Barry Stone
-
Call inspector before making repairsFeb 19, 2023 5:00 am - Q: When I bought my home, I made the mistake of not being present for the home inspection. Instead, I trusted that the inspector did a good job and that his report was a...
-
Agent seems to withhold disclosureFeb 12, 2023 6:00 am - Q: Our next door neighbor's furnace is very noisy at the roof vent, sometimes keeping us awake at night. Recently, the house was listed for sale, so we wrote a letter to...
-
Home's water has become discoloredFeb 05, 2023 5:00 am - Q: We have a well for the water supply to our vacation home. Until recently, the water quality was perfect, but the water has suddenly become discolored. A neighbor advi...
-
Should home's foundation vents be closed?Jan 29, 2023 5:00 am - Q: I'm confused about foundation vents and whether to open or close them in winter. Some articles say you should keep them open to minimize moisture condensation under a...
-
Know the scope and limits of home inspectionJan 22, 2023 6:00 am - Q: What exactly are home inspectors required to inspect, and what are they not required to inspect? It seems some inspectors include decks, pools and spas, while others ...
-
Permit peril: Will new owners have to restore converted garage bedroom to original use?Jan 14, 2023 6:00 am - Q: We received a notice from our local building department informing us that our garage was converted to a bedroom without a building permit. The conversion was actually...
-
Inspector downplays mold and leaksJan 08, 2023 5:00 am - Q: Our home is over 50 years old and has major mold problems. When we bought it, our home inspector said we had surface mold that was no big deal. Since then, we've had ...
-
Home inspections in a hot marketJan 01, 2023 5:00 am - Q: In a past article, you wrote: "It is the height of professional irresponsibility for any real estate agent to advise a client against having a home inspection." In mo...
-
Buyer complains about home inspectorDec 25, 2022 6:00 am - Q: We hired a home inspector to check out our house before we bought it. His report indicated no problems, but after closing the deal we discovered many problems: The po...
-
Finding a qualified home inspectorDec 16, 2022 5:00 am - Q: You often advise buyers to find a home inspector who has done thousands of inspections. Frankly, this may not be the best advice. I know home inspectors who have prac...