Cough…BS. Narrate better.
See below
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I hate to stick my neck out here, but I truly enjoy the banter. I always put a garage door that has a faulty reverse mechanism as a safety hazard (red) as with a second floor railing missing balusters( seen it too many times). I look at it through the eyes of"could a child get hurt". That is what hits the Red level of urgency. Everything is put on the report. I realize that alot of clients may not read it all. I want to make sure the actual safety issues stand out. A leaking toilet would be on the report but not highlighted as a safety issue but a cost one. I think it is fair to make that distinction. Missing seals around a window or door( not garage) …cost issue, missing stairs outside of a sliding glass door( happened today) safety issue. Hope this helps, works for me and all my clients have been happy. Wish I knew how to upload photos. Just did a $2.3m 3 story home with a 2nd story pool at the corner with no railing around it. The builder said it met safety guidelines. That was a RED.
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[quote=“Justin Kirch, post:22, topic:247019, username:jkirch2”]
Wish I knew how to upload photo
Click the little upload button below when you post.
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Did the Builder state, or did you ask, what / whose “Safety Guidelines” he is referring to?
The phrase sounds great to a Buyer, but often means jack-shit to those that know better!!
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There are a few methods. Scott showed you the common method from your (most) phones.
Personally, I simply Copy/Paste or Drag/Drop depending on what device I am on, and where the photo is located.
Accidentally picked the same photo twice. The builder said it met the 48" rule but anyone could just try to sit on the ledge or swim to it and fall over. Just didn’t look right to me.
I don’t know a lot about pool guidelines, being in Mn where we don’t have many, but I can see how that might meet guidelines as-is. Sitting on the ledge can happen with any guardrail, and I can’t really picture anyone swimming over the edge. My biggest concern would be someone on a floaty going over.
Some builders will say anything to save themselves 5 seconds or 5 cents. Looks like a potential safety hazard from here. A bunch of kids playing in the pool would be all over the place.
BUT…if I didn’t have kids and liked having an infinity pool with a view, then I wouldn’t have to correct anything. Many here are making it sound like if it is mentioned, it has to be corrected. I do a “report” for the client (which holds the deferred maintenance items or anything that may be a problem/concern but doesn’t fit into the defect definition. I use the “summary” for only (defined) defects and safety items during the realtor negotiations. I advise my clients to use the report as reference during maintenance of the home. Realtors love the simplicity of not having to feed through all the little stuff and clients love having a plan to becoming a good homeowner. I don’t like major and minor because it is subjective - they will know my thoughts on severity by my narrative and recommendation.
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Posted this many times before. The client and often the agent needs some instruction specifying what they are reading. An Introduction if you will. I use this header.
"The following items and observations indicate that these systems or components do not function as intended or adversely affects the habitability of the dwelling; or warrants further investigation by a specialist, or requires subsequent observation. This Summary is not the entire report. The complete report may include additional information of concern to the customer. It is recommended that the customer read the complete report.
No attempt has been made to prioritize items in this report. They appear in the same order as the report body. Common sense dictates that safety items should take precedence over other concerns.
Examples of this would be electrical problems where the danger of fire or electrocution exist as a result of installation method, materials used, or improper maintenance. Fuel burning equipment or appliances whose installation, maintenance or age present a hazard of Carbon Monoxide or fire, and structural problems that may result in occupant falls or collapse of the structure.
Consult builders warranties where applicable to determine the coverage of any observed item.
Where repairs are needed they should be done by a licensed professional that warranties their work. Sellers that perform the repairs themselves, even if qualified, will not offer or be available to honor a warranty on the same work and may use cheap or substandard parts. Further evaluation of an item may indicate more extensive repairs are needed. These considerations should be made before final purchase of this property."
It is a shame that people need to be instructed how to read or think but that is the state of the world. Of particular note is the common sense line in bold. No one will admit they don’t have “common sense.” The bottom line in this business has become CYA!
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My program (and most others) gives me the option of putting the summary at the beginning or the end of the report. I can also choose to not include the summary. You’ll probably have to go through the back door in your account settings to make the change.
My introduction is very similar. I wonder though if the client even reads it. I worry that most are skipping over it to jump right into the report and the more serious deficiencies.
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I can do the same with HIP. I always put the summary at the end, but I have never published a report without a summary. I put it at the end hoping the report is read first. The summary is there to make a repair request list easier for the agent. I color code my defects for ease of use, significant defects, safety concerns, repair/maintenance. Yes, that is in fact classifying a defect, but not major and minor. I also have a introduction document on how to read the report.
Maybe I am wrong by doing this, but I just hate a red and black text report. It makes everything in red seem like it needs immediate attention.