We know it’s the holidays and you may be exchanging wrapped gifts to friends, colleagues and loved ones. Well, don’t forget to wrap your house too! Wrap a house? Yes, your house! If you are so lucky to receive a house, make sure it is wrapped! Sound ridiculous? Well, we don’t mean gift paper wrap,….
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Safe and Effective Wood Stoves
There are several important safety considerations that must go hand in hand with the use of solid fuel (coal and wood) stoves. These stoves are responsible for many fires every year. In some parts of the country, wood and coal stoves are the number one cause of house fires. In general, when properly used, coal….
Basement Water Can Be Managed
If a house has a basement water problem, digging around the foundation, which can be an expensive and back breaking undertaking, is not necessarily a required first step to diagnosing the problem. In an existing home, how the foundation perimeter was completed is not always known. Acquiring the “as built” plans of the home from the….
When a Critical Component Fails Early
It happens to even the most prepared of associations. The roof that was supposed to last 25 years starts leaking after only 15. A harsh winter takes its toll on the parking lot and you’re suddenly faced with a large re-paving project 5 years before anticipated. The elevators in a high-rise are constantly out of….
You Have a Choice in Home Inspections. Which is right for you?
Recommending a home inspection company is a helpful and valuable service a real estate agent performs, howeverif not done objectively, it canlead to a real estate lawsuit. The buyers expect that with the experience of the Realtor, comes knowledge of buildings and that they will alert you to potential problems. When under contract, the Realtor….
New Construction is Predictable. Or is it?
In fact, new construction is anything but predictable. However, we often make that ASSUMPTION. In fact, we make a lot of assumptions about new construction. That’s what this article is about, ASSUMPTIONS. By the way, the following applies equally well to renovation projects. If you are considering having a new home built, how many of….
Municipal and Association Responsibility
Homeowners new and old to association living question why they have to pay monthly dues or assessments, particularly for items such as trash removal and sidewalk repair. Aren’t those covered by the local municipal government? In reality, these services are quickly becoming the sole responsibility of community associations across the country. While ‘dues’ is the….
How to Sell the Results of a Reserve Study Without a Revolt
While the importance of associations building a strong reserve fund is no mystery to you, raising fees or assessments is often a sensitive subject with homeowners. Every association needs a long-term planning goal, and a reserve study creates an accurate timetable for all major improvements. FIDICUARY DUTY One of the primary business duties of community….
The Home Inspector’s Role in the Home Buying Transaction
As I have traversed this great state of MA and spoken to home buyers, Realtors, mortgage companies, and even warranty companies, the message from each group varies: “Are you a deal killer?” “Is the home safe and built properly?” “Is this property/asset worth the asking price?” “Is something going to go wrong once the deal….
New Construction: If It’s New, Is It Good?
How good is new construction in the United States and Canada? Generally, it is pretty good, but there are some significant areas of concern. Our goal is to provide information that will allow quality-oriented builders to improve upon the products they deliver. The following is based on information and opinions gathered from the more than….