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Company Info
About Us
Our Inspection Services
Our Service Area
What Really Matters
Pre-Listing Inspection
MeCHIPs.org
Francis Owen
Owen Home Inspections, Inc.
Blue Hill, ME
Call: 207-374-3200
oweninspections@verizon.net
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About Francis Owen
Certification or licensing of home inspectors only sets a minimum standard. Much like being up to code, any less would be illegal. That's why I have worked to become a member of the
Maine Coalition of Home Inspection Professionals (MeCHIPs). As a
MeCHIPs member, I:
 | Agree with the objectives
and bylaws of
MeCHIPs, |
| Have been approved for membership by the Professional
Members of MeCHIPs, |
| Have passed an approved nationally recognized home
inspector examination or other approved examination, |
| Adhere to the comprehensive MeCHIPs Standards of
Practice, |
| Abide by MeCHIPs' Code of
Ethics which ensures that I am aware of my ethical duties as a
home inspector, |
| Follow a strict continuing education policy that requires, among other things, that I receive
60 hours of continuing education over a three year period, |
| Have signed and submitted an affidavit legally agreeing that I have and will continue to adhere to all
MeCHIPs standards, ethics and education requirements, |
| Utilize a written contract with clients that provides
for dispute resolution to be conducted by arbitration or mediation, |
| Maintain a continuing education log that is verified by
MeCHIPs, |
| Submit an example of my inspection report to MeCHIPs for
evaluation, |
| Attend at least one MeCHIPs business meeting and one educational seminar every
year (reasonable exceptions apply). |
If you need a home inspection performed, don't settle for anything less than a
MeCHIPs home inspection professional. Call me at 207-374-3200 to schedule your inspection.
A Full Inspection Includes:
As a MeCHIPs member I must adhere to
MeCHIPs' Standards of
Practice. This means I will attempt to inspect all of the following (when accessible):
| Roof, vents, flashings, and trim, |
| Gutters and downspouts, |
| Skylight, chimney and other roof penetrations, |
| Decks, stoops, porches, walkways, and railings, |
| Eaves, soffit and fascia, |
| Grading and drainage, |
| Basement, foundation and crawlspace, |
| Water penetration and foundation movement, |
| Heating systems, |
| Cooling systems, |
| Main water shut off valves, |
| Water heating system, |
| Interior plumbing fixtures and faucets, |
| Drainage sump pumps with accessible floats, |
| Electrical service line and meter box, |
| Main disconnect and service amperage, |
| Electrical panels, breakers and fuses, |
| Grounding and bonding, |
| GFCIs and AFCIs, |
| Fireplace damper door and hearth, |
| Insulation and ventilation, |
| Garage doors, safety sensors, and openers, |
| And much more... |
Review the MeCHIPs Standards of Practice for complete details or
call me at 207-374-3200 with any specific questions.
Our Service Area
Call me at 207-374-3200 for more information or to schedule an inspection.
What Really Matters
Buying a home? The process can be stressful. A home inspection is supposed to give you peace of mind, but often has the opposite effect. You will be asked to absorb a lot of information in a short time. This often includes a written report, checklist, photographs, environmental reports and what the inspector himself says during the inspection. All this combined with the seller's disclosure and what you notice yourself makes the experience even more overwhelming. What should you do?
Relax. Most of your inspection will be maintenance recommendations, life expectancies and minor imperfections. These are nice to know about. However, the issues that really matter will fall into four categories:
- Major defects. An example of this would be a structural failure.
- Things that lead to major defects. A small roof-flashing leak, for example.
- Things that may hinder your ability to finance, legally occupy or insure the home.
- Safety hazards, such as an exposed, live buss bar at the electric panel.
Anything in these categories should be addressed. Often a serious problem can be corrected inexpensively to protect both life and property (especially in categories 2 and 4).
Most sellers are honest and are often surprised to learn of defects uncovered during an inspection. Realize that sellers are under no obligation to repair everything mentioned in the report. No home is perfect. Keep things in perspective. Do not kill your deal over things that do not matter. It is inappropriate to demand that a seller address deferred maintenance, conditions already listed on the seller's disclosure or nit-picky items.
Pre-Listing Inspections
Eventually your buyers are going to conduct an inspection. You may as well know what they are going to find by getting there first. Having an inspection performed ahead of time helps in many other ways:
- It allows you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party.
- It helps you to price your home realistically.
- It permits you to make repairs ahead of time so that ...
- Defects won't become negotiating stumbling blocks later.
- There is no delay in obtaining the Use and Occupancy permit.
- You have the time to get reasonably priced contractors or make the repairs yourself, if qualified.
- It may encourage the buyer to waive the inspection contingency.
- It may alert you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation.
- It may relieve prospect's concerns and suspicions.
- It reduces your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement.
- It may alert you to immediate safety issues before agents and visitors tour your home.
Copies of the inspection report along with receipts for any repairs should be made available to potential buyers.
Call me at 207-374-3200 to schedule a pre-listing inspection today.
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