Advanced Home Awareness Home Inspections

06/12/2023

06/13/2017

3 Things Your Home Inspector Would Never Tell You I can recall back when I was a nine to five construction manager trying to move up the proverbial ladder of success, it seemed the better…

03/13/2016

An old friend of mine was considering becoming a home inspector, and contacted me for my advice. I explained to him that there were basically 2-approaches to being a home inspector; one that promised short work days and great riches, and the other one being, doing the job properly, working long hours, and just making ends meet. I told him I would be glad to provide advice on either, if he would like to schedule some time between 2:00 and 5:00 AM, and if he could loan me some money to put towards my mortgage payment this month.

O.K. - It's not quite that bad, and I'm sure there is a middle ground, but my dad always said - "any job worth doing, is worth doing right", and my definition of doing a home inspection "right", is not to just meet the minimum standards, defined by the state as our Standards of Practice. In my mind, that's like a contractor building to code. (the definition of code is "the bare minimum standard a contractor can employ without being sued") In my mind (and my dad's mind), that would not be "right" either.

I believe that doing a home inspection right, is to do the best job I am capable of, for each, and every home buying client I have.

One of the biggest challenges of this business is that most first time home buyers rely on their realtors for home inspector recommendations. Hmmmmm? Think about that for a moment.

Is the average realtor going to recommend a home inspector that is going to take the time and effort to discover and report all of the home's conditions that they are able to discover, and possibly cause them to work harder at negotiations, or even possibly loose a sale?

After 12-years in the business......I'm going to tell you that, from my perspective, the average realtor is looking for a home inspector that will make both their job easier.....and therefore their commission check easier to earn.

NOTE: I said "average realtor". This doesn't apply to every realtor. I'm proud to say that after 12-years, I have at least 6 realtors that refer me to their home buyers on a regular basis.

(I would be glad to provide their names.....in case you are not sure if your realtor has your best interests in mind)

And that's all good with me, after all, there has been so much published on the inherent conflict of interest between realtors and home inspectors. (some states actually prohibit realtors from referring home inspectors for this reason)

I get over 80% of my business from past clients, and from online sources.

If you know of anyone buying a house, my best advice to them, is that they spend some time online researching local home inspectors. (after all - a home is one of the biggest expenses they will ever make....and it is in their best interest to spend more time researching their home inspector, than their next smart phone.

(When it comes right down to it, their home inspector will likely be the only objective individual, and therefore the most important individual, involved in their transaction.....buying the wrong home can cost a home buyer a lot of grief and a lot of money.)

Tell them to keep in mind when they are doing their online research, that they should also me aware of the validity of online reviews and testimonials.

There is a big difference between Angie's List reviews and Home Advisor reviews.

Recognize......Angie's List provides free listings to businesses, and verifies all customer reviews. (an individual does need to become a member.....but the annual membership in this area is only about $10)

Home Advisor is free to the member....but businesses pay Home Advisor for leads. (I refuse to pay for leads...I prefer to receive business due to the reviews I receive for doing my job right.)

In my mind (and judging from the online reviews of both of these review resources), the better model for a home buyer (or a consumer in general) would be to pay $10 for verified and validated reviews.

I have a free listing on Angie's List......and if you would like to read my reviews, I will gladly deduct the $10 Angie's List membership fee from your home inspection.

Oh....and if you would like to become a home inspector....contact me for more info on the 2-models I mentioned.....but didn't go into.

11/18/2014

Interesting program now available from W.R. Grace to help cover the expense of removing and replacing Zonolite attic insulation. (vermiculite) http://www.zonoliteatticinsulation.com/

We are a boutique floral & event design company located in Seattle, Washington but available for travel. From the flowers to the favors, we strive to bring an extra dose of flair, elegance, sophistication to each event we touch--from an intimate dinner party to a wedding for 300. Your event will be…

02/26/2013

“Homebuyers have an important role in the selection of a good inspector and the inspection itself. First of all, never use one suggested by the seller’s real estate agent. Get your own, by asking friends, using the net, Angie’s List, and possibly your own agent’s recommendations.
Excerpt from:
http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/news/opinion/columnists/you-and-the-law-what-you-need-to-know-before/article_d623cf9e-f371-11e0-911c-001cc4c002e0.html?goback=.gde_162871_member_216900998

If you’re about to hire a home inspector, or believe an earlier inspection overlooked a significant defect which is going to be expensive to repair, today’s story will be of

02/26/2013

Had an interesting conversation with Valerie Rivett, the woman who loss her niece in a smoldering house fire, and is now the primary proponent (champion) for NYS legislation to provide tax credits to replace ionization smoke alarms with photo electric smoke alarms (photo electric smoke alarms are designed to save lives in smoldering fires - ionization alarms (the type that was the home of her niece do a poor job at that - please read earlier post on this & the additional link at the end of this)

She tells me that the bill has stalled....no actually much worse....the bill has been re-written to include tax credits for replacement smoke alarms that contain ionization technology. Sounds like the lobbyist for the ionization alarms paid someone off to me. Don't you just love these politicians? We elect them to protect the public, and all they do is protect special interest, corporate greed, and political posturing.

I mean come on....here is Albany's chance to pass a law that could actually save many innocent lives instantly, and they can't pass it, yet when the governor wants to position himself for higher office he pushes through a bill overnight that will likely not save any lives. (I'm talking the bill that only allow honest citizens and law enforcement officers to have 7 rounds in their gun magazines....of course all of the insane criminals will abide by this law and lives will be saved...yea right.)

I post a second time on this subject because it could save your life..please see the additional online article I found on this topic:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/92003952/The-Volunteer-Fire-Fighter-Magazine-Winter-2012

Ionization Smoke Alarms are DEADLY  Second Australian & New Zealand World Fire Safety Foundation Tour article reprinted from the Winter 2012 edition of Australia's 'Volunteer Fire Fighter' magazine. This report is part of the series of ‘Ionization Smoke Alarms are DE...

02/23/2013

Ran across interesting New York Times Blog post this morning on the importance and the benefits of having a home inspection during a divorce. Don't rely on an appraisal to determine a fair value for the home. Read more:
http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/home-inspections-during-divorces/

Lawyers and home inspectors are increasingly encouraging divorcing couples to make sure a home inspection is part of the divorce process.

02/06/2013

From a fire-related death perspective, the US is a Third World Nation. From 1979-2007 data, the US had a fire death rate per million population of 12.3. Switzerland's fire death rate per million population was 2. Why is this? Well the number one reason is likely that in Switzerland possessing a Home Depot Charge card doesn't qualify you as a master electrician, and number two might be that the Swiss have smoke alarms installed in their home's designed to save lives, not to simply make obscene profit margins for multi-national corporations having their inherently unsafe smoke alarms assembled in third world nations.

Related to this....here's some info that might save your life, or the lives of those you love.

There are two main types of smoke alarms:

1. Ionization Alarms

2.Photoelectric Alarms

Almost 95% of US homes with smoke alarms have ionization type alarms installed. Ionization alarms are not as sensitive to smoke from smoldering fires, and are also more prone to sounding false (nuisance) alarms. (most frequently cooking or shower related)

As smoke inhalation (resulting from smoldering fires) is the most common cause of residential fire-related deaths, and as many alarms are often intentionally disabled by home owners due to nuisance alarms, ionization alarms are no longer recommended by most fire safety professionals.

(These facts partially explain why, that as the number or smoke alarms installed in US homes has continue to increase dramatically, so has the fire-related death rate - Ionization alarms just don't provide adequate protection.)

Not only are ionization alarms no longer recommended, but a few states are now requiring photoelectric alarms. In New York State, Averyana's Law allows for a dollar for dollar tax credit (including labor) to switch to Photoelectric Only alarms. (I suggest that you review this with your tax accountant & take advantage of a NYS law that actually does....doesn't just profess to...protect our children)

I recommend that you check the alarms in your home, and that you replace any ionization smoke alarms discovered with photoelectric smoke alarms.

Some organizations continue to recommend that both (ionization and photoelectric) technologies be installed in homes. (this is because ionization alarms respond slightly faster to flames...but it is smoldering fires that are responsible for most fire-related deaths, so if you make a choice - the best choice is photoelectric...the few second faster response time of ionization alarms to flames is not going to do you any good if you die in your sleep due to smoke inhalation during a smoldering fire with few flames. (the kind of fires produced by the synthetic finishing materials and furniture in our homes today)

In addition to individual ionization and photoelectric alarms, combination alarms (AKA: dual sensor alarms) that include both technologies in a single device are available.

Be Aware - Combination alarms are generally less sensitive and/or more prone to nuisance alarms, so separate alarms are recommended if both photoelectric and ionization types of smoke alarms are wanted.

(In current practice manufacturers generally set alarm sensitivities in combination alarms less sensitive than in individual sensor alarms in order to reduce nuisance alarms....Seems like they'd rather have you die than complain to them about a nuisance alarm)

NOTE: While recently looking at the packaging of one manufacturer's smoke alarms, I noted that on the back of the ionization alarm packaging, they recommend a photoelectric alarm be installed alongside the ionization alarm. However, on the photoelectric alarm packaging of the same manufacturer, there is no recommendation to install an ionization alarm. (sounds like a CYA move to me...as they continue to unload their cheaper to produce and inherently unsafe ionization type alarms on an unknowing public)

NOTE: There are now wireless interconnected alarms available for use in older homes, where hard-wired interconnected alarms are not present. Hard-wired or wireless interconnected photoelectric alarms are strongly recommended.

Recognize & Be Aware...with interconnected ionization and combination alarms, if you disconnected one due to nuisance alarms, this would disable all of the interconnected alarms, and leave you and your loved ones with no smoke alarm protection throughout your home.

Check out this sobering video on smoke alarm safety:
http://www.nbc.com/news-sports/msnbc-video/2012/10/rossen-some-smoke-detectors-may-not-go-off-in-time/

A scientist at Texas A&M University says he has discovered that one of the most popular kinds of smoke detectors may not protect your family in a fire, because it's not sensitive enough to go off in time for you to escape your burning house. NBC's Jeff Rossen investigates. (TODAY)

01/03/2013

Excellent blog post yesterday by Green Building Advisor (one of my favorite websites) regarding the carbon monoxide exposure hazards that UL listed CO alarms don't protect you from. This mirrors what I have been including in my home inspection reports for years. Read post...
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/

Green Building Advisor is the one-stop source for builders, remodelers, architects & homeowners looking for expert advice on green products, strategies & proven construction details.

12/21/2012

Wow....saw my highest radon test results yet...192 pCi/l (the level at which mitigation is required is 4 pCi/l). Sobering facts......192 pCi/l produces the equivalent lung damage as smoking 12 packs of ci******es a day or receiving 9,500 chest X-Rays per year. This home was on the market and had been occupied for about 10 years...I sure hope the current homeowners will be o.k.

So....based on my exposure during my 3-hour inspection, I guess I'll skip enjoying my annual Cuban cigar this New Year's Eve.

Concerned about potential radon exposure in your home? Please visit my website to learn more about this easy to resolve health issue in your home...
http://ahahomeinspections.com/

Advanced Home Awareness Home Inspections provides home inspections and radon testing services throughout the Greater Rochester New York Region.

12/21/2012

As there are no established standards for the analysis of testing results, and therefore no value in completing testing, I believe that providing mold testing services, and charging for these services is not ethical.

Home inspectors that are providing this service are generally taking advantage of a home buyer that has been frightened by the inaccurate and sensationalized stories that the media has released about “toxic mold”. There is no such thing!

“Mold Is Gold” to these inspectors – a nice revenue stream for little work, and totally meaningless information. Please read my blog on this topic...
http://rochesterhomeinspectorblog.com/the-mold-myth-why-i-dont-test-for-mold/

Both the Center of Disease Control (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have stated repeatedly that sampling for mold in the course of a home purchase transaction is pointless. Why? Because mold is in the air we breathe every moment, and taking air samples will only tell what we alre...

12/21/2012

Over 80% of the home’s I inspect have improperly vented bath exhaust fans, and many of these home’s have at least some condensation related staining (most likely some type of mold) on the underside of their roof sheathing. Left unattended and allowed to go unchecked, this can be a real deal killer when you go to sell your home. Please read my blog on this topic...
http://rochesterhomeinspectorblog.com/109/

Welcome to my blog for homebuyers and homeowners. Here I will share stories about; how to select a home inspector, issues discovered during home inspections that affected the home’s safety and habitability, energy efficiency issues, sustainability issues, and occasionally on information that is tota...