oi aa < riday, January 22, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 47 CODSAHOTEOTESSHKHEE SD OHOETESOSOTEOO DES TOSS SOSSOHHEEHOSCOTOHESFP FOOT TOE EREREDLONEEOOSEOHREDESEOBESOS BE a property inspec- tor, no qualifications needed. That's right, if vou are unemployed and ia need ef a job, vou too can join in the lucrative real estate industry asa “property inspector” and charge homeowners up to $350 for a simple check list examination of their home. No expertence or knowl edge necessary, whatsoever. No need to attend time con- suming classes or pass rigor: ous examinations and ficens- ing procedures. Yes, vou can be in the property inspection business today and start earn- ing live, seven, even ten thousand doilars per month, right now. Now doesn’t that sound like the intro to some get- rich-quick infomercial? Yet amazingly, it is true. (Maybe [should quickly write a course and shoot an intomer- cial.) Yer, and I realize this may be difficult to believe, in British Columbia there are no licensing requirements or standards whatsoever, relating to this growing and vital con- necd within the real Anvone can call them- selves a property inspector, set up their home based busi- ness and charge you a fee tor their inspection service Forget the face that they don’s know how to spell the word “softic” let alone know what a soffit is. Incredible I know, yer that’s the way ic is — just another hurdle the consumer must face in this highly “buyer beware” indus- try. Ifyou are thinking of buy- ing a home (either new or pre-owned) chances are you will (should) hire a home inspector to thoroughly inspect the home and report any concerns before you fully property lines commit to buying it, With all the harror stories we have read about in recent months abour the sorry state of hous- ing deticioncies it is very pru- dent to bave the property vou might purchase inspected tor dmultizude of potential prob- lems. Siice most people know Jitthe about electrical, plumbing, water penetration, venulation, rooting and sa on, the inspector should serve as a degree of protec- tion against buying a money pit. Since we pay these inspec- tors to represent our best interests how do we ensure that they are competent and Will report honestly on what they discover abour the home? Lev me address the second issue tirst. Why wouldn’r an inspector give an honest report? This concern stems from the nature of people “need- ing” business. In obtaining the name of a property inspector, to whom are we most likely to turn for assis- tance? In most cases vou would ask your realtor. After all who should know better in terms of finding a competent inspector? Realtors are very wary in giving referrals for property inspectors. In our litigious society, should the realtor provide the name of an inspector and that inspec: tor turns in a report that niisses important problems within che home inspected, the realtor could be held NEWS photc Brad Ledwidge habe. No person, and realtors ary people too, wants to get sned) soto protect themasch es they will most likely give vou three names and you can thoose fron those names. Now we come te the see ond problem facing the real- tor, Whar a7 the inspector finds real problems with the house and the deal the realtor hay worked so hard to put together, collapses? The realtor’s commission is gone. On the other side of the cola, the mspeace may tear if they speak too openly about the faws in a home they will anger the realtor and never get another refer: wah thus losing any future business. Notice, the best interesty OF the buver has nor entered their thinking. The majority of realtors are honest, caring and faval professionals just as area large number of property Inspectors. However, ike tar too many aspects uf Our soci- ety, we must prepare and pro- test ourselves from the small minority who are not honest, caring and professional, You may ask vourself — why do [need 3 property inspector if the seller has pro- vided me with a signed and faily tiled out “property con- dition disclosure statement”? Uatortunately, people are not always truthful and by the time you discover thar a problem exists you must then prove they knew about the problem through a lengthy and costly legal process. OF course must sellers are honest vetics not those people we are concerned about, is it? ft is that other small perceatage of people. In making what will probably be the most See Check page S36 Walking weather HALFWAY through winier, the odd sunny day offers a great opportunity to get out and stretch your legs. The water's edge in West Vancouver — from Ambleside to Dundarave — is a good choice for a walk. NEWS photo Brad Ledwidge Feature Listing 6029 Gieneagies Close AT A GLANCE ... Moree eee ence res cernsrs recreate etenueree ee ADDRESS: 6029 Gleneagles Close Ow em mee eet etme ee see ee nsenesee ree sacsnenene LOT SIZE: 3,500 sq. ft. ae eee ee moeroseees INTERIOR SIZE: 3,823 sq. ft. NUMBER UF BEDROOMS: 6 te woe NUMBER OF FLOQRS: 3 Poorer rer SEE Ser errr iriitirererererirt errs ASKING PRICE: $733,000 z eR eT TT SNH T IT Fs EISSN ASE NO SRE RARE CPLR YR amily home . The mast ideal neighbourhood in West Vancouver for raising kids. 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