home inspectors: I Forgot My Hammer
- 08/13/14 12:39 AM
Have you ever walked out of a room to get something and then forgot what you were going to get? Everyone has, right? You walk back to the room you just left and suddenly you remember what it was you were going to get. Momentary memory lapse. The older I get the more frequent they seem to happen. You forget where you left your keys or your phone or that it’s your anniversary. Take this roofer for example. The guy left his hammer behind on the roof. He probably won’t miss it until he needs again, then he will tear apart … (15 comments)
home inspectors: Is This Guy Out in Space?
- 03/15/13 10:33 PM
In the world of real estate, every now and again, one gets to view a wacky idea a person finds for fixing or installing a common house hold item. These "fixes" or "installs" as a rule involve one or more of the following, in liberal, never minimal quantities; Duct tape, caulk and or spray foam. The other morning while near the peak of the roof on a condo I was inspecting, I stopped in my tracks, and said right out loud, "You have got to be kidding me". I was dumbfounded by the, yes I will say … (11 comments)
home inspectors: Water, Water Every Where...
- 05/05/11 01:56 AM
And not a drop to drink. That line is from some old movie or story of people on life boats out on the sea without fresh water. As many know drinking sea water will eventually kill you. Fresh water is absolutely essential in every home. The source of that water is most often either going to be provided by a public supply or by a private on site well. In Connecticut home inspectors are required to only describe the components of an on site well system. Many including myself perform some type of flow test. The method of how this test … (11 comments)
home inspectors: An Unprofessional Experience, Shelton, CT
- 08/13/07 12:38 AM
A home inspection I did the other day was like few I have ever experienced. The client was a young woman referred to me from a past client. She was extremely cautious and very apprehensive about buying a home. Because of this she asked a lot of good questions. Her agent was a veteran of 7-8 years in real estate. She was friendly and professional when we did our introductions, but as the inspection progressed that would not be the case. Once I got going we headed for the garage. First thing the agent points outs is the metal main support … (13 comments)
home inspectors: Why People Should Use a Realtor, an Inspectors View
- 08/11/07 01:44 AM
Yes, that's right a home inspector writing on why people need to use real estate agents. In the last two months I have inspected several home that were FSBOs. Some of these inspections were nothing out of the ordinary, some were nightmares. The common denominator, no Realtors. Why is it when no agents are involved that people seem to think it is the home inspectors' job to advise them on resolving and negotiating home inspection issues? I am not a Realtor, and have no training or interest in that facet of the real estate process. But I continually get put on … (6 comments)
home inspectors: Stained Glass Window, Meriden, CT
- 08/08/07 07:20 AM
I found this stained glass window in an older home (1888) during a home inspection in Meriden, CT. It is a beautiful example of the craftsmanship of many older homes. This was one of two similar windows. I took this picture because the light was coming in the window just right and it looked great framed by the beautiful old trim work. As a home inspector you really come to appreciate old style workmanship such as this example. Another very interesting discovery was in the basement etched on the bricks for the chimney were little recordings of history by the past homeowners. The oldest dated back to … (7 comments)
home inspectors: Who Really Should be Picking Up the Radon Test
- 08/04/07 02:20 AM
The answer is simply the person who placed the test. All too often the client or their Realtor are given the job of retrieving the radon test. This responsibility is often handed off under the guise of saving the client money. What has occurred is over charging for a set of radon testing devices and a service that was in fact never performed. The EPA testing protocols are very clear that the test be done by a qualified professional. This would mean the entire test start to finish. This would not suggest starting the test and having the radon testing client retrieve … (10 comments)
home inspectors: Wallingford CT, Unsafe Electric Service Panel
- 08/03/07 07:48 AM
During my inspection this morning I found this extremely unsafe main service panel. I have never seen a main service wire of this type. That of course would be because it is not the correct type of wire for this application. It appears to be a heavy duty cord used in commercial-industrial applications for machinery. It is also way undersized for the system This was a manufactured home (Mobile Home) about 30-35 years old. The owners are close friends of mine and had asked me to look it over before they put it on the market. I am sick because they have … (4 comments)
home inspectors: Energy Audits, a Small Investment for Big Savings
- 08/02/07 03:56 AM
The Home Energy Tune-uP There is a little known, nationally available energy efficiency inspection program that my company, JRV Home Inspection Services, provides called the Home Energy Tune-uP. This particular energy inspection is specifically designed for older homes. Unlike a HERS audit, which is best for new construction, a rating number is not assigned to the home. Older homes always score low and the number has no actual relevance to rectifying the energy deficiencies. The Tune-uP provides a comprehensive report that details the areas of the home that are energy deficient. What are the most cost effective upgrades including estimates on each improvement … (1 comments)
home inspectors: Home Inspection 101, A Consumers Guide to Hiring a Qualified Home Inspector
- 07/18/07 02:23 AM
The purpose of a home inspection is to inform the individual buyer of the current condition of the home. The purchase contract the buyer and seller signed is contingent on the home inspection. A buyer will generally have the option based upon the inspection to; opt out of the purchase, ask for repairs or credit towards repairs or a purchase price reduction. It would seem that the importance of a good, thorough home inspection by a qualified inspector is obvious. Never the less many home buyers do not adequately research the profession before hiring an inspector. Most people simply ask the … (83 comments)
Have you ever walked out of a room to get something and then forgot what you were going to get? Everyone has, right? You walk back to the room you just left and suddenly you remember what it was you were going to get. Momentary memory lapse. The older I get the more frequent they seem to happen. You forget where you left your keys or your phone or that it’s your anniversary.
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