Homestead mailing list

[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

Gene:

>  One of a Realtor's obligations is to be able 
> to recommend competent home inspectors, termite inspectors, escrow 
> people, mortgage people, insurance people, surveyors, well drillers, 
> repairmen, etc. 
> 

When my parents sold a house a few years ago, the bank required (of course) 
among other things a termite inspection.  There were no termites nor any sign 
of them, we inspected the house ourselves.  Sure enough, the the pest company 
man said to the effect, "I couldn't possibly certify this house as termite 
free 
unless I did my $1400 deluxe treatment on it."

My father pressed the issue and demanded written evidence that the treatment 
was needed.  After much obsfucation and resistance (and threats of prefering 
charges of fraud) the pest company showed insects they had found near an 
outbuilding 60 feet away.  They were earwings!  They cleared the house, but 
it was a 
gigantic hassel.

Having a reputable inspector would be worth a very great deal.  In this case 
it was a matter of general corruption in the business.  Nearly all inspectors 
always found a need to apply their most expensive treatment to any house 
being 
sold.