Questions I Am Often Asked

More home buyers and sellers than ever are hiring home inspectors to prevent surprises and expensive problems. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), it’s important for current and future homeowners to understand exactly what a home inspection involves, so they can take full advantage of the service.

When a home inspector arrives at a house, you can expect assessment of the exterior, roof, interior, attic and any crawl spaces. Outdoors, inspectors look at drainage conditions, decks, chimneys and the condition of roofing materials. Inside, they examine the operation of windows, doors and plumbing, as well as the installation and operation of the furnace, air conditioner and electrical outlets. Crawl spaces and the attic are checked for structural condition. Insulation, ventilation, electrical, heating and plumbing systems are inspected if accessible.

“Each of these areas is important to the overall condition of the home,” says Mike Casey, president of ASHI. “Home inspectors provide a written report that includes information on the condition of each section. In addition to identifying problems, home inspectors recommend what steps might be necessary to correct those problems.” Although some people think they can inspect a home themselves, ASHI strongly recommends an impartial third-party opinion from a field expert.

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Tips for Fall Showings

Planning to sell your house this fall? Autumn typically signals a slower market with a shift from a sellers’ to a buyers’ market. Though lead economists predict steady home sales throughout the year, you’ll want to take extra care when preparing your house for fall showings.

Curb appeal is important all year-round. During the autumn months, rake leaves, prune shrubs and trees, and plant fall annuals. Hang a festive wreath on your door. As always, mow your lawn and clean out any debris clogging your gutters. If you already have snow, be sure to clear a path to the house.

Curb appeal is important all year-round. During the autumn months, rake leaves, prune shrubs and trees, and plant fall annuals. Hang a festive wreath on your door. As always, mow your lawn and clean out any debris clogging your gutters. If you already have snow, be sure to clear a path to the house.

This months joke:

Question: Why did the clock get sick?

Answer: It was run down!

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Question:Got Milk?

Next time you feel the urge to redecorate, try painting like the early American settlers did, with milk paint. Traditionally made from clay, quicklime and milk protein separated from buttermilk, milk paints decorated early American homes and Shaker furniture.
A handful of manufacturers still make milk paint. At Antique Drapery Rod (www.antiquedrapery.com), food grade ingredients make up more than 80 percent of its Healthy Milk Paint, available in 10 pastels. The Old Fashioned Milk Paint Company (miklpaint.com), which uses earth pigments in its small batches of paint, offers deeper shades that reflect those found on antique furniture and building walls. Sawyer Finn Milk Paints (sawyerfinn.com), available in 52 colors, come in a dry powder form and mix with warm water. Better than synthetic paints in many ways, milk paints are more durable and can be thrown away with regular trash.
Have questions? email Risa CRS at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901

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