Barry Stone
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Association warns of "hot spots" in aluminum wiringFeb 27, 2014 11:01 pm - Q. Our condo was built in 1971, and the electrical system is wired with aluminum. Fortunately, all of the wire ends were retrofitted with copper "pigtails" about five ye...
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White particles signal a problem with the furnaceFeb 20, 2014 11:01 pm - Q. Ever since we installed wood flooring, we notice little white granules on the floor every morning. We previously had white carpet, so we never noticed this before. We...
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Agent gives bad inspection advice to buyersFeb 14, 2014 12:01 am - Q. We are currently buying a home and are troubled about our recent home inspection. Our agent recommended this inspector as the one she always uses, and she advised us ...
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Remodeling project abandoned by unlicensed contractorFeb 06, 2014 11:21 pm - Q. We hired a contractor to remodel our home, but we didn’t know he was not licensed. When the project was about 90 percent completed, he disappeared, and we eventually ...
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A room without a closet can still be called a bedroomJan 30, 2014 11:13 pm - Q. Our house was built in 1970. We are about to put it on the market, but one of our bedrooms has no closet. According to our Realtor, a room without a closet cannot be ...
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Gas service is vital during home inspectionJan 23, 2014 11:02 pm - Q. We are buying a foreclosed home from a bank, and the home inspection is scheduled for next week. Our Realtor says the bank is not willing to turn on the gas for the i...
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How many electrical outlets in a bedroomJan 16, 2014 11:50 pm - Q. What are the requirements for electrical outlets in a bedroom? We are renting a two-bedroom apartment, and the second bedroom (11-by-13 feet) has only one outlet in t...
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Faulty information printed in real estate listingJan 02, 2014 11:25 pm - Q. We plan to sell our home and just discovered it was misrepresented when we bought it three years ago. The listing on the Realtor’s website stated the home was in an e...
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Sellers afraid to disclose unpermitted additionDec 19, 2013 9:07 am - Q. Six years ago, we enlarged our house without a building permit. The addition was built by a qualified contractor, but we knew that didn’t make it legal. Now we are pl...
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Home inspector takes questionable positionDec 13, 2013 12:00 am - Q. My home is in escrow, and the deal is about to fall apart because of the buyers’ home inspector. The dispute involves four issues in the furnace closet. According to ...