“Every home has undisclosed or unrevealed defects awaiting discovery by a qualified home inspector. These can include mere functional problems, such as faulty plumbing or a defective roof or major safety and/or fire issues such as faulty electrical wiring or an unsafe furnace. Anyone who recommends against home inspections is not looking out for representing the best interests of the parties involved”.

A professional home inspection is wise regardless of the home’s age. For brand new homebuyers, be sure to have the property evaluated prior to closing escrow as a final precaution.  A qualified inspector usually will find additional defects that slip through the cracks of the “standard” construction/ building inspection processes.

This important warning for a professional inspection also applies to home sellers. Home sellers are urged to utilize home inspections prior to listing their homes. By securing an qualified, professional inspection prior to placing a home on the market, a seller can minimize or eliminate a potential future argument that they were attempting to conceal or failed to disclose pertinent items regarding the condition of the property.

It is imperative that a seller secures the service of a competent, experienced, professional home inspector. A poor inspection can have a drastic consequence (it may be argued that a poor inspection preformed by an untrained inspector was recommended for the sole purpose of hiding the true condition of the property). Make sure that the recommended  and  hire  inspector  is trained and experienced in home inspection, maintains proper insurance, and is a member of a professional association such as ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors or CREIA, the California Real Estate Inspection Association.

Homes usually go into foreclosure because the owner can no longer afford the mortgage payments. As a result, maintenance and repairs get neglected as well. It is critical that buyers know the condition of the structure and all the major systems. An ASHI Certified inspector will provide that information.

Even if the bank is unwilling to negotiate over any discovered defects, the information the buyer receives from a through home inspection is invaluable in making an informed decision. And even if there are plans to do significant remodeling, why risk discovering problems with the furnace, foundation or structure after you close escrow and begin work? Better to eliminate any big surprises and know up front by getting a detailed home inspection following recognized standards of practice.

Homebuyers and sellers are urged to retain the services of a qualified inspector’s trained and experienced in home inspection. It is very important that the inspector be a member of a well-founded professional association such as ASHI.  Established in 1976, ASHI is the largest inspection association in the country. ASHI inspectors must adhere to ASHI’s

Code of ethics and follow the Standards of Practice developed and maintained by the association. Recognized by the State of California, these Standards of Practice are considered the source for Home Inspector Standard of Care by the real estate and legal communities.

It is a grave error for anyone to advice against an inspection. Every home has concealed or unknown defects awaiting discovery by a qualified home inspector. These might include mere functional problems, such as faulty plumbing or a defective roof. But there might also be major safety issues awaiting discovery such as electrical wiring deficiencies or a faulty furnace. Any party related to the transaction who recommends against a home inspection is not representing the best interest of the home buyer and/or the home seller and may be subjecting themselves to potential future liability.

Hot markets, the kind that entice buyers to make rush-to-judgment offers are emotional driven environments in which the rush to buy can be invitation to financial disaster and years of regret.

There is no limit to the numbers and kinds of problems that can be discovered in the course of an accurate and competent home inspection. Therefore, the unseen problems you might acquire, just to meet the demands of the sellers’ could saddle you with major repair costs not anticipated or budgeted for at the time of the purchase.

The best approach to obtaining essential disclosure information without committing to a blind purchase is to make an offer that includes your right to have a home inspection preformed for information purposes only, but without the “deal” being depended on the inspector’s findings.

This constitutes a fully informed risk with all parties’ eyes wide open. In the event that the home inspection reveals problems so major that they eclipse the desirability of the property, you can still walk away from the deal. You may or may not recover your purchase deposit, but in some cases that would be a minor loss compared with the long term ache associated with of a regretted acquisition. It should be remembered that a home inspection report is not a repair list for the seller. It is an information list for you, the buyer, to help you know what you are buying and help you decide weather or not to proceed with the deal.

• A home inspection is not the same as an appraisal
• What’s covered in a home inspection report
• Inspections can save time and money whether moving or staying

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) educates homeowners and buyers alike that while both an appraisal and an inspection are vital, they are different and neither should serve as a substitution for the other.

An appraisal assesses the market value of a home. Typically, a bank requires an appraisal when approving a loan for either the purchase of a home or the refinancing of an existing loan.  This process is often mistaken by the homeowner as a home inspection. While an appraisal confirms the home’s market value to ensure the lender is not over-insuring the property, it is not intended to provide a thorough assessment of the overall condition and safety of the home.

According to The Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the lender conducts an appraisal to estimate the value of a house, to make certain the house meets FHA minimum property standards and is marketable. However, during a home inspection a qualified inspector takes a detailed look at the physical structure and systems of a house, from the roof to the foundation. The average time taken to conduct an appraisal is merely a fraction of the time it takes a certified home inspector to perform an inspection of the same house.

Unlike an appraisal, an ASHI home inspector’s report will examine the condition of the home’s:

• Heating system
• Central air conditioning system (temperature permitting)
• Interior plumbing and electrical systems
• Roof, attic and visible insulation
• Walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors
• Foundation, basement and structural components

ASHI reminds homeowners that a home purchase is not the only time to consider scheduling a home inspection. Even if you plan to remain in your home for several years, the benefits of a home inspection are invaluable.  Homeowners should schedule a maintenance inspection every three to five years to identify problems before they become costly repairs. A home inspection can also help homeowners identify potential issues as part of a major remodeling or renovation project.

“Even as the economy begins to bounce back, it is still so important for homeowners to plan ahead and protect their investment,” said Sam Jabuka ASHI chapter president.” A basic maintenance home inspection can save the consumer the cost and inconvenience of an expensive repair down the road. An ASHI certified home inspector can often spot potential problems before the damage happens.”

Homeowners and homebuyers can find a local ASHI certified home inspector to schedule an inspection on the association’s website. San Joaquin Valley ASHI chapter “Find an Inspector” tool allows homeowners to locate an inspector in their area by language or services provided. Always check with your local inspector for a complete list of services provided.

The award is a reflection of the hard work of not only our company, but of many people that have supported our business and contributed to the subsequent success of our organization. We proudly accept this selection to such an elite group of small businesses.

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Keep the season merry with this list of safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Read Full Article

Install a sediment trap as close as possible to the inlet of the appliance as the time of installation. This is REQUIRED by all furnace and water heater manufactures as well as the National Fuel Gas Code. The trap shall be constructed to change the direction of the gas flow be 90 degrees.

Keep the supply piping clean. It should be free of foreign materials, oil, water or other contaminants. The best practice is to connect the gas piping immediately upon installation to prevent foreign material from entering the gas system.

While both men and women cite the snoring of their partner as one reason for heading out of the bedroom, others cite problems such as restless leg syndrome, other medical conditions, insomnia and opposite work-shifts. Other couples struggle with sleeping schedules that just aren’t compatible, such as a night owl and an early riser.

Whatever their reasons, builders have taken notice, and especially in communities for adults over 55, snoring or dual owner suites have become a popular option. Typically, these rooms are located right off of the master suite, and don’t require a trip to the other end of the house for the couch in the family room. The extra room may be linked to the bedroom by a pass-through bathroom, but will also have the door accessible from the hallway. The rooms may feature a day bed or full-sized bed, and usually have enough space for a desk to house a computer or television. So far, the homes containing these suites have not enlarged the footprint of the home, but have reconfigured existing square footage. For example, in the Del Webb community, the builders will adjust the space by slightly downsizing garage storage space or reducing the size of a large, master closet.

In other homes, once an attached nursery has been outgrown, this space could conceivably be converted into a snoring room.

In addition to a separate room, some designers have suggested incorporating or tucking the snoring room into the master suite to retain the feeling of the couples’ retreat, while allowing separation for each person. Another idea that has been suggested is an insulated glass French door between thee two spaces, to maintain light, openness and connection, while reducing noise.

Couples aree advised to make sure the room can be converted easily to other uses, so the room doesn’t become a drawback when it’s time to sell the home. Not every family wants or needs a “snoring room,” and the space should be adaptable as a hobby room or office space.