INSPECTIONS IN WASH AND ORE ARE A GO-AHEAD

*Updated and Fully in Effect as of 5/22/2020.* 

PLEASE READ THIS DOCUMENT: Additional directives will now permit inspections in both Oregon and Washington under certain guidelines. Clients, owners, and agents are kindly asked to review this in its entirety as it includes critical information about inspections moving forward during this shut-down or semi-shut-down period.

Valued Clients, Agents and Interested Parties,

We are going through an unprecedented time in this country and, indeed, in the world. Earlier this year, Governor's Kate Brown of Oregon and Jay Inslee of Washington have issued varying statements which have shut down portions of the economy with hope to "flatten the curve" and prevent the transmission of the novel coronavirus Covid-19.

Kate Brown of Oregon's initial directives included home inspectors as essential service providers. Jay Inslee's, however, did not, which lead to some confusion about what to do with pending transactions and whether the real estate industry as a whole was going to be stalled.

Jay Inslee has come out with a clarification document, which permits real estate (including home inspections) to move forward under particular restrictions. NWMLS also issued a guidance document confirming the same.

Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC is proud to provide inspections in both states and, wishing to maintain consistency in our services, in light of the recent additional clarifications from Jay Inslee, we will be doing the following for ALL inspections moving forward until the Governor's open up the industry to operate "normally" again. Home owners, buyers, buyer's agents, seller's agents, and sellers are kindly asked to heed to the following for the time being.

1. Clients NOT to Attend: Given the guidance of the CDC, along with a combination in the guidance from Jay Inslee and Kate Brown, Nickelsen Home Inspections, LLC is specifically requesting that clients NOT attend inspections. This will limit exposure. Jay Inslee's directives specifically state that no more than two people can be inside of the property at a time. If this inspection is for a client who lives in the property already, we will only be able to perform the inspection if the property is vacated during the appointment.

2. Sellers Are Asked to Vacate: We often have two inspectors present, and in many situations the buyer's agent needs to attend the inspection. It is typical already that sellers vacate properties for inspections. We are herein proactively requesting it so that our work can be conducted and so as to limit exposure and ensure compliance with Inslee's orders. Additionally, sellers/occupants are kindly asked to ensure that overhead attic accesses and the immediate area, underfloor crawl space accesses and the immediate area, water heater, furnaces, and electrical panels all be fully cleared and ready for inspection. The home inspection is a "non-invasive" process and personal items/belongings are not disturbed during the inspection. If an area, system, or component is blocked or impeded, it may be skipped and we may need to return to the property.

3. Disinfect Relevant Items and Surfaces: Sellers/occupants or clients (if the inspection is for you and you already live in the property) are asked to disinfect relevant items and surfaces before and after the inspection is done to, again, limit exposure. Items, surfaces, and areas included but are not limited to: door knobs and handles, cabinet knobs and handles, all sink and toilet faucets and handles, toilets, counter tops in kitchens and bathrooms, appliance handles and controls (stove/oven/range, vent, microwave, dishwasher). Sellers are also kindly asked to crack a couple windows in the home and turn on all vents for at least 15 minutes before the inspector arrives at the property (within a couple hours or so if possible of the scheduled appointment), which will be done again during the inspection by the inspector.

4. Is Anyone in Home Sick?: The health of the inspectors and all involved is paramount. As such, if anyone occupying the home is or has recently been sick or shown any indication of sickness, we kindly request that the inspection be postponed for a period of 14 days from the last point of any indication of sickness. Remember that people with Covid-19 can be asymptomatic or have very light symptoms. Since testing is not conducted in Oregon or Washington without very serious signs, if not admission into the hospital, we all must assume that a sneeze, cough, headache, chest pain, light fever, or anything remotely of the like is a potential indication of the virus. The transaction is not more important that the health of all those involved--it can in fact wait. If anyone is sick, please postpone the appointment.

5. Reports Will Be Done Off Site: Inspection reports are typically done on site. We will be changing this policy for the time being and ALL reports will be done off site. This will ensure limited exposure, and ensure that the seller (if applicable) can return to the property. The reports will be sent to the client and, if applicable, their agent and the inspectors will be available to answer any questions by phone or email (email is preferred if possible so as to ensure that we can keep all relevant parties in the same loop).

6. For Vacant Homes: To limit exposure, agents are asked to provide one-day codes and to not attend the inspection.

7. NHI Takes This Seriously: We take the health of the occupants and all NHI inspectors seriously. We feel that we can confidently navigate properties using the aforementioned guidelines well. Inspectors will be taking extra precautions at all properties, washing and disinfecting hands regularly, wearing shoe covers or inside-only shoes, and the like.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation as we ALL navigate these serious, difficult, trying and even bizarre time we are living in. We WILL get through this TOGETHER!

Find our video about this as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAOGgfqpCm0

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Resources:

- Jay Inslee's Update: CLICK HERE
- Jay Inslee's Update PDF: CLICK HERE
- NWMLS Guidance Document: CLICK HERE
- WA Realtors Association Statement: CLICK HERE
- Oregon Construction Contractor's Board Statement: CLICK HERE