home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Handrails & Guardrails - 10/05/09 10:30 AM
A handrail is a support that people can hold on to while going up or down steps. A guardrail is a barrier around decks, landings or balconies that keeps people from falling off.
For safety reasons, handrails and guardrails should be inspected to ensure that they are installed correctly. Inspecting the … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Foreclosure Properties - 09/14/09 08:57 AM
Foreclosure properties provide new opportunities for home buyers, whether it is for first-time home buyers, home buyers looking for a bigger home or second-home buyers purchasing a vacation home.
There are many improvements and repairs necessary when preparing a foreclosure property. Here are some key areas:
Exterior Paint: Peeling paint is … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Gutters - 09/04/09 09:13 AM
The purpose of guttering is to collect rainwater off a roof and send it away from the house. Inspecting the gutters is a part of a general home inspection.
The first thing an inspector will check is the downspouts. The downspout sections must be solidly connected to each other and to the … (1 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Exterior Siding - 07/21/09 09:04 AM
Siding is a key part to the exterior inspection. Because siding is highly visible, its condition is a big factor in the salability of the house. Siding is designed to protect the house from rain, snow, wind, cold and/or heat. When it cannot keep the elements out, energy bills sky-rocket and … (0 comments)
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home inspections: National Property Inspections Offers New Hampshire Real Estate Continuing Ed Course - 07/02/09 11:23 AM
National Property Inspections (NPI) offers a new real estate education course approved by the New Hampshire Real Estate Commission for continuing education credit toward license renewal. The NPI education course is designed to familiarize agents and brokers with the home inspection process and how the process fits into a home sale.
The approved education … (0 comments)
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home inspections: National Property Inspections Offers New Colorado Real Estate Continuing Ed Courses - 07/02/09 11:16 AM
National Property Inspections (NPI) offers two new real estate education courses approved by the State of Colorado's Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Real Estate for continuing education credit toward license renewal. The NPI education courses are designed to familiarize agents with the home inspection process and how the process fits … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Basements & Crawl Spaces - 06/17/09 01:56 PM
There is possibly more to inspect in a basement than in any other part of a house. Inspecting the basement or crawl space is part of any general home inspection.
The first thing your inspector will note is whether the basement is finished, unfinished or a combination of both. The inspector will … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Decks - 06/01/09 10:15 AM
Building a deck is one of the most popular do-it-yourself projects. Unfortunately, not all decks are constructed soundly. Typical problems fall into three categories: the support posts and attachments, the railing and the decking boards.
A certified inspector will inspect the deck as part of a general home inspection. The first thing a … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Expanding Relocation Services - 05/07/09 10:10 AM
Real estate companies are looking for creative ways to meet the needs of today's consumers, and the relocation department is effectively increasing its scope. Relocation is an important part of many real estate companies, but its services may have been thought to be limited until recently.
Many real estate companies are … (1 comments)
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home inspections: Quick Home Fixes for Sellers - 04/24/09 01:57 PM
In today's real estate market, sellers need to know how to prepare their homes in order to sell quickly. Although some homes require major renovations and upgrades, many require small modifications. A little preparation in a tight market can go a long way.
Here are some quick and inexpensive fixes home … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Garages - 03/24/09 08:57 AM
In more and more homes, at least some part of the garage is given over to living, working or playing. Many garages are fully equipped with electrical and plumbing facilities. In fact, sometimes there is as much to inspect in a garage as a small house.
The importance of making a … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Windows and Doors - 03/09/09 10:31 AM
How do I determine the condition of my windows and doors for maintenance purposes and whether the condition of my windows and doors are a safety concern?
Windows and doors in a commercial or residential property are important for aesthetics, safety and energy efficiency. Understanding the type, function and condition of … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Inspecting the Attic - 01/23/09 09:11 AM
Inadequate insulation means that 10 to 50 percent of energy is lost through walls, ceilings and floors. Proper insulation helps lower energy bills by resisting heat movement through the barrier. Where the interior of walls and ceilings is easily accessible, adding insulation can be a relatively inexpensive way to get a … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Ask the Inspector: Chimneys & Fireplaces - 12/05/08 09:02 AM
The winter months are a popular time to curl up in front of your fireplace. So make sure that your fireplace is in the proper condition for this winter.
Wood burning fireplaces are generally considered to be extremely inefficient heat sources, but that doesn't deter many homeowners from wanting them in … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Plumbing - 09/05/08 08:35 AM
A typical home plumbing system includes three fundamental components: the water supply system, the fixtures and appliances, and the drain system. The plumbing system's water supply includes piping for fresh water coming in and wastewater going out. The proper flow of water through both systems is an essential part of maintaining a … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Finish Grade - 08/07/08 09:30 AM
Finish grade is the surface elevation of the ground. In home inspections, it can be referred to as lot grading. The grade, or height, and slope of surface materials surrounding a structure are important because water from precipitation moves from areas of high elevations to low elevations on and off a … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Air Conditioning - 06/18/08 10:22 AM
An electric heat pump is a unique device. It doesn't burn fuel; it transfers heat from the outside to the inside for heating purposes then does just the opposite for cooling purposes (also known as the air-conditioning mode).
There are two units to check - an indoor unit that's coupled with … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Gutter Guards - 03/07/08 09:04 AM
Is it really time to start thinking about spring? Officially, spring begins March 20, so it's really not that far away at all. I think everyone I know is ready to open up doors and windows and start thinking about those outside projects. One of the first projects we tackle every … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Home Safety Tips for Sellers - 01/29/08 11:15 AM
Obivously an unoccupied house can be a target for burglars. Of nearly all the burglaries reported in 2006, an estimated 66 percent occurred in private residences. Most occurred during the day when the house was unoccupied. As a real estate agent, this knowledge can perhaps be used to help convince sellers who might have already … (0 comments)
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home inspections: Making Cents out of Replacing a Roof - 01/21/08 11:39 AM
Precipitation of any form, rain or snow, can cause additional problems if leaks in the roof allow the water to leak into the home. Water damage can cause mold, mildew and rot that if left untreated can damage wall coverings or even structural components of the home. No one wants to think about roof replacement. … (0 comments)
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