What you are looking for often determines what you see
June 22, 2009
Post Tags: fresh eyes , never skip the home inspection , second perspective
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A Second Set of Eyes
What's with the wires?
It is a good idea to have someone along when looking at a house. This is what I am when going along on home buyer outings; that’s what I call them anyway. I’m not looking at paint colors or room sizes. I’m not even listening to the buyers talk about what they like or dislike (that’s Barbara’s job : ) I’m looking at the foundation for cracks or evidence of termites. I’m looking at the stucco for cracks and any signs of water damage around the house. I check for negative grade that will cause water to flow toward the house instead of away from it. In a nutshell I’m looking for any red flags.
These are just a few of the things I’m going around looking for. Most of the time the buyers aren’t looking at any of these things. Often they don’t even see them. This is because that’s not what they are looking for. This was brought out to me a few days ago while at a home inspection.
I go and most often take pictures or write while the inspector does his job. This particular day Barbara and I were both present at the home inspection. I had my camera and laptop along and was looking for things that might make an interesting photo or something I could use in a blog post.
Let’s face it, I can only write about statistics so many times before you and I become totally bored with the topic. However, this particular photo wasn’t for a blog post. I liked the colors, subject and contracting materials in the image. It was a fun shot, not a blog post shot. Until I was processing it on the laptop.
Barbara looked at the image and said, “Why did you take that shot with all those wires in it?” I thought, “What wires?” I looked at the screen and for the first time saw the under cabinet wiring for the lights. Till that second I had been so focused on the frame, lighting, and positioning of the plant and catching just enough of the cabinet wood grain I hadn’t noticed the wires.
It only took a couple of minutes and I had the wires removed. No, not from the cabinets, from the image. Software is a wonderful thing, and so non-destructive.
It isn’t as easy to remove termites, water damage, cracked stucco, or loose roof tile.
This is why it is a good idea to bring someone along who not be looking at the same things you are. Another set of eyes to look at the house from a different perspective.
It is also why you NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, skip a home inspection. Of all the steps in the home buying process the most cost efficient is the home inspection. For piece of mind and the ability to proceed in the purchase process from a position of knowledge.
Look Mom, No Wires
