Inspections can sometimes be a challenge for the inspector and the reason is rarely because of what is found, but trying to find it. Vacant properties are much easier to get around, no furniture, no stored items blocking the inspector at every turn. We do our best to get around obstacles and into difficult areas, always noting in the inspection report if we feel a certain room or area is obscured more that we anticipated.
We recently had a client who was upset that a GFCI receptacle in a garage (which we noted as having restricted access) did not work when he moved in a month later. Even if it did work at the time of the inspection, those receptacles with the buttons on them have a high failure rate and a limited life expectancy. One that worked a month ago may have been “smoked” by the seller during the remaining time they were living in the house!
If you are going to make an offer on a house that’s packed full of furniture, rooms full of boxes, filthy kitchens or a garage or basement that is used as a storage area, you may want to ask the sellers to make it more accessible or visible for your inspection.
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