Articles filed under Stone, Barry
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Home's water has become discolored
Feb 5, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: We have a well for the water supply to our vacation home. Until recently, the water quality was perfect, but the water has suddenly become discolored. A neighbor advised us an artesian well would solve this problem. What is an artesian well, and how does it differ from a regular well?
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Should home's foundation vents be closed?
Jan 29, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: I'm confused about foundation vents and whether to open or close them in winter. Some articles say you should keep them open to minimize moisture condensation under a building. Others warn that foundation vents allow moist air to enter crawl spaces.
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Know the scope and limits of home inspection
Jan 22, 2023 7:00 AM - Q: What exactly are home inspectors required to inspect, and what are they not required to inspect? It seems some inspectors include decks, pools and spas, while others do not.
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Permit peril: Will new owners have to restore converted garage bedroom to original use?
Jan 14, 2023 7:00 AM - New homeowners received noticed that their garage was converted to a bedroom without a building permit by the previous owners. The new owners failed to require an "as-built" permit. Will they have to tear out the conversion?
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Inspector downplays mold and leaks
Jan 8, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: Our home is over 50 years old and has major mold problems. When we bought it, our home inspector said we had surface mold that was no big deal. Since then, we've had mold growing inside the wall cavities.
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Home inspections in a hot market
Jan 1, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: In a past article, you wrote: "It is the height of professional irresponsibility for any real estate agent to advise a client against having a home inspection." In most cases, I would agree with your advice. But in a hot market, purchase offers that call for a home inspection are often rejected by sellers.
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Buyer complains about home inspector
Dec 25, 2022 7:00 AM - Q: We hired a home inspector to check out our house before we bought it. His report indicated no problems, but after closing the deal we discovered many problems: The pool heater did not work: $2,900. The clothes washer had bad bearings: $450. The kitchen sink leaked: $250.
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Finding a qualified home inspector
Dec 16, 2022 6:00 AM - Just because a home inspector has years of experience doesn't mean you'll get a quality inspection. We give you six ways to make sure your home inspector will give you the information you need on a house you are considering.
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How to find a qualified home inspector
Dec 11, 2022 6:00 AM - The guidelines for finding qualified home inspectors do not guarantee professional competence. To illustrate this, let's consider the six criteria most often cited as essential factors in selecting a qualified inspector.
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Agent complains about home inspectors
Dec 13, 2022 4:24 PM - Q. For all your endorsements of home inspections, I find the inspection industry to be out of control and run amok! Two reports on the same house have different lists of defects. Some reports are so nit-picky, they seem contrived to justify the inspection fee.
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