A second look

Since our agent recommended we get a termite inspection instead of a full home inspection, I looked up a few pest services on the Internet. Some of the more well-known national companies offer free pest inspections, then discounts if there is a problem. That sounds about like what we need: an inspection for no money.

I met the agent at our soon-to-be home equipped with a notebook and a measuring tape. I might as well take room and window measurements while I'm there. An hour and a half later, our inspector was still missing.

On foreclosures there is a sign-in sheet for everyone who goes in and out. The agent explained that the home inspector comes out once a month to be sure nothing has happened to the property while it is still without a new owner. There were also a few signatures from cleaners and agents showing the house. Then we saw that there had already been a termite treatment less than a month ago.

The agent and I were satisfied that we no longer needed the truant termite inspector, so we left. Nearly an hour later I received a call from the inspector. He had a legitimate excuse, and I didn't make a big fuss. I also didn't tell him we wouldn't need his services any longer. Hopefully he is busy enough that he won't notice.

As for the house itself, it was a lot bigger than I remembered on our first visit. After measuring each room, I made a mental floorplan of where each piece of furniture would go.

I also made a physical list of things to consider doing once we close the sale. The agent was very helpful as we walked through the house, pointing out things we could buy or do ourselves to make the place really shine.

My biggest concern is the evidence of a prior dog tenant. It chewed up the door to the garage, and the garage itself reeks of a dog that wasn't taken outside enough. There are also stains to the subfloor that are either from the dog or from a messy person. The agent suggested we get remnant paint from a home improvement store and paint the floor before carpet and laminate are installed. The paint, he said, will "seal in" the stains, keeping them from seeping up if something is spilled on the new carpet in the future.