Home buyers and sellers often rely on thier hired Realtor to provide real estate transaction advice based on the Realtor's professional knowledge and experience.  Here's a Realtor question for consideration.

In many states, Home inspectors are not required to carry errors & omission insurance or general liability insurance.  Should a professional Realtor advise thier Buyer clients to hire an inspector that carries both types of insurance and their Seller clients not to allow an uninsured home inspector into thier home?  Do you provide such advice? Why or why not?

Northern Colorado Chapter American Society of Home Inspectors (NCC-ASHI) 

Proudly Hosted the 3rd Annual  Senior Safety Saturday -

a skill-based service that targets improving safety in older adults' homes     

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The Event

• FREE 40+ point Home Safety Check performed by local ASHI Home Inspectors, covering: Heating Systems | Water Heaters | Fireplaces | Electrical Components | Tripping, Falling and General Hazards | Fire Safety

• Seniors 65 and older are eligible | Must be homeowner and reside at the home | Must be present during safety check-up | Must sign liability waiver

• Participating local businesses will provided free or discounted products/services

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Result Overview of

Northern Colorado Chapter of American Society of Home Inspectors (NCC-ASHI)

SENIOR SAFETY SATURDAY (10/17/09)

•·         8 Volunteer Home Inspectors; 6 Participating Service Companies

•·         34 senior homes safety checked in one day

•·         106 Specific Safety Defect items reported (not counting recommended upgrades)

•·         % of the homes' Safety Defects reported (not counting recommended upgrades)

Unfortunately, we were limited to the number of homes checked.  We had many more requests then we were able to work into this year's program.  We hope these seniors will try for next year's program or contact one of our professional Certified ASHI Home Inspectors to have their home inspected for safety hazards, sooner than later.

Thank you to all the participating professional home inspectors, service providers and the Loveland Fire Prevention Bureau.

Thank you to the people that helped get the word out and promote this annual public service program.

BOO!  BE AWARE, TAKE ACTION!!!  Don't Let Your Halloween Turn Into a TRIP HAZARD Nightmare!!

Halloween can be the worst time for trip hazard falls, injury and liability as kids and parents of all ages walk and run onto your dark property eager to receive treats. 

Any small to large and irregular surface displacement can be a trip hazard and action should be taken to minimize risk.

Suggestions:  Use Halloween decorations as a means to obstruct and slow down foot traffic at sidewalks, driveways, patio, etc.; any walkway path that may pose a trip hazard.  For example, Caution Tape over a saw horse or hay bale across the hazards.  Use your imagination, for anything that might overt, alert and avoid a trip.   Adequate lighting will also help! 

 Oh yeah, get it fixed as soon as you can ;))

I.D. Property Inspections, Inc. wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable Halloween.

3rd Annual FREE Senior Home Safety Check-ups, Sat Oct 17th for Northern Colorado Senior Home Owners!

Realtors and other professionals in the real estate and home services industries, this is agreat reason to connect with past clients and inform them of this free community service or let them know to offer to inform their qualifying family members.

The Northern Colorado Chapter of American Society of Home Inspectors (NCC-ASHI) offers this community service once a year. Many of its professional home Inspector memebership performs the skill-based 40+ point home safety check, including furnace and water heaters for gas & exhaust (CO) leaks. 

See http://www.id-inspections.com/SeniorSafetySaturday for more details!

Based on the size and Proposed Radical Change, Health Care Reform Will Affect Us All (Individuals and Business Owners) Directly and Indirectly. 

Joining a temporary petition group to get to the bottom of the health care plan controversy and move on. If interested, please join this FB Group & share the invitation w/others.

This Face Book group is simply a Sign-Up Support Petition to respectful request President Obama debate a nominated & qualified (To Be Determined) individual on President Obama's health care plan and proposed legislation. 

You will be required to join Face Book, if not already a member.

This group is NOT intended to be a political forum.  This is Group is NOT about taking a position on the Health Care Plan or Legislative proposals.

Simply Join this Group if You'd Like to See a Formal Moderated Debate.

• President Obama has stated that he welcomes vigorous civil debate on his health care reform plan. 
• There have been many Town Hall Meetings on the health care reform plan and proposed bills.  However, discussion has not been in a formal and moderated debate. 
• Many town hall health care reform meetings have been unruly, with focus on attendee's motives and actions, distracting from the subject. 
• There has not been nor does there appear to be a better means, than a formal debate, to reasonably get into some details and issues of the highly controversial and monumental health care reform plan.

Instructions:

1. Go to www.facebook.com 
2. Register/join 
3. Search for FB Friends Request for Presidential Debate on Health Care 
4. Join the group 
5. Send invitation to everyone you know and are comfortable in inviting.  They do not need to be on Face Book initially but, will be required to join in order to join this petition.

Credit Card Scam Busted!

This is interesting.  I recently posted on FB the wonderful benefit of the internet in terms of customers finding your business and ordering services without having to spend time selling.

Well, that still holds true.  However, like everything there is an equally disturbing dark side.

My so called internet client ordered an inspection, through www.nationalreclocation.com. Through a series of e-mails to schedule the inspection, they slipped in the request to have an extra $800 charged against the credit card and the balance wire transferred to their client (alleged home buyer).  At this point it was clear this was a scam. 

However, the "buyer's agent" persisted and e-mailed me the credit card information.  This information contained the full name, address, credit card number, expiration date and CVV2 number on back of card.  This information was for a 3^rd party person.

I gave the story and information to the police.  I just heard back from the officer.

It turns out the potential victim (the person whose credit card information I received) had no idea her credit card information was stolen.  She was holding the card in her hand as the officer explained the situation. She was totally stunned.  

She is now in the process of cancelling the card and reporting the ID theft to her local police. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like any stolen charges have been processed yet.

Three points to this event:

•1)      Don't hesitate to act.  It may never be too late. This could have easily been dismissed as a waste of my time or doesn't affect me don't get involved scenario.  This victim could have been me or anyone else I know.  She may get by with only a scare and no monetary losses because someone acted.

•2)      Any place you run your card is a potential source for ID theft.   This victim had no idea how her credit card information was stolen. 

•3)      Anyone that processes credit cards needs to be alert to someone trying to use them and their services for part of a scam.  This scam was obvious, others may not be.

Colorado's Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarm Law goes into effect TODAY (July 1, 2009) see http://www.id-inspections.com/CarbonMonoxide for more information.

Briefly:

1. The law applies to dwelling units that have a fuel fired heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage.

2. If any of these conditions exist, then the law applies to sellers of dwelling units offered for sale on or after July 1, 2009; dwelling units where, on or after July 1, 2009, remodeling occurs that requires a building permit; or dwelling units used for rental purposes that have a change of occupancy after July 1, 2009.

3. If any of these three events occurs, then the unit must have an operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within fifteen (15) feet of the entrance to each room lawfully used for sleeping purposes or in a location specified by any applicable building code.

4. This latter requirement is overridden if the multi-family dwelling has a central alarm system and the carbon monoxide alarm is installed within twenty-five feet of the fuel fired heater, fireplace or garage.

5. In addition, in connection with rental units, the law mandates certain actions that the unit owner must take with respect to installation and replacement of alarms, and provision of batteries to assure that the alarms are operational.

6. While the law is somewhat vague with respect to who is obligated to install the alarm when the circumstances giving rise to the requirement is either remodeling or rental, it does not appear to require associations to be responsible for compliance or assurance of an owner's compliance. Rather, it appears that the onus is on the unit owner to install the alarm and assure its ongoing maintenance and operation.

7. If the alarm is installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the new law, then the owner of the property, his/her authorized agent, person in possession of the property and the installer are immune from liability for damages resulting from operation, maintenance, or effectiveness of the alarm

Source: City of Loveland Development Services Building Division

Question:  How helpful is it for Realtors and homebuyers to have online web based inspection service ordering and scheduling?  

Very few home inspectors offer this, due to fear of putting their inspection service fees out in public for competitiors or price shoppers. 

Well, I just added this feature because of the positive feedback from some.  We'll see how it works.

Benefits:  Can't answer all phone calls at all times.  Should reduce risk of lost inspections due to short-term missed calls.

Should reduce time spent on phone with price checkers or people checking availability.

Should increase add-on services due to customer exposure of menu options.

Any thoughts?

Jon Rudolph

http://www.id-inspections.com

Realtors,

If you don't already do this, this simple guidance communicated to the buyer & seller clients will go a long way to set proper expectations with your clients and help ensure a smooth transaction.

I do about 400 inspections a year in Northern Colorado and it always amazes me how poorly informed or how much a client will forget some key points for one of the more nerve racking parts of a real estate transaction.

Other states/areas may have subtle differences.

What to Expect:

• Typically inspections take 2 to 4 hours
• Home Buyers may attend inspection and the home inspector does not monitor (watch) the buyer and their family members during an inspection.
• Ideally Seller is not present.
• Inspection is confidential information for paying party in Colorado - Seller's shouldn't expect the inspector to give them a written or verbal report or discuss the inspection with them.
• Home Inspectors generally inspect exterior & interior from the foundation basement/crawlspace through the roof/attic; opening built-in drawers/cabinets and windows/doors; operating furnace/AC, water heater, stoves/ovens, fans, lights, fireplaces, smoke detectors, GFCI outlets, jetted tubs, faucets -They try to minimize disturbance and return settings/position as found.
• Inspectors don't/shouldn't move furniture or personal items. The seller should provide ready access to the home's systems and components.

What to Do:

• Provide ready access to electrical panels, furnaces, water heaters, attics, crawlspace, water valves, areas under sinks, locked areas, etc. 
• Ensure all furnaces, water heaters, fireplace pilots are operating (e.g., power, pilot flame on).
• If unable to provide ready access or ensure operation of systems/components, proper disclosure is recommended. Additional fee may be charged if inspector is requested to return.
• Secure all valuables, firearms or other items of concern.
• Secure pets, provide instructions if needed.
• If testing for RADON - Entire house must be closed-up 12 hrs. prior to test and remain primarily closed during test period. Normal door use to come and go is okay.
• Protect Yourself and Your Clients - Insist that the Buyer's inspector have proper insurance of Errors & Omission (E&O); generally liability and bonding.  Most people would consider it irresponsible not to make this reasonable request.

I hope this is helpful. Feel free to copy these points into you Buyer and Seller packages.

Jon Rudolph, ID Property Inspections, Inc.

I'm seeing a notable increase in Blue Ribbon Home Warranty (BRHW) inspection requests in Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley Colorado area.   

BRHW's are often purchased for home listings to help provide a marketable edge with warranty coverage on a listed home's major systems and appliances, protection for the seller and buyer.  A second benefit is a cursory limited inspection by a professional home inspector. 

Either the market is picking up and/or more Realtors are using BRHW's to help market their listings.