Buyers, Beware the Cheap Home or Mold Inspector

CALIFORNIA DOES NOT HAVE licensing requirements for home  or mold inspection companies, so they can vary in terms of training, certification, experience, integrity and quality. Your real estate agent may have suggestions for inspectors, but it's a good idea to also vet them yourself. Check out the American Society of Home Inspectors website (ashi.org) to find a home inspector or (ACAC.org) for a mold inspector in your area. Meanwhile, here's a look at the important questions to ask before hiring one.  

1. Do you perform repairs or just home or mold inspections? Some homebuyers seek the advice of a general contractor rather than a home inspector or a mold remediation company. That's a mistake, as they provide expertise from a different point of view. A home inspector is typically checking the roof or the appliances if they're included in the home, A general contractor is coming in from a repair standpoint and can quote for whatever repairs need to be done. A mold inspector determines if there is a problem; a remediation company removes the problem.  In fact, providing both services could create a conflict of interest, because buyers can't always distinguish between necessary repairs or the size of the mold problem.  IT IS ALSO AGAINST THE LAW IN CALIFORNIA FOR THE PERSON DOING THE HOME INSPECTION TO DO ANY REPAIRS ON THE HOME. THERE IS NO LAW AGAINST THIS CONFLICT OF INTEREST FOR MOLD INSPECTORS OR REMEDIATION COMPANIES.

2. Are you insured? A surprising number of home  and mold nspectors don't have insurance. They should have errors and omissions insurance in case there is something significant that they miss.

3. Can you provide references? It's a good idea to check the inspection company's references, Ask previous clients about whether the inspector arrived on time and inspected all aspects of the house.

4. Can I tag along on the inspection? Some home buyers leave the inspectors alone to examine the home, while others want to be more hands-on and follow along as the inspector works. If you fall into the latter camp, which several experts recommended, make sure your inspector is willing to walk you through the process. 

5. What does the inspection include? To compare inspectors, you need to know what the inspection includes (or doesn't include). Ideally, the inspection should be as thorough as possible. 

6. Will you send me an inspection report? The inspector should send you a detailed report after completing the inspection. 

7. Do you have any special expertise? If you're buying a special type of property, such as a historic home or new construction, make sure the inspector understands the special considerations for those types of properties. 

8. How much do you charge? Notice that price is the last question mentioned. That's because shopping on price alone may lead to cutting corners. You might be saving a couple of hundred dollars to hire the cheapest inspector, but you could be paying in a big way because the inspector wasn't thorough.

What is a Home Inspection?

A home inspection is a limited, non-invasive examination of the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. Home inspections are usually conducted by a home inspector who has the training and certifications (ASHI or CREIA) to perform such inspections. The inspector prepares and delivers to the client a written report of findings. The client then uses the knowledge gained to make informed decisions about their pending real estate purchase. The home inspector describes the condition of the home at the time of inspection but does not guarantee future condition, efficiency, or life expectancy of systems or components.

A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real estate appraiser. A home inspector determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a property. Although not all states or municipalities in the U.S. regulate home inspectors, there are some professional associations for home inspectors that provide education, training, and networking opportunities (Visit ASHI.org or CREIA.org). A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an inspection to verify compliance with appropriate codes.

History

The first known home inspection company, Home Equity Loss Protection Services dba/H.E.L.P.S.(Glen Ellyn, IL), was originally founded by Christopher P. Nolan and Loyola Professor, Mark Goodfriend. Mr . Nolan was initially inspired by Coldwell Banker Realtor, Carole Kellby, a top producer from Wheaton, IL. He first trained DuPage County Deputy Sheriff, George Wick, as H.E.L.P.S. first official Home Inspector. Years later, the company was officially incorporated in the early 1980s by Jane Garvey, surviving wife of Professor Mark Goodfriend of Glen Ellyn, IL following its purchase from Christopher P. Nolan. As founder of the home inspection business and entrepreneur, Mr. Nolan was inspired to create a comprehensive system of home inspections. He found because as an investor of distressed real estate (then a nationally recognized real estate expert and speaker for Lowry Seminars) he realized a need to have skilled professionals inspect key areas of the home prior to his purchases in order to mitigate the risk of his investments.

Purchase Contract and the Inspection

In Canada and the United States, a contract to purchase a house may include a contingency that the contract is not valid until the buyer, through a home inspector or other agents, has had an opportunity to verify the condition of the property. In many states and provinces, home inspectors are required to be licensed, but in some states the profession is not regulated. Typical requirements for obtaining a license are the completion of an approved training course and/or a successful examination by the state's licensing board. Several states and provinces also require inspectors to periodically obtain continuing education credits in order to renew their licenses.

In May 2001, Massachusetts became the first state to recognize the potential conflict of interest when real estate agents selling a home also refer or recommend the home inspector to the potential buyer. As a result the real estate licensing law in Massachusetts was amended to prohibit listing real estate agents from directly referring home inspectors. The law also prohibits listing agents from giving out a "short" name list of inspectors. The only list that can be given out is the complete list of all licensed home inspectors in the state.

Ancillary services such as inspections for wood destroying insects, radon testing, septic tank inspections, water quality, mold, and private well inspections are sometimes a part of home inspector's services if duly qualified.

In many provinces and states, the practical standards for home inspectors are those enacted by professional associations, such as, worldwide,  the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).

Currently, more than thirty U.S. states regulate the home inspection industry in some form, including California (regulations, but not licensing). 

Home Inspection Standards

Inspectors will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings. They look for improper building practices, those items that require extensive repairs, items that are general maintenance issues, as well as some fire and safety issues. However, a home inspection is not technically exhaustive and does not imply that every defect will be discovered. Some inspection companies offer 90-day limited warranties to protect clients from unexpected mechanical and structural failures; otherwise, inspectors are not responsible for future failures. A general inspection standard for all types of buildings can be found at ASHI.org. These standards serve as a minimum level of care required by the various associations mentioned; many inspectors exceed these standards within their basic inspection or offer additional services such as inspecting pools, sprinkler systems, checking radon levels, and inspecting for wood destroying organisms. 

New California Smoke Alarm Law

(New law for smoke alarms)…It went into effect with the new fiscal year.

The new law requires any battery powered smoke or combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarm approved for sale by the Office of the California State Fire Marshall be powered by a sealed, 10-year battery. By June 20, 2015, all alarms on store shelves must be powered by the sealed 10-year battery.  The state says a recent survey indicates that one in three California homes need to replace their smoke alarms, leaving millions of Californians at risk to suffer serious injury or even perish in a residential fire.

- See more at: http://kxoradio.com/index.php/kxo-news/local-news/2538-new-smoke-alarm-law#sthash.sTdpM9OK.dpuf

NEST smart smoke and carbon monoxide sensor saving lives

IFA — Nest Labs, Inc. (www.nest.com) announced today that the Nest Learning ThermostatTM and Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon MonoxideTM alarm will be available in Belgium, France, Ireland and the Netherlands later this month. Nest products will initially be sold in approximately 400 retail stores across Europe with another 150 stores to be added by the end of the year. Nest also announced three new European energy partnerships, adding Direct Energie, Essent and Lampiris, to offer more people the opportunity to save energy as part of their energy plans.

Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide

Nest data suggests that at least one million households in the U.S., U.K. and Canada are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide each year. Because safety is knowing, Nest Protect does much more than just sound a shrill alarm when there’s danger in your home. Nest Protect speaks to you, in your local language, telling you what and where the problem is. It will even alert your phone when something’s wrong. Before it sounds a piercing alarm, Nest Protect gives you a friendly Heads-Up warning. And Nest Protect’s Pathlight glows white at night to light your way in the dark as you pass below it.

The More You Nest, The Better it Gets

Nest products can do even more by working together. For example, if Nest Protect’s carbon monoxide alarm goes off and there is an active WiFi connection at the time of the event, the Nest Thermostat automatically turns off the gas furnace – a frequent source of carbon monoxide leaks. In addition, Nest Protect’s activity sensors improve the Auto-Away feature of the Nest Thermostat.

NEST thermostat saving energy

Nest Learning Thermostat

The Nest Thermostat for Europe takes away the hassle of programming. Simply turn it up and down like a manual thermostat for about a week and Nest will take it from there, creating a personalised schedule that is refined over time. And with its built-in sensors, the Nest Thermostat knows when the house is empty so Nest’s Auto-Away feature can automatically turn down the temperature, helping to save even more energy.

For families that don’t have thermostat cables available in the wall, want to replace wireless thermostats, or just want to change where the thermostat is located, the Stand for the Nest Learning Thermostat is available to place Nest in a preferred location.

New Nest Energy Partners

Nest offers a variety of services to energy companies to better manage energy loads, keep customers comfortable, and help them save energy. Nest today announced three brand new partners in Europe:

• Direct Energie in France – Serving approximately 1.1 million customers, Direct Energie is the third largest electricity and gas provider in France. For more information, visit www.direct-energie.com/nest.
• Essent in the Netherlands – Serving approximately 2.5 million customers, Essent is the largest energy company in the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.essent.nl/nest.
• Lampiris in Belgium – Serving approximately 400,000 customers in Belgium, Lampris provides natural gas and 100 percent green electricity. For more information, visit www.lampirisnest.be/fr.

Pricing and Availability

Availability and pricing for the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Protect: Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarm will be announced later this month. To be first to learn when Nest is available in your country, go tonest.com/chose-your-country to register your interest. Because the Nest Thermostat connects to the heating system using high-voltage cables, professional installation is highly recommended. Nest will launch with hundreds of Nest certified installers at launch.

About Nest

Nest reinvents unloved but important home products, like the thermostat and smoke and carbon monoxide alarm. The company focuses on delighting customers with simple, beautiful and thoughtful hardware, software and services. The Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Energy Services offerings address home energy consumption, and Nest Protect: Smoke + Carbon Monoxide helps keep people safe. Nest products are sold in the U.S., U.K. and Canada, and are installed in more than 120 countries. For more information, visit www.nest.com.

Nest Labs, Inc.

FREE Smoke Alarms offered to reduce fire deaths in LA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Mayor Eric Garcetti Monday announced new Los Angeles Fire Department initiatives to reduce residential fire fatalities, including the availability of free smoke alarms at LA fire stations.

KNX 1070’s Claudia Peschiutta reports residents in need of smoke alarms can get them for free at any of the 106 neighborhood fire stations across the city.

LAFD Offers Free Smoke Alarms To Reduce Deadly House Fires

KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO

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Garcetti and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas were joined by city officials and representatives of the American Red Cross and My Safe LA in front of a home along the 1500 block of West 36th Place that was destroyed July 29 by a house fire.

Officials later announced there were no functioning smoke alarms in the home.

The fire alarms will be available to the public free of charge courtesy of First Alert, a home safety company that donates 500 alarms every month to the Los Angeles Fire Department, according to officials.

So far this year, 20 people have been killed in LA in building fires, a number that Capt. Jamie Moore said was in large part due to a lack of working smoke alarms.

Among the victims is a 98-year-old woman who died from smoke inhalation in February after being rescued from a house fire in the 200 block of East 47th Place.

According to Moore, the elderly are especially vulnerable to potential fires.

“Those who care for them are really concerned that they have food and making sure that they get their medication, but they’re not thinking of emergency plans,” said Moore.

Under a new three-month expansion of the Smoke Alarm Field Education Program, firefighters will also canvas certain residential blocks throughout the city to provide smoke alarms, batteries, and fire safety education, as well as discuss the importance of a family escape plan in the event of a fire.

Click here for a list of participating fire stations.

College Student Renter Warning

Some landlords are renting illegal and unsafe dwellings to unsuspecting college students. Just inspected a "duplex" that was an illegal garage conversion with several safety hazards. I suggest that you rent through a realtor or property management firm. That will give you some additional protection from illegal rentals.