Cameo -Home Inspection Services

03/13/2025

Important announcement: If you want your home inspection fees to be paid from escrow, be sure to check with our office beforehand. We have recently had issues with a mortgage company (I prefer not to name) and we will no longer accept escrow payments through them.

06/06/2023

One of the most difficult things buyers face as they sift through the myriad of inspection findings on an older home is trying to decide what’s important!

Personally, I like to use what I call the “70-20-10” approach.

70% of the inspection findings document extraneous data, 20% report minor conditions and 10% are important. For example, consider a 1930 home: About 70% of the report will describe the various components of the home, make disclosures about items that don’t meet current standards, such as stairs with a short rise and run, and provide suggestions for improvements and maintenance. So is it reasonable to negotiate over these old house items and try to bring the home to current standards? Realistically, and in my opinion, generally not. It’s a 1930 house and it is what it is.

In 20% of minor conditions, common issues are cosmetic defects like a chipped sink. We all like to believe think everybody will treat us fairly, but the sad truth is that if a home inspector doesn’t document that chipped sink, it’s a sure bet that someday he will be buying a new one. Again, is it worth negotiating over? Most times, probably not.

Lastly are the 10% of findings which really are important. These are things like health and safety issues, high dollar repairs and possible hidden conditions which could be expensive to repair. In older homes these commonly include electrical issues, pest and rot issues and health and safety issues related to homeowner remodels.

In the end, the true art of home inspecting is using one’s training, background and experience to help people to understand what’s really important. As a buyer, thoroughly interview potential inspectors and don’t use fees as your sole criteria. The time you spend interviewing can mean the difference between having a 90 minute “whiz bang” inspection and surprises when you move in, or a clear understanding about the condition of the home you’re buying and what really matters.

Olympia, Washington

05/29/2023

In memory of many, in honor of ALL, Thank you.
Your bravery and service will never be forgotten.





Olympia, Washington

05/19/2023

Old video, but great information to know before you start all your summer home improvement projects!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqjHmzm56C0

Olympia, Washington

Improper siding and flashing details can lead to siding failure, even with Hardie Plank

05/12/2023

This weeks episode of "I should have called a home inspector" featuring a very fun photo a friend just found in her new basement.

Trust us when we say, "Get the inspection" it will save you a LOT of headaches!

Olympia, Washington

05/08/2023

Don't forget what's really important!

Sometimes we get sidetracked with our day-to-day life, but make sure your focus is always in the right place.

05/05/2023

Wife: We should call a home inspector before we buy this house.

Husband: No, we'll just skip the inspection. I can fix anything!

Moral of the story, ALWAYS get the inspection.

Olympia, Washington

04/29/2023

Home Inspections – Seven Golden Rules

1. Don’t go it alone. Working with a professional real estate broker is absolutely paramount to a smooth transaction and will help you avoid possible future legal issues, or challenges with documentation.

2. Timing is everything. The time to schedule your inspection is when there is mutual acceptance. At that point, there is typically a 10 day window to schedule the inspection.

3. Don’t be a price shopper. Hiring an inspector isn’t like shopping for the best price on a car. Take the time in advance to interview inspectors.

4. Be sure the utilities are on. Inspectors are finding themselves faced with more and more bank owned properties where the utilities have been turned off.

5. Be sure the house is ready. Every transaction is on a timeline. But with new construction there is the added element of making sure the house is finished before the inspection.

6. Don’t over schedule. There may be a temptation to kill several birds with one stone, using the scheduled inspection time to also get the septic pumped, have a contractor measure for flooring or discuss possible remodels, show off the house to family and so on.

7. Be prepared. Take the time to learn more about inspections and what an inspector can and cannot do. Many times, buyers who were dissatisfied with their inspection really lacked a clear notion of what the inspection process covered, or more importantly, what it did not.

By: Larry Stamp

FULL ARTICLE:
https://cameohis.com/2022/09/03/home-inspections-seven-golden-rules/

Don’t go it alone. Working with a professional real estate broker is absolutely paramount to a smooth transaction and will help you avoid possible future legal issues, or challenges with documentation. They have intensive training in the real estate process, the forms, the legalities and the art o...