Septic Inspections are not included in a whole house inspection! If your home or the home you are purchasing, has a septic system instead of public sewer, we always advise our clients to have a septic inspection completed by a reputable company. A septic system could consist of a cesspool, sandmound system, standard septic system or a holding tank. Usually, when an inspection is being completed, the inspector will require the tank(s) to be pumped out. After the tank(s) are empty, the inspector will look at the tank and baffles to ensure that everything is connected properly and working properly. The inspector will also probe the drain field, to verify that the field is draining properly. Any problems with either of these items will be noted on a report, and should be fixed/replaced prior to any transfer of the property. A working system must be in writing and supplied to the mortgage company in order for the buyer to obtain financing. Buyers and Sellers should also check with their townships to see how often the tanks should be pumped and if the township or Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) needs to complete a separate inspection report in order to transfer the property. Read More

Ask Jim Powers your Real Estate Questions

FULL DISCLOSURE IS THE BEST STRATEGY

            You are about to list your home.  Since you have lived there for many years, you know that it is not perfect.  There’s a leak in the basement that is noticeable only after a heavy rain, the garage door sticks, the toilet in the master bath works like a fountain, and the dishwasher is prone to work stoppages.

            Any home has some quirks.  When it is time to sell your home, you have a choice of either making the repairs or letting the buyers know what the problems are, especially any potentially serious problems.  Some buyers will want a structural inspection so that they will have a good idea about what they are getting into.  Even if the buyers don’t ask for an expert to look at the house, it is the seller’s responsibility to disclose any defects in the property that they know about.  A concealed problem may come back to haunt you after the settlement.  Many lawsuits involve undisclosed defects, and the settlement of these cases makes the cost of repair or the price concession during the sales look like a real bargain.

            For solid advice on selling or buying real estate, consult Jim Powers at Prudential Bob Yost.

 For information on home warranties, contact American Home Shield Warranty.

Leaky Roof? How to Tell and What to Do

(ARA) – It starts to rain and you see the drip, drip, drip of water coming through your ceiling. But not all roof leaks are that obvious, so how do you tell if your roof is damaged and what do you do about it?

* The most obvious sign of a damaged, leaking roof is dripping water or water stains on ceilings. Keep in mind that water can travel a long distance from its source before leaving visible evidence. Stains and drips may be coming from leaking plumbing or air conditioning vents.

* Mold or moisture around chimneys, vents, skylights and where roof planes intersect. Remember to feel for wet insulation around these sites.

* Look for cracked and missing shingles and degraded flashing. The most common locations for roof flashing are at chimneys, eaves, skylights, ridges and where the roof meets the wall.

* Check gutters and downspouts for excessive granules from shingles, a sure sign that roofing materials are degrading. Also, shingles that are blistered, curled or buckled indicate that the roof may have reached the end of its natural life.

If, after you’ve checked it over, you see your roof is damaged or if you pinpoint the source of a roof leak, it’s time to contact a roofing contractor. A leaky roof does not always require a completely new roof, but it will take a professional to make that determination. Additionally, roofing is a specialized skill and installation can be dangerous — not a project recommended for the do-it-yourselfer.

How to Fix the Problem

Repairing or purchasing a roof is an important investment and you should take the time to evaluate any roofing contractor who may do the work.

While you may feel overwhelmed by a leaky, damaged roof, using a roofing contractor for a properly finished job using quality, lasting materials will provide assurance that your home will be safe, sound and dry for years to come.  

If you need a list of Home Repair Service Providers, just ask!

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