I've gotten a number of inquiries from you all about what happens July 1 in Virginia. Up until then you could do a home inspection and not be certified by the State. On July 1 all home inspectors must be licensed by Virginia. We who were already certified will automatically become licensed. There is an additional requirement regarding inspection of new homes. We all need to take an 8 hour course in Fredericksburg to make sure we are up to date on current codes. More abou

I always come early to get some alone time with my houses. These two dogs barked at me the whole time. They were inside when the prospective buyers had come by before. Just did another house for them. The dogs in the neighbors' yard botched it for them. They appreciated me pointing it out and including it in the report. So it's not just the house you're buying that we need to keep an eye on. #misc

Called in to do a check up on a new house before their one year warranty was up. Here are some of the problems I found. Erosion down left side of house: need terracing and downspout extender. Wires patched through concrete: needs to be redone through metal conduit. Low spot in driveway will cause cracking and decay: needs a channel drain put across it. Condensate causing efflorescence on plenum: needs insulation. Seal failing on water heater: needs repair or replacement.

Realtors, ain't technology grand when it works for YOU? The report software I use now has a new feature where you can make your repair lists directly from the report! No photocopying! No faxing! Just drag items you want repaired into your custom report! #misc

This shows how to do the shell and some of the interiors: no plumbing, electrical, HVAC. Even though it covers only some of the scope of a home inspector's work, it helps one appreciate how many parts there are to a house and what goes under the finishes. #misc #roof

As teachers we called it The Februaries, students taken over by gloom and glum, not a month to decide you want to be a teacher. That's why I always scheduled the Science Fair around Valentine's Day...something to look forward to. One of my favorite things, helping kids with real science. Now I really enjoy helping homeowners understand the real science of their houses, even in the worst weather. Here's my dog focusing on what she loves to do: chasing balls. Not letting lit

Just worked with Jennifer Fang, one of my favorite realtors. I was about to stick my poor battered head into a fireplace when she said, "You either need more hair or a hat!" OK, but what hat? Hard hats are too hot and don't stay on when you're crawling around. My Indiana Jones model has a brim that gets in the way and doesn't really help against roof nails. Enter THE BUMP HAT! It's just a baseball hat with a plastic insert along the top. Click on image for link. The rig

Within a month of each other I filled two spas and tested them. But then I drained them and one leaked into the dining room and the other onto the porch! Foreclosure properties present hazards whenever I turn on the water or gas to the house. I position realtors and clients on each level to shout out warnings to me so I can turn off supply valves immediately. Just the other day I had completed several hours of an inspection in a big house when all four upstairs smoke detec

OK, OLD GUY ALERT! But, I hope you know by now I'm just trying to share the benefit of my long experience. Most home projects take a least three tries to get them right. It was the same with trying to find a back brush that could actually get fiberglass dust off. This is it! Fuller has been making this so long it's not even on their site anymore!? So click on image to get it from Amazon. #misc

They are also a good argument for having a pre-sale home inspection. I would add that a dirty HVAC filter is a dead giveaway for questionable maintenance and that this TEFLON SPRAY is an easy fix for stuck windows and sliding doors. MOLD ARMOR can take care of dusty or moldy siding easily. POLY CAULK is great for cracks in concrete. THUMB GUM can easily fill gaps in holes for plumbing. And new INSULATION on HVAC line can make it look a lot newer. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR ARTICL

Extensive or mysterious water damage is one of them! Click on image for article from Trulia which gives guidance on items you may want to let go so that the deal doesn't fall through. Please keep in mind we home inspectors are not supposed to make sure the home is up to current code requirements, just that it is safe given what was installed originally. #misc #remodel

If you don't know what these things are click on them and be taken to Home Depot's new aggregation of all things Internet of Things, which is the future. Which, as always, can be scary. Just heard some discussion at the hackers' conference where they were easily able to get passwords for smart locks and take over control of automatic cars. Yeah, but new gadgets can be lots of fun! That's the secret to life, right? Always try to have fun doing something you really care ab

I live down near George Washington's old house. There is a bottle brush cell tower there that doesn't really look like a spruce tree. FYI they have equipped many of the trees on the estate with WiFi. I'm sure The General would approve. He was always into the latest technology, notably composting. Anyhow I don't get many more bars than George would have at my house down the road on what was called then his Muddy Hole Farm. Lost calls, lot's of "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Gettin

July 2016: NVAR Affiliate Spotlight: Paul Cummins 1. What interests you most about our industry? I have always been intrigued with the way things work and how they fit into a whole, plus I love teaching. Used to teach biology, chemistry and physics. Now I teach house science! 2. What is one piece of advice or something you wish Realtors® knew about your job? Pretty simple, we're all there to give clients the best possible service. The more they know about the hous

To boldly go where no one has gone before...Here I am swab in hand having just taken a mold sample on insulation with my instant assay...just like a pregnancy test but you don't want to have this child! Stachybotrys! The instant test has come in very handy the day of the inspection because my recommendations for clean up can get right into the report. Also, if the client wishes, I can take air samples immediately for mold in any room we think may be affected...and, if they

Is this heaven? Or did someone forget to put sheathing on the sides of the house? Vinyl siding is kinda like putting on fingernail polish, you still need the fingers! Do have a good spring and try to stay dry. I'm actually sort of looking forward to some heat in the attics! #misc

This live wallpaper will calm you down when things get rough! It even looks like you're touching the water when you make selections on your phone. Click on image to choose your device then look for Koi Live Wallpaper and Zen out! #misc

As far as I can tell, when you push on the side, the bottom developes negative pressure to hold the cup in place. Better if full and if Kathy Lee Gifford is not socking it: search You Tube for that one! #misc

A well-lived door. Opened countless times to sustain a life. A long shadow. How much of a difference have I made here? #misc

Ah! How important to find beauty wherever we are, however mundane the task...documententing a missing light bulb. A keen eye, steady hand, patience, all a good inspector make! #misc