Brian Wetzel

Access and download our complete list of Homeowner Information Guides.

HouseMaster’s experienced technical staff has authored dozens of informational articles on virtually every part of a home — from roofs to basements — as well as common home problems and remedies. Take a minute to browse these quick, one- to three-page resource guides now by clicking the link below. CALL US TODAY at 803-831-0057 to discuss these articles.

Homeowner Information Guides

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office at 803-831-0057 and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

Termites can take a bite out of your home’s value unless you get them where they live. Insects can cause more damage than moisture problems. Fortunately, you can perform a thorough inspection in less than an hour. The secret is knowing where to look.

Termites don’t live in your floors or framing. They nest in soil near the porches, sheds or other lumber on which they feed. Their skills at concealment, fortunately, are no match for a dedicated homeowner.

Look for lines of mud leading from the soil around your home to the sill plate or other wooden portions of the structure. These are termite tubes. Use a screwdriver to poke at wood that termites can reach from the soil. Keep in mind that the concrete foundation of your home provides the termites with ready-made tunnels. This means the tell-tale sign of the insect might be less noticeable or absent entirely.

Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas, which is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium. Radon can be found in high concentrations in rock and soil that contains granite, shale, phosphate and uranium, or even fill soil containing industrial waste. Radon can be present in any area, but typically concerns are higher in hilly or mountainous areas and lower in sandy, coastal areas.

Radon gas moves through the soil toward the earth’s surface where it either safely dissipates in outdoor air or seeps into buildings through cracks and gaps in the building's foundation. Radon can also be introduced into a building or home through the water-supply, particularly if there is a private well.

Once trapped inside a home, radon can accumulate to the point where it can be harmful to the occupants. Actually, it is the breakdown of radon, into what is referred to as radon decay products, that represents the greatest concern. These radioactive products become attached to airborne particles, which can be inhaled and ultimately cause lung tissue damage and cancer. Smokers are especially prone to the adverse effects of long-term radon exposure.

If radon is a concern in your home, elevated radon levels are more likely to occur during the winter months when the house is generally in closed-house conditions. The best way to test your home's radon level is by purchasing a special test kit or by hiring a professional to perform the measurement.

For more information, visit the EPA.gov or Health Canada Web sites.

Call us today at 803-831-0057. Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

Check your know-how on various homeownership related matters. See how many questions you can answer correctly. (The answers are listed below.)

1. Which cut lumber is thicker: a 2-inch by 4-inch board or a 2-inch by 6-inch board?
2. Which is thinner: a termite’s waist or a flying ant’s waist?
3. Which is colder: 30 degrees Celsius or 30 degrees Centigrade?
4. Which is typically hotter: the air supply temperature of a warm air furnace or the air supply temperature of a heat pump?
5. Which is longer: a six penny nail or a ten penny nail?
6. Which wood is denser: oak or pine?
7. Which will freeze first: hot or cold water?
8. Which produces more light: a 20-watt compact fluorescent bulb or a 60-watt incandescent bulb?
9. Which is lighter: natural gas or propane gas?

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Here are the answers:
1. They are the same thickness.
2. A termite’s waist is thicker (probably from eating your house).
3. Both these measurements indicate the same temperature, although the Centigrade scale was formally changed to Celsius in 1948.
4. A standard furnace delivers hot air in the 130-140 degrees F range while a typical heat pump’s temperature range is 90-100 degrees F.
5. A six-penny nail is 2 inches long and a ten-penny nail is 3 inches long.
6. Oak wood is approximately 50% denser than pine wood.
7. While hot water will cool to a lower temperature faster than cold water, cold water will freeze first.
8. An energy efficient 20-watt CFL bulb can actually produce more light than a standard 75-watt incandescent bulb and is expected to last 10 times longer.
9. LP (liquid petroleum) gases, which include Propane, are heavier than natural gas. Since LP gases are heavier, they will accumulate at low points and pose a higher risk.

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Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. Improve your Homeowner IQ by subscribing to the complimentary HouseMaster Homeowner Electronic Newsletter. This monthly how-to newsletter is full of household information and maintenance tips. It pays to be informed. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

HouseMaster®, the first and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America, reports there are abundant opportunities for qualified homebuyers in the current real estate market – triggered by a 28 percent rise in foreclosure activity from last year – working through the intricate foreclosure market will be less difficult for consumers that properly prepare for the process.

"Properties in different stages of foreclosure represent opportunity but also danger for the unassuming buyer," said Kathleen Kuhn, president of HouseMaster. "While potentially lower asking prices draw possible buyers to these homes, each property has its own challenges that can come from abuse, neglect or deferred maintenance from the previous owner. Consumers must do their homework to help them know whether a property is truly a 'good deal.'"

Not all foreclosures are a great buy and if consumers are not fully educated on the property or the process, a buyer could potentially make a poor investment decision. "Buyers must take proper precautions to ensure they are making educated real estate decisions, and are aware of property conditions that can greatly affect the home's long term value," Kuhn added.

Kuhn said there are three primary types of foreclosure properties that the typical buyer should familiarize themselves with before making an investment in today's real estate market, and know of corresponding structural and physical attributes that can affect each. They are:

1. Short sales – essentially a pre-foreclosure sale. Short sales occur when a home is sold generally at a reduced price by a seller who is facing foreclosure but has not been foreclosed on yet. The process is designed to create ideal outcomes for all parties involved - the seller avoids foreclosure, the buyer obtains a good price on the home, and the bank avoids the full foreclosure process and cost. Potential short sale buyers should be pre-qualified for a mortgage since banks need assurance an offer is solid and legitimate. Buyers should also have the home inspected before they make an offer, and again before closing. Despite the name, short sales can take an extended time to officially close and buyers typically find that several months have passed since their initial home inspection and the closing of the short sale. A re-inspection will identify any conditions that may have changed since the original inspection and check systems that may not have been previously accessible or operational due to climate or other issues. Any issues that are found during the pre-closing inspection can then be addressed with the bank before a buyer signs on the dotted line.

2. Real Estate Owned (REO) - A home that has been foreclosed upon and is now owned by a bank. These homes are prone to issues that are not as prevalent as other resale homes, generally due to lack of use and vacancy. When purchasing a REO property, potential buyers will likely deal directly with the former lender or agent representing the lender because the seller is no longer present. Lenders often sell REO properties in "as is" condition, which means that no repairs will be made to the home by the lender. If the house has significant defects, buyers can adjust offers by presenting the bank with a professionally prepared home inspection report highlighting the defects and the condition of the home or walk away from the deal.

3. Auctions - Auctions tend to be one of the riskiest ways to purchase a home. Generally a home sold at auction is being sold "as is", with little opportunity for inspection. Auctioneers will typically schedule limited times for interested buyers to view the properties but almost always a full inspection can not be completed. These types of properties typically have no utilities turned on, and do not provide access to important areas like crawlspaces or attics. "Buying a home through an auction is not recommended for the novice real estate buyer, as they are unable to get the access and advice necessary to make an educated decision as to potential serious and costly repairs that could make even a very low priced home a bad deal," Kuhn noted.

"Education is the key need when buying a foreclosed property," added Kuhn. "It helps the buyer understand their options allowing them to get the best house for reduced costs and helps to avoid making potentially devastating financial mistakes."

According to a recent study conducted by HouseMaster, there are five main physical conditions that are typically found in a foreclosed property. They are:

• Moisture related problems
• Defective gaskets, valves and hoses that are leaking or have the potential to cause destruction
• Vandalism, especially if the property has been vacant
• Insect and rodent infestations
• Blocked or damaged waste and sewer lines

"Now is a great time to buy a home, especially for first-time buyers," adds Kuhn. "But, if buyers are considering properties in various stages of foreclosure, property inspections are very critical in making the right investment and getting the best deal."

More information home inspections and tips for buyers and sellers can be found at housemaster.com.

About HouseMaster: Headquartered in Bound Brook, N.J., HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America. With more than 385 franchised areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, HouseMaster is the most respected name in home inspections. For 30 years, HouseMaster has built upon a foundation of solid leadership and innovation with a continued focus on delivering the highest quality service experience to their customers and providing HouseMaster franchisees the tools and support necessary to do so. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

For more information or to find a local HouseMaster office please visit housemaster.com or call 803-831-0057.