Barry Stone
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Owner afraid to get a building permitFeb 24, 2026 10:55 am - A homeowner wants to convert the garage of her 100-year-old house to a bedroom, but is hesitant to apply for a building permit because the property might not be able to meet modern codes.
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Refunds from negligent home inspectorsFeb 17, 2026 2:08 pm - After we bought our home, multiple problems were discovered. None were reported by our home inspector. When we called to complain, he said his liability is limited to a refund of his inspection fee.
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Homeowner concerned about foundationFeb 10, 2026 4:00 pm - I found a house that I really like, but the home inspection report says there may be foundation problems. How can I determine the cost to fix the foundation, and if in it actually needs to be fixed?
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Homeowner uncertain about vinyl sidingFeb 02, 2026 6:15 am - The plywood siding on our house is rotted in many places. We're planning to install vinyl siding over it, but we've got some questions that need answers before we go ahead.
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Homeowner nearly burned by TV plumberJan 26, 2026 5:31 pm - I've owned my home for 25 years and have never had a serious plumbing problem. But recently, the toilet has been running off and on for no reason.
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Yelp referrals for home inspectorsJan 20, 2026 3:50 pm - In one of your columns, a buyer was annoyed her agent would not recommend a home inspector. I'm a Realtor, and our company has a policy against recommending any service providers.
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Who is qualified to inspect gas fixtures?Jan 13, 2026 12:35 pm - You occasionally discuss how home inspectors inspect gas-burning fixtures. In my opinion, home inspectors are not qualified to inspect gas appliances.
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Should we remove our asbestos ceiling?Jan 05, 2026 1:22 pm - Our home’s textured ceiling contains 5% asbestos. Should we spray paint to cover it or pay a contractor $3,000 to remove it?
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Water issue not disclosed in trustee saleDec 30, 2025 3:14 pm - New homeowners discover the home they bought from a family trust had a major ground drainage problem at the time of the sale. Buyers have since learned the Realtor was aware of the issue and hid it. Who is liable for damages?
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Should we tell our home inspector about the mold?Dec 22, 2025 12:11 pm - We're about to buy a six-year-old home that originally had a mold problem. Are we required to disclose the initial mold issue to our home inspector, or should we wait to see if he notices any evidence of mold?