This Old House magazine’s latest Home Inspection Nightmares IX (9) photo gallery is hilarious. My favorite photos are #1 (8 junction boxes) & #5 (cymbal diverter). I love this photo gallery series. You can also check out past Home Inspection Nightmare photo galleries. All the photos are very funny. But, all joking aside, the photos reinforce an important part of buying a home.
First, always get a home inspection. Never skip a home inspection just to save a little money. 100% of my clients agree to do a home inspection or I will NOT represent them as their buyer agent. A home inspection contingency is one of the home-buyers best protection options. Second, make sure you home inspector is qualified. About half the states in the country have little or no licensing requirements for home inspectors. In many states, anyone can print up a business card and say they are a home inspector, even your Uncle Bubba!
I would recommend looking for a “certified” home inspector that is a member of The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or The National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI). Both of these organizations are very good at establishing high standards of practice, inspection guidelines, professionalism and code of ethics for its members in the home inspection industry. It is very important that you make sure your inspector is a “certified” inspector. A “certified” home inspector has more experience, education and testing requirements than other home inspectors. You can search here for home inspectors in your area: ASHI home inspector search or NAHI home inspector search. Good Luck!
Below is one of our award winning buyer broker TV commericals that deals with home inspections. Check out my previous blog post for more information on our funny, informative television commercials.
My Buyer Broker Advocate! 
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March 25, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Tampa Home Inspection Service
Tampa Bay Home Inspection Company QCI, Inc.
Tampa Bay Home Inspections. New problems with Sulfur in drywall from China.
It has been reported that drywall imported between 2004-2006 from certain areas in China, can release sulfur-like odorous components. These compounds can corrode air conditioning coils and other copper-bearing materials, causing them to be replaced repeatedly. It has been determined that the problem is related to presence of iron disulfide. There have been reports that large quantities of drywall produced in China were kept on sea barges for months awaiting permission for importation to the USA. This drywall has a higher than typical density and a higher propensity to off-gas sulfur compounds.
Drywall is usually made of gypsum (hydrated calcium sulfate). Therefore, sulfur is one of the main components present in the sample. All drywall has sulfur in its elemental composition; therefore the odor is not explained by an analysis of the total sulfur content.
Tampa Bay Home Inspections.Offers our expert opion or questions on this matter. The extent of the indoor air quality issues related to this is still unclear. EPA is currently investigating the severity of the problem. However, it is well known that exposure to sulfur compounds can create irritation and breathing disorders. Also Sulfar has been damaging aircondition unit coils. This damage can ruin an A/C unit in as little as 6 months. Contact us at quality.check@verizon.net
Drywall may be to blame for homeowners’ illness
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Questions about Home Inspection Services.
March 26, 2009 at 9:24 am
Michael
Tampa Bay Home Inspections, Thanks so much for your comments. You’ve provided some great information. But, you should have commented on my recent blog post about “toxic drywall” http://tinyurl.com/cbcjdj Your comments are more relative to that post.
I’m really going to follow this toxic Chinese drywall issue. It could really impact homebuyers.
Thanks,
HomeBuyer Advocate Mike
July 14, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Licensed Home Inspectors in Ohio « The Homebuyer’s Advocate
[…] out my previous past about “Home Inspection Nightmares”. This blog post also has good links to find qualified home inspectors in your area via […]