Barry Stone
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Does "buyer beware" still apply?Jul 12, 2020 7:00 am - Q: In one of your articles, you said "buyer beware" is no longer the rule when buying a home. Our recent homebuying experience overrules that opinion. After closing escr...
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Smoke alarm requirements for landlordsJul 05, 2020 6:00 am - Q: As the owner of a 12-unit apartment building, I encourage my tenants to maintain the batteries in their smoke alarms. However, when tenants move out, I often find the...
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Two questions about shingle roofing problemsJun 28, 2020 6:00 am - Q: The home we are buying has two layers of shingle roofing. The seller assures us that the top layer is only a year old, but our home inspector says the new shingles we...
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Damage can occur when water pressure is too highJun 21, 2020 7:00 am - Q: I fail to understand how home inspectors come up with their findings. I mean, some of you guys are loose cannons with your opinions, and this can really mess up a rea...
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Gas furnace not sealed to the platformJun 14, 2020 6:00 am - Q: Before buying my home, I hired a home inspector. He said everything was OK with the forced air furnace. After closing escrow, I had the gas company turn on the servic...
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Why water heaters should be raised in some situationsJun 07, 2020 6:00 am - Q: We are now buying our first home and are having a dispute between two inspectors. Our home inspector says the water heater is not properly installed because it sits o...
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'Built to code' is a bare minimumMay 31, 2020 6:00 am - Q: Last week, I turned on my washing machine, unaware that a hose connection inside the washer was cracked. For the next hour, the water kept running, but instead of fil...
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Contractor considers doing a home inspectionMay 24, 2020 6:00 am - Q: One of my clients is buying a 20-unit apartment building and has asked me to do the home inspection. I have no experience as a home inspector but have been a licensed...
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Chim-chimney stereotype reconsideredMay 17, 2020 6:00 am - Q: My home is being sold, and the buyer's home inspector reported a safety problem with my chimney - something to do with the outer metal wall venting inside the attic. ...
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Buyer's agent attempts home inspectionMay 10, 2020 7:00 am - Q: When I bought my home, my Realtor said he and I could do the inspection. So, I ignorantly agreed, not realizing the importance of hiring a professional home inspector...