real estate services: Raise The Roof - 05/26/11 04:43 PM
People come up with all kinds of ways to make a small house bigger or appear bigger by knocking out walls, building additions, using different paint colors, turning the attic into a living space or cathedral ceilings.
When taking on a task such as extending a home out or up you have to consider a few things. Whether or not you need to make changes to the plumbing, electric and/or HVAC should be part of the planning stages and not something you "realize" or consider when the project is already underway. This is referred to as the 6 P's: Proper … (4 comments)
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real estate services: Point Click Shoot - 08/06/10 08:45 AM
After my first year in business I started providing electronic reporting with photographs. Prior to that I used MATRIX forms (check box style reporting) which actually took longer to complete and even longer to mail out. People seem to like the idea of having a photograph of the areas of interest along with a description and receiving the report via email is convenient for both of us. While reviewing the report they can actually look at the issue rather than trying to figure out what a particular component is.
Recently a photograph I took of an issue not only allowed my … (5 comments)
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real estate services: The Forgotton - 03/25/10 07:09 AM
Those out of sight areas tend to be kept out of mind as well. Walking around the exterior and interior of my home I can point out more than enough things I need to take care of. A drywall crack at the kitchen ceiling that resulted from my 8 year old who decided to splash all the water out of the tub and onto the floor. I've got a few floor squeaks that probably wake up my neighbors. And there's my daughters bedroom in need of girl type paint. She's been bugging me about that for a year now and I … (13 comments)
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real estate services: Open Ground (Electrical) - 03/18/10 06:17 AM
While performing a recent Canton Michigan Home Inspection I was finding your typical "Homeowner Maintenance" areas that are common in the majority of Pre-Owned homes. The term "Homeowner Maintenance" is actually verbiage used in my report to describe those areas where the homeowner is supposed to perform periodic maintenance such replacing deteriorated caulk in the bathroom.
Recently I was called out by an agent for reporting on homeowner maintenance issues but it's important to maintain a home to avoid bigger problems down the road. A good example of this would be trees or bushes planted close to the exterior. It's … (8 comments)
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real estate services: Step By Step Inspection Process - 03/12/10 06:35 AM
Home inspectors all have their own way of performing the inspection based on what they feel is efficient. My procedure has always been to start on the roof, complete the exterior, move to the interior, basement and lastly the attic. Unless there's a crawlspace, I always do that last. Following this step by step process allows me to keep track of where I've been so I don't forget to inspect anything.
That step by step process has been my way of inspecting for years but I still find myself going over the inspection in my head as I pull … (8 comments)
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real estate services: The Little Tree That Could - 02/28/10 09:52 AM
Walking towards the garage during a recent inspection I caught a surprised look on the Realtors face. Turning to me she said "big crack here." Hearing her say that and seeing the look on her face I knew there was something big going on in there.
Before I even walked into the garage I could see one wall was tilted and water was ponding in the area. Inspecting the parameter of the garage there was a significant amount of WDI damage due to the wet conditions. From the look of things this has been going on for years.
… (7 comments)
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real estate services: Plumbing Installation - 01/27/10 05:51 AM
Finding areas where one contractor installed their systems without regards to other areas is fairly common for all of us. Looking for these areas is part of our job. Most of the time it's a minor issue like a notched drawer to make room for a plumbing trap. Sometimes it can be a big no no like a notched joist to make room for an air return or cut trusses to make room for the whole house fan.
Recently during a Canton Michigan Home Inspection I noticed the builder was nice enough to make provisions in the basement for … (6 comments)
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real estate services: This got me heated! - 01/24/10 01:01 PM
Eyes, nose and ears are three senses most used during a home inspection. Early on I purchased a digital infrared thermometer to test ovens, water temperature and other applications so I didn't have to rely on touch.
Recently I "stumbled" upon something I could not have seen as it was hidden under carpet. Can you guess what's under this carpet?
… (12 comments)
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real estate services: Bank Owned (Am I Missing Something) - 01/17/10 09:10 AM
There used to be a time when I knew what to expect when I inspected a bank owned home. A couple years ago when I was interviewing a potential client for a Metro Detroit Home Inspection I would schedule extra time if they told me the home was bank owned. Often times these properties were in excessive disrepair so I knew it would take time to document the condition. Most of the time the buyer would tell me right off that they knew the home needed a good amount of work but they just want to be sure there are no … (17 comments)
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real estate services: Raised Foundation Drainage - 01/14/10 09:25 AM
Perimeter drainage systems are common in my area, Particularly when performing a Wayne County Home Inspection. This particular installation was found in a crawlspace and is an attempt by a homeowner to control moisture in the crawlspace. For the most part they purchased the correct materials but when it came time to install the drainage system, they fell short on the know how.
The above photo shows drain tiles laying on top of the soil and extending around the perimeter. This installation might help remove some water but only after the crawlspace has flooded
Following the line back to the … (7 comments)
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real estate services: Plumbing Vent - 01/05/10 03:52 PM
Once in a while I see something that sort of jumps out at me. In this case I had to do a double take as I caught this out of the corner of my eye. The photograph to the left was taken in a recently finished basement during a Lambertville Michigan Home Inspection so I know the original builder more than likely had nothing to do with it. The basement was beautiful and obviously finished by a professional. I'm rarely surprised anymore by contractor ingenuity but I have to admit this one caught me off guard.
The photo shows an Air … (11 comments)
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real estate services: It's Properly Installed But Is It Safe? - 12/22/09 09:22 AM
Being interviewed by a prospective client I'm often asked whether or not I will be able to tell them if they home they are buying is safe to live in. The most important purpose of a Metro Detroit Home Inspection is in fact to determine whether or not various components are properly installed and safe. Of course properly installed and safe do not always go hand in hand. Outside of building your home inside a protective bubble there are general safety tips every homeowner should follow. Information on home safety tips can typically be found on your insurance provider website. … (13 comments)
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real estate services: Wet Attic - 12/20/09 05:26 PM
Yesterday presented an unusual find during a Southeast Michigan home inspection. Attic inspections are always performed last as part of my Step-By-Step process of inspecting a home unless the home has a raised foundation.
The first picture shows a B-Type Vent used for gas-fired equipment (Furnace/Water Heater) and is intended to carry combustion products to the exterior.
Climbing into the attic I noticed water stains on a truss web member but the stain looked dry so I thought it might be from an old leak. The roof was obstructed by snow so I couldn't evaluate it but with … (10 comments)
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real estate services: Proof Is In The Packaging (Environmental Concerns) - 12/10/09 08:15 AM
The Ancient Greeks named the mineral asbestos, meaning inextinguishable. Apparently even the Greeks were aware of the harmful properties in asbestos and the effects of breathing asbestos dust. The Greek geographer Strabo and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder mentioned a sickness common with slaves who created cloths using asbestos fibers. Although they noticed this sickness in those who worked with asbestos, they were in such awe of asbestos's magical properties that they ignored this. Used extensively during this time it was seen as a sort of naturally occurring miracle mineral that was used for wicks, table cloths, napkins and a … (9 comments)
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real estate services: Where do these go anyway? - 11/04/09 12:26 PM
Believe it or not this is a "not so uncommon" installation. Either the installer put them their to.... well I don't know. I tried to come up with an excuse for this install but I have nothing.
Photo eye / safety beams, electric eye or whatever you want to call them do have a proper installation procedure. The ceiling isn't part of that procedure as far as I know. Photo sensors are installed to prevent the vehicle door from closing on a vehicle or worse, a child who happens to be playing in the path of the door when it … (2 comments)
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real estate services: Watch your step - 11/02/09 07:18 AM
I'm thinking this was not an issue prior to the installation of the storm door. And why does one need a storm door in the garage anyway?
Actually it wasn't until I walked up the steps while holding the railing that it literally hit me.
A day in the life of a metro Detroit home inspector.
… (4 comments)
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real estate services: BNI - 12/14/08 10:47 AM
I'm curious as to how many of you inspectors are members of a local BNI group? Prior to joining my group I was told by a local inspector these groups generally don't work well for inspectors. His advice was considered however it was not necessarily true in my case.
Joining BNI really was the last thing on my mind until I met a local business owner who invited me to a meeting. Arriving I was impressed at the number of people there and equally impressed by the number of referrals given by the members. The thing that stands out the most … (6 comments)
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real estate services: Utilities - 11/20/08 09:47 AM
I've created this simple Blog to ask a question about an apparent complex topic.
Most of the inspections I've performed this year are Real Estate Owned properties which have kept me busy enough. In years past most of these homes were in serious disrepair needing plenty of homeowner TLC but this year most are well kept with common maintenance needs. While I can certainly appreciate inspecting a home in generally good condition, I'm finding these homes lack something essential to the completion of a home inspection which are water, gas, and electric.
While scheduling an inspection I always ask my … (7 comments)
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