| Author |
Message |
    
Christina Stanley-Sa
Citizen
Username: Christinajames
Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 8:39 am: | 
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Hi All,
We are in the process of buying a home in Maplewood. We are looking into getting our home inmspected by Amerispec. Anyone have any experience with them?
Since i hear that NJ inspectors really don't need cerification, i am kind of worried about this inspection thing.
Any advice on what to check on or make sure of at the inspection would be greatly appreciated. thios is our first home and I am scared.
thank you so much and Happy New Year!
-Christina
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mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 982
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:10 am: |
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Christina, sorry I can't help with your questions, but if you haven't done so already, you might get more responses if you post them in Please Help or Home Fix-It. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 12
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:14 am: |
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We used Michael Kenny (License # 24GI00027200) from Solid Foundation Home Inspections. They're contact information is 530 Vanderveer Road, Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Phone (866)400-0054 Fax (908)707-8842. He was very thorough and took the time to explain everything during the inspection. Don't know about Amerispec, but our inspection worked out perfectly. These inspections are VERY important. Good luck!
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1002
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 11:38 am: |
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Use a licensed home inspector, preferably one who is also an engineer, is experienced, and who is local. To find a licensed home inspector go to the American Society of Home Inspectors website--www.ashi.com--and click on find an inspector. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1669
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 12:51 pm: |
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Don't go by the ashi site -- among the top listings in this area are a couple of nimrods who have been blasted over and over again on MOL.
Instead -- look for previous recommendations on this site.
All the best -- Pete
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Sau
Citizen
Username: Sau
Post Number: 34
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 2:56 pm: |
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Try Tom or Ernie at All-Pro. Tom's done several properties for me and he's top rate. Also, All-Pro is a MOL advertiser. And, they are both Maplewood guys. |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1003
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, December 29, 2005 - 4:17 pm: |
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Sorry, it's www.ashi.org. ASHI is a national organization of professional home inspectors. Once you have chosen an inspector, you should call him/her with your questions. If you don't get satisfactory answers, call someone else. |
Eats Shoots & Leaves
Citizen
Username: Mfpark
Post Number: 2780
Registered: 9-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 12:19 pm: |
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Having both bought and now sold a house in Maplewood, I caution you to take whatever the inspector says with a grain of salt. If they tell you something is structurally wrong, or otherwise a major issue, bring in a contractor to evaluate it.
Too many inspectors are prone to hysteria and painting the worst case scenario, which will scare the wits out of you and potentially blow up your deal. They make their money, I believe, by seeming so "thorough" as to have no sense of balance--everything is taken to the worst scenario possible so that they can cover their butts. They use very broard language the better to avoid lawsuits.
My bottom line--have an inspection (many lenders require it) and learn what you can from the report, but follow up on the big items with your own contractors to get a second (and realistic) opinion. Otherwise, you may kill a deal for the wrong reasons. |
Shawna
Citizen
Username: Lucies_mom
Post Number: 68
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 30, 2005 - 9:00 pm: |
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Christina-
Your realtor isn't helping you?! If you are using a realtor, he/she should be your biggest help as he/she is supposed to be there to work for you.
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Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 1007
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 12:00 am: |
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Your realtor is interested in making a sale and getting a commission. Your lawyer is bored and busy and interested in billable hours. The only person who is really working for you and looking out for your interests is your home inspector--if he is a good one. |
Shawna
Citizen
Username: Lucies_mom
Post Number: 69
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 11:44 am: |
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If you're looking in Maplewood, your realtor is going to get a sale from you sooner or later. It is his/her job to find the perfect place for you and get you started in it. If you don't think your realtor is doing this, dump him/her. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2462
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 3:58 pm: |
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Some realtors are good and some are a waste. Some lawyers are good and some are not. Same thing with Home Inspectors. Shop around as you would for anything.
Home Inspectors may paint the worst case scenario to help their customer, the Buyer, in negotiating with the Seller. Always accompany the Inspector during the Inspection and ask him/her to tell you "off the record" what he/she really thinks about the house in question. |
anon
Supporter
Username: Anon
Post Number: 2463
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2005 - 3:59 pm: |
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Oh Yeah, Welcome to the Neighborhood, Christina. |
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