Inspectors and Realtors - Working Together to Move Things Forward! - 02/29/08 03:48 PM
At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, it is the corporate philosophy that the Inspector can help facilitate the real estate transaction while still providing unbiased and clear Inspection results to the Client.  There are several ways we try to do this.
First, I think we can all agree that almost every home or building, new or existing, will probably have "issues" that need to be addressed.  The key word in that statement is issues.  Note that I do not use the word "problem".  We all have issues in our every day lives that need to be addressed.  Yet perhaps you will agree that … (2 comments)

Foreclosure Rates: Reverse the Numbers! - 02/26/08 08:01 AM
Todays (2/26/8) Tennessean Business article headlines about foreclosures in the US says that, according to RealtyTrac Inc. and a CA research firm, foreclosure activity increased 57% in January versus last year.  Sounds terrible doesn't it!?  THE SKY IS FALLING!  Yet go further in the article and you see that these foreclosure numbers represent 19 out of every 10,000 household.  Doing that math shows .19% of homes in foreclosure in January!!  Not even 1%.  Another way to look at it is to say that 99.81% of households are NOT in foreclosure.  Strip out Florida, California and Nevada and the numbers would be … (1 comments)

Question: When Is A Crack in the Brick Veneer Too Big? - 02/24/08 09:10 PM
Well, to some any crack is too big!  But to many Inspectors 1/8 inch is a key number.  If a crack in the brick veneer of a home or building exceeds 1/8" in opening, OR, shows differential movement, then the crack should be repaired.
In this picture on the right the vertical cracks are approaching 1/2" in width.  Clearly this is unacceptable as the potential for water and insect intrusion is readily apparent.  This veneer is on a home that is over 50 years old and the concrete mortar is breaking down.  Fortunately the veneer was not "moving" off the house due to a foundation or brick ledge failure.
Also, the … (2 comments)

Question: What's That Smell? - 02/24/08 07:38 PM
WHAT'S THAT SMELL?
I knew you'd look.  No, no gross pictures, just a discussion.  Have you ever been in a home or building and detected an "odd" smell that seems to be coming from a bathroom?  And no one has been in that bathroom for a long time, like weeks.  Sometimes it smells like sewage.  What can be causing that smell?  
Answer, it could be the trap.  The trap is the part of the drain system that has a U or J shaped bend in it.  A plumbing trap is not there to "trap" your wedding ring, earring, or other small item … (0 comments)

HABITEC Featured in Williamson AM Real Estate - 02/22/08 07:31 AM
Please check out the front page article about Home Inspections and Home Inspector Reviews in today's (2/22/08) Tennessean Williamson AM Real Estate section.
Richard Acree, President of HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, was interviewed by Nancy Mueller of the Tennessean about Home Inspection services available at HABITEC and within the industry for new and existing homes.
The "home review" mentioned is actually the "Home Inspector Review" service discussed earlier on AR by HABITEC.  Like staging, a Home Inspector Review can help make a home that is for sale more appealing to buyers in this very competitive real estate market.  And it costs … (0 comments)

A HABITEC Milestone - 12 Music Circle South on Music Row! - 02/20/08 09:35 PM
A HABITEC MILESTONE
HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, was recently selected to complete a Commercial Building Property Condition Assessment on 12 Music Circle South, Nashville, TN.  This unique, two story music recording studio located in Music Row was purchased by the Black River Music Group.  The building has a rich history and tradition in the recording industry as it was once owned by Ronnie Milsap.  Milsap recorded many of his greatest hits here making this site so much a part of Music City, USA. 
The building has a sophisticated 3-phase electrical system and a traditional single phase electrical system.  Together these … (2 comments)

What's Wrong With This Picture - 2/17/8? - 02/17/08 08:34 PM
 
 This is obviously the crawl space of a house that is in a lot of trouble.  Rumor had it a buzzard once lived here.
               
 
 
 
The moisture content and subsequent mold buildup were very high.
Richard
 
Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and lenders in the process of owning, buying or selling homes or commercial buildings.  HABITEC is a … (6 comments)

What's Wrong With This Picture? 2/16/8 - 02/17/08 08:17 PM
 
 
A family experienced symptoms of poor health and asked HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, to assess for mold and complete a home inspection.  This is what we found behind the kitchen refrigerator.  This area tested positive for stachybotrys, a highly toxic mold.  The family has since moved out of the house.
Richard
 
Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, building owners, sellers and buyers, realtors, real estate investors, property managers, and … (2 comments)

What's Wrong With this Picture? - 02/15/08 07:39 AM
 
This is a HVAC condensate drain termination on the outside of a new house.  The issue here is where is all the condensate going to go?  The house sits on a crawl space so the water drains downs next to the foundation wall and follows the path of least resistance.  Some of that water will penetrate the foundation wall, or wick under the foundation and into the crawl space.  We encourage the drain to terminate at least 16" from the wall and onto a downward/positive sloped terrain to make sure the condensate drains away from the home.  This may pass code … (5 comments)

What's Wrong With this Picture? - 02/14/08 10:56 PM

This is a HVAC condensate drain termination on the outside of a new house.  The issue here is where is all the condensate going to go?  The house sits on a crawl space so the water drains downs next to the foundation wall and follows the path of least resistance.  Some of that water will penetrate the foundation wall, or wick under the foundation and into the crawl space.  We encourage the drain to terminate at least 16" from the wall and onto a downward/positive sloped terrain to make sure the condensate drains away from the home.  This may pass code … (4 comments)

What's Wrong With This Picture? - 02/14/08 10:43 PM
This is about a foot of water covering the entry to a positive drain in a brand new home crawl space.  The Inspection was two days after a heavy rain.  The builder said the home is ready for occupancy!  Note the ductwork in the upper left hand corner of the picture.  How long do you think it will be before mold sets in?
Richard
 
 
Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property of Richard Acree, President, HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, and contributing members of the Active Rain Real Estate network, and are intended to educate and otherwise assist home owners, sellers and buyers, … (5 comments)

What's Wrong With This Picture? - 02/14/08 10:26 PM
 
Actually it is two pictures.  The same piece of untreated dimensional lumber is shown going from the crawl space floor to the engineered beam above.  First, the column/pier is untreated and in direct contact with the crawl space soil.  This provides an easy conduit for water to wick up and, worse, for termites to eat/climb up.  Second, there is no plastic between the beam and the column.  Third, the plastic moisture barrier is open instead of closed and/or overlapping.  This was a brand new house and the builder said it was ready for ownership!
Richard
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comments in this blog posting are the intellectual property … (4 comments)

STORMS - PRAYERS AND DAMAGE CONTROL! - 02/06/08 12:38 PM
Prayers:  For those of you who know someone who lost their lives or were injured in this recent storm damage please accept our condolences and know that our prayers are with you at this time.
Damage Control:  When these major storm damage events come through there is much to be done to stabilize the situation if your home or the homes and buildings of neighbors, friends and relatives are damaged.  One of the most likely damages is to the roof.  It is critical to put in place temporary systems to prevent water from entering the building any more than already has.  Then take … (1 comments)

Mold Assessment Services - For or Against? - 02/04/08 08:49 PM
Some have suggested that mold services including testing and assessments are not necessary.  I disagree and here is why.
First let me say that mold services are not for everybody.  At HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC, we have undergone training at two agencies and I can say that this is a complicated subject and a very serious service to offer.  It is not unreasonable for some to go through the training and find that they simply do not understand the material.  If you are poorly trained, or you just cannot understand the information, then you will not be able to offer a quality … (2 comments)

 
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Richard Acree - Nashville TN Home Inspections

Franklin, TN

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HABITEC Home and Building Inspections, LLC

Address: PO Box 413, Brentwood, TN, 37024

Office Phone: (615) 376-2753

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Home and Commercial building inspections, mold assessments including inspections and mold sampling, radon testing and water quality analysis in Nashville and Middle Tennessee.


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