Barry Stone
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Home inspector: Septic tank requires its own inspectionMar 09, 2012 5:00 am - By Barry Stone Q. We bought our home two months ago, and this week our septic system backed up into the basement. When the septic contractor dug up the tank, it had no l...
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Home inspector: Faulty inspection of failed roofMar 01, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. Our home inspector failed to disclose that our roof is in deplorable condition. The inspection report says, “Due to the steepness of the roof, we were unable to w...
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Home inspector: Homeowner cited for illegal wellFeb 23, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. The plumbing for my house is connected to the municipal water system, but there is an old artesian well in the basement that is pumped to a hose faucet in the yar...
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Home inspector: Roofer wants more money for bad jobFeb 18, 2012 9:00 am - Q. Last summer, we hired a contractor to put a new roof on our leaky garage. When he was finished, the final cost was higher than the original estimate because the c...
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Home inspector: Dog stench from neighbor’s yardFeb 09, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. My neighbor’s dogs inhabit a small chain-link enclosure, located behind my backyard fence. I don’t believe anyone ever cleans this area, and the accumulated filth...
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Home inspector: Home inspector kickbacks paid to agents unethicalFeb 02, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. What is your opinion about home inspectors who pay referral kickbacks to Realtors? HUD has said that these kickbacks are illegal, but they are still happening in ...
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Home inspector: Asbestos disclosure kills sale of homeJan 26, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. When we bought our house, our home inspector found a list of “normal” problems but said nothing about asbestos. Now we are selling, and the buyers’ home inspector...
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Home inspector: Do furnishings compromise a home inspectionJan 12, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. The home I’m buying is occupied by the owners and will remain so until the day before the sale is completed. With all of the furnishings and personal effects cove...
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Home inspector: Do-it-yourself home inspectionsJan 05, 2012 11:00 pm - Q. We’re about to buy a newly built home and have decided not to hire a home inspector. My husband prefers to do the inspection himself. When we sold our last home, ...
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Home inspector: Builder plays warranty gamesDec 30, 2011 12:00 am - Q. I purchased a brand new home less than one year ago and expected to be covered by the builder’s warranty. But the builder refuses to repair any of the defects I’v...