south jersey home inspector: CSST Gas Tubing - Another Anxiety for Real Estate Professionals - 01/19/11 07:27 AM
Corrugated stainless steel gas tubing (CSST) has been commonly used in residential, commercial and industrial construction for over the last 20 years. CSST is a continuous flexible stainless steel tube covered with a PVC coating. It has advantages over steel piping as no or few fittings are necessary and it can be routed directly to the appliance from the gas manifold or main gas pipe. I have it in my home and I am not alone.
Unfortunately, the walls of this tubing are very thin and have been reported to be vulnerable to perforation by lightning strikes. Accordingly if struck by … (4 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: "Cozy Family Room with Gas Fireplace" ... maybe a little too cozy - 12/01/10 11:25 AM
This four year old South Jersey home was advertised as having a cozy family room with a natural gas fireplace. After completing my home inspection, I believe this fireplace was a little too cozy. No evidence of problems was observed in the family room. However, the exterior of the fireplace showed melted vinyl siding.
As the fireplace was positioned at the rear of the house which faced north, I ruled out any sun reflection and concluded that an installation defect was likely. As similar to other fuel burning equipment, the manufacturer provides detailed instructions regarding safe clearances to combustible materials and … (3 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Mouse in Electrical Panel - 11/14/10 09:32 AM
Finally got one! After all these years of observing evidence of mice living inside electrical panels In South Jersey I have caught one in the act performing a home inspection. This time he did not hear me approaching. This time I was too quick for him. Off came the electrical panel cover and there he was frozen in fear while I snapped these pictures!
Mice in electrical panels can cause considerable damage and create a fire risk. From the homeowner's perspective this is a safety concern. From the perspective of a mouse the electrical panel is likely to be a … (8 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Fannie Mae, the Mistress of Deception.... - 10/04/10 08:52 AM
I hope most Americans are aware of the financial troubles of Fannie Mae and the questionable practice of the Federal Government backing Fannie Mae losses with taxpayer dollars. And I am sure that many Americans are aware that Fannie Mae owns thousands of recently foreclosed homes that have and are being placed on the real estate market for resale.
Having performed home inspections in southern New Jersey on countless foreclosed homes, I am well educated in the typical condition of these properties. In short, most foreclosures have serious defects.
It is not unusual for a foreclosed property to have been vacant for … (5 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: South Jersey Home Inspector - 08/24/10 06:44 AM
That's me. The South Jersey Home Inspector. This is my profession and I have been doing it full time in New Jersey since 1989. I also perform commercial building inspections, draw inspections for banks and some expert witness work.
But let us get back to the home inspections. Most professionals who have been employed in the same field for a long time get very good at their job. I believe I have. I have viewed thousands of homes and am nearing ten-thousand inspections. Similar homes, similar neighborhoods and similar components often exhibit similar problems.
Frequently when I reach a property, I … (4 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Homes of Cherry Hill, New Jersey … From the perspective of your South Jersey Home Inspector - 07/17/10 06:13 AM
Cherry Hill is a great town in New Jersey with history, various attractions, quality restaurants, incredible shopping and top-rated schools. All this and more make Cherry Hill a much sought after town for homebuyers. As a South Jersey home inspector since 1989, it's been my privilege to inspect many of the Cherry Hill homes that have been bought and sold over the last twenty years.
In the past I have been asked by homebuyers what they should expect in regards to the quality, condition and variety of homes in Cherry Hill. My answer is always the same: "Expect everything".
The homes … (2 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Real Estate Agents Need To Demand Home Inspector Background Checks - 03/07/10 05:07 PM
Frequently real estate agents will recommend home inspectors to their clients as part of the service they are providing. This is expected as the agent is viewed as an expert in real estate and should know local home inspectors which include the good and often the bad.
The concern by this author is do the agents really know anything about the individual they are recommending. Sometimes the home inspector is pre-qualified on rumor. For example, the other sales agents in the office state the inspector is a non-alarmist and/or a very good inspector. Other times, the home inspector can be recommended … (4 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Hardhats Recommended This Winter - 02/15/10 05:44 PM
It has been a difficult winter for the real estate professionals and everybody else that has had to deal with the extreme cold weather and extensive snowfall. While the cold can be considered cruel, the snow can be very beautiful, particularly the icicles that result from thaw and freeze cycles.
While we all appreciate the beauty of winter, one most must remain aware to the danger of falling icicles, ice and snow. Any of the above can cause severe injuries and even present the possibility of death.
Accordingly, prior to viewing the exterior of a building during winter weather it is … (6 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Real Estate Mold Tests Seldom Necessary - 01/21/10 06:42 PM
Everyday more and more home inspection companies are selling mold tests as part of a real estate transaction pre-purchase home inspection. Is the mold testing really necessary or recommended when buying a home? Isn't it enough that a good home inspector will document any visible significant mold growth and/or visible moisture problems that could lead to mold growth?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in most cases, mold testing or sampling is unnecessary. EPA further states "Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's … (9 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Building Codes and Home Inspection Standards Intertwined - 01/10/10 08:08 PM
Lenn Harley recently commented on Jeff Karlsons post titled "That's Grandfathered In" as follows.
"We have ceased to recommend two home inspectors because they wrote as "defects" things that didn't comply with the code as of today.
There is no section in the home inspection report for "code matters".
Further, code inspections in my area are legally done only by municipal and licensed code inspectors.
The visual inspection performed by home inspectors demonstrates the "condition" of existing systems, foundation, roof, etc.
The sophistication of the average buyers simply doesn't permit them to digest the difference between condition of existing structures and … (38 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Insulating Gas Water Heaters Bad Idea - 01/10/10 11:36 AM
During my years of home inspections, I have observed hundreds of gas water heaters wrapped with insulation blankets. I don't like it.
The insulation hides possible leaks and other defects and often covers the identification tag which states the age of the unit.
After some research I have confirmed that the manufacturers of most gas water heaters don't like it either. In fact, the following is directly from the installation manual of a General Electric gas water heater.
"Insulation blankets, available to the general public, for external use on gas water heaters are not necessary. The purpose of an insulation blanket … (8 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Sorry.... That Is Not A Four Bedroom House! - 12/31/09 07:47 AM
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Homebuyer, I am sorry to say that the four bedroom house you just purchased for your large family only is considered to be a two bedroom dwelling.
You see those two extra rooms in the basement that have been covered with drywall cannot meet the definitions of a bedroom. Apparently, the seller, the sales agents and you have overlooked the lack of any windows, missing electrical outlets and no heat source. In addition, closets are not present.
Please be aware that industry standards require the first three as noted above for a bedroom. Just because a bed … (5 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: Seller Fails Inspection Etiquette - 12/16/09 07:41 AM
It happed again and it shouldn't. Another unpleasant confrontation at the home inspection occurs.
Myself (the home inspector), the real estate sales agent representing the buyer and the buyer all meet in front of the property last Saturday morning for the home inspection. The buyer's father had also arrived and is parked nearby with a contactor expected later on to measure a room.
As we approach the front door, the male seller steps out to meet us. The sales agent announces that we are here for the home inspection and introduces himself, the buyer and myself. The seller then proceeds to … (9 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: GENUINE BUYER AGENT SHOULD KNOW HOUSES - 03/11/09 09:10 AM
Time and time again, I have performed home inspections on horrid homes where the purchaser was represented by a reported Buyer Agent. What I don't understand is that often, the obvious dreadful defects I report come as a complete surprise to the Buyer Agent and my client.
Mt question is a how can a real estate agent represent themselves as a Buyer Agent and not have any expertise in recognizing the condition of the home?
The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) standards of practice state in part that "the Buyer Agent will discuss and evaluate the properties viewed with … (82 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: HOME IMPROVEMENT GONE WRONG - 02/25/09 06:39 PM
Most of us have done it. We have taken on a home improvement that resulted in a disaster. While there were good intentions, the project was destined to fail due to any number of reasons. I call this misfortune "Home Improvement Gone Wrong".
Home improvement project failure can be blamed on various reasons which include lack of planning, inadequate patience and poor skills. It must also be noted that sometimes special tools are required and there is a quite a difference between a utility knife and a reciprocating saw.
There are mainly two different types of home improvements; cosmetic and functional. … (11 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: HOW DID THE DOG GET IN THERE? - 02/13/09 10:27 AM
Sometime ago, I was performing a home inspection on a single family residence. I usually don't remember the details of the home inspections that I provide. However, occasionally a unique discovery or event will occur that does create a lasting impression.
This inspection was proceeding as normal with the buyers following and the selling real estate agent and the owner of the home nearby. It was time for the review of the attached garage and the first item I wanted to check was the main electrical service panel.
After a quick visual inspection of the panel exterior, I grabbed my battery … (12 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: PREPARING FOR A HOME INSPECTION - ADVICE FOR SELLERS - 02/12/09 08:57 AM
Just a reminder after the contracts are signed the work is not done. The house is not sold until closing.
For liability reasons, home inspectors are not required, nor advised to move items blocking access to areas that need to be inspected. Failure to provide access to these areas during the inspection can lead to incomplete results, call backs, additional fees or a frustrated buyer. Most home inspectors will charge an additional fee if they must return to the property to inspect items which were not accessible. Listed below are some simple tips that can prevent unnecessary delays when it is … (4 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: RADON ACTION MONTH DISMAL DESPITE LUNG CANCER RISKS - 02/11/09 07:15 PM
Much to my dismay, January produced a disappointing number of radon tests completed by us for the southern portion of New Jersey. Understandably, the economy is shaken and real estate sales are suffering, but January was National Radon Action Month.
January is when radon tests should peak due to government alerts and promotions by the radon industry. January is also an ideal time for radon testing to take place as short-term tests require that windows remain closed.
Radon continues to be the number-one environmental concern for homeowners with up to 20,000 annual lung cancer deaths estimated by the US EPA. Radon is … (2 comments)
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south jersey home inspector: BEWARE OF UNHEATED HOMES! - 02/11/09 01:00 PM
With the generous number of foreclosure homes and short sale homes on the real estate market today, they are often found without heat due to one or more disconnected utilities. This is a serious concern in the colder parts of the country.
While everything may appear fine, freezing conditions may have caused major damage. Often a property will have notices posted that it has been winterized. However, I have seen many a home that was not properly winterized or winterized only after cold weather has set in.
Plumbing and hot water heating systems are the number one concern that is affected … (4 comments)
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