Well, this is the EARLIEST I ever remember having this much snow. This was the scene out from my rear covered patio last week. (Snow has since, once again melted). I hope this is not an indication of the kind of winter we will be having. Of course, everyone with a snow plow, or a pair of skis might tend to disagree with me. Pretty white stuff, isn't it?
IF YOU LIKE TO POST PICTURES. AND/OR BLOG ABOUT THEM, THEN THE NEW GROUP The Tuesday Trip IS FOR YOU! COME OVER AND JOIN US FOR AWHILE!
This picture is from a ranch style house basement, where the house has been sittting vacant, with no heat or utilities on for over 8 months. The damage seen is not from an external leak from a roof or foundation; it is from condensation cuased by the neglect of beingclosed up with no heat, or ventilation.
This is a typical bank-owned property, that really has no management of the property, other than to make sure it is locked up. I see this type of damage more and more, with all the foreclosures and bank REO'S.
The thing is, I don't think most bank real estate departments have any idea what kind of damage they are causing, or how difficult it is to repair, and all because of simple neglect.
This home has extensive mold in the entire basement, as well as some 1st floor ceilings, and all the window sills. The damage will cost more than $18,000 to repair, and could go much higher, if there is evidence of mold inside the wall cavities, and insulation.
Mold damage, when it gets to this point, is really well beyond the scope that any amateur, or homeowner should try to do on their own. The risks of becoming sick, or hyper-sensitive to mold are greatly increased, and if not handled properly, you can actually cause more damage, by spreading the spores to other areas. Respirators, gloves, protective clothing, and sometimes elaborate containment methods are needed to deal with it, as well as proper disposal tecniques.
Bank owned, or repos may actually be endangering neighbors and neighborhoods with this kind of neglect, since spores become airborne, and can travel several hundred yards.
It never fails to make me nervous when I find water stains on a basement wall, or when I find a basement that has been "freshly painted". This basement had been painted about a year earlier. On the disclosure form that the homeowner filled out, it stated 'No known leaks" in the basement. Then, I find this in the well room area, which is a area of the basement that protrudes from the main house, and is covered outside with a concrete slab at grade level, with undisturbed grass around it.
So, with a little putting 2+2 together, (after seeing these stains above) I conclude that the basement must have leaked in the past year, and probably still will during wet weather, since it is apparent that no repairs could have been made recently from the outside without digging around that concrete slab.
So, I show the homeowner this picture, and he says "Oh THAT. Yea, it might come in a litlle bit there when it rains real hard, but it never gets on the floor".
Hmm, nothing at all on the disclosure form about that. Now the homeowner's word is quite suspect.
A little more investigation. Aha! Even though it is dry outside at the time of the home inspection, my moisture meter shows that both the wall and the wood above have a high moisture reading. Methinks I have found an active water leak that was not disclosed. A little more touch-up paint might have kept it from being discovered? Doubtful. I always run the moisture meter around perimeter walls everywhere I can reach, so chances are good I would have still found it.
Homeowners, please don't try to hide such things. It usually will only end up in an awkward situation for you, the home inspector, and other parties involved. It is much better to just disclose that there might be a problem.
As presidential elections go, this one was certainly ground breaking, and historic for many reasons, and on many levels. And now that it is over, and the transition of power is taking place, again it is becoming ground-breaking, and unprecidented.
George W. Bush is exhibiting a very high caliber of statesmanship, diplomacy, and cooperation that I think few expected of him, and even fewer thought would actually happen. The Obama transition will be much smoother than many expected, and mainly because of this spirit of cooperation, and collaboration.
For once, I believe George W. when he says he wants to help Obama "hit the ground running". If politics in general enjoyed this same spirit...ALL THE TIME, there would be little we as Americans and World Citizens could not accomplish.
Perhaps this attitude could spill over to other politicians, and areas of government, ... and who knows? Maybe even into the private sector, and business? Can you imagine what it would be like to sell a house, and have the previous homeowner being so cooperative with the new owners? Having him explain the workings of the home, and it's little quirks? Taking the time to explain the history of the home and the repairs that it has had, and what it still might need? Perhaps even giving the new homeowner early access to part of the house to store some belongings, and help make the move easier? It may sound a little far-fetched, but it really doesn't have to be....does it?
Buying the home of your dreams should be a smooth process, with a minimum amount of stress and worry. However, it seldom is. Most of the time, there are complicated issues to address, or re-negotiations, which can sometimes leave a homebuyer pulling his/her hair out, and wondering why they ever wanted to move in the first place.
If you are trying to buy from a bank, trust, or holding company, things can get even worse, especially if it is a distressed property, or a bank repo.
So what can you do to help make the process as painless as possible? It starts with assembling a knowledgeable team. Let's explore what you need:
1. Your REALTOR is key! He/she should be knowledgeable in the type of property you are interested in, and have experience in that area. Realtors, like doctors, can have specialty areas, in which they are well versed, know the ins and outs, and can successfully guide you (the inexperienced home buyer) through the selection and purchase process. For instance, negotiating with a bank, or HUD is different from negotiating with a home owner, or a trust. If you know what you are looking for, look for the right realtor for the situation. Your realtor should not be just concerned with completing a sale and getting a commission check, but should be willing to work with you and counsel you, and work toward getting you the property you are looking for.
2. Your HOME INSPECTOR is also a key player. He/she can be a most valuable resource in giving you the facts about your purchase. Even if you are buying a repo, it is best to get a complete home inspection so that you can make an informed decision, and know exactly what you are getting into. Home inspectors come from all walks of life. Some have a lot more experience than others in fields related to a home and it systems. Home inspection schools are good, and do a great job, but they are no subtitute for experience. Don't be afraid to ask your home inspector what experience he has, and how long he has been in the business, and/or related fields. The best home inspectors have formal training, and related field experience as well. A good home inspector should be able to point out the positive and the negative aspects of the home you are buying, as well as direct you to any other professionals that might be needed.
3. Getting PRE-QUALIFIED through a qualified lender is also a key step in having a smooth sales transaction. If you know what you can afford, and approved for in advance, there won't be any disappointment, or misunderstanding.
4. Find out or estimate what your MOVING EXPENSES ar going to be. After purchasing a home, coming up with the down payment, paying for a home inspection, the added expense involved with moving can be a major stress. You should have a mover estimate what it will cost, (or the expense of a moving truck) including boxing up belongings. Other typical expenses are: extra people to help you, getting utilities turned on, and/or deposits if required, cleaning of the new property (carpets, walls, floors, windows, etc.), any deferred maintenance items the previous owner may have left for you, such as cleaning the furnace, painting the shed or the trim, etc., cleaning out gutters.
5. Call your City or County planning offices, and ask if there are any immediate or long range plans for the area your new home is in. Call the County tax office as well, (or look it up online if your county has that capability) and ask when the property was last assesed, and if there are any plans to change or raise the tax base. If your home is located on a state route (like mine is) then you should also make a call to the state highway division, and ask about their long range plans for the area ( I just found out they are going to be widening my road within the next 5 years, and they will be taking approximately 60 feet of my front yard....less to mow). The best surprise is no surprise.
Although this is not all that will be required in every instance, it is a good start to where you want to be: in your new home!
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Kevin is truly an experienced home inspector with great communication skills. He's been inspecting homes in Ohio for over 22 years! Specializing in First Time Buyers, Warranty & Investor Inspections.
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