Faulty Inspection

A member of my family is in the process of buying an older home. The sellers had the home examined by an inspector certified by one of the California residential inspection organizations.

The inspector’s loose-leaf presentation book was impressive to the buyer. However, the report was replete with ambiguity. In far too many specific concerns, the judgment was that the item “appears serviceable.” Terms such as this do little to inform an otherwise unknowing buyer.

As a retired general and electrical contractor, I looked over the home and found some severe problems overlooked by the “inspector.” Among these violations were an illegal patio structure, severe property drainage problems and violations of fireproofing regulations for an attached garage.

Perhaps this will send a signal to others not to depend on inspections ordered by the seller or the seller’s agents.

ERIC DAVID

Long Beach