Monday, October 10, 2011 @ 4:01 PM Posted by Danielle Darany - 0 comments

Throughout your home inspection training, you will cover a variety of important topics from foundations and plumbing to fireplaces and pools. However, learning how to detect potentially hazardous situations, like a carbon monoxide leak, may be one of the most important topics covered in your home inspection course - Your knowledge could save lives.

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, however, it can kill a person within minutes when present at high levels. According to the EPA.gov Web site, carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. For example, if gas burning appliances are not maintained properly, they can become hazardous.

Once you become a home inspector, part of your review will be to look for physical defects in the home, including appliances and pipes, to ensure the carbon monoxide is not present. Check out this video and watch a real-life home inspection uncover a carbon monoxide problem:


Unhealthy exposure to carbon monoxide can cause severe headaches, confusion, nausea, dizzeness and more. So, if the homeowners you're assisting report these symptoms, pay extra attention to testing carbon monoxide levels. Helping an unsuspecting family stay healthy and safe in their home is one of the most rewarding parts of being a professional home inspector.

Have any real life experiences or stories about carbon monoxide in the home? Tell us about it by posting to this blog.

Video Source:


Monday, September 12, 2011 @ 5:45 PM Posted by Danielle Darany - 1 comments

Want to expand your real estate inspection customer base? Referrals and word-of-mouth are valuable, but sometimes, it’s not enough. Think bigger and give your home inspection career a greater, competitive edge with a little self promotion. Here are some ideas:

Web site. No Web site? Don’t stress. There are several online companies that provide everything you need, such as pre-designed templates, to build your own site for a reasonable fee. If you can use a computer and keep your Web site simple, you could have it up and running in one day.

Online Review Sites. More and more, people are turning to online resources, like Yelp and Anglie’s List, for reviews on everything from restaurants and doctors to house cleaners and home inspectors. Add yourself to some of these sites and ask your best customers and associates to give you a review.

Social Media. Creating profiles on popular social media sites is one more way to reach potential clients. For example, consider opening a business profile on Facebook and ask clients to “Like” your page. You could post pictures of scary home inspections (anonymous of course), run contests, provide advice, share links to online sources and more. Why? It’s about constantly staying in front of existing and potential clients.

Print Advertising. In addition to your online efforts, don’t forget the power of print. For example, winter isn't far, which means rain, snow, unpredictable temperatures and more. Are home owners in the areas you serve ready? Get your name and valuable services in front of them with a fall home inspection checklist via flyer or postcard. Also, consider offering them a money-saving incentive to contact you.

Community Events. Real estate agents do it. Home inspection professionals can too, right? Whether you host an Easter egg hunt for local kids, a canned food drive during the holidays or a complimentary education seminar, it's how to become a home inspector who stands out from the competition.

Professional Real Estate Associations. Establishing connections with other real estate professionals, such as agents and brokers, is a smart way to bring in more business. Attend local meetings/seminars and be prepared to exchange business cards. The real estate professionals you meet can become your LinkedIn connections and/or Facebook fans who may send new clients your way.


Friday, April 30, 2010 @ 5:26 PM Posted by Danielle Darany - 0 comments

Interested in pursing a home inspection career? According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), there are a number of ways a home inspector can diversify their services.

For example, a home inspector can offer a variety of inspections, such as termite, swimming pool and spa, well and septic system, and home maintenance. Troubleshooting inspections for homes with problems, prelisting inspections for homes about to be sold, and inspections of new homes throughout the construction process or at the pre-delivery stage can also be offered.

Additionally, some inspectors do radon, lead, asbestos, and carbon monoxide testing; mold inspections; and inspections of commercial buildings. There are many opportunities to offer a full range of services to consumers.

Source: homeinspector.com


Friday, April 09, 2010 @ 11:22 AM Posted by Danielle Darany - 0 comments


Foundation
The foundation is probably the main priority, since it's the component that bears the load of the entire home. Foundation failure or repairs can be especially expensive, and parts of it may be hidden. So, looking at the foundation is a time to do your best.

Wall Coverings
The wall coverings often provide clues to any foundation movement. Soil or foundation movement typically shows up as diagonal cracks emanating from the corners of doors and windows. You may also see stepped cracking in masonry walls, especially near exterior corners or below windows.

Roof
The roofs of older homes are typically wood shakes or shingles. Some jurisdictions no longer allow the installation of wood roofs. This may create a conflict with a landmark committee.

If the roof will need replacement soon, the owner may be facing not just removal of existing layers, but installation of solid roof sheathing over the original spaced sheathing that was typically installed with wood roofs. You should make your clients aware of the potential extra cost.

Structure
Older homes may have undergone work by someone not familiar with acceptable building practices. Although it's often difficult to see floor and wall framing, watch for problems such as the structure being out of plumb, out of level, or not flat.

You may see work done that employed methods quite different from modern methods. Check for failure before calling something a defect just because it looks different.

Exterior
You may want to recommend a lead test of the soil of the home's perimeter. When lead was used as an ingredient in the manufacture of paint, the exterior paint coating would eventually oxidize, and a lead powder would form on the surface, ultimately washing into the soil around the home's exterior by the rain. Over time, lead can accumulate in the soil to a level at which it represents a health risk to children and pets.

Windows
It's often difficult to tell whether a window is original, and it's a question that's often asked. Your concern as an inspector is to describe the window's condition. You'll be looking for failure of the finish coating and decay on wood-frame windows, especially in the corners of the sill. You'll be checking for hardware condition, and proper operation of the hardware and window itself. Single panes are not a defect.

Electrical Systems
In inspecting an older home, you may find that the electrical system is original, that it's new, or that it has had work done on it over the years. It's not unusual to find electrical components from multiple eras in one home. They may all be energized, or they may be partially energized.

Most inspectors, when they're confronted with these older systems, recommend a specialist inspection by a qualified electrical contractor. The liability connected with electrical systems is high, since these can burn down the home or cause serious or fatal injury. It's better to pass on this liability unless you feel very confident in your own expertise.

Plumbing Systems
You'll be looking for evidence of plumbing leaks, as usual. There are still a few homes around with galvanized supply pipes, so you'll check for functional flow at fixtures. Also, you should mention any unsafe conditions, such as missing or obsolete traps. In the past, lead distribution pipes have been a problem, but very few currently exist.

Heating Systems
Serious problems can develop from poorly understood venting of furnaces, boilers and water heaters. Condensation is one problem. Water is a solvent and will deteriorate many materials.

Toxic Materials
You may encounter toxic materials when inspecting older homes. Watch for asbestos-like material on heating system exhaust ducts. Asbestos was also used in vinyl products, such as flooring, and in the process of manufacturing roofing tiles. The amount of asbestos in thermal insulation has been exaggerated, but most thermal insulation releases particulates into the air when it's disturbed, so you should wear a respirator in attics and crawlspaces where you may encounter exposure

Source: www.nachi.com


Friday, March 05, 2010 @ 4:33 PM Posted by Heather Brunson - 0 comments

Fact #1 - A home inspector will pinpoint any current or potential problems, but will not fix them.
A home inspector will never fix any problems in a home. The inspector's only job is to diagnose any existing or potential problems and provide the buyers with a written report about those problems. Of course, the buyer can use this as a negotiation tool with the sellers, but shouldn't expect any repairs to be made by the home inspector.

Fact #2 - The home inspection will address only structural issues, not cosmetic ones.
When it comes to scrapes and scratches, buyers are on their own. These are considered cosmetic issues and not included with the home inspection. Offbeat paint colors, nicks in the wall and stained carpet, while visually unappealing, have nothing to do with the condition of the home.

Fact #3 - It is unethical for a seller to conceal any problems within the house.
Real estate professionals advise sellers not to try to conceal problems with the house. The ethical and legal thing is for them to let the buyer know about any structural problems. Plus, a home inspector will most likely uncover these problems when the inspection is done.

Fact #4 - Sellers should fix any major problems before a home inspection.
It is often a good idea for home sellers to fix any major problems before a house is put on the market. If they're left incomplete, it can lead to a negative home inspection and mean losing money on the home sale.

Fact #5 - The home inspection may not cover everything.
The scope and size of the home inspection depends on the type of contract the buyer has with the seller. A typical home inspection includes the structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing aspects of a house. There may be extra services provided as well, such as radon testing or mold detection.

Fact #6 - Everything should work as it was intended - everything doesn't have to be new and of the latest technology.
Your job is to make sure that everything is in working order and doesn't require repairs. Of course a home buyer would like everything new and up-to-date, but that isn't within the scope of a home inspector's job. The house just needs to be in sound condition – the age is not relevant, unless the home is 100+ years old.

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