Managing Expectations for a Home Inspection in Virginia Beach

One part of my job as a Virginia Beach home inspector is to manage client expectations. By that I mean it is important that a home buyer know exactly what they are getting when they hire a home inspector. This is especially true if this is the home buyer’s first purchase. There need to be realistic expectations of what a home inspector is able to find and report. There are quite a few issues that a home may have that are outside the scope of a home inspection.

There are shows on HGTV and DIY network that highlight all the problems found in homes during remodeling or adding on additions to homes. These issues are found after tearing down walls and removing parts of the structure. Obviously this is not something that can be done on a visual home inspection.

Most if not all home inspection reports come with disclaimers regarding what is and is not covered during a home inspection. This is not the home inspectors way of trying to not to do a thorough job for their client. This is all about managing expectations so you know exactly what you have hired your home inspector to do. Realistic expectations are necessary to making sure there is no misunderstanding about the job your home inspector is performing.

So What is a Home Inspection in Virginia Beach

A Virginia Beach home inspection is a visual and non invasive inspection of major home systems and components for safety issues and defects.  A home inspection is not a technically exhaustive examination of the house. There is no way to tell what is exactly going on behind a wall or under 9-13 inches of insulation. There may be evidence to an issue, and that is what will be in your home inspection report along with recommendations for a more exhaustive evaluation or other remedy.
 
A thorough home inspection gives an accurate report on the visual condition of the home at the time of the inspection. The condition of a home can change in only a day or two due to numerous variables that were not present at the time of inspection.

So What Does a Visual Inspection Mean?

A “visual” inspection means that a home inspection report is limited to describing conditions in those parts of a home that an inspector can see during the inspection. Obviously, parts of the home that are permanently hidden by wall, ceiling and floor coverings are excluded, but so are parts of the home that were inaccessible during the inspection for some other reason. Some reasons might include lack of an access point, such as a door or hatch, or a locked access point, or because an occupant’s belongings blocked access, or because of dangerous or unsanitary conditions.

There can be many more reasons. The point is that if an inspector can’t see a portion of the home, the inspector can’t assume responsibility for ensuring that a safe and proper condition exists or that systems are operating properly in that hidden space.

Home Inspectors are Like General Practioners

As a Virginia Beach home inspector I am not an expert in every home system, but I am trained to recognize evidence of potential problems in the different home systems and their major components. I will let you know when a problem is serious enough to recommend a specialist inspection. I may also recommend that you have an issue repaired or replaced by a qualified contractor, such as a plumber or electrician.
 
I look forward to being your Virginia Beach home inspector, and provide you with the most thorough and complete home inspection in Hampton Roads. Understanding what that home inspection entails will help to provide a mutually beneficial partnership.

........................................................................................................................................................

   Troy Pappas

    Safe House Property Inspections

    757-418-0944

   

 

Site: Virginia Beach Home Inspector

Email: Troy Pappas

 

 

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It's just so easy to say Happy FOURTH of July, but it's largely unknown that the legal separation of the original 13 colonies in the Americas from Great Britain, was on July the SECOND, 1776.

A resolution of independence by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was voted and approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 2, 1776. 

After voting for independence, the Congress started to turn out the Declaration that would explain the decision, prepared by a committee of five (Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams & Robert Livingston), with Thomas Jefferson as the principle author.  Congress debated and revised the declaration until arriving at it's current form, and approving it on July 4th, 1776.

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

He was off by 2 days.  From the beginning American decided to celebrate on the fourth, the date of the much-publicized Declaration, rather than the date that independence was actually approved in a much less publicized, closed session of Congress.  The myth that the Declaration of Independence was signed on the fourth, was so enduring and established, that even John Adams and Thomas Jefferson (who had each signed the declaration), decades afterward came to believe that they had indeed signed it on the fourth.

So... happy 2nd of July!!

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
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Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate

More than 600 museums across the US will be offering to free admission to active duty military and their families this summer as part of Operation Appreciation.

The Blue Star Families and the National Endowment for the Arts partnered to create this opportunity for families to enjoy everything from local children's hands on museums to those that feature art, history and science. 

“The Blue Star Museums initiative is a tangible expression of appreciation to service members and their families,“ said Barbara Thompson, director of the Pentagon’s office of family policy."

Each museum will offer free admission to an active duty military member and up to 5 members of their family.  Special exhibits within the museum may not be included in the free admission.  Families should check with the museum they plan to attend beforehand to make sure they know if there may be charges for those exhibits.

In Northern Virginia some of the free museums and attractions include:

Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre
Bristow, VA

Carlyle House Historic Park
Alexandria, VA

Gadsby's Tavern Museum
Alexandria, VA

Morven Park
Leesburg, VA

Weems-Botts Museum
Dumfries, VA

For a complete list of museums participating in Operation Appreciation throughout the US check out the interactive map.

 

 

 

 

There's a new law the real estate industry needs to be aware of, and it has a HUGE bite to it! $32,500 fines (and that's even for the first offense), licenses revoked and suspended, lawsuits, neighborhood watchdogs on the prowl, OUCH! We are not talking about slaps on the wrist. You think the EPA is serious when they passed the new law concerning renovations on pre-1978 properties which took effect on April 22, 2010? How does this affect the real estate industry including Realtors, buyers, sellers, investors, homeowners, contractors, etc.?

Well, in case you have not heard, the EPA is now enforcing a new law concerning the renovation, repair, and disturbance of properties with potential lead based paint (pre-1978 houses). There are specifics to the law you can find on the EPA site, but basically, the law requires that anyone compensated for repair or renovation on pre-1978 houses needs to be a certified lead based paint renovator. Bristol Restoration went through the certification courses earlier this month. We did not think twice about getting the certification. It's a $32,500 fine if we are hired to work on a pre-1978 house and are not certified. Not only do we avoid the fine, but in reality, the procedures now required to renovate lead based paint surfaces correctly are in the best interest of the public.

Why pass the law? Apparently, the EPA feels lead is extremely harmful and wants to assure public safety in this matter. You think $32,500 fine is a random number? The EPA spun the Price is Right wheel and it landed on $32,500? The EPA is serious about this one. The EPA backs up their concern in detail on their website about the health effects of lead. Read the rest of this article, then check out the links below if you want more background on lead.

Facts about lead

Health effects of lead

Where lead is found

Where lead is likely to be a hazard

How to check your family and home for lead

What you can do to protect your family

Are you planning to buy or rent a home built before 1978?

Renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school with lead-based paint

Other EPA pamphlets on lead

Real estate "professionals" are already finding ways around the law. I actually heard a Broker at a meeting tell her agents to inform their clients that they are free from liability if they are not "compensating" anyone for the work. In other words, "pay someone under the table" or "do it yourself" (head turned to the side). Ummm, excuse me. Really? Keep in mind, we are talking about renovation (windows, structural repairs, etc). What percentage of homeowners are qualified to do their own work? Also, the homeowner is STILL liable and responsible to prove that the house is free from lead with an acceptable test. How easy is it to pass if procedures are not followed precisely? Why would a licensed contractor, a fully qualified construction specialist, be mandated by law to attend classes and training on how to properly repair lead based paint surfaces, but a homeowner who's training consists of "move that truck" and "design on a dime" be trusted to provide a safe working environment and acceptable workmanship that meets all safety and code guidelines?

Why are people trying to find ways around the law? The same reason why people would hire an unlicensed handyman. Money. It costs more to renovate under the strict guidelines set forth by the EPA in regards to lead based paint. The lead area has to be contained under very specific procedures and materials have to be disposed of properly. It simply costs more, and there is really no way around that.... unless, you "hire" someone not certified to do the work and they do the repair not according to proper procedures.

Is there a legal way around the necessity in hiring a certified renovator? Yes, perform a test on your house and check levels of lead prior to the renovation. Areas where you will most likely find lead will be around windows and doors. If you don't have elevated levels, then that information can be disclosed to the buyers and might help in marketing the house. BUT, if the house does have elevated levels, full disclosure is still required and proper renovation procedures (if performed) must be adhered to.

We should all do our job by doing the right thing when having work performed on homes with lead based paint. There are serious ramifications for skirting the law, both ethically and legally.

Want more info: Here are some good videos for Realtors put together by the EPA.

If you have any questions about lead based paint renovations, call us directly at 866.755.8169 or visit our site at bristolrestoration.com. Will be happy to talk with you!

 

I don't know why, but I still find it amazing when Potential Buyers get mad at me for not dropping everything at a moments notice and meeting them at a vacant house.  Mind you, complete strangers! 

By my nature, I am a friendly person, never met a stranger and can ALWAYS strike up a conversation. I love meeting new people and finding out what they are about, how they live their life, what they enjoy and what we have in common.  My career also dictates that I have this pre-determined outgoing nature - I mean, really?  How can one sell Real Estate if they don't like meeting new people.

What may be one of my greatest assets could one day be my demise if I didn't adhere to my own personal "Code of Safety" and listen to my common sense.  There are simple rules that I self-administer and well, quite frankly, if a Buyer or Seller can not appreciate them and/or respect them then we simply weren't meant for each other.

1. I will NEVER respond to an email from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant home.
2. I will NEVER respond to a phone call from a stranger and agree to meet them at a vacant house.
3. I will NEVER host an Open House by myself.
4. I will NEVER work with any buyer until there has been rapport established and identity verified.
5. I will NEVER meet a COUPLE at a vacant home. 
   

If you call me/email me and I don't know you then be prepared to meet in a public place, answer questions, and verify your identity.  I am a wife, a mother, a daughter, an aunt, a friend to many and I love my life and security. 

If a Buyer can not respect these wishes and rules of mine then perhaps they are better suited with another Realtor®.  Keep in mind, though, I am not a bitch,  I am just smart.

Recent cases of Unpleasant Realities*:

• St. Louis, MO - A man posing as a home buyer waited until he got a 24 year old real estate agent in an unfinished aprt of the basement and then pulled out a handgun.  He handcuffed her and sexually assaulted her, at one point putting a knife to her throat.  Afterward, he robbed her and warned her not to scream for help before leaving her alone in the new home she thought he wanted to buy.
• Liberty Township, OH - A man wearing a ski mask showed up at a model home.  The on-site agent immediately asked the man to leave and closed the model home's door, but the agent later found the man standing inside the garage.  The man grabbed her, but she fought him off and he fled the scene.
• Cary, NC - A man registered in a neighborhood's model home, then asked to see homes in the community.  Once the agent had taken the man to another home in the development, the man pulled out a knife and attacked the agent.  She was bound and sexually assaulted. 
  

*cited from the 2009-2010 NC Real Estate Update Course

The incident in Cary NC, for those of you that don't know, was literally 10 minutes away from me.  While many may always have the feeling "that could never happen here" - THINK AGAIN!

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention an incident that happened to my West Coast Sister, Cristal Drake.  She was robbed at an Open House in July 2009.  I'll never forget how I felt when I read her post - she really is my kindred and I just can't imagine.  You can read about her unfortunate event at her blog post......  Be On The Lookout for These Open House Thieves! North Orange County Agents PLEASE READY!

I don't care if you are a SEASONED AGENT or NEW TO THE BUSINESS - NO SALE IS WORTH YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY!  End of story and there really is no discussion needed.  There are many tips that I could give as both an agent and a Broker-In-Charge.....

• ALWAYS have new clients meet you at your office or public place such as coffee shop, etc.
  
• When at all possible - have another agent go with you when working with new clients.
• If you get that icky feeling - ALWAYS go with your instincts!
• Have a code word set up between you and your office so that when you are out and about showing you can call your office and they will instantly know that you need help.
• ALWAYS leave an itinerary of where you are showing with either your BIC or another agent in the office.
• Keep you cell phone on you at ALL times!  Have 911 programmed into speed dial.
• There are many "tools" that are available for protection now available nationwide through the various Association of Realtors® offices - explore them and find one that you are comfortable with.

And for all of you buyers reading this right now.  Yes, you are what keeps me going in my career and without you I wouldn't be as successful as I am.  However, there are quite a few "YOU'S" out there and if you can't respect my wishes then how can I possibly respect yours?

                         

Whether you are buying or selling Real Estate in Wake Forest NC it just makes sense to use a Realtor® that knows the area!  I live here, work here and play here - I call Wake Forest NC home!  For more information regarding Wake Forest NC be sure to visit my websites:

• Leesa Finley - Homes for Sale in Wake Forest NC, Wake Forest NC schools, restaurants, shops, entertainment and MORE....
• Circa Properties - My company website with information for the entire Raleigh NC area including Cary, Apex, Garner, Franklinton, Youngsville, Holly Springs and MORE....