Friday

Home Staging

Like pre-listing home inspections, home staging is becoming better understood and encouraged by Realtors for properties that are somewhat "lacking".

Shows like HGTV's "The Stagers" have really helped consumers see exactly what a professional Home Stager can do for certain properties. Some of the before and after pictures are amazing.

Statistics from 2005 show hiring a Home Stager can reduce a listing's time on the market by one-third and can increase the selling price by 10-15%.

I doubt those statistics still hold in the present market. Though I suspect a professional home staging will still have a positive impact on the selling price of most properties. At minimum, the cost of staging will be recovered when the property sells. I don't see how it could hurt.

Building Science

Dr. John F. Staube is a building science engineer and professor at the Department of Civil Engineering and the School of Architecture at the University of Waterloo.

Dr Staube is also one of the principals behind Building Science.com. The site has a great collection of articles and reports pertaining to building physics and system designs. The purpose of Building Science.com is to encourage the construction of more durable, healthier, and sustainable buildings.

Winter is coming and the article "The Perfect HVAC" might be of interest to Calgary home owners looking to better understand their heating system.

Thursday

Home Renovation Shows Evolve

I wrote before that I am not a fan of the show "Flip This House". It was too much about the "money". It could be argued this glorification of money over substance contributed to the American subprime crisis.

I was happy to read in the Globe and Mail,

"... reality-TV executives have been forced to wise up to the sensitivities of the market. Flipping is out and nesting is in".

I welcome this news and look forward to watching programs like HGTV's "Family Renovation" and "Income Property". It is interesting to note, HGTV's most balanced Home Renovation programmes come out of Canada.

Read the rest at the Globe and Mail

An American Home Inspector

Jim Morrison is a second generation home inspector. After University he joined his father at Allan Morrison Home Inspector, Co. Inc. and is now the President. Recently, Jim described part of the home inspector's job. He wrote,

"A home inspector’s job is to diagnose and document major problems in houses. Most of the time, the people who live in these houses are unaware that the problems exist, making our job more difficult".

"It’s analogous to a physician trying to diagnose an illness in a patient who has no complaints. You have to look closely to pick up on the symptoms and exercise judgment based on your experience in order to figure each puzzle out. It’s even harder for the average person to recognize signs of trouble..."

Read the rest at Boston.com

Standards of Practice - Section 12

12. FIREPLACES AND SOLID FUEL BURNING APPLIANCES

12.1 The inspector shall:
A. inspect:
1. the system components.
2. the vent systems, flues, and chimneys.

B. describe:
1. the fireplaces and solid fuel burning appliances.
2. the chimneys.

12.2 The inspector is NOT required to:
A. inspect:
1. the interiors of flues or chimneys.
2. the firescreens and doors.
3. the seals and gaskets.
4. the automatic fuel feed devices.
5. the mantles and fireplace surrounds.
6. the combustion make-up air devices.
7. the heat distribution assists whether gravity controlled or fan
assisted.

B. ignite or extinguish fires.
C. determine draft characteristics.
D. move fireplace inserts or stoves or firebox contents.

Greg Williams - Motor Writer

This post has nothing to do with home inspections. It has every thing to do with Calgary. My favorite Canadian motorcycle journalist is Calgary's own, Greg Williams. His writes for the Calgary Herald, Inside Motorcycles, American Iron Magazine, Antique Motorcycle and at his blog Greg Williams Motor Writer.

Below is a photo taken by Amee Reehal for the July/August 2009 Issue of Inside Motorcycles. Greg writes about a very cool 1954 BMW R25/3 and it's Calgary owner.


Tuesday

Standards of Practice - Section 11

11. INSULATION AND VENTILATION

11.1 The inspector shall:

A. inspect:
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. the ventilation of attics and foundation areas.
3. the mechanical ventilation systems.
B. describe:
1. the insulation and vapor retarders in unfinished spaces.
2. the absence of insulation in unfinished spaces at conditioned surfaces.

11.2 The inspector is NOT required to:

A. disturb insulation or vapor retarders.
B. determine indoor air quality.

Holmes Inspection

Oct 1st at 8pm Eastern Standard Time, the first episode of Holmes Inspection will air. I'm a big fan of Holmes on Homes and look forward to Mike's new show.

If you feel your are a victim of a home inspection gone wrong contact Mike and maybe - he'll Make It Right.