Is The Home Inspection Industry A Good Career Choice?

May 20, 2021/5 Comments/in /by rogue

The trade industry is often overlooked when young adults are prospecting opportunities for their career choice. Influencers often push collage to be the smartest choice for a person’s path to success. Often times collage is an incredible experience and clearly produces many successful individuals, but it’s not always for everyone.

The trade industry is a great career choice and we’re obviously a fan of the Home Inspection industry! Being a licensed home inspector provides stability and flexible schedules and high income potential.

Here’s our reasons why being a Home Inspector is so dang cool!

We Provide a Valuable Service

Firstly, we help home buyers build a solid foundation for their future. Purchasing a home is probably one of the largest investments adults will make in their lifetime and we help provide unbiased objective observations about the condition of the home to help our clients make a good investment choice.

Solid Industry

Weather the real estate market is out of control or moving steady, home inspections will always be needed. Home’s will always be bought and sold and a home inspection is a primary component in that transaction so there will never be a shortage of home inspectors needed.

Save Your Body

Physical jobs are rewarding when you’re in your prime, but as you age your body will likely not enjoy keeping up with the demands of a physical labor job. As a home inspector, you’re able to be hands on without the intense physical labor that can injure your body.

Join A Growing Culture

It wasn’t always common to see home inspection companies with multiple team members or hosting a large list of additional services they can provide. As times have changed with technology and the ever growing real estate industry – so did the inspection industry, and it’s still changing and growing.

At Rogue Inspection Services, we’ve built our business on a set of core values and a mission that drives the Mafia (team) every day to transform the inspection industry through revolutionary knowledge, growth and innovation. We strive for excellence in everything and we strive to exceed the expectations of every client we meet.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a licensed home inspector, drop a comment below or send us an email with your questions and why you’re interested! We’d be happy to give you recommendations!

What Is An Engineering Certificate?

May 19, 2021/0 Comments/in blog/by rogue

Don’t Be Dorothy’s Aunt

Remember when Dorothy’s house blew away in the hurricane? if it was tied down and structurally sound it wouldn’t have gone anywhere right? Her aunt probably waived an engineering certification when she purchased her home and that’s why we were left with an epic cinematic adventure in 1939!

Did we over exaggerate again? (Insert laugh)

Okay you caught us trying to pull some home inspector humor.

However, in all seriousness – If you’re financing a new home you’ve likely been made aware of the rules and regulations that go along with financing. Specifically, if you’re financing a manufactured home, there are separate compliancies that need to be met or approved with FHA, HUD or VA financing. Typically these institutions may require an Engineering Certificate for insurance. Let’s talk about what that is and why it’s important.

Manufactured Homes

Are built inside a factory and prefabricated with siding, roofing and most of interior completion. The home is then loaded up and travels to the owners land or community to be installed. The manufactured home is required to be on a permanent foundation to qualify for financing, which requires a licensed professional to inspect the home and provide an Engineering Certification.

Manufactured Home Engineering Certification

Typically the inspection takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete and we’ll have the compliance report turned in within 24 hours or less. There are requirements we must follow to determine the home is structurally sound and tied down.

We also inspect footing to confirm they’re placed in concrete and they’re the right size to avoid soil settlement. We’ll inspect the crawl space to ensure there is proper drainage and sealed access points to avoid rodent and pest intrusion. Recommendations will be made based on observed findings that don’t meet requirements, which must be fixed before the inspector signs off on the compliance report.

It’s important to plan ahead and schedule with us early at Rogue Inspection Services! Leave your comments or questions below about Engineering Certificates.

What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?

April 22, 2021/0 Comments/in /by rogue

Appraisal VS Home Inspection

(This article was written and composed by “Keeping Current Matters” January 26, 2021)

If you’re planning to buy a home an appraisal will likely happen if you’re purchasing your home with a loan. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. An appraisal is typically ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior to lending a buyer money for the purchase. It’s also a different step in the process from a home inspection, which assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. Here’s the breakdown of each one and why they’re both important when buying a home.

Home Appraisal

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“A home purchase is typically the largest investment someone will make. Protect yourself by getting your investment appraised! An appraiser will observe the property, analyze the data, and report their findings to their client. For the typical home purchase transaction, the lender usually orders the appraisal to assist in the lender’s decision to provide funds for a mortgage.”

When you apply for a mortgage, an unbiased appraisal (which is required by the lender) is the best way to confirm the value of the home based on the sale price. Regardless of what you’re willing to pay for a house, if you’ll be using a mortgage to fund your purchase, the appraisal will help make sure the bank doesn’t loan you more than what the home is worth.

This is especially critical in today’s sellers’ market where low inventory is driving an increase in bidding wars, which can push home prices upward. When sellers are in a strong position like this, they tend to believe they can set whatever price they want for their house under the assumption that competing buyers will be willing to pay more.

However, the lender will only allow the buyer to borrow based on the value of the home. This is what helps keep home prices in check. If there’s ever any confusion or discrepancy between the appraisal and the sale price, your trusted real estate professional will help you navigate any additional negotiations in the buying process.

Home Inspection

Here’s the key difference between an appraisal and an inspection. MSN explains:

“In simplest terms, a home appraisal determines the value of a home, while a home inspection determines the condition of a home.”

The home inspection is a way to determine the current state, safety, and condition of the home before you finalize the sale. If anything is questionable in the inspection process – like the age of the roof, the state of the HVAC system, or just about anything else – you as a buyer have the option to discuss and negotiate any potential issues or repairs with the seller before the transaction is final. Your real estate agent is a key expert to help you through this part of the process.

Bottom Line

The appraisal and the inspection are critical steps when buying a home, and you don’t need to manage them by yourself. Reach out to a local real estate professional today so you have the expert guidance you need to navigate through the entire home buying process.

Is Mold In Your House?

April 22, 2021/0 Comments/in /by rogue

Is mold in your house a problem?

(This article is from the Medical News Today online journal. Medically reviewed by Vincent J. Tavella, MPH — Written by James McIntosh on August 20, 2019)

Whether it is a cold, damp winter or a warm, humid summer, activities at home can result in moisture indoors and the appearance of mold.

Mold can grow on walls, clothes, books, toys, and even CDs. It can turn prized possessions into musty relics that only look fit for the garbage.

But is it also a health hazard? What effects can mold have on a person’s body?

This article looks at what mold is, why it grows, its impact on a person’s health, and how to stop it.

What is mold?

Molds are a form of fungus. There are many different types, and they can occur both indoors and outdoors.

Molds produce spores, which spread by floating around in the air. Mold spores are present in all indoor environments. There is no way to prevent spores, and they can persist in conditions where mold itself cannot grow.

Mold spores thrive in environments that are moist and warm, so when they land on a damp spot, they begin to grow.

Molds can grow on a variety of different surfaces, including fabric, paper, wood, glass, and plastic. As they grow, they may digest the material they are growing on.

Types of mold

Nobody knows how many kinds of mold there are, but experts estimate that there may be 300,000 or more different types. Some are more likely than others to appear in the home.

Common indoor molds include:

Alternaria: This occurs in damp places indoors, such as showers or under leaky sinks.

Aspergillus: This often grows indoors, on dust, powdery food items, and building materials, such as drywall.

Cladosporium: This can grow in either cool or warm areas. It tends to appear on fabrics and wood surfaces.

Penicillium: This tends to grow on materials with water damage. It often has a blue or green appearance.

Molds take a variety of forms and textures. They can be white, black, yellow, blue, or green and often look like discoloration or stain to a surface.

They can also have a velvety, fuzzy, or rough appearance, depending on the type of mold and where it is growing.

How does mold get into a house?

Mold spores are everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, but they are not visible to the naked eye.

Spores can enter the home:

Through the air: They can enter through open windows, doorways, and ventilation systems.

By attaching to objects or people: Vehicles include clothing, shoes, and pets.

Mold will only flourish if spores land somewhere that has the ideal conditions for growing, such as moisture and a supply of suitable nutrients. If the environment is unsuitable for the spores, they do not usually develop or cause a problem.

Places where mold often appears include:

areas where leakages and flooding have occurred
windows where condensation builds up
places where the air does not circulate, for example, behind a closet

Wet cellulose materials are most supportive of mold growth.

Examples include:

paper products, including wallpaper
cardboard
ceiling tiles
wood products
insulation materials
upholstery and other fabrics

Mold growth is usually visible and often produces a musty odor. It can damage household items, and it can also have an impact on health.

Protection and prevention

Controlling moisture is the key to preventing mold from growing indoors. It is also important to keep the home clean and well ventilated.

Causes of humidity in the home include:

the breath of people and pets
use of water for washing and cooking
moisture in the air, for example, on rainy or humid days
water leaks
living in a building with tightly-sealed windows and doors

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise people to aim for a humidity level of below 60%.

If you’re concerned about potential mold in your home, call Rogue Inspection Services today and we can perform a mold test.

Our non-invasive evaluation of the property looks for potential mold growth as well as conditions conducive to mold growth. Air samples and direct mold samples can be taken to identify and determine presence or absence of mold. We are International Association of Indoor Air Consultants Certified (IAC2).

(This article is from the Medical News Today online journal article. Medically reviewed by Vincent J. Tavella, MPH — Written by James McIntosh on August 20, 2019)

Get Your Home Inspected Every 5 Years – They Say…

April 22, 2021/0 Comments/in /by rogue

When to Get a Home Inspection

You’ve purchased your new home! Congrats!! This is a huge a deal, especially if you’re a new home buyer!
It’s exciting to buy new furniture, possibly new appliances, decorating and many more rewarding feel-goods when you buy a new home.

Commonly, people don’t tell you about the hard parts of home ownership though, similar to having kids. It’s all fun and glorious until you’re on your 5th sleepless night and you’re wearing the same clothes for the 3rd day…
Okay, we might be over exaggerating!
However, home maintenance on your new home is something you should be prepared for and the point we want to get across is the importance of having your home inspected even after you’ve purchased your home.

Say what?? We’re telling you to get your home inspected more than once? Yes, yes we are and here’s why…

Getting your home inspected semi-regularly will ensure that you are keeping track of the maintenance your home needs as well as being made aware of any possible hazards.

You’re probably fully capable of inspecting your homes condition and spotting obvious maintenance issues that may arise. But, a professional home inspector will thoroughly examine your property from the roof to the foundation, and everything in between!

So, how often should you get a home inspection?

We’d say about every 5 years.

The inspector will look to see if your home, like roofing, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical fixtures, are in good condition and will work effectively for years to come. These inspections will help you keep your property maintained and safe.

What Parts Of My Property Should Be Inspected?

Your home will naturally age over the years. Having your home inspected every 5 years will help you maintain your homes condition and prepare you for any repairs or renovations you may have to make in the future.
When having your home inspected, emphasize structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing fixtures. If your home has a well and septic these should be checked regularly. Lastly, a pest inspection is always at the top of the list. Wood destroying organisms can be overlooked by the untrained eye and will cause serious structural issues.

How Long Does An Inspection Take?

You may feel reluctant to schedule regular home inspections because of the time it takes. Who wants to follow an inspector around their home while they point out problems with your home?

However, the time and investment in a home inspection could save you thousands of dollars and hours of time compared to what you may spend if you had a serious underlying problem with your home that was unseen.

So, how long does a home inspection take? A residential home inspection typically takes around 3 hours for the inspector to go through the entire house and test all fixtures.
We recommend that you attend the inspection so the inspector can explain their findings to you, however it’s not necessary. The home inspector can perform a home inspection without your presence and deliver the report and review anything with you at a time that is most convenient to you.

If you are ready to have your home inspected by Rogue Inspection Services, give us a call today or learn more online!

Radon and The Facts

March 25, 2021/1 Comment/in /by rogue

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are at risk of high radon exposure.

(The information below is directly from the CDC)

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes. Because radon comes naturally from the earth, people are always exposed to it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General’s office estimate radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles from radon gas can get trapped in your lungs. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear.

People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer. EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes that have a radon level at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air (a “picocurie” is a common unit for measuring the amount of radioactivity).

Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

How much radon is in your home–the location where you spend most of your time (e.g., the main living and sleeping areas)
The amount of time you spend in your home
Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked
Whether you burn wood, coal, or other substances that add particles to the indoor air

The chances of getting lung cancer are higher if your home has elevated radon levels and you smoke or burn fuels that increase indoor particles.

At Rogue Inspection we offer radon testing to allow you to make critical decisions before you purchase the home of your dreams. Learn more about us today!

How to Choose the Right Home Inspector

March 25, 2021/0 Comments/in blog/by rogue

Mr. Right … Home Inspector

House hunting? Have you thought about a home inspector? Choosing the right home inspector before your offer is accepted will allow you to be confident that you hired an experienced professional. Besides, your home inspection is your way to assess the true nature and condition of one of the largest purchases you’ll make in your lifetime.

Typically, real estate agents have built a foundation of trust amongst professional home inspectors and they’ll have a solid referral for you to use. However, we always recommend doing your own research on a home inspection company so the choice is in your hands. Here’s our key points we think will help you make the right decision.

Find trusted and qualified Inspectors

The first great place to start is asking your friends who’ve purchased homes who they may recommend from their experience. Your friends or trusted colleagues won’t steer you wrong. Then there’s our personal favorite, Google reviews! Check out their reviews on Google, Facebook, Yelp – If your looking for honest reviews, that’s where you’ll find unbiased ones!

Additional resources to find reputable home inspectors include professional organizations such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).

Credentials mean something significant

Contracting professionals who’s certified or licensed by a professional organization should provide more assurance that the inspector is thoroughly knowledgeable. Not all states require licensing, however, luckily Oregon is one who does require this.

Ask for what you need

Another great way to tell how thorough a home inspector may be is to request a sample report. Home inspectors who are detailed will stand out compared to others who are missing details or apply generic information.

Experience matters

Additionally, professionals who have been in the field for several years may be a certified master inspector. Certified Master Inspector (CMI) is a US and Canadian registered trademark of the Master Inspector Certification Board, INC. CMI is the inspection industry’s top professional designation awarded to qualifying inspectors who have demonstrated the highest level of competency.

Find out about additional services

There are some inspectors who may offer additional services outside of a typical home inspection. Others may refer you to another local business expert. Typically these services are not covered under an initial home inspection, but they’re a great indicator of the integrity and value of the company.

At Rogue Inspection we offer several services such as, mold testing, radon, sewer scopes, EMF, foundation elevation surveys and more.

Learn more about us and our mission!

Is a Sewer Scope Inspection Worth It?

March 25, 2021/4 Comments/in blog/by rogue

What Is A Sewer Scope?

As a home buyer, you have a lot on your plate. Negotiations, offers, looking for a good home inspector, the waiting process…. It makes you wonder how we’re capable of getting it all done without balding by the end of the transaction.

However, although with great stress and risk comes great reward, we’re here to tell you risks aren’t the best way to be rewarded when it comes to purchasing a new home.

One of the most overlooked services is a sewer scope, and we want to share with you why it’s so important to get one with your home inspection.

When you hire Rogue Inspection Services to perform a sewer scope, it looks just like it sounds. We’ll run a specialized-flexible camera that records video of the whole sewer line all the way from the house out to the sewer main. It’s very important to do one because you have no idea what is going on in that sewer line until there’s a problem. When buying an older house it’s important to inspect that line however, we’ve seen heavy equipment crush sewer lines during new construction builds or disconnected lines. For that matter, it is important to do a sewer scope in every scenario.

When Should You Get A Sewer Scope?

The risk of not performing one could cost you thousands of dollars, comparatively to the cost of a sewer scope service.

Here we’ve come up with a list of indicators that there may be a problem with the sewer system or that it may be at risk.

Suspiciously green areas of grass VS other dead areas, or large trees – Roots from large trees can grow around pipes and cause cracking or fractures. The green grass can be an indication of a sewer leak because of its power to fertilize.

The home was built over 25 years ago, or more – Before 1984 most homes contained clay sewer pipes.

Water backing up

Shifting or sinking of the ground around your home

Although these indications may or may not stand out, there is still a chance there are minor issues with the sewer line that can still cost thousands to repair. This is why a sewer scope is a home-buyers best friend!

Your home inspector should walk you through the explanation to help you understand everything you’re looking at.

If you’re looking for a reliable home inspector to do a sewer scope inspection, look no further than Rogue Inspection Services. Contact us today!

When Home Inspectors Didn’t Exist..

March 3, 2021/0 Comments/in blog/by rogue

Just trust me..

Did you ever stop to think about how there was once a time when Home Inspectors didn’t exist?? Some time ago, home buyers were once at the mercy of the home sellers knowledge, and trusting their knowledge! Sellers were not obligated to disclose defects in the home. Real estate professionals were not imposed with educating buyers about what they’re getting into.

Believe it or not, property inspectors didn’t exist until the mid 1970s! Most buyers signed contracts with hopes and dreams that their new investment was not a money pit.

Home inspecting is a relatively new industry. So, the next time you hire a Professional Certified Home Inspector with Rogue Inspection Services, you’re in the great company of individuals who want to help you build a solid foundation for your future.

Back in the 70s

Many people purchased homes without really knowing what they’re getting into before the 1970s.

However, early in the decade, John Bowman; now a home inspector, author, retired contractor and NACHI executive director – came up with the term “Contractor’s Inspection”..

This inspection covered the basics of the home solely based on the knowledge of the provider. Bowman felt that was not enough for investor though. Homes are complicated and expensive. Investors wanted to know more and they had the right to know more.

In 1975, Home Inspecting Became a Real Thing

When home buyers found that the knowledge they craved was readily available, it wasn’t long before the industry took off! It was clear this was a marketable industry. With that, knowledgeable individuals came together to create inspections methods and standards.

These people created a group that became the California Real Estate Inspection Association or CREIA and the American Society of Home Inspectors or ASHI.

These pioneers created the first ever home inspection code of ethics and standards of practice which is still perfected and built on in today’s industry.

Home Inspecting is Thriving

Many states require all home inspectors to be licensed and comply with regulations and continuing education. The home inspection profession has grown to include thousands of men and women.

As the industry continues to grow, real estate agents and the public rely on home inspectors. Agents often refer buyers to inspectors whose work they know and trust.

Reporting, prior to industry development, was basically a vote of confidence or warning to run as fast as they could the other way. However, now home inspection reports are detailed, professional documents that describe material defects with High-quality images in an HTML report so you can see what’s important for clarity.

We now have technology on our side as well! Being able to provide actual evidence of defects in homes has been a game changer for the industry and home buyers of all kinds.

When it comes to your new home, you only want the best. We provide industry-leading inspections. Rogue Inspection Services is dedicated to exceeding your expectations! Schedule Today!

How Home Inspections Work

February 25, 2021/1 Comment/in blog/by rogue

What Do Home Inspectors Do?

A home inspector is not looking for code violations and will only look at the parts of the home that are visible and accessible.

In a typical home inspection, the inspector will examine the roof, walls, flooring, foundation and everything in between including, air conditioning and heating systems, interior plumbing and the electrical system.

Our team at Rogue Inspection Services is passionate about education in our industry! We hope to help you understand the home inspection process to aid in comfort knowing you’re making the right decision to hire a home inspector.

You Should Attend Your Walk Through!

Most commonly new home buyers don’t realize that a home inspection is optional and not required by federal government lets say to get your home loan. However, and this is a big however; a home inspection will give you piece of mind that you can’t get anywhere else before purchasing a new home.

Attending your home inspection will also help ease your mind when working with such a big investment, as well as help answer any questions you may have.

At Rogue, during our walk through we’re happy to answer any questions and concerns you may have about the home. We’re also happy to make any referrals to local business owners for professional help.

Some pieces of information will justify just reading the home inspector report. This report summarizes what the inspector addressed in the home.

Home Inspectors Can Inspect All Properties

Home inspections aren’t just for home buyers or sellers. Home inspectors are savvy with many kinds of properties and it’d behoove anyone who’s investing in property of any kind to have it inspected professionally before purchase to maintain a solid foundation for their future.

Inspectors know how to treat spaces which may have unique requirements like condos or multifamily dwellings.

Prepare a Checklist

When touring your list homes, bring along a notepad. When you see something you’re questioning, you can write it down and be well prepared with questions for your home inspector during a walk through.

This will also help you compare the homes you’ve seen without getting confused on what you’ve seen in each home.

Do Home Inspectors Have Standards?

Only SIX states actually require home inspectors to be licensed! Luckily, Oregon is one of them. Regardless, your home inspector should be experienced and knowledgeable about building techniques and materials, they should also have a way to document this!

When looking for a certified home inspector in Oregon, they must be OCHI certified. Additionally, being a member of interNACHI would increase their integrity and standard value.

How Long Will The Inspector Take?

Most home inspectors will schedule your appointment within 7-10 days.

Generally, a home inspector will get started after the final sales contract is signed, the sales contract should include a clause making the final sale contingent on the home inspection.

Inspection and Appraisal

Home inspections and home appraisals are NOT the same. Frequently homeowners think a home appraisal will cover all their bases.

A home appraisal is a value based on comparable recent sales of the home in the neighborhood. A home inspection will describe the condition of the home and can estimate the future of the home.

Home Inspector Hero’s?

If you ask us, home inspections are worth every penny. They will give you the piece of mind you need to purchase your home, and save you money for your future.

When investing in your new property it’s imperative to gain all the knowledge about the property that is available to you. The easiest way to do that is with a home inspector that has your best interest in mind.

Create a checklist to go over with your home inspector, attend the home inspection and record important information regarding repairs.

Utilize your home inspection report, your home appraisal and you will have more than enough information to securely invest in your property. Good luck!

Check out our website to schedule your home inspection today!