Strange Days Indeed…..
Posted by manorhome on October 2, 2008
This past summer season has been, to say the least, unique. Amid the whirlwind of economic and political headlines, Windsor has proven itself to be “unique in its uniqueness.” Just when I thought it was going to be an uncomfortably slow time for my business, I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy a fair amount of success. It seems every time I hear someone state that the real estate market in this area is stagnant, my phone would ring with a call for an inspection.
I know very well that my full schedule isn’t necessarily due to a booming economy, more it is a sign that people a being ever vigilant with their home buying decisions. In the last month I have done inspections for people that, in the past, would never have considered hiring a home inspector. We all know the type - the proud Canadians who do things themselves. They have lived in enough homes that they are sure they know more about houses than most. They have taken the DIY mindset to new heights. When their cars break, they fix them, roof leaks - patch it, faucet leaks - fix it. They are no longer merely Canadian, they are CanaDIYan.
Well…. lately, they have been calling me. Knowing that there is very little room for error in their home buying cycle, they rely on my education and experience to point out the things they may miss. I take it as a tremendous compliment that the folks that traditionally don’t want help are turning to me for help. There are still a few around who refuse to pay for someone such as myself to point out issue with a home, but they still want a little help. For them I have been able to help by setting them up with inspection checklists. These are basically the same checklists I use when taking notes during an inspection. Of course the checklists don’t tell you how to look at things, just what to look at. Of course, I don’t encourage anyone to do their own home inspections. To me, DIY inspections make about as much sense as DIY dentistry of haircutting, but some folks are stubborn.
So here I am Windsor, happily plugging along, helping Mr. and Mrs. Homebuyer make the most informed decisions they can. Feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns you may have with your home (or home to be). Until then, I’ll remain YOUR Windsor, Ontario home inspector.
-Brad
…..most peculiar, mama.
