atlanta home inspectors: Atlanta 2013: Expect another great year in metro Atlanta real estate - 02/09/13 11:56 PM

Cleve Gaddis of Gaddis Partners Real Estate Services wraps up the Georgia Association of Home Inspectors (GAHI), annual conference with his insightful market report.
With a strong demand and super low inventory, homes will be on the market for only a short time. The percentage of New construction homes is ticking up and so is the price of existing homes. Refinancing is still available for folks and you don't have to prove your house is underwater. 
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atlanta home inspectors: New decks can take the load off - 11/14/10 12:14 PM
In many instances, new decks can take the load off the amount of reporting that's required. For years, deck builders in metro Atlanta Georgia have been making the same mistakes when it comes to methods of ledger board attachment.  Mistakes that include missing flashing, incorrect attachment of ledger boards and direct attachment to cantilevered overhangs including bay windows.
Per code, the deck ledger should not be attached and supported by fasteners through brick veneer. Brick veneer is a wall cladding. It is not intended to support loads and it can crack. Instead, the deck attached to homes with brick veneer should be built as "free-standing" which means … (9 comments)

atlanta home inspectors: Hone-In on Those Plug-Ins - 05/17/10 10:26 AM
A clear warning sign of a potential moisture intrusion problem is when I encounter air fresheners. These may include any type including the effective plug-in air fresheners.  In this case, a handful of them were inserted into wall outlets to mask the musty smell, obvious mold and elevated levels of moisture in the basement. 
The deal imploded before the Realtor arrived.  The visible mold-like substances were not detected upon the client's initial visit to the home.  It should have been an easy catch.  My advice to the client on the next one is to visit the prospective home at least twice.  The second time to look at the home … (3 comments)

atlanta home inspectors: Was "Larry the Cable Guy" messin' around in your attic? - 03/21/10 05:10 AM
Arguably, one of the most frequent offenders to the integrity of the insulated building envelope is due to the activities of the cable installer.  I frequently write-up that the attic insulation was disturbed or moved aside during the installation of coaxial cables, thermostat wiring or telephone/Internet cables: 
 
The effectiveness of the loose fill insulation relies on the depth of insulation and the uniformity of its coverage. This is to maintain an R-value in accord with the insulation installers posted certificate as well as local code requirements.
The drilled penetrations through the top plates of stud walls are rarely caulked or foam-sealed with an approved firestop as required.  Per … (7 comments)

atlanta home inspectors: New Construction Phase Inspections - 02/20/10 11:11 AM
With the slowdown in new construction homes around the nation as well as here in the metro Atlanta GA area, one of the rewarding aspects of my job has slowed down considerably.  I am referring to the new home construction phase inspection. 

Although never the mainsty of my inspection services, I considered performing multiple phase inspections such as the pre-foundation pour inspection, framing inspection and pre-drywall phase inspection, a nice change of pace.
Savvy clients were already believers in the value of this service. Clients initially on the fence about the necessity of this service would always come around to appreciate the value of the service.  Once the … (3 comments)

atlanta home inspectors: "Ready to Navigate" - 02/15/10 01:50 PM
So are you "Ready to Navigate" despite life's uncertainties?  That's more or less what this photo symbolizes to me.  What does it mean to you?

Quick Background: I had just completed a home inspection early evening last Friday and was uncertain about what lied ahead for me as I embarked on my way home.  A decent snowstorm in Georgia is rare and I have not seen one like this since "Snow Jam '93".  LOL
Despite some drivers with their blinking "I'm an Idiot" hazard lights on, (it does not take much of anything falling from the sky for people to put them on), the only … (4 comments)