While there are many unique inspections, there are some very common inspection types and requirements you will encounter. This module will explain the most common inspection types, and their usual requirements. Different clients or order types can have specific requests, so please always read the instructions in your orders.
The basic inspection types we will cover are:
- Occupancy (or delinquency) inspections
- FTV Inspections
- Interior/walk through inspections
- Insurance loss inspections
Occupancy Inspections
Many inspections completed in this industry are on occupied properties. In a lot of these cases the homeowner is delinquent on payments and the bank is looking to verify that someone is living in the home, but you cannot assume this is the case or discuss things like this with neighbors or homeowners.
These inspections may have various job names or instructions, but follow the same basic requirements. Some orders may ask you to leave a door hanger. Some may ask you to attempt contact to determine occupancy, and others may just ask you to determine occupancy.
If an order specifies no contact or bankruptcy, you should NOT approach the home, speak to neighbors, or leave any cards or postings at the property.
FTV Inspections
If you are ever completing an inspection and determine the home to be vacant, this is an FTV, or First Time Vacant inspection.
If the property has been previously known to be vacant this should be indicated in your instructions, and there should be postings already present at the property.
If there are no postings present, and you are the first person reporting the property vacant, you will be leaving an FTV Posting at the property.
Determining when a property has gone vacant is possibly the most important part of our jobs as inspectors. A vacant house that does not get properly winterized, or have grass mowed, or other attention that is needed can quickly become a liability.
Interior/Walk-Through Inspections
Although interior inspections are not as common as the previous types mentioned they are still a regular occurrence. After a house has been reported FTV, the next step in the process is often for the mortgage company to change locks and begin measures to preserve the home. When you receive an order asking you to do a walk-through the house should already have the locks changed by the bank. You will not ever enter a property that hasn’t had locks changed, and these types will not be completed on occupied properties. Some clients install lockboxes and give lockbox codes to gain access, or they may request that you have a set of specific keys to use to gain entry. You will need to provide photos throughout the whole house as well as all sides of the exterior. Some things to note will be:
- what appliances are present, including furnace and water heater
- if there are any violations that need addressed or things that need taken care of to prevent a violation, like tall grass
- If there are any damages to the home
- If the home is winterized
- If the home is secure (all doors locked)
Anything that seems important should be reported, these are just some common items to check.
The EZ Suggested Photos guide is a great quick-reference to help remember the required photos for these types of inspections.
Insurance Loss Inspections
This is another type that is seen regularly, but usually does not have as high of volume as other types of inspections.
Insurance Loss inspections are unique because in these cases the inspection is not ordered because of delinquent payments or anything related to the mortgage. These inspections are ordered when an insurance claim has been made on the house and the mortgage company is a beneficiary on the claim. For the mortgage company to release the insurance money they order these inspections to ensure work is being done.
Specific instructions may vary, but these are the guidelines followed most often:
- You will be asked to call a homeowner and set an appointment to take photos of all areas included in the claim – whether work is done or not yet they want photos of all areas.
- You should receive a scope of work, or an estimate, that will give you details about what areas work is being done.
- When you meet with the homeowner there will be a specific form that you take that the homeowner and inspector (you) will sign (Most clients allow the form and signature to be done in the app without a printed form).
- When you are filling out this form you will be asked to report on the percentage of work completed. You will need to use the scope provided to review what items are complete and not yet complete, you can calculate the percentage based on the dollar value for each line item.
These videos are another great resource to show the basics of completing some common inspection types. As described above each client may have varying requirements, but most have similar basic objectives and requirements.
A copy of the suggested photos can be found in the resources tab.