are relevant, minor and easy to do. As to inspectors, they name everything wrong but then that's their job....Ours is to put the report in perspective
556,536
Any home inspector who recommends anything comes off the list. Inspect, report and shut up.