pre listing inspection: Getting Rid of Cigarette Smoke odors - 07/08/07 04:37 AM
   If it Smells........
I was inspecting a home that also had a rental cottage. I was informed the rental unit had a long-term tenant, a kindly old gentleman. When I entered the cottage and met the tenant I noticed the walls were harvest gold at the top but light beige at the bottom. All the windows were open but as I worked my way toward the rear of the cottage I was picking up the odors of a smoker.  I was chatting with the gentleman who said that he had lived in the cottage for over 15 years but was finally … (13 comments)

pre listing inspection: If it Smells, it won't sell - 05/13/07 05:44 AM
Buyers judge a house by many attributes but generally if it smells, it won't sell. Odors that a lot of longtime homeowners have gotten used to can torpedo a sale. It’s been proven in scientific studies that our olfactory senses or smells help us remember a particular time and place. Realtors can use that to their advantage when staging a home. However in some cases a few air fresheners or baking cookies isn’t going to cover a larger problem. I sense real problems in homes when I see everyroom having an air freshner in it and savvy buyers will sense a … (3 comments)

pre listing inspection: What is the Seller's Disclosure - 03/06/07 04:53 AM

As a precursor to a performing a home inspection, I will typically ask for the disclosure. Many of my buyers aren't even aware of this form. The disclosure is critical as it is the sellers statement of the condition of the home. One of the roles of the home inspection is verify the statements of the disclosure.  
When a buyer and seller enter into a contract, a seller has certain obligations to disclose any known defects, needed repairs, and violations of law, which the home may manifest. This is where the Seller’s Property Disclosure is used to notify the buyers … (1 comments)