"The trouble with a checklist report and an "on-site" computer
generated report is- there is no thinking beyond the checklist and the software." -ACE Home warranties- Buyer beware Home warranties are a popular sales tool in the real estate
industry, touted by sales agents as a low-cost way to make a house stand out in
a crowded and tough market. A Gallup
Poll commissioned by warranty companies found homes with warranties sell up to
27 days quicker and for up to 3 percent more than those without. However, this largely unregulated industry has numerous
complaints of poor service, questionable practices and alleged fraud, according
to consumers, attorneys and consumer advocates across the country.
Home-warranty companies were named the "most complained about"
service in 2007, by Angie's List, a consumer website that provides its members
with reviews of local contractors and service companies. Consumer message boards and internet sites such as
ripoffreport.com, and scam.com buzz with angry tales of warranty companies
refusing to replace equipment and delaying or denying claims for repairs. The language embodied in home-warranty contracts is often
too broad and vague. Terms such as "normal wear and tear," for
example, or "lack of adequate maintenance," are highly subjective and
often a matter of opinion. Home warranties only cover items that malfunction as a
result of normal wear and tear. Anything that's broken before the
contract is purchased or fails due to "lack of adequate maintenance"
is not covered. Also not covered are items that show signs of rust, corrosion
or sediment build-up which could be merely a matter of normal wear and tear and
fail because of causes which are coverable but are not as a result. Sadly in reality, most people don't know the first thing
about routine maintenance when it comes to their home's mechanical systems and
appliances. This can be trouble for one who submits a claim. Prospective homebuyers should try to obtain any maintenance
records for appliances from the sellers, especially if there is a home warranty
offered by the seller or realtor, as you may need them in the future when
filing a claim with the warranty company. Do your research before purchasing a home warranty and be
prepared in the event of any claims. Know your rights. Have your
attorney review the warranty the seller or realtor is offering as an inducement
to purchase to ascertain the value. Warranties cost between $350 and $500. Some companies are: American Home Shield Warranty Group United Home Warranty- Formerly of National Home Protection Law of Business, by John Ruskin 1819-1900 Quote- There
is hardly anything in the world that someone cannot make a little worse and
sell a little cheaper, and the people who consider price alone are that
persons lawful prey. It is
unwise to pay too much, but it is also unwise to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little
money, that is all. When you pay too
little, you sometimes lose everything because the thing you bought is incapable
of doing the thing you bought it to do. The common
law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It cannot be done. If you deal
with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run. And if you do that you will have enough to
pay for something better. End quote
June 29, 2010
January 11, 2010
January 1, 2010
September 18, 2009
Recently, when retrieving a radon test, a home seller of a house I just inspected told me (her's was unsolicited commentary) how her home inspector took less than half the time (2 hours) to do her new house which was twice as large (perhaps 5000 or more ft. sq.), and twice as expensive (who cares!, not me), as the one she was presently selling. This is not something to brag or be proud about! The chances of her inspector missing something HUGE is likely. It may end up to be a costly inspection for her. She may pay after she moves in and finds the problem herself. She can call me (she won't) if she needs to know if her inspector should have seen it at the inspection, but more likely will call her lawyer. Her inspector was likely a realtor referral. Meanwhile, this seller's buyer (my client) just sold her house. An inspection was just done, and she just found out her buyer's inspector found thousands of dollars of damage that her inspector missed when she bought the house a few years ago. She got that inspector from the realtor, which may have been the same realtor (and perhaps the inspector also). After I retire, this will be in my book, which I may call HOME INSPECTION HORROR STORIES. I may name names. August 26, 2009-
Robert A. Fico has been selected by the OFFICE of ATTORNEY ETHICS of the SUPREME COURT of NEW JERSEY, District XII (Union County) Ethics Committee, as the alternate public member.
http://www.judiciary.state.nj.us/oae/index.htmAugust 17, 2009-
Robert A. Fico of ACE Home Inspection, Inc., Westfield, NJ has been Honored by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) for Long-Time Service.
ASHI,
founded in 1976, is the oldest, largest and most respected
international professional organization of independent home inspectors
in North America. Its Standards of Practice and strict Code of Ethics
are benchmarks of professional performance in the field.
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