House Masters of the Poconos

Do NOT go through HouseMasters of the Poconos for your home inspection. Showed up at our 10am appointment on time, the inspector, Gary, came out and said he had already completed the inspection. He couldn't have been there for more than 30 minutes. He walked through the home with us, basically waiting for us to ask questions... pointed very few things out to us. This walk through lasted 45 minutes. Then we get outside and when I asked him how the roof looked he said "it was put on in 2006 so it should be fine, plus its too high and I don't feel safe". Well I just about lost it... I own and insurance agency and know that the age of the roof means nothing if there is storm/wind damage to it. After arguing for 5 minutes he decided he would go up but only because my boyfriend was there to hold the ladder for him (as if a woman wouldn't be able to handle holding his ladder). He made my boyfriend go up on the sunroom porch with him so he could hold the ladder up there to the main roof, which I also didn't like because it isn't my boyfriends job to go on a roof and potentially get hurt uninsured. Then we get to the basement and I pointed out water damage that he didn't mention. Also, when I said how does the furnace look, he said "it looks like its in pretty good condition". When I went over to look at the sticker, the last inspection on that furnace was in 2000 and it was purchased in 1992. When I pointed that out he said, "oh ya you'll most likely need a new one in about 5-10 years." Completely contradicting what he had just told me about the furnace. But possibly the WORST part about this fiasco was how RUDE the owner, Frank, was when I called to express my concerns. He would not let me speak, he was condescending, and had an excuse for EVERYTHING I mentioned. He said the employee would be "spoken to". No partial refund, no I'm sorry, nothing. I spent $500 for a 45 minute walk through were I pointed out most of the issues. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!

Rick Costenbader is the House Whisperer. As a house buyer, we were surprised and grateful for his thoroughness and tenacity to understand the root causes of issues. In addition to problem identification, he suggests solutions. Be there for the inspection as it will help to formulate any conditions to your bid. Your pocket will thank him!