Inspector's Viewpoint
"Your Source For Independent Inspection Information"

Fall 2000 - By Dennis R. Robitaille, Director
Independent Home Inspectors Of North America

HUD Airs Misleading Public Service Announcement:

Have you seen the HUD commercial where a new homeowner's plumbing pipes leak?

The PSA tells homebuyers they can protect their dream house from becoming a nightmare by relying on a HUD appraisal under HUD's Homebuyer Protection Plan. The PSA gives a (false) impression that homebuyers can avoid buying a house with unknown defects by relying on HUD appraisals. The PSA says, "If any problems are found, you will know about them before you close." This message is incorrect, misleading, and potentially very damaging to consumers.

There are key facts about appraisals and home inspections that HUD never discusses in the PSA. The purpose of appraisals is to determine the economic value of the home for the mortgage lender. They do not provide a detailed report on the home's condition to the homebuyer. Most people do not realize that the appraiser answers to the mortgage lender, not the homebuyer. Appraisers are not required to have the training, testing, and continuing education required of ASHI home inspectors.

The PSA never tells viewers that HUD's Homebuyer Protection Plan requires homebuyers to sign a form called: "For Your Protection Get A Home Inspection". This form must be provided by the real estate professional. Consumers are being confused and diverted from getting home inspections due to this (misleading) Public Service Announcement.


Ask The Inspector:

"Is There A Law That Requires A Working Stove To Be Present In A Home When The Home Is Sold?" (J.M. Haverhill, MA)

This type of question is usually not within the scope of a home inspector to answer, however, since I do hold a MA real estate license (inactive for 20 years), I'll give it a shot.

As far as Massachusetts is concerned, (and probably for every other state) it appears the "real" property law has caused some confusion (where anything that is attached / bolted etc. is considered part of the property.) A gas stove for example would be part of the "real" property because it is attached to a gas pipe. (A plumber and tools would be required to disconnect the stove.)

An electric stove could be "hard wired" (wiring connections enclosed within an electrical box) which would require an electrician and tools to disconnect. An electric stove also could only be "plugged in" and therefore not considered "real property", since the unit could be un-plugged easily by anyone.

In any case, there would be nothing preventing the seller of the home from excluding any item from the sale of the home, including the stove. This would have to be explained to any prospective buyer before they submitted an offer to purchase and it would also have to be written into the purchase and sales agreement.

Just Nonsense:

On the keyboard of life, always keep one finger on the escape key.

There are two rules for ultimate success in life:
(1) Never tell everything you know.

HOME RELATED PRODUCT RECALLS

(Pictures and additional info of the recalled products
can be viewed by clicking on the links to the CPSC)

CPSC, Window Covering Industry Announce Recall to Repair Window Blinds
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council are announcing a recall to repair horizontal window blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. The recall involves millions of window blinds with pull cords and inner cords that can form a loop and cause strangulation. About 85 million window blinds are sold each year.

Since 1991, CPSC has received reports of 130 strangulations involving cords on window blinds. 114 strangulations involve the outer pull cords, and 16 involve the inner cords that hold the blind slats.

CPSC, Power Tool Manufacturers Announce Recall of Various Power Tools
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), three power tool manufacturers are recalling about 180,000 power tools. The switches on these power tools, which were manufactured by Eaton Corp, of Cleveland, Ohio, can stick. The tools can continue to operate after the trigger has been released, posing a risk of injury to consumers. S-B Power Tools Co., of Chicago, Ill., is recalling Bosch-brand drills; Makita U.S.A. Inc., of La Mirada, Calif., is recalling Makita-brand rotary hammers, drills and screwdrivers; and Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., of Brookfield, Wis., is recalling Milwaukee Electric Tool-brand band saws.

Propane Cylinders Recalled by AmeriGas Propane L.P.
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), AmeriGas Propane L.P., of Valley Forge, Pa., is recalling about 100 propane cylinders sold or exchanged at The Home Depot or Meijer’s stores in the Detroit, Mich., area. Of these cylinders, about 10 could be overfilled, which can cause them to release flammable propane gas unexpectedly, posing a risk of fires and explosions.

Toaster Ovens Recalled by Appliance Co. of America
In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Appliance Co. of America, of Great Neck, N.Y., is recalling about 7,000 Welbilt toaster ovens. The ovens' heating elements can break, causing the glass door to shatter. The toasters could short circuit, causing electrical shocks and fires.

Send your home questions, news / legal articles or lighthearted quips to:


Dennis Robitaille @Independent Home Inspectors Of North America.

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