I did an inspection as a follow-up favor for a realtor client. It seems her listing had an inspection which revealed moisture in the corner of a basement wall. It is a 30 year old house and the seller is an older, single woman without much money. She needed to sell the house for financial reasons. I said I would look at the wall with my IR camera, no charge. The realtor is a long-time client and has sent me lots of business. The whole visit took not much time at all. The buyers were demanding that a "dry basement" company work up a solution to this "huge" problem. Boy, did they work up a "solution!" They diagnosed a cracked block foundation. After suggesting much ditch diggage, French drainage, foundation wall sealage, indoor slab breakage, and new sump pumpage, they offered different p... 12/26/2008

I still have a little one at home who believes in Santa. For one reason or another she procrastinated going to see him until today. This morning she woke up very upset.  She had been thinking.  "Isn't it Christmas now on the other side of the world?" (I have to say, the International Date Line would NEVER have occurred to me as a child... curses geography class!) "Yes," I said, "it is." "Then there's no point in going to the mall to see Santa.  He is not there today." "But there will be a helper there." "He is an impostor.  I only want to speak to Santa." Okay!  Think quick.  What do you do?  You are free to help me at the end of this post! Thinking I am very quick I said, "Santa understands that some children have the holiday tradition of seeing him on Christmas Eve.  So the helpers at... 12/24/2008

My daughter decided she wanted another book for Christmas.  I needed to get it out today. It was wrapped and put in a USPS "Flat Rate" "Priority Mail" box. I went to the small local post office to mail it.  They are less busy and faster. They were closed.  The sign said, "Closed.  Too busy.  Catching up."  Hmmm... So I went to the large regional office nearby.  They have lots of representatives - it should go quick. Finding a parking space was difficult.  After parking, I saw that here were people spilling out of the building and into the parking lot. I went inside anyway.  There is a machine at the door, "Take a number." Mine said 258. They were serving 161. There were three reps serving all those people. I left. I went to another place where I have an account. The name rhymes with "Ph... 12/18/2008

What are "Bump Keys?"  Have you heard of them? Bump keys are an easy, Internet-available way for non locksmiths to get into your home.  Or most any home. And they are proliferating. Where are they coming from and how are they proliferating?  The photo to the right is of a set of bump keys. Notice two things - they all seem to be cut with the same pattern.  They are.  And the silver key on the right is stamped "Mexico."  These keys are all "Made in Mexico."  These keys typically come from Central America and are used in untoward ways.  An American locksmith will have his own set, but will not cut a set for you.  They are a real problem in my area - metro Washington D.C.  They might be in use in your area too - right now! The police say to watch out! The keys on the right are patterned to... 12/17/2008

There is a team of people needed before you buy a home. One of them is the home inspector. The inspector may be one of the cheapest members of the team, but a very important one. Years ago I wrote a newsletter that I passed out to all the realtors in my area entitled “All Home Inspections Are Not Created Equal.” While very self serving, it pointed out the differences between me and all the other kids doing inspections. I did that because I thought my services differed, and they did. I wanted them to compare. Usually people call me and simply ask what I charge.  Is that all you want to know?  That is not the best question to ask! A more important thing to know is, perhaps, have I ever done this before? Experience is important! What the inspector does is important! The report is important... 12/16/2008

This is my favorite time of year! It is the season of light.  The Reason for the Season was announced with a new light in the sky.  This Reason is the Light of the world, a lamp unto our feet, and actually confounds darkness, which cannot stand in its presence. I think we should all let our lights shine. Such an opportunity was presented to me just this weekend.  I was driving in town, minding my own business, in the left lane of two.  A young lady pulled up beside me on the right, and as we drove together I saw she was saying things to me through the glass, which I could not hear.  At the same time she reached completely across her body and with a single finger of her right hand told me in no uncertain terms that I am number one! I could only wonder what I did to deserve this great com... 12/14/2008

If you live in the community of Braemar, or the service area of the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department, you might have thought the was a five alarm fire in your neighborhood this past weekend.  Nope!  As they do every year, the Nokesville Volunteer Fire Department put Santa on a fire truck, got the lights and sirens going, and drove through the local neighborhoods.  And as if that wasn't enough to give folks like me a heart attack thinking that something nearby must have exploded, there is an ambulance following the fire truck...sirens wailing, of course. This went on at dusk on Saturday in my community of Braemar, and again on Sunday evening.  I'm all for Santa riding around and waving to the kids from a fire truck, but could they ditch the emergency sirens!  Maybe get a bullhorm and... 12/10/2008

This was holiday party weekend.  My husband's Christmas party was Saturday evening in Old Town Alexandria at the Hotel Monaco.   Our parties were definitely a stark contrast to one another. My Long & Foster office revisited the site of last year's Christmas party:  The Victory Lakes Clubhouse.  It's a very nice community clubhouse in Bristow, VA.  I'm not good with night photography (no tripod, unsteady hands), so the photo of the clubhouse didn't turn out.  It looks like a lighthouse.  Very beachy feeling. Inside was a potluck dinner that stuffed everyone to the gills.  Homemade food is always the best, and probably better than 50% of the food there was homemade.  The potato salad I arrived with (Deviled Egg Potato Salad) was complements of the local grocery chain, Giant.  Being that t... 12/08/2008

Did I say that the house is the house?  Well, sorry, I meant to say that the house is the house.  Sound the same?  It is.  That is something that never changes. At the end of my last inspection the other day, but before the thermal IR exam to follow, my client said to me, "So, tell me the truth.  My agent obviously has a vested interest in whether or not I buy this house.  He recommended you.  So far you have told me that the house is in good shape.  I smell a rat."  The agent had to leave and did not hear this. I have to confess, I really hate it when this happens! My response to such a statement is typically low key and with a soft voice.  It was, "Lulabell (not her real name), the house is the house.  It is irrelevant to me whether or not you buy it.  My job is to see what I can see ... 12/06/2008

As of today December 5, 2008 there are 120 active single family fee simple detached Bristow homes for sale in our MRIS system.  Bristow Virginia is located in Prince William County northern VA just west of Fairfax County, and Washington DC.  Bristow Virginia offers an easy commute to the entire DC area via 66, 29, 50.  It is convenient to Dulles Airport, Loudoun County and more! 120 Active - Bristow VA homes for sale 4 'Cntg/KO' - Bristow VA homes for sale 24 'Cntg/NO KO' - Bristow VA homes for sale 31 'Contract' - Bristow VA homes for sale Bristow Homes for Sale Bristow Single Family Homes for Sale Bristow Condos and Townhouses for Sale   Bristow Virginia New Homes for Sale Bristow Subdivisions Bristow Homes for Sale Braemar Homes for Sale Crossman Creek Homes Ducharme Homes for Sale D... 12/06/2008

In this final Home Inspectors and Codes post, let’s summarize. • In contrast to codes which specify minimum standards, nothing stops homeowners and builders from exceeding the code. • A code-compliant structure may not satisfy needs – an upstairs office may be too heavy for the code. • Home inspectors are generalists and simply cannot know all code details. • Home inspectors identify and report on anomalies in homes in general terms. A precise risk evaluation of any identified flaw should be recommended to a specialist for further identification. • Home inspectors do not enforce codes or even identify code deficiencies. That exceeds the scope of a home inspection, which is to observe and report. • Home inspectors will rely on codes as general guidelines for reporting on something found ... 12/04/2008

Yes, it's true.  I discriminate.  There, I said it.  I can't help it.  It is a part of me.  It's necessary for my profession, at least, if I want to be successful. But don't think less of me.  Oh, you thought I meant...  well, no, not that. I mean to say that I am discriminating.  It can be a good word.  It comes from the Latin word cernere, originally to "sift" or "decide." Some other words we get from "cernere" are: Certain - which means decided Decree - a decision Discern - to sift apart Discreet - originally, showing good judgment As a home inspector, I have to show good judgment.  I need to look at wiring to decide if it is proper and make a good judgment, sifting good from bad.  Roof shingles, foundation walls, appliance operations, windows, garage doors, remodeling - wow, you nam... 12/02/2008

Yesterday I had an inspection with a concerned, very nice young single mother who bought a 4 year old foreclosure.  She moved in about a week ago.  She noticed things with the house. Her agent told her that since she was obtaining a Veteran's Administration loan, the VA would do an "inspection" and she didn't need to have a home inspection. The VA inspector/appraiser told her the same thing. Well, she should have had an inspection!  Had she my list in hand for the VA guy he could have required lots of things for the bank to do prior to her occupancy.  Things apparently he knew nothing about.  Now, they are all her problems. I spent a lot of time with her teaching.  She needed it.  There are many fixes needed and she should get right on them.  Her family can help, so she is in luck there... 11/29/2008

Can a home inspector help when it comes to codes and new home construction? Since the inspector has no juice as an Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), what can he do? And what do home buyers do about codes and their new homes? Most new home buyers have little way of knowing if a house has been properly constructed. While your home inspector may not have jurisdictional authority, he should, and most likely does, have a basic or specific understanding of the codes in the area. Most inspector's reports have verbiage that identifies items he thinks suspect, and recommends further investigation. This will go for older homes as well. It doesn’t matter to your inspector if the homeowner does not have to improve something to meet a modern code. If he sees something that is not correct, or shou... 11/28/2008

So, does your inspector know? Or, better, what does your inspector know? The National Electric Code (NEC) contains nearly 800 pages, packed with charts, graphs, tables, etc., is updated every three years, and each update usually contains about 1,000 changes. Plumbing, mechanical, building, fire, and so forth are similarly overwhelming. Further, codes refer to hundreds of standards published by various organizations such as the National Bureau of Standards, American Society for Testing and Materials, United Laboratories (you've seen the UL listed stickers on appliances), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers – there are dozens more! Personal note: my community HOA will ding you for algae on vinyl siding. As such, that becomes the local “code.” You... 11/25/2008

On my inspections I routinely check the legal seal under the electric meter. If it is broken, I note it. Recently some clients of mine were challenged by the electric company that installed a new meter on their house to show why they should not be fined ($500) for tampering with the former meter's broken legal seal. While the clients could not prove that they did NOT fiddle with it, they were able to use my report commentary, and date on the relevant page, to prove that the broken seal pre-existed their occupancy.  The legal seal is the small blue tag under the meter in the photo. No blood, no foul! They were not fined! Sure, it's one of a thousand things we home inspectors check on every inspection. But if it is not documented, it is not documented. I got a very grateful thank you note... 11/24/2008

This is the first of a few posts regarding home inspections and codes. Stay tuned! Building codes have been around for a long time. Sometime in the 1700’s BC, in Babylonia, Hammurabi’s Code stipulated that a builder be slain if he built a house that fell on and killed somebody. During the Dark Ages, London planners tried to reduce fires by stipulating a fire stop between row houses. And in 1791, Mr. Washington put forth legislation for the first United States building code. There are many codes in the United States – national, state, county and local. There are approximately 40,000 enforcement jurisdictions that have adopted various codes and have modified them for local needs. They have published many of these codes, regulating everything from electrical, building, plumbing, mechanical... 11/23/2008

VILLAGES AT SAYBROOKE TOWNHOMES There are 5 "ACTIVE" Single Family Townhomes for sale in the Villages at Saybrooke community of Bristow. These townhomes are priced from $165,000 up to $234,500. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 59 days. Currently, there are 6 Single Family Townhomes in the Villages at Saybrooke community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are 2 Single Family Townhomes available for rent both priced at$1,500 per month. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 3 "ACTIVE" Single Family Homes for sale in the Villages at Saybrooke community of Bristow. These detached homes are priced from $299,900 up to $353,900. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 45 days. Currently, there is 1 Single Family Home in the ... 11/22/2008

THE VILLAGES AT BRISTOL SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 4 "ACTIVE" Single Family Homes for sale in the Villages at Bristol community of Bristow. These detached homes are priced from $271,900 up to $299,900. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 192 days. Currently, there is 1 Single Family Home in the Villages at Bristol community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are NO Single Family Homes available for rent at this time. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. Are you interested in finding out how the real estate market has affected your area? Now you can get the market reports for your community just by clicking on the appropriate link. Bristow, Catharpin, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Manassas, Manassas Park, Nokesville, Occoquan, Triangle, and Woodbridge I... 11/22/2008

THE MEADOWS AT BRISTOW SINGLE FAMILY HOMES There are 7 "ACTIVE" Single Family Homes for sale in the Meadows at Bristow community of Bristow. These detached homes are priced from $759,900 up to $1,250,955. The Average Days on Market for these properties is 534 days. Currently, there are NO Single Family Homes in the Meadows at Bristow community "UNDER CONTRACT". In addition, there are NO Single Family Homes available for rent at this time. For SOLD statistics please contact me directly. Are you interested in finding out how the real estate market has affected your area? Now you can get the market reports for your community just by clicking on the appropriate link. Bristow, Catharpin, Dumfries, Gainesville, Haymarket, Manassas, Manassas Park, Nokesville, Occoquan, Triangle, and Woodbridge... 11/22/2008