Ask Los Angeles Home Inspector

Buying a Foreclosure or Short Sale Property?

Shawn — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:43:27 +0000

Many people are buying foreclosure or short sale properties these days. These homes can be a great investment for many, but they can also be more challenging to buy. The process can take a bit longer and there are some unique things to consider about the property since it may have been sitting without regular maintenance for quite some time. The following are some tips that can be helpful:

· See the house for yourself. It’s important not to buy these properties site unseen. See them personally or send in a professional you trust to do an evaluation for you.

· How long has the house been empty? The longer the house has sit empty, the longer many issues have a chance to”fester.”

· Look at the landscaping. Neglected landscaping can add to the deterioration of the home, as roots and overgrown foliage can heave walks, disturb foundations, invade plumbing and more.

· Contract for a private inspection. Always get the home inspected. Even if you are buying the home “as is,” you’ll want to know exactly what you are getting into and what kind of investment (of both money and time) restoring the house will require.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Benefit of a home inspection

Shawn — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:58:24 +0000

Of the many benefits a home inspection brings is an opportunity to have potential problems pointed out by a trained inspector. A professional home inspector should take you around your home, not only pointing out defects but also showing you areas that will require future maintenance. He will educate you on where shut offs are located and explain such things as how much space is available in your main electrical panel. Whenever you book a home inspection never miss this golden opportunity to learn about the systems and features of your home.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections

16 Tips to Make a Home Inspection More Efficient

Shawn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:26:47 +0000

Sellers should be aware of several things that may make the inspection process more efficient. Home inspections usually vary in times from two to five hours, depending on the size of the house. The following tips will help you be more efficient for your home inspection:

1. Pets and large animals leashed up or transferred.                                                         2. The Home inspector will operate almost everything in the house.
3. Make sure the utilities are on: gas, water and electricity.
4. Make sure the pilot lights are on to gas fired mechanical units, gas water heaters, pool heaters, spas.
5. Replace any burned out light bulbs.
6. Test smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.
7. Make sure filters and media filters have been changed in HVAC Systems.
8.  Remove any wood, furniture, debris and stored items away from foundation and structural components.
9.  Move any objects around electrical panel so panel front can be removed.
10. Make sure nothing is blocking the attic access such as automobiles, storage, etc.
11. Remove any locks from gates, service panels, etc. so the home inspector has access.
12. Move any items which may restrict observation in the attic and crawl space.
13. Trim overgrown bushes, vegetation, and trees away from the house.
14. Repair or replace items such as damaged gutters, downspouts, knobs, hinges, latches, etc.
15. The swimming pool and hot tub equipment should be operational.
16. Copies of receipts for recent installation, cleaning and/or servicing of any major items such as the roof, HVAC system or other appliances should be provided.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Roof Tile Concerns

Shawn — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:15:07 +0000

Broken roof tiles can cause water infiltration and damage to the felt underlayment, and will eventually lead to leaks. Therefore, homeowners should have a roof inspection at least annually, and any broken tiles detected should be replaced right away. Broken roof tiles are commonly found on homes of all ages, even brand new homes.

Broken roof tiles are relatively inexpensive to replace if there are only a few. However, you should always hire a professional both for the inspection and the repairs. Walking on a tile roof can easily cause more cracked tiles and is not recommended unless you are experienced.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

How do I choose the right home inspection?

Shawn — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:48:53 +0000

OK…. Your real-estate agent has given you two or three residential home inspectors to choose from, or maybe you’ve got a list of referrals from friends, or maybe you were surfing the internet for suggestions. How do you narrow it down further? We suggest a phone interview. Call up the inspector and find out how he/she responds to some key questions. You’re not only looking for the “right” answer, but you’re also looking for someone who communicates well. Remember your inspector has to be able to explain clearly to you any problems with your property. He/she needs to be able to put items into context (is this a big deal or not?). Here is a standard “Q&A script” to give you some structure for that interview.We feel that there are two major reasons for a home inspection. Foremost is the opportunity for you to be informed of the maintenance that is required and necessary repairs for your property (or prospective house). It is also a chance to identify issues with your property that need to be resolved before settlement. Every property has some problems. It is the residential home inspector’s job to find the significant ones and put them in the proper perspective for you to be able to make informed decisions and for you to be equipped to maintain your home in good working order.

2. What do you look for in a home inspection?

A home inspection is primarily a visual inspection. We can’t see into walls, but we’ll look for available clues for the health of the house. We evaluate the foundation, structure, roof, plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical. We also look at the grounds and exterior for safety and long-term maintenance items.

3. What standards do you follow?

Our inspectors follow the standards set by CREIA, the California Real Estate Inspection Association, the leading authority in the building inspection industry in California. CREIA requires obtaining initial training, passing a rigorous exam, and mandatory adherence to professional standards of practice and participation in continuing education.

3. How long will your inspection take? How do you report your findings? When can I expect the report?

Our inspections take two to three hours on average. We like for you to participate in the home inspection. Walk around with us, ask us a bunch of questions, make sure you’re comfortable with your new home. We provide you a detailed report via e-mail with accompanying photos of problem areas noted. The report will be sent out within 24 hours of completion.

4. Why should I choose you over another residential home inspector?

West Coast Home Inspections provides you a thorough inspection from qualified home inspectors. Our goal is not to get done quickly; our goal is give you the inspection you need to make an informed decision. This is a big move for you and we want to provide you with the most thorough support we can. We are available after the inspection to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our inspections are a long term investment!

5. How much does the home inspection cost?

Note: If you’re shopping for cost, be careful. Choosing the cheapest (or most expensive) may not give you the best inspection. It seems logical, however, to ask the residential home inspector this question. In our area some inspectors charge by a percentage of the sales price, some charge by square footage.

We charge by the finished square footage of the property. Feel free to call me at (818) 266-2267 or our office at (818) 755-9791 for pricing. Payment is due at the completion of the inspection. We accept only cash or check.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Rainy weather = time for gutter inspections!

Shawn — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:23:37 +0000

The recent change to rainy weather might spur you to have your gutter system inspected. There are several causes of overflowing gutters. It could be that they are clogged, rusted or leaking at the seams. They might also be loose or sloped in a poor direction for drainage. To find out for sure what the problem might be you need to climb up on a ladder to inspect your gutters or even better yet, have your gutters inspected by a gutter expert. It’s suggested to have your gutters inspected at least twice a year.

Overflowing gutters can cause problems worse than just stained siding. The repeated flow of water from overflowing gutters can cause wood siding to rot. A more serious problem can be caused when gutters overflow and water backs up under roofing shingles and flows down inside the wall cavity. Moist conditions like these can also increase the likelihood of termite infestation.

Blaney Sheet Metal can fulfill your gutter needs – feel free to call them at 818-755-9797 to schedule an appointment.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Red Flags when Purchasing a Home

Shawn — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:50:53 +0000

Before you bid on a home, check for potentially dicey, and pricey, problems.

In most states, home sellers must disclose any defect they know about that could affect how desirable — and marketable — their home is before they sign a purchase contract. Even in the six states that lack a “mandatory seller’s property condition disclosure” (Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming), the state’s licensing agency may require real estate agents to tell buyers what they know. In all states, real estate agents who belong to the National Association of Realtors are obligated by their code of ethics to disclose any defects they know about.

But you may have fallen in love with a house, and spent hours preparing a purchase contract, before the disclosures are made. You should always make your purchase contract contingent on a professional home inspection ($300 to $350). Home inspectors could miss hidden problems, however, such as a basement that floods during a downpour.

Poor water pressure. Aside from issues of comfort and convenience, low water flow may indicate plumbing problems, such as corroded pipes that will need to be replaced down the road. Tearing out old plumbing and replacing it with copper pipes can run $2,000 to $15,000 or more in a typical 1,500-square-foot home. A less costly alternative is cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) piping, which unlike rigid copper piping, is flexible and easier to install (approved for potable use in all U.S. model plumbing and mechanical codes, but may not be approved in local building codes).

Among tests you can do: Run water in a bathroom sink and check for weak flow. Flush the toilet while the water is running. Does the faucet flow drop off during the flush? In the bathroom located farthest from the water heater, turn on the hot water. Is there an unduly long delay before the water turns hot?

Ceiling stains. Something’s leaking. If the stain appears beneath a bathroom, odds are the shower is leaking. It may merely need recaulking or regrouting, but it could also require ripping out tile and replacing the shower pan, a much more costly process (about $1,500). Most roof leaks result from neglected flashing that seals “valleys” in the roof or around a chimney or vents (cost to repair: $200 to $500). But roof leaks may also mean it’s time to replace shingles — at $100 to $350 per 100 square feet for asphalt shingles and $210 to $1,000 for wood shingles.

Troublesome doors. Are the doors hard to close? Do they swing open by themselves or fail to open fully? If you have one bad door, it may simply have been installed incorrectly. But more than one may indicate a serious structural issue, such as a foundation that has settled or framing that is deteriorating. Fixing this problem can require structural and geotechnical engineering reports and thousands of dollars in repairs.

Overloaded electrical outlets or lots of extension cords. Today’s electrical demands may exceed the capacity of homes built as little as a decade ago, says Kuhn. You’ll spend $75 to $250 to have an electrician add a 120-volt outlet to an existing circuit. Or, if the electrical system is very outdated, it may require a new electric panel. A new, 100-amp panel will cost $1,500 to $2,500.

Exterior features that slope toward the home. A porch, patio, driveway or grading that slopes toward the home all but guarantees water in the basement. And that may lead to structural decay, mold and insect infestation. In the basement, a musty smell may indicate previous flooding or ongoing moisture problems. Check the walls for stains, dark or light, which are tell-tale signs that water has penetrated the walls.

Solving the problem may be as simple and cheap as adding gutter extensions or re-grading soil away from the home, or it could require thousands of dollars to excavate and build drains. Some homes may require exterior drains (one at the bottom of a sloped driveway, for example) as well as buried drains.

Odors. Cigarette smoke and pet odors can be hard to get rid of. And if a home smells too clean — heavy with the scent of cleaning products (especially bleach) or plug-in deodorizers — the seller may be trying to cover up an odor, such as mold or urine. If so, you need to inquire further, says Richardson, of the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Synthetic stucco siding. This must be installed precisely or else moisture will be trapped behind it, resulting in mold and decay. In the worst case, the siding will have to be replaced. For a medium-sized house (1,250 square feet of exterior surface area), replacing vinyl siding can cost $2,500 to $8,750, while wood or fiber cement siding can cost $5,600 to $10,000 or more. Especially in humid climates, you may want to pay for a special inspection.

If you find out before you close your purchase that the seller deliberately misrepresented or failed to fully disclose the home’s condition, you may have the right to rescind the contract under state law. If it’s a done deal, you’ll probably have to sue the seller to recoup your damages. In some states you can also seek repayment of your legal costs. Consult with a lawyer who specializes in real estate fraud. If you have reason to believe that the seller’s agent was negligent, you can take it up with the local Board of Realtors (www.nar.com, click on “local and state associations”) and the state’s licensing agency (to find yours, visit the Web site of the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials).

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Feng Shui

Shawn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:23:10 +0000

Many Californians swear by Feng shui (English pronunciation: fung?-shway), an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to use the laws of both Heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive qi (an active principle forming part of any living thing), so I did a little research on the subject. As feng shui is becoming more and more popular in countries far away from China or Chinese influence, it is worth looking at its history and understand how feng shui started and why feng shui is bringing such powerful results when properly applied.Feng Shui has a history of many thousands years, some say 2,000 years, some go as far as 5,000 years. As an organized body of knowledge

feng shui was practiced since Tang Dynasty, where we can find early recordings about employing feng shui masters in selecting auspicious sites, as well as about feng shui texts being required reading for imperial exams (court of Emperor Hi Tsang, 888 A.D.)One of the famous feng shui names recorded in the history of feng shui is Master Yang Yun Sang, who left a legacy of many classical feng shui texts and is considered the founder of the landscape school of feng shui.

Throughout his writing, Master Yang emphasized the importance of selecting an auspicious site that has dragon’s energy, or dragon’s breath, thus the careful examination of the shape of land formations - mountains, hills, valleys, as well as water formations and specifics. The

vital energy, or Chi, contained in specific earth locations was described as finding the dragon and its lair, and natural formation where symbolic of animal shapes and energies, such as green dragon, white tiger, etc.

vital energy, or Chi, contained in specific earth locations was described as finding the dragon and its lair, and natural formation where symbolic of animal shapes and energies, such as green dragon, white tiger, etc.

In time, almost a hundred years later, another feng shui school of thought - the Compass Feng Shui School - gained strength and popularity. The main influence in this feng shui school was a Feng Shui Master by the name Wang Chih who developed his teachings during the Song Dynasty.The Compass Feng Shui School calculations are based on

the compass directions and the I-Ching trigrams arranged in the octagonal symbol of the BaGua.Other feng shui theories employed by the Compass Feng Shui School of Thought are

the Yin-Yang Theory, The Theory of Five Elements, the Lo-Shu Square, and others. The time dimension was first introduced by the Compass School Practitioners, thus calculations can be done to define the best timing for best energies in specific places.Furthermore, the concept of the

Kua number was introduced as a way to calculate the directions of most auspicious energies based on the client’s date of birth.In late nineteenth century, after a period of existence as two separate schools, the two feng shui schools of thought - the Landscape, or Form Feng Shui School, and the Compass Feng Shui School - merged, thus providing for a body of knowledge of unique depth and wisdom in reading the environmental energy patterns.

The level that creates a lot of confusion about feng shui applications is the symbolic level of feng shui.Feng Shui Symbols have a rich, culturally specific history and meaning. Most of us are familiar with the look of many feng shui items such as Chinese coins tied with a red string, wind chimes, three legged toads, gods of wealth, etc.

What is important to understand is that, in order for feng shui to work, you do not necessarily have to apply traditional Chinese feng shui symbols. You have to apply culturally specific symbols that resonate with *you*. Applying feng shui correctly does not imply you have to apply the culturally specific feng shui items that you may not understand or resonate with.

The reason symbolic level of feng shui works is because of the energy specific symbols bring into

one’s environment, as well as because of their connection with the subconscious level of your mind. The stronger your connection with these symbols, i.e. the more you like them, the more powerful they become for *you*.Some of the most popular Chinese feng shui symbols are:

Love & Marriage Feng Shui Symbols

· Dragon and Phoenix

· Mandarin Ducks

· The Double Happiness Sign

· Peony Flowers

Wealth Feng Shui Symbols

· Gold Arrowana or Koi Fish

· Chinese Coins

· The Three Legged Toad

· Golden Ingots

· Sailing Ship

Good Fortune Feng Shui Symbols

· Chi Lin, the Dragon Horse

· Golden Cicada

· The Red Bat

Health & Longevity Feng Shui Symbols

· Sau, the God of Longevity

· Lucky Bamboo

· Wu-Lou, Gourd

Feng Shui Symbols were used for centuries in feng shui applications because of the power of symbols and associations, as well as because of the energy certain items embody. If a certain feng shui symbol does not resonate with you, feel free to chose one that works for you, expresses the same energy, and it is from the culture you grew up in.

More detailed information on Feng Shui, I’d suggest you do a search on Wikipedia, Google or Bing.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Suggestions for defraying energy costs

Shawn — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:02:00 +0000

With today’s economic climate, everyone wants to save some money! Some of the simplest ways to save money during energy spikes include weather stripping and programmable thermostats. But you may also want to consider more expensive attic fans, high-efficiency windows, and reflective roofs.

Rising fuel costs ripple through the economy, and could spark inflation in the price of materials and labor. Home equity loans are an attractive way to finance costly home projects, and the ability to write off the interest paid on home equity loans and lines of credit may make these loans palatable for you and your family. Other benefits include possible tax credits and low-interest loans for energy-saving home projects; check with your state government to see if you qualify.

Improvements to boost energy efficiency offer other benefits. Insulating pipes reduces energy lost during hot-water delivery in case your main heating system fails. And a high-efficiency natural-gas fireplace can become a valuable backup to oil or electric heating systems.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Home Inspection Basics

Shawn — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:35:55 +0000

Anyone who has ever spent any time looking at home inspector websites has probably noticed the overused “10 Questions you should ask before you choose a home inspector” lists. These lists have always seemed like the inspector is telling the client what he or she should be looking for (ie: “if your inspector isn’t a member of XYZ Association he is unqualified”, “if your inspector doesn’t have my particular background he is unqualified”, etc). Anyone could easily tailor a bunch of questions so that the proper responses make them seem like the perfect inspector, so why not ask the questions you want answers to?

I encourage anyone who has questions of their own to either call me (818-266-2267), e-mail me at sblaney@mindspring.com, or visit my website (link listed below). Only when YOUR questions are answered should you decide who will be YOUR home inspector.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.