Articles filed under Stone, Barry

• Townhouse neighbor trys to avoid roof repairs Aug 3, 2012 12:00 AM
  We live in a complex of townhouses. Our bylaws are so broad that it's hard to enforce replacement of the roofs when the neighbor doesn't attend meetings and won't respond to letters. What do you recommend?
  

   

• A buyer’s real estate agent must fairly represent seller Jul 27, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. In some of your articles, you give readers the impression that the buyer's real estate agent is supposed to represent the financial interests of the buyer. According to law in most states, the buyer's agent has a fiduciary responsibility to the seller of the property because the commission the agent receives is paid by the seller.
  

   

• Home inspector: Sellers failed to make repairs Jul 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We purchased our home six months ago. The inspector identified a list of problems involving plumbing leaks, roof damage, ungrounded electrical outlets, a faulty heater, and more. The agent promised in writing that these issues would be repaired before the close of escrow. That was months ago, but none of the defects have been addressed.
  

   

• Home inspector: Desperate angry homebuyers stuck with bad foundation Jul 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We bought our home when it was new. There had been another buyer before us, but he backed out of the deal because of a foundation problem. The builder disclosed that the problem had been repaired. We were desperate and angry, so we purchased the property.
  

   

• What to do when sellers unwilling to repair foundation Jul 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We are in escrow on a house, and the sellers' disclosure statement listed no defects. But our home inspector found major foundation and drainage problems, and the contractor bid is over $40,000. Our Realtor says that the sellers can refuse to cover these costs. Is that possible?
  

   

• Home inspector: Hold strong in dispute over contractor bids Jun 29, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We are in contract to purchase a house, and an inspection by a heating contractor revealed a cracked boiler. The sellers got estimates for the work, but the expertise of these contractors is questionable. What is your advice in this situation?
  

   

• Home inspector: Buyers can fight fine for unpermitted building Jun 22, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We bought our home 7 years ago. Recently, the county building department informed us that the studio apartment in our backyard was built without a permit. Neither the sellers nor our home inspector informed us about this. Is this something that we should be liable for, or should we hire a lawyer?
  

   

• What to doo when builder ignores your complaints Jun 15, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We bought our home six years ago, when it was new. Since then, it has settled and is cracked in many places. We notified the builders. They filed an insurance claim, and six months later they won't answer our phone calls or emails. What can we do?
  

   

• Home inspector: Fire damage in attic was not disclosed Jun 8, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. When we bought our home, the inspection report said nothing about damage in the attic. This week, I was in the attic, and one entire wall is scorched wood. What can I do to hold the sellers and the home inspector responsible for not disclosing this damage?
  

   

• Home inspector: Age of home was not fully disclosed Jun 1, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. When we bought our home, the seller and agent said that it was only two years old. They did not disclose that it was built on the slab of an old house that had burned to the ground. The septic system, which is also old, has had problems requiring repair, and we're worried about old pipes that may be installed under the slab. Is anyone responsible for this lack of disclosure?
  

   

• Home inspector: Homeowners association won’t repair property May 25, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. For the past six years, the board of directors of our condo association has been dragging their feet on major repairs, including water damage and mold. Each homeowner has been assessed an additional $3600 in the past two years, yet nothing gets done. We would like to sell our unit, but until these repairs are completed, this may be impossible. What, if anything, can be done to get the HOA to act?
  

   

• How inspectors examine your homeMay 18, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. I don't understand how a home inspector who is not an electrician can evaluate an electrical system; who is not a plumber can evaluate a plumbing system; who is not an HVAC contractor can evaluate a furnace. Can you explain?
  

   

• Home inspector: Unpermitted addition worries homeowner May 11, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. A den was added to my house some time in the past, and we dont know if the work was permitted. Were afraid to ask about a permit because we dont want someone to order the addition torn down.
  

   

• Home inspector: Solar panels, radiant floors need additional evaluation May 4, 2012 12:00 AM
  Many homes have solar panels, but has the inspection industry kept up with the building industry? This is not a matter of keeping up with the building industry, home inspector Barry Stone says. Home inspections are visual inspections, done without the use of sophisticated test equipment.
  

   

• Home inspector: Drainage problem was not disclosed Apr 27, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. Our home is listed for sale, and were concerned about whether to disclose a former drainage problem. The property is in a 100-year flood zone. We used to have flooding in our basement, but this was repaired over a year ago.
  

   

• Home inspector: HOA refuses to repair foundation Apr 20, 2012 12:00 AM
  We live in a condo with foundation problems. Repairs were supposedly done, but now we have cracked walls and some doors that do not fit. The condo association has refused to make repairs.
  

   

• Home inspector: Agent, inspector at odds over addition Apr 13, 2012 12:00 AM
  My son is buying his first home, an older house with an addition. Neither the seller nor the agent will say if the addition is permitted, but the agent assures him it was built to code. My son hired a home inspector who says the addition is not secured to the foundation. So now, my son is wondering what to do next. What do you recommend?
  

   

• Home inspector: New home inspector feels his oats Apr 6, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. In one of your articles, you said, The essential purpose of home inspection is to disclose property defects. If that is true, why dont home inspectors use the top tools of the trade?
  

   

• Home inspector: Storage sometimes hides defects Mar 30, 2012 12:00 AM
  Q. We bought our home two months ago and have discovered three defects that our home inspector overlooked. These include a water leak under the kitchen sink, a gas leak in the front yard, and an unsupported PVC pipe for the front yard hose faucet. Is our home inspector liable for these defects?
  

   

• Home inspector: Home inspector ignored plumbing leak Mar 23, 2012 12:00 AM
  A buyer alerted his home inspector to water stains on the wall around a drain cleanout. The inspector said it wasnt a problem, but after the sale, a leak became evident. What should he do now? Barry Stone answers readers' questions about the home inspection process.