Barry Stone
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Protect yourself when buying a new homeNov 07, 2021 7:00 am - Q: The new home we're buying will be completed next month. We want a professional home inspector to do the final inspection before I move in, but the builder says, "No w...
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Buyer regrets bypassing home inspectionOct 30, 2021 6:00 am - Q: I'm embarrassed to confess that I broke your cardinal rule: I bought a rental property without having it inspected, and now the chickens have come home to roost. The ...
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Should foundation vents remain open?Oct 24, 2021 7:00 am - Q: My question involves the unwise practice of closing foundation vents around a home. As a heating contractor, I've noticed some homeowners and maintenance people close...
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Firewall requirements in attached garagesOct 17, 2021 7:00 am - Q: Our house was built in 1955, before firewalls were required in garages. Now that we're selling, the buyers want us to upgrade the garage to current fire-safety requir...
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Evaluating home inspector liabilityOct 10, 2021 6:00 am - Q: We bought our home nearly four years ago and just discovered a major roof problem that was not reported by our home inspector. The added sunroom recently developed a ...
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Home inspector disputes the house detectiveOct 03, 2021 6:00 am - Q: As a veteran home inspector, I take exception to a recommendation in one of your columns. You advised that home inspectors urge their clients to do a permit check at ...
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Paving contractor not responding to complaint?Sep 26, 2021 6:00 am - Q: I hired a contractor last year to repave my driveway with concrete. The work seemed OK at first, but it turned out that the pavement doesn't drain toward the street. ...
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Consider these child safety concerns in old homesSep 19, 2021 6:00 am - Q: We're buying a 1929 vintage home and are concerned about child safety for our 2-year-old. What safety problems might we incur with an old home that would not be a con...
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Should sellers disclose former defects?Sep 12, 2021 6:00 am - Q: Before listing my home for sale, I hired a home inspector and repaired all of the defects that were listed in the inspection report. Am I required to disclose previou...
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Asbestos tile, popcorn ceiling alarm homeownersSep 05, 2021 6:00 am - Q: Our home was built in 1971. After buying it, we hired a remodeling contractor to remove the popcorn ceilings. When he started the work, we asked if he was going to te...