Jonathan McCain | Open House w/ Anthony Sharp #003In this episode of Open House, Anthony sits down with Jonathan McCain of McCain Home Inspections to unpack the home inspection process for both buyers and sellers. They cover what inspectors actually look for, how to interpret those long reports, common issues in the Starkville/Columbus area, and how realtors can better prepare clients so inspections feel like a negotiation tool—not a panic trigger. 00:00 – Intro & Guest Background Host: Anthony Sharp – Open HouseGuest: Jonathan McCain – McCain Home Inspections / McCain InspectionsSolo inspector doing ~500 inspections/year in: Starkville, Amory, Columbus, Philadelphia, Eupora, and nearby🔗 Find Jonathan on Google: “McCain Inspections”01:12 – Becoming a Home Inspector Required courses and training hoursLong state exam (hundreds of questions, full‑day test)Must maintain state certification, insurance, and continuing education01:56 – What a Home Inspection Really Is Visual inspection only – can’t see inside walls/foundationsTests and checks: plumbing, electrical, panel, roof, attic, foundation (as visible)Condition > size in determining how long an inspection takes03:50 – Reports, Photos & Negotiation Power Reports are ~90% written on-site, finished at home, sent same day to buyer and realtorLots of photos and detail to protect both client and inspectorReport becomes a major negotiation tool for repairs, credits, or price changes04:46 – Common Issues & Interpreting “Big Problems” Common findings:Missing GFCIsNon-working lights (often just bulbs)Older electrical practices that no longer meet current standardsWhat counts as a “big problem” is buyer-dependent (foundation movement vs. small cracks, etc.)08:21 – What People Panic About (That Often Isn’t Catastrophic) Buyers sometimes overreact to:Cracked bricksMinor, easily fixable defectsMany “scary” items can be resolved for a few hundred dollars with the right pro09:50 – No Such Thing as a Perfect House Every home has issues – even new construction and the houses Jonathan has built or lives inInspections are not pass/fail – the “pass” is determined by the buyer’s decision and negotiations11:09 – Seller Prep to Improve Inspections Easy wins for sellers:Replace burned-out bulbsChange air filtersTighten door hardwareEnsure windows latch properlyClear access to electrical panels and key areasReduces:Report lengthBuyer concerns about hidden or systemic issues12:55 – Local Foundation Issues & Clay Soil Starkville / Columbus area has clay-heavy soilSoil can expand/contract significantly, causing:Very common foundation settlementNot all movement is catastrophic; some neighborhoods are just known for more issuesOne reason basements are rare locally14:15 – Memorable Finds & Regional Differences Jonathan has seen plenty of odd personal items, but nothing truly extremeCompared with regions that have rockier, more stable soil, North MS sees far more foundation issues16:05 – How Buyers Should Use an Inspection Report Treat the report as a financial and negotiation tool, not a doomsday verdictEven one negotiated item (e.g., broken window) can pay for the inspectionBig wins include:Negotiating roof replacements worth many thousandsMany buyers walk away from one house and end up in a better, more sound property18:40 – Advice & “Karma” for Sellers Fix obvious leaks and problems instead of hiding themRemember: most sellers will be buyers somewhere else, so:Treat others the way you’d want to be treated on your next purchase20:33 – Working With Clients & Explaining the Jargon Realtors should:Prep clients for long reports, especially on older homesJonathan:Walks buyers around to show issues in person (e.g., fascia, wood rot)Explains technical terms in plain languageOffers phone or FaceTime walkthroughs for remote / military buyers24:56 – Realtors, Communication & Client Advocacy Good realtors:Advocate for their clientsHelp manage expectations so inspection findings don’t feel like a shock26:01 – Contact Info, Volume of Work & Reviews Roughly 2,500 inspections over five+ yearsAround 500 inspections per year; works 7 days/week in busy seasons~190+ five-star Google reviews; a top local search resultContact details for show notes:📞 Phone: 662‑744‑0146🕵️ Google: Search “McCain Inspections”🌎 Service areas: Starkville, Amory, Columbus, Philadelphia, Eupora, nearby AL border towns (Millport, Vernon)🎓 Licenses: Home Inspector (MS & AL), Residential Builder’s License (MS), New Home Certified (MS)Connect with Anthony Sharp (Host) WebsiteInstagramFacebookCrye-Leike Properties Unlimited https://www.cryeleikepropertiesunlimited.com
