Home Inspections

A moment for Boston

All of us at Your Guy for That and Intown Focus Realty wish to extend our deepest heartfelt sympathy to the families, friends, and loved ones of the recent Boston Marathon tragedy.

There is no words, no gesture, and no thing can take the biting sting from loss; and only the honestly offered hand in wanting to help can be shown to help ease this painful path.

We ask all who wish to help in some small way, look to donate through your local Red Cross Disaster Teams, as they struggle to assist those in Boston. The link below will take you to their national donation website.

https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002

Please take a moment of silence for those whose lives were lost, or changed during this horrific time.

The Boston Marathon tradition… Continue Reading A moment for Boston

The Inspector Newsletter

by Bob McDonough of NPI National Property Inspections www.ATLHomeInspector.com

April 2013: Home Windows Ask the Inspector

Q: What is the purpose behind inspecting a home’s windows?

Windows let in natural light, allow occupants to see outside and help control air quality and air movement through the home. Yet, if they are not properly installed, sealed and maintained, they can cause more than a few headaches, literally.

Anytime the construction of a solid wall in a home or business is interrupted to create an opening, the potential exists for water, cold or hot unconditioned air to enter the home, exists. The water can easily cause damage to walls and ceilings. Hot and cold air leaks can make a room uncomfortable for occupants and drive up energy costs.

“… Continue Reading The Inspector Newsletter

The Inspector Knows…

Ask the Inspector
National Property Inspections®
America’s Premier Inspection Service
Bob McDonough
Commercial Property Inspector

npi.bob@gmail.com
npiweb.com/bmcd

Q: I am not sure a home inspection is necessary. What safety issues can you really point out to me?
“People typically assume that electrical hazards relate to high voltage installations, however a standard residential service can be as, or more dangerous, than other systems,” said one Inspector. Many people assume they can make home electrical repairs or replacements themselves and don’t consider that the amperage available in an average home electrical system is enough to cause a heart attack.

A thorough review of the electrical system can protect both family and personal property. According to the Un… Continue Reading The Inspector Knows…

Should you buy a fixer-upper?

 A battle-tested renovator offers some hard-won advice on choosing a suitable
house and knowing whether you’re really up to the task.

Fixer-upper (noun). A home you purchase at a reasonable price, but one that requires an unreasonable amount of money in repairs and renovations.

OK, so I made up that definition, and it’s not always true. Buying fixer-uppers can get you more house than you would normally be able to afford at a reasonable price. They can be pleasantly inexpensive. But they can also be money pits, masquerading behind a façade of charming woodwork and arched doorways.

As tempting as the purchase price can be for houses that need a little TLC, you must assess whether a fixer-upper is right for you. To do that, you need an appraisal. And I’m not just t… Continue Reading Should you buy a fixer-upper?

Your Inspector for That!

Ask the Inspector
by Tommy B Arnold of NPI- National Property Inspections

Q: I am not sure a home inspection is necessary. What safety issues can you really point out to me?
“People typically assume that electrical hazards relate to high voltage installations, however a standard residential service can be as, or more dangerous, than other systems,” said one Inspector. Many people assume they can make home electrical repairs or replacements themselves and don’t consider that the amperage available in an average home electrical system is enough to cause a heart attack.

A thorough review of the electrical system can protect both family and personal property. According to the United States Fire Association, electrical fires occur three times as often in a residential building t… Continue Reading Your Inspector for That!

More for your “honey-do” lists…

12 High-Impact Home Projects

1. Replace Old Windows — Cost: $189 and up Windows more than 10 years old might need to be replaced, and now is a good time to do it when temperatures are mild. Look for double-paned, double-strength glass or consider a more energy-efficient alternative: a low-e window filled with argon gas that blocks heat in the summer and keeps it inside during the winter. An investment now will save money for years to come. —David Bosley, Window World Atlanta

2. Add Curb Appeal — Cost: Price varies depending on materials and type of installation The façade of your home is the first thing visitors see, so it should stand out (especially if you’re trying to sell!) Improvements can be as easy as replacing or installing outdoor lighting, new hardware, shutters… Continue Reading More for your “honey-do” lists…

Don’t let an appraisal stymie your home sale

Here’s what sellers and buyers can do if a home is valued lower than the price they agreed upon in a contract.
By Cameron Huddleston of Kiplinger

 

 

 

 

© Jeffrey Coolidge/Getty Images

I am selling my home and buying another. Purchase agreements have been hammered out, inspections have been done and issues that were uncovered are being addressed, and the closing date has been set. There’s just one last hurdle we have to clear before I’m ready to say with certainty that we are moving: the appraisal.

Over the past three months, real-estate appraisals have held back more than one-third of home sales, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors. Of the real-estate agents surveyed, 9% said a contract was delayed be… Continue Reading Don’t let an appraisal stymie your home sale

Your Inspector for That!

From: Bob McDonough of National Property Inspections
Ask the Inspector

What is the point of inspecting the heating unit beyond knowing how old it is?

Recently, one NPI professional found a hole the size of his hand in a heat exchanger, the internal component of a gas furnace that assists in the transfer of heat. Cracks or holes in this piece of the unit, which is generally not entirely visible, can result in carbon monoxide leaks into air ducts. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion. When not properly vented, this gas can cause death. Despite the homeowner reporting frequent flu-like symptoms and an inspection by a heating contractor, this potentially deadly flaw went unreported until discovered by the home inspector.

Your NPI inspector will inspect whatever parts of th… Continue Reading Your Inspector for That!

Free Carbon Monoxide Inspections

The City of East Point Fire Department has a Carbon Monoxide program where we will inspect residences and install CO2 detectors free. Additionally, we inspect city occupied buildings once per year and all 12 schools within our jurisdiction twice a year.

However, in light of the carbon monoxide leak at a City of Atlanta Public School where some students were rushed to the emergency room, we believe it prudent to immediately re-inspect these buildings for CO2 using gas gauges specifically made for detection of carbon monoxide.

Listed below are some actions we are taking:

We have two carbon monoxide detectors (CO2 sniffers) on emergency vehicles that can be used to measure CO2 in City of East Point occupied buildings, schools, businesses and residents
We currently have 380 CO2 Det… Continue Reading Free Carbon Monoxide Inspections

Fulton County School Board: Reject the proposal to acquire homes for East Point School!

Petition by Jenny Stone, East Point, GeorgiaPetitioning President, Fulton County School Board Friends,
Many of you have been instrumental in communicating to the Fulton County School Board your thoughts on the proposal being made to include our home, and several others, in a land acquisition in order to rebuild an elementary school in East Point. At this juncture, we cannot block the Fulton County land acquisition group from making their proposal. But, we can make strides to encourage the School Board to reject options that would include private land acquisition.  We do not have a firm date on when the proposal will be made to the Board. But, we believe it to be in the new year. As such, we need your help again to ensure that the Board has heard from people that are in objection to ho… Continue Reading Fulton County School Board: Reject the proposal to acquire homes for East Point School!