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Tell inspector about mold or stay quiet?

By Barry Stone, Monday, June 16, 2008.

Dear Barry,

We're about to buy a six-year-old home that originally had a mold problem. Fortunately, the builder removed all of the affected materials from the building. If we buy this home, are we required to disclose the initial mold issue to our home inspector, or should we wait to see if he notices any evidence of mold? --Jack

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Considering vinyl siding? Think again

By Barry Stone, Monday, June 9, 2008.

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Realtor should've known better

By Barry Stone, Monday, June 2, 2008.

Dear Barry.

We bought a home from a family trust. The previous owners had died, and their adult children were selling the property. As trustees of the estate, they were not required to disclose any defects. But a major ground drainage problem was revealed after we moved in, and we've learned from the neighbors that the trustees and their Realtor were fully aware of it. more...

HUD inspectors do buyers disservice

By Barry Stone, Monday, May 26, 2008.

Dear Barry,

I've been renting my home for seven years and am now in the process of buying it. I was approved for a HUD housing program and need to prepare for a HUD inspection. What conditions should my landlord and I look at before that inspection takes place? --Kathy

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No permits, no problem: How sellers avoid trouble

By Barry Stone, Monday, May 19, 2008.

Dear Barry,

Now that I'm selling my home, I'm concerned about improvements that were done without building permits. In some of your articles, you stressed the importance of disclosing nonpermitted work to buyers. But will this disclosure really protect me from liability? --JoAnna

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Unpermitted upgrades put seller in pickle

By Barry Stone, Monday, May 12, 2008.

Dear Barry,

In past articles you've mentioned "as-built permits" for additions and alterations that were done without building permits. I have a property that was totally renovated -- new electrical, plumbing, heating, and roof -- all done without permits. I'm going to list the property for sale and want to know if an as-built permit is a good idea before I sell. Could you explain how this works? --Lou

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Home inspection advice called 'anti-Realtor'

By Barry Stone, Monday, May 5, 2008.

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Home inspectors avoid asbestos like the plague

By Barry Stone, Monday, April 28, 2008.

Dear Barry,

The home inspector I hired never mentioned that the floor tiles and air duct insulation contain asbestos. Shouldn't he have pointed this out? --Robert

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Insect spray won't keep termites away

By Barry Stone, Monday, April 21, 2008.

Dear Barry,

My husband and I disagree over how to treat the termites in our home. For the past 27 years, he has sprayed poison wherever we've seen frass particles. I've heard that termites must be professionally exterminated, but he says that termites are a permanent problem in our area and that they will always return after extermination. What is your advice? --Ninel

Dear Ninel,

Here are some vital termite facts to help settle your domestic debate: more...

Inspector OK's heating system that was broken

By Barry Stone, Monday, April 14, 2008.

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Homeowner not sold on septic-tank maintenance

By Barry Stone, Monday, April 7, 2008.

Dear Barry,

We received a letter from the company that pumped our septic tank when we bought our home last year. They recommended that a household of two people should pump the septic tank every one-and-a-half to two years. They also recommended a septic additive that they sell for $30 per gallon. It's supposed to break up the solids in the tank, and they claim it's better than the kind you buy at the hardware store. According to my neighbor, the tank should be pumped every five years. What's the best advice for maintaining our septic system? --Larry more...

What home buyer calls defects really aren't

By Barry Stone, Monday, March 31, 2008.

Dear Barry,

We purchased our home 1 1/2 years ago, and our home inspector missed a number of problems. These include rotten eave boards, a bad roof, a rusted water heater, garage-door openers not equipped with safety eyes, rotted window frames, an unvented kitchen stovetop, a broken vent on the furnace, and the list goes on. We trusted him because he was recommended by our Realtor. Do we have any recourse? --Sandra

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You break it, you buy it

By Barry Stone, Monday, March 24, 2008.

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Listing agent concealed major furnace defects

By Barry Stone, Tuesday, March 18, 2008.

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Home inspector banned by seller's agents

By Barry Stone, Tuesday, March 11, 2008.

Dear Barry,

Our Realtor recommended a home inspector who has a very good reputation for thoroughness and honesty. But the agent and broker for the seller have refused to allow that inspector on the property. They say the inspector is a "nitpicky deal-killer" and that their real estate office will not do business with him. They say I can choose any other inspector in the area, but not the one my agent recommended. Don't I have the right to hire a home inspector of my choice? --Andrea

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