Ok, I searched my computer picture files to come up with this mostrosity of an electric panel. I thought we could make a game of it. Let's see how many different defects you can come up with for this one picture. I wrote over a page on it originally. Whew! I'm too tired to list them again, so you guys do it, ok?

Happy defect finding!

Kevin

Here is a very interesting spidey pic posted by Charles Buell, just had to re-blog it so you could see it.

Kevin

Here is a great informational post about the importance of getting pre-inspections when selling your home. Thought it was worth re-blogging for those of you who have not seen it.  THANKS, REGINA!

Many homeowners fail to realize the VALUE of a good Home Maintenance Schedule, and the long term benefits that almost always save money and aggravation. "Deferred Maintenance" as the real estate industry likes to refer to it, not only ends up costing more money and time, but also may either Prevent you from selling your home, Slow Down the process, and can cause the home to be "Reduced" in price.

There are many homeowners on the market for a home that shy away from homes that have deferred maintenance, or have not been maintained well. The ones that don't care about how well a home has been maintained, are usually the "Bargain Hunters", and are equipped to deal with deferred maintenance (as long as the price is right).

But even if you are not currently selling your home, you can avoid more costly repairs by performing periodic maintenance. I'll give you a couple of good examples:

1. WATER HEATER: If you have a water heater tank, it pays to drain 5-10 gallons of water out from the bottom drain every few months. This is because in most water supplys, there is a certain amount of "sediment" in the water, which settles to the bottom of the tank. This creates "hot spots" in the bottom of tank, which then creates corrosion or rust, thus causing the tank to fail. Simply draining out that little bit of water (quickly) will help preserve your expensive water tank much longer, and prevent eventual failure of the unit.

2. CAULKING: The exterior of most homes, usually around windows, doors, and any other protrusions through the siding, have a caulking sealant around those areas, where one material (siding) stops, and another material begins (windows, doors, pipes, wires, etc.). Most caulking lasts between 3 and 10 years, depending on type, and where it is used. The general tip here, is to take a slow walk around the perimeter of your home at least once a year, noting all the areas where there is caulking. If you can see gaps on either side of the caulking bead, or cracks in the caulking, then it is time to remove the old caulking, and replace it with fresh caulking that will adhere to both materials. (Just going over old caulking usually just creates more problems sooner or later, and is not a good idea). The purpose of caulking is to generally seal out water, and air, so that they do not hidden damage to wall structures that are not designed to be exposed to weather. Doing this simple bit of maintenance can save you THOUSANDS of dollars in repairs.

There are many other areas of a home that also require maintenance, but I don't want to overwhelm you with them all at once. I will write several more blogs in the near future, that will give you more hints on routine maintenance... so stay tuned!

This picture graphically illustrates an example of poor caulking "caulking over existing caulking" that has caused extreme damage. The repair pictured here will cost thousands, because there is hidden damage behind the siding and brick 1/2 wall.

Sorry to have been away from AR for so long. I guess sometimes life gets in the way. But anyway, this is part of the reason for my absence... my new grandbaby!

He was 7 lbs. 3 oz. Born 12:45 PM Feb 6, 2009.

I wonder if he has any idea how spoiled he's going to be.  :))

This chimney has been caulked, and re-caulked several times over the years. the gap between house and chimney now measures about 1 1/2 inches, and as you can see from the picture, looks like it needs caulked again, since there is another space between the house and all that caulking/mortar.

What do you think has been happening to cause this?

First of all, this is a very old chimney and house, and if it originally had strap ties to fasten the chimney securely to the house structure, they are probably now rusted or entirely broken loose. The chimney has had leaking in between the house and the chimney, and when it freezes in the winter, the expansion of the trapped water has acted kind of like a jack or lever, prying the chimney further and further away from the house, and it's original position. Instead of addressing the cause of the problem (probably a leaking flashing located at the roof level), they have instead opted to just continue to try to caulk the ever widening gap.

I put a probe in between the wall and the chimney, and found that there was also some hidden wall and siding decay damage. Unfortunately, now the only way to fix this damage properly, is to tear down the chimney, and repair the rot damage. Although it can't be seen, it has become a major issue for the new homeowner to deal with.

I show all of you this, so that you will know that it is an improper repair to just keep caulking over a chimney that has been moving away from it's original position, and most generally, ther WILL be more damage that is hidden if this type of repair has been done.

Well, here we are again at the end of another year. For those of you who had a good, successful year... congratulations.... and may you have continued success throughout the coming year as well.

As for the rest of us... who may have had a tough year, or rougher going than normal,... the good news is... we are only hours away from a BRAND NEW YEAR! Hopefully, it will be a brand new year filled with hope, new promise, and lots of prosperity! We have a brand new President to help lead us in a new direction. We have a government and leaders who are at last, now more focused on this nation and it's continued welfare than ever before, or at least since "The New Deal" was implemented.

With God's help, (am I allowed to say that?) and our own dilligence and perserverance, we will come out of all this a stronger, and more focused nation. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!

In the past few months, it seem that I have been hearing realtors tell clients that they "really don't need to have a radon test performed". I have had at least 7 clients actaully schedule a radon test with me, and then consequently, call me back to cancel it, because their realtor had advised them that "they really don't need one".

Well, I am certainly not a lawyer, and by no means a legal authority, but simple deduction tells me that these realtors appear to be sticking their necks way out on the chopping block. Since radon can ONLY be detected by properly testing for it, and the ONLY way to know if you have a high concentration of it and need to have it mitigated is by testing, then WHY would any realtor want to risk telling a client that they do not need to have it tested? Especially when the general fix for most houses is less than $1000?

Suppose that the realtor suggested to a client that he need not have a radon test, and it is discovered at some later date (after the family has moved in), that indeed, there is a very high concentration of radon, and mitigation is definitely warranted. Who do you think that client is going to look to first to pay for it? And possibly other damages as well?

Even if you think you are in an area where the radon concentration is usually low, it may still be a very bad idea to advise your client NOT to have it tested. Are you prepared to guarantee the occupants safety, and warrant that they will never have any ill effects????

I would really like any and all opinions on this from the real estate community. Pleas feel free to elaborate on any opinion you may have, and if you think I'm all wet on this one, please tell me why you have that opinion.

Has something happened in the real estate community concerning radon that I am not aware of? 

The picture made me start remembering the great weather we enjoyed this year in the fall around here. It was exceptionally clear, warm, and mostly dry (not a lot of rain). If you are ever in Akron, be sure to visit Stan Hywet Mansion and grounds. It is spectacular inside and out.

There is a lot tot see, including an aviary with hundreds of live butterflies.

This is a view as you walk through the vineyard.

Lovely garden shaded path that leads to the Quarry, and retention ponds. This estate at one time was entirely self-sufficient from outside sources, growing its own food, cattle, producing its own electricity and water.

One of the beautiful butterflies rsting ona a plant leaf.

And finally, this is one of the terraces that overlook the Japanes Gardens.