Thanks for the compliment, Jeff! Sounds like you haev an excellent inspector there - a great help to your clients, I am sure. I, too, begin and end most inspections by telling clients that we are there to find potnetial concerns (and I will) and that no house is perfect, so do not be alarmed or concerned that items are "major" problems unless I specifically say so.
Our industry Standards of Practice are laughably weak, if you ask me. It does the consumer a disservice - I know I would want more from my inspector, so I make sure to provide more to my clients.
Your advice about the condo docs is excellent! I also try to encourage buyers ot ask for Assocaition meeting minutes. This can help them determine a lot of practical things like:
- how the Association handles complaints (timelines, thoroughness, etc)
- common problems (is everyone having window issues, etc)
- upcoming assessments or discussion of future assessments
Great advice, and good posts!
To the Home Inspector from VA Beach, I think the original post mentions that it is an exterior door and that the damage would have been visible had the inspector elected to operate that door (but that may just be my interpretation of the facts).
Sherlock Homes Inspections
www.SherlockHI.com