ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS
2012
"The best guarantee against all exploitation is the market." Henri LepageFrench Economist This is a simple statement. It is also a bold statement. Any time you use the word all, or never, you are probably in trouble. But think about this. ALL exploitation? Exploitation is taking advantage of an...
08/20/2012
At this point in my career as a home inspector I like to say that I am continually amazed but seldom surprised. This must be considered "finished carpentry" on some new construction. HOW UNFORTUNATE. There is laminate flooring throughout the house. Looking like hardwood flooring, it must be tr...
08/19/2012
I wonder how often this is said by "contractors" - "Really, is it so important to follow the manufacturer's instruction?" Or, "I have been doing it this way for 20 years..." The answer to the former is yes, and the answer to the latter is - SO WHAT! On this new construction the manufacturers' sti...
08/18/2012
This is the last of a small series of three posts called you can ONLY see this kind of thing PRE-DRYWALL. Pre-drywall inspections are essential to the building process and this is being realized by more and more buyers. One of the reasons these folks bought this house was the master bedroom desig...
08/17/2012
Truly, you can ONLY see this kind of thing PRE-DRYWALL. This is the second of three posts, all on the same house. Staircases are very important. They typically have their own structure, which is a "balloon" structure, and it can extend from the basement all the way to the upper level. The stair...
08/15/2012
You can ONLY see this kind of thing pre-drywall. This is post 1 of 3 posts. I am often asked by clients why a pre-drywall inspection should be done. After all, the supervisor is there every day and the County (or other local jurisdiction) will also do inspections. That is true, but they don't d...
08/14/2012
"Things in our country run in spite of government, not by aid of it." Will Rogers (1879 - 1935) A man of many hats, Will Rogers was best known for his humorous, and sometimes caustic, quips and one liners. He did a little bit of everything, giving him a broad experience and circumspect view of li...
08/13/2012
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So, does the buying public know about how to choose a home inspector? How would YOU go about choosing a home inspector? One very common way is email. I happen to know this to be true. Think about it - does email seem like a good way to interview anybody? A doctor or dentist? A school administ...
08/12/2012
I happen to love SPAM - what's wrong with the world? Things are getting way, way out of whack. SPAM is a wonderful food. The word itself is wonderful! It's a contraction of two words - Spicy and Ham! Contract the two and get SPAM! My first introduction to SPAM was when I was 11 years old and...
08/11/2012
Yesterday I returned from my annual 3 day vacation. We go to the water and I merely float all day amid crashing waves. Far enough out to not get crashed, but to excite the lifeguard, I do absolutely nothing but think. We stay at a little boutique hotel, family run, with a kitchenette and a door...
08/10/2012
Rainmaker
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Jay Markanich
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia
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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.