Jonathan McCain | Open House w/ Anthony Sharp #003

In 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 House
• Guest: Jonathan McCain – McCain Home Inspections / McCain Inspections
• Solo 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 hours
• Long state exam (hundreds of questions, full‑day test)
• Must maintain state certification, insurance, and continuing education

01:56 – What a Home Inspection Really Is

• Visual inspection only – can’t see inside walls/foundations
• Tests and checks: plumbing, electrical, panel, roof, attic, foundation (as visible)
• Condition > size in determining how long an inspection takes

03:50 – Reports, Photos & Negotiation Power

• Reports are ~90% written on-site, finished at home, sent same day to buyer and realtor
• Lots of photos and detail to protect both client and inspector
• Report becomes a major negotiation tool for repairs, credits, or price changes

04:46 – Common Issues & Interpreting “Big Problems”

• Common findings:
  • Missing GFCIs
  • Non-working lights (often just bulbs)
  • Older electrical practices that no longer meet current standards
• What 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 bricks
  • Minor, easily fixable defects
• Many “scary” items can be resolved for a few hundred dollars with the right pro

09:50 – No Such Thing as a Perfect House

• Every home has issues – even new construction and the houses Jonathan has built or lives in
• Inspections are not pass/fail – the “pass” is determined by the buyer’s decision and negotiations

11:09 – Seller Prep to Improve Inspections

• Easy wins for sellers:
  • Replace burned-out bulbs
  • Change air filters
  • Tighten door hardware
  • Ensure windows latch properly
  • Clear access to electrical panels and key areas
• Reduces:
  • Report length
  • Buyer concerns about hidden or systemic issues

12:55 – Local Foundation Issues & Clay Soil

• Starkville / Columbus area has clay-heavy soil
• Soil can expand/contract significantly, causing:
  • Very common foundation settlement
• Not all movement is catastrophic; some neighborhoods are just known for more issues
• One reason basements are rare locally

14:15 – Memorable Finds & Regional Differences

• Jonathan has seen plenty of odd personal items, but nothing truly extreme
• Compared with regions that have rockier, more stable soil, North MS sees far more foundation issues

16:05 – How Buyers Should Use an Inspection Report

• Treat the report as a financial and negotiation tool, not a doomsday verdict
• Even one negotiated item (e.g., broken window) can pay for the inspection
• Big wins include:
  • Negotiating roof replacements worth many thousands
• Many buyers walk away from one house and end up in a better, more sound property

18:40 – Advice & “Karma” for Sellers

• Fix obvious leaks and problems instead of hiding them
• Remember: most sellers will be buyers somewhere else, so:
  • Treat others the way you’d want to be treated on your next purchase

20:33 – Working With Clients & Explaining the Jargon

• Realtors should:
  • Prep clients for long reports, especially on older homes
• Jonathan:
  • Walks buyers around to show issues in person (e.g., fascia, wood rot)
  • Explains technical terms in plain language
  • Offers phone or FaceTime walkthroughs for remote / military buyers

24:56 – Realtors, Communication & Client Advocacy

• Good realtors:
  • Advocate for their clients
  • Help manage expectations so inspection findings don’t feel like a shock

26:01 – Contact Info, Volume of Work & Reviews

• Roughly 2,500 inspections over five+ years
• Around 500 inspections per year; works 7 days/week in busy seasons
• ~190+ five-star Google reviews; a top local search result
• Contact 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)

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Crye-Leike Properties Unlimited

• https://www.cryeleikepropertiesunlimited.com