Sacramento Home Inspections are not just done when you buy a home.

I was contacted by a Folsom Home Owner the other day with concerns that she had a musty or skunk smell under her home. She wanted to know if we could come out and perform an inspection on her home to see if we could give her some information about what may be going on. She told us that she just had a deck addition put on the left rear of the home and that she thought she might have skunks living up under that area. She also said she wanted us to look at her left front deck because there was a gap that had started to form between the top of the post and the roof beam. I told her absolutely and set the appointment.Here is what we found.

1. At the rear of the home we noted that the bottom of the stucco siding (drip screed) is covered by dirt. This blocks the discharging of unwanted moisture that may build up behind the stucco material possibly causing unwanted deterioration inside the wall cavity over time.
2. At the rear of the home we noted that the dryer vent is discharging next to the A/C compressor unit. This can cause inefficiency and cause shortened life expectancy. The free flow of air is important to the life of the system and energy efficiency.
3. At the left rear we noted that the post construction added covered porch did not have gutter downspout extensions or an underground drain system. As part of preventive maintenance, the installation of extensions or an underground drainage system is recommended to help keep water away from the foundation.
4. In the crawl space under the home we noted signs of past or present animal activity. The heating duct-work was damaged, insulation missing or pulled to the ground, and a missing vent screen was noted at the left front corner of the home.   We suggested contacting a qualified professional to help remove the animals and to install a vent screen to block access. We also suggested contacting a HVAC contractor for a leak test of the HVAC system in case holes or gaps are present that may not be located during the inspection.
5. In the crawl space under the home we noted that a gas line appears to be leaking. This is considered a potential health and safety issue. It looks like the pipe was cross-threaded during installation. We suggested contacting a qualified plumbing contractor to review the condition and that repairs be made as required.
6. In the crawl space under the home we noted an open drain line. Open drain lines can allow unwanted sewer gases to enter the home. This is considered a potential health and safety issue. We suggested that the client contact a qualified plumber and that repairs be made as required.
7. At the crawl space we noted the presence of standing water. This is common to most raised foundation homes and can usually be improved with proper grading or drainage at the exterior of the home. We suggested the client look into the option of contacting a qualified drainage contractor for adding additional underground drains to help direct moisture around the home.
8. At the center front we noted a vent pipe from the kitchen exiting the home that did not have a screen installed to help block possible animal access. Animals looking for food would find this type of opening quite inviting. We suggested upgrading the vent cover for added protection against possible future animal access.
9. At the left front corner of the home we noted that the deck was settling and was no longer level. The gap up at the support post and beam appears to be caused by settling at the concrete pier at the ground. We noted that the ground was moisture saturated. Again we suggested adding additional drainage and recommended contacting a qualified contractor to lift the deck and to pour a new concrete footing to help support the weight of the front deck.
10. At the front of the home we noted that the flower bed sloped toward the home. This caused the moisture around the front of the home to be directed into the crawl space. We suggested contacting a qualified contracted to correct the slope of the flower bed and again, suggested adding additional drainage to help protect against future moisture issues in the crawl area.

James Budrow at American Pride Home Inspection Service recommends every home owner get a yearly Sacramento maintenance inspection to help protect your home. To schedule your Sacramento yearly maintenance inspection contact us now. 1-877-424-8289 http://www.apinspectionservice.com

Real Estate Agents

Today’s slower housing market calls for some creative thinking, and the pre-inspected “Move In Certified” program instills buyer confidence.

Order your inspection today.  1-877-424-8289 or go to http://sacramentoinspection.com/contactus.aspx

Advantages of listing a home that has been Move In Certified: 

• Agents can recommend certified InterNACHI inspectors to inspect the home properly before the buyer’s inspector arrives.
• Sellers can schedule the inspections at seller’s convenience with little effort on the part of agents.
• Sellers can assist inspectors during the inspections, something normally not done during buyer’s inspections.
• Sellers can have inspectors correct any misstatements in the reports before they are generated.
• Reports help sellers see their homes through the eyes of a critical, third-party, thus making sellers more realistic about asking price.
• Agents are alerted to any immediate safety issues found, before other agents and potential buyers tour the home.
• Repairs made ahead of time might make homes show better.
• Move In Certified yard signs attract potential buyers.
• The reports provide third-party, unbiased opinions to offer to potential buyers.
• MoveInCertified reports can be used as marketing tools to help sell the homes.
• Reports might relieve prospective buyer’s unfounded suspicions, before they walk away.
• Seller inspections eliminate buyer’s remorse that sometimes occurs just after an inspection.
• Seller inspections reduce the need for negotiations and 11th-hour renegotiations.
• Seller inspections relieve the agent of having to hurriedly procure repair estimates or schedule repairs.
• The reports might encourage buyers to waive their inspection contingencies.
• Deals are less likely to fall apart the way they often do when buyer’s inspections unexpectedly reveal problems, last minute. 
• Reports provide full-disclosure protection from future legal claims.

James Budrow http://sacramentoinspection.com/contactus.aspx

Solar energy is basically power generated from the light and heat of the sun. It is a clean and renewable source of energy that can be used for everything from heating homes to running vehicles. The use of solar energy is not a new idea. Different concepts concerning using solar energy were thought of centuries ago, with a small surge in popularity for uses as we know them a little over a hundred years ago. Since the main sources used for energy have become increasingly worse for the environment, and as the supplies for these sources dwindle, the importance for solar energy has been made more and more apparent.

Simple uses of solar energy to heat water and cook food are able to be dated well into the past. New concepts of how to harness this type of energy to be used for heating and cooking have developed quickly. Solar powered homes have also been a concept that was developed decades ago, although the concept is really coming into its own now. Solar energy can be used to power everything in a home, including lighting, heat, and even appliances such as television. The key is to be able to collect the sun’s energy and direct it to be used in the way that is most beneficial.

Another great example of the use of basic solar power is to consider a greenhouse. This idea has been made more aware by the general public learning what the “greenhouse” effect is. By looking at a regular greenhouse, one can see that the light and heat from the sun comes in through a clear material such as glass or clear type plastic, and then is trapped inside providing the right conditions to grow certain types of plants that would not otherwise be able to grow in that type of environment. This application of solar energy is very important to areas in which the outside temperature is cold enough to prevent the growth of food bearing plants.

There are many types of renewable green energy available for use with many more applications coming out every day. Solar energy is just one of them. Some may be a bit skeptic about the use of solar power in areas where there is not as much sunny weather, but with the developing technologies, even gray skies can provide a source of solar power. Other ideas that have been tried and used include the use of solar energy to power vehicles, and the mass collection of solar power to be used on a large scale.

Considering just how important it is to the environment to continue developing and using green energies such as solar power, attention needs to continue to be brought to the idea. This is a type of power that is being thought of for use or is already in use in many countries around the world. The use of solar energy will lead to less dependence on fossil and other dirty burning fuels.

James Budrow

American Pride Home Inspection Service

Sacramento Valley Chapter Of The
National Association Of Certified Home Inspectors

Chapter Meeting
Wednesday at 6:30 P.M

Bruce will be speaking to us about inspector communication. Agents spend a lot of time and money to get that client to a position where they are willing to make a real estate purchase. The last thing they want you doing is killing their deals. The bad news is 85% of all home inspectors are idiots. The good news is the other 15% are NACHI certified inspectors. Make sure you take notes! Why? Because the secret to business success is to ASK-HEAR-ACT!
Please Remember:
Chapter dues need to be paid because our chapter needs to grow.
If you have not paid your chapter dues by the Dec.19 chapter meeting you will be contacted by mail for payment.
If you are unwilling to pay dues by January 1st your name will be voted on for removal from our chapter roster by a majority vote.

Things to think about for the up coming 2008 year.

Get your marketing plan set up by Jan 1st.
Your marketing plan is the number one most important thing you can do for your business. If you don’t have the end in mind you will not know what to do if business is slow. Remember, anything you do now will take at least 60 days before you start seeing results.
I want you to start thinking about how many inspections you want to do per week, per month and then for the year. Once you have your target number you need to figure out who is your target market. Who is a prospect for your home inspection company? Now I know what all of you are thinking. You’re thinking everyone buying a home, right? Wrong. Why? Because you don’t have enough marketing dollars to market everybody!
I want you to think of a very narrow target market. Remember this rule. Pick a Niche And Get Rich!
One thing to remember here is that you can add other Niche markets later but for now concentrate your dollars exclusively on your narrow targeted prospects.

2008 will be our best year ever!
Will it be your best year ever?

I will leave you with this last thought.
No matter if you think you can or if you think you can’t, you’re right.

I’m Dedicated To Helping You Increase Business!

James Budrow

American Pride Home Inspection Service

In Tight Housing Market, Remodels Catch Eyes, Add Value

(ARA) – As the nation’s housing slump depresses home sales and prices, more owners look for ways to increase their homes’ value and attract buyers.

One of the best and most popular is remodeling. Owners who remodel often know about high-value areas such as the kitchen and bathroom. But too many forget another value-added secret — use high-quality materials.

“Homeowners may initially save money with cheaper materials,” says Richard White, an architect who specializes in custom homes. “But in the long run, they are holding down the potential value of their home.”

The difference can be significant, according to a study by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. In homes that increased in value by at least 100 percent, the study found, owners spent 2.5 times more in improvements than in homes where the value increased by less than 50 percent.

Choose Traditionally Popular Materials

White recommends that homeowners choose traditionally popular materials to maintain a home’s appeal to a wide range of buyers through years of evolving fads. “People trust building materials they know,” he says. “If I grew up in a home with Western red cedar siding, I know the qualities of the wood and what it will do for my home.”

Long a traditional favorite, Western red cedar has a number of qualities that make it a preferred, quality material for decking, siding, and the increasingly popular outdoor living spaces that can enhance a home’s value, White says. Natural preservatives in the wood make it very durable for outdoor uses, even in more severe climates, according to Web site realcedar.org. Its texture and coloration give it a rich, natural beauty that enhances interiors as well, in features such as interior paneling, vaulted ceilings, trim and boxed-in beams.

Improvements Counter Downturn

Such improvements are just one example of the ways homeowners can counter the prolonged housing slump. Sales of previously owned homes fell to a five-year low by the end of summer, according to the National Association of Realtors. Home prices dropped 3.9 percent over the past year, according to the S&P/Case-Shiller home-price index measuring 20 U.S. cities. The two surveys were released in late September.

That means there are more homes for sale, and they’re staying on the market longer. Fueling the situation, prospective buyers face higher costs and stiffer requirements to obtain loans. The trend is projected to last into 2008 and possibly 2009, according to both the Realtors and Moody’s Investment Service.

Environmentally Friendly and Other Tips

Here are some additional tips for remodelers to counter the downturn, maximize their home values, and attract buyers:

* Consider building with materials that reduce a home’s impact on the environment, a growing trend that appears to be here to stay. Look at the steps a product had to take to reach your home. Synthetic materials such as vinyl and plastic are manufactured with non renewable materials. Minerals making up cement, stucco and metal are mined from the earth and not replaced.

Woods such as pine, fir, and Western red cedar are a renewable resource, grown and harvested sustainably. The environmental costs of production are also much less in wood products than mineral or synthetic materials. Production of concrete requires 70 percent more energy than wood building products and releases 67 percent more pollution into the air. “That lifecycle is much less damaging to the environment,” says Paul Mackie of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.  

* Additions must fit your home to increase value. Avoid any addition that would create a sharp contrast to your home’s design.

* Learn about different building styles, says Eric Schnell, design director at the architecture firm Alan Mascord Design Associates. Search online listings of homes for sale, visit real-estate agents’ open houses, and study your neighbors’ homes more carefully as you walk the dog. Whatever you do should be compatible with not only your home but also your neighborhood.

* Be skeptical of the ultra-popular design fads on the cover of home magazines. Today’s hottest designs and materials won’t necessarily be so hot tomorrow. That’s why traditionally popular materials such as cedar are the best choices for whatever project you choose.

Ninety percent of homebuyers believe their homes have high investment potential, according to the National Association of Realtors. The right remodeling enhancements, done with the right high-quality materials, can help any home become more attractive to buyers and sustain its value through conditions such as the current market.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dreaming of a Green Holiday: Organic Holiday Entertaining Tips

(ARA) - ‘Tis the season to be green! Whether it’s an organic Thanksgiving or a festive holiday party, celebrate the season with friends and family by hosting a truly memorable, eco-friendly fete.

Impress guests with thoughtful holiday entertaining that promotes good cheer and good practices. From delicious, healthy holiday dishes and organic spirits, to eco-friendly cookware and natural tabletop accessories, here are a few small steps that can go a long way to ensure festivities with minimal environmental impact and tons of holiday cheer.

Farmer’s Market — Inside your Pantry!
The winter months can be a difficult time to keep your kitchen fully stocked with fresh, organic produce and ingredients. Keeping delicious, healthy organic packaged products on hand allows for quick and easy holiday dish preparation. It is becoming increasingly easy and cost-effective to keep an organic kitchen all year long with products available right on your grocery store shelves.

Del Monte  Organic, for example, is a complete line of organic canned veggies including Cut Green Beans, Sweet Peas, Baby Leaf Spinach, Whole Kernel Corn, French Style Green Beans, Sliced Carrots, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, and Crushed Tomatoes ($.59 to $1.89, available at major grocers nationwide, DelMonte.com). Like fresh counterparts, Del Monte Organic is preservative free.

And, eating organic doesn’t have to mean the holiday meal has to lose its nostalgic appeal. Simply revamp traditional family recipes with organic options. Try substituting Del Monte Organic French Style Green Beans in the traditional green bean casserole, for example.

“Eating organic foods limits you and your family’s exposure to potentially harmful pesticides, and ensures a smaller environmental footprint. Additionally, organic options often have more antioxidants than conventional foods,” says Laura Molseed, registered dietitian for Del Monte Foods.

Good Holiday Spirits
Top off the holiday cheer with organic wines and spirits. Organic wines are increasing in popularity, and crowd-pleasing choices such as Frog’s Leap, Sinskey, Sincerity, and Bonterra Vineyards are fast becoming some of America’s most renowned organic vino brands (available at www.Bonterra.com).  

For a delicious non-alcoholic alternative, serve guests warm apple cider made with fresh, organic apples.

What’s Cooking
While it’s important to cook with organic ingredients and foods, it’s also important to consider meal preparation. GreenPan is the first cookware product to utilize Thermolon non-stick coating which is PTFE/PFOA-free, and will perform at high temperatures without deterioration or releasing fumes or toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment. Additionally, 50 percent less energy is used in the manufacturing of GreenPan’s coating compared to traditional non-stick cookware and is therefore considered “green” in manufacturing (GreenPan Cookware is exclusively available at HSN, www.HSN.com).

Season’s Greetings
A thoughtful, eco-friendly holiday card serves as the perfect invitation to your gathering. While using recycled paper is a nice sentiment, try using cards or invitations made with paper that will bloom into beautiful flowers to spread an extra dose of holiday cheer. Botanical PaperWorks offers an assortment of elegant holiday cards embedded with wildflower or spruce tree seeds (available at www.botanicalpaperworks.com) that can be planted outdoors or potted.  Guests will surely remember this extra special touch this holiday season.

Natural Beauty
Crisp, tasteful organic cotton table linens can add a subtle touch of natural sophistication. Organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Rawganique and VivaTerra both offer beautiful organic tablecloths, napkins and linens (available through www.Rawganique and www.VivaTerra.com).

Fresh, organically grown blooms paired with winter branches and pinecones make for beautiful and natural centerpieces. Consider local flowers found at the farmer’s market or purchase beautiful arrangements online. Organic Bouquet (www.organicbouquet.com) is the leading retailer of organic flowers. It offers floral arrangements sourced from growers that are committed to the highest social and environmental standards. Each bouquet is hand-selected and shipped fresh from the farm.

Mood Lighting
Conserve energy and dim the lights. Use soy candles or lanterns made of sustainable materials to cast a soft glow to warmly welcome guests to celebrate the holiday season with you.

Courtesy ARAcontent

We will be writing about Sacramento Home Inspection Topics in this blog. A lot of the topics will be about things we see during our inspection or about ways for sellers to avoid costly repairs at the time escrow closes. If anyone has a question about Sacramento area home inspections, please feel free to ask.