Submitted By: Dwayne Boggs (Dwayne is a home inspector serving the Thurston County area home inspection market)
Just last month I did a write up about how to invest and flip houses the right way.
Just a few days back I inspected a flip house where right away I could tell they did not take the right steps in flipping the house. Immediately, I noticed a damaged retaining wall with moisture along with ant frass (waste) in the crawlspace. I could see from the crawlspace door all the ant frass.
I had a young home inspector with me along for training and getting his hours for licensing. When we entered the crawlspace I informed him we have moisture ants. He asked how I could come to this conclusion so quickly as we were not even passed the entry yet. I said look to your right there is about four inches of frass above the mud sill not to mention a damaged vapor barrier, disconnected heating ducts and damaged insulation.
As I mentioned, I could see all this just from the door when I arrived at the home. I met the flipper and his contractor as I was doing my inspection. I heard the agent say the investor had put about thirty thousand into this home…mostly cosmetic. It was very obvious he never had the home inspected initially and his contractor must have never completed the basics of going into the crawlspace
If you are going to flip make the right moves.
About the Author
Dwayne is the former past President of the Washington Association of Property Inspectors, Dwayne is also a committee member for the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA), Dwayne has been serving the Thurston County home inspection markets of Olympia home inspection , Lacey home inspection and Tumwater home inspection for many years. Boggs Inspection Services can be reached at 360-480-9602.
