Dealing with a Too-Fussy Home Inspector Yes, there is such a thing as a home inspector who’s too lax. But, there are also home inspectors who are too fussy — mostly to protect themselves in the event that the Buyer later wants to pin some problem on them (good luck with that — most inspectors’ contracts...Read More
Star Trib: ‘More Than 40% of Minnesota Homes That Tested for Radon Had Elevated Levels’ “Finding elevated levels of radon is becoming less of a surprise, but it’s still generally a surprise. ‘Can’t see it, can’t smell it, can’t taste it.'” –Pat Brennan, radon remediation contractor; “State is a Radon Hotbed” (Star Tribune 2/10/2013). Not...Read More
Cost-Benefit Analysis What is the best predictor that a home will have elevated radon levels? (in the Twin Cities, the threshold for remediation is above 4.0 PicoLiters per million parts). One or more other homes on the block have elevated radon levels. One of the benefits of being a more experienced Realtor is, having done...Read More
Or . . . Maybe They Already Did(??)* How unusual is it for the Buyer to skip a home inspection? After a decade selling homes, I was just involved with my first deal — as a listing agent representing the Seller — where the Buyer waived the Inspection Addendum. For a home that was not in multiple offers. Extenuating...Read More
From “3-1-1” to “5-2-1” The primary reason Buyers have a finite amount of time to do their home inspection is because Sellers want to know where they stand. So, if the Buyer and Seller can’t agree on resolving any issues that come up, the Seller wants to be able to go back on the market, with...Read More
What’s That in Dog Years??* Some 60 year-olds act (and look) like they’re 45; others, like they’re 75. The same is true, kind of, for roofs. While a typical roof lasts 20-25 years, there are plenty of exceptions to that rule — at both extremes. Of course, it’s the roofs that wear out prematurely that concern...Read More
