Home Inspections: Why?

This post asks a serious question:  What is the purpose of the home inspection?  

I ask this because in my last two transactions where I represented the buyer, the home inspections turned out to be worse than worthless. 

For example one home had non functioning HVAC on the day the new owners moved in.  Subsequent service evaluations proved it was impossible the system was working at the time of inspection.  The inspection report specifically noted that all HVAC units were functioning properly. That is a $6000 repair bill before the furniture is even delivered!  On this same property, there was a serious water leak in one bedroom after a storm.  The service person found, after crawling up to the very top of the attic, a series of pans the sellers had apparently been using for quite some time to collect the water coming from poor flashing around the badly constructed chimney plus other structural defects.  Currently the chimney is being rebuilt, dry wall & carpet replaced; another costly repair.  Of course, there is no way these problems were non existent at the time of inspection, less than 45 days prior to the rain. 

Before the closing I asked the seller's agent explicitly if there were any leaks or roof damage known to the sellers and was told there were none.  The buyer commented, "Even if we had known about these problems we would have still bought the house.  If they had been honest with us, at least we would have known what we needed to budget to fix this mess." 

Another property also required repairs that should have been noted in the home inspector's report.
Thank goodness I included home warranty insurance in the contract so some of the repair costs were covered! 

Lately in my world, home inspections seem to be a formality rather than a tool guiding the buyers and sellers during negotiations.  So, why do we rely on home inspections at all?  Are they of any use?  Is there another way to insure the property is not in need of such major repair?  What recourse does the buyer have for remedy?

Your thoughts and experience on this topic please!  HELP!

Is Anything Selling in Southern Shores?

Everyone is always asking me "What is the market doing?" or "Is anything really selling?". So I am going to post each sale in Southern Shores as it happens with a photo, address and sold price. If you want any more information about the specific property, please give me a call or shoot me an email. Enjoy!

Here is what we have for 2009 so far:
10/16/09 63 Ocean Blvd $689,000
10/5/09 92 Duck Woods Rd $620,000
10/2/09 264 Sea Oats Trl $365,000
10/1/09 19 First Ave $385,000
9/28/09 44 Skyline Rd $378,875
9/28/09 163 Happy Indian Ln $300,000
9/25/09 249 Ocean Blvd $680,000
9/25/09 116 Last Hunt Ln $435,000
9/21/09 173 Happy Indian Ln $394,00
9/17/09 204 Ocean Blvd $3,050,000
9/16/09 24 Spindrift Trl $375,000
9/4/09 238 Sea Oats Trl $291,000
8/28/09 141 Beech Tree Trl $349,900
8/28/09 19 Palmetto Ln $295,000
8/25/09 62 Trinitie Trl $325.000
8/24/09 50 Duck Woods Dr $405,000
8/17/09 24 Eleventh Ave $380,000
8/12/09 29 Pintail Ct $470,000
8/11/09 258 N Woodland Dr $264,750
8/7/09 9 Thirteenth Ave $875,00
7/31/09 111 Pudding Pan Ln $535,000
7/24/09 106 Landing Trl $240,000
7/24/09 1 Mallard Cove $294,500
7/16/09 45 Ocean Blvd $845,000
6/30/09 149 Poteskeet Loop $460,000
6/12/09 30 Juniper Trl $174,000
6/12/09 9 Second Ave $565,000
6/12/09 43 Eleventh Ave $500,000
5/29/09 314 Sea Oats Trl $465,000
5/29/09 133 Chicahauk Trl $300,000
5/15/09 118 Tall Pine Ln $575,000
5/4/09 40 Skyline Rd $220,000
5/1/09 49 Ocean Blvd $475,000
4/23/09 228 Ocean Blvd $1,250,000
4/7/09 26 Eighth Ave $445,000
3/30/09 236 Hillcrest Dr $450,000
3/23/09 112 Landing Trl $255,000
3/18/09 18 Mallard Cove Loop $329,000
3/17/09 116 Duck Woods Dr $440,000
3/6/09 147 Holly Trl $600,000
2/27/09 33 Tenth Ave $443,000
2/13/09 68 E Dogwood Trl $341,550
2/13/09 38 Spindrift Trl $550,000
2/12/09 91 Trinitie Trl $525,000
2/6/09 347 Sea Oats Trl $850,000
1/9/09 1 Hickory Trl $3,100,000
1/9/09 52 E Dogwood Trl $290,000

Why I Live and Work on the Outer Banks of North Carolina

My name is Morgan Mason and I am a real estate broker living and working on the Outer Banks of NC.

I asked myself why did choose to live on the Outer Banks of North Carolina? There are very many reasons, but here are my top five:

1. Like many people, I have wonderful memories of spending childhood vacations here on the Outer Banks. I remember spending hours at the beach with my family. Those same beautiful beaches are still here, still pristine, and I can enjoy them now any time I want. I lost my Dad recently and I find myself walking on the beach sometimes just to remember him and to let the sound of the waves help me to heal. I have been told that the cure for most anything is salt water---sweat, tears, or the sea. I believe this may be true.

2. The feeling of community and safety that I feel living here on the Outer Banks. There is nothing like knowing your neighbors and sharing a common goal of keeping your environment clean, friendly, and safe for everyone.

3. This is a very dog-friendly place. Fannie Rose loves this and so do I. Even businesses here on the Outer Banks recognize that dogs are people too. For example, when we go to the bank, Fannie gets a cookie from the teller. Needless to say, she likes to go to the bank. Fannie only has three legs and she captures the hearts of people who see her out and about. They often comment on her gracefulness. It opens the door for us to meet new friends.

4. There are so many wonderful restaurants here that offer great food at reasonable prices. Three of my particular favorites are: Outer Banks Seafood Company in corolla, Kill Devil Grill, and Art's Place.

http://www.outerbanksseafoodcompany.com/

http://www.yelp.com/biz/kill-devil-grill-kill-devil-hills

5. And of course, the photo opportunities. I took the picture above while strolling along the beach at dusk one evening. Everywhere I look, I see beauty.

And these are my top 5 reasons for living on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

Thank you for listening.

MM