Home Inspector Mike Nagell

Good time to buy? The best time to buy!

2010-06-25T10:34:00.000-07:00

Most experts see the home buyer tax credit expiration as a blow to new sales. Many home buyers waiting on the sidelines took advantage of the tax break. Home buyers who waited may feel like "chumps" if they take advantage.

However, with more foreclosures expected to hit the market and fewer buyers, we have to expect prices to take an additional hit. Sellers will have to fight that much harder to attract the brave buyers who are hitting the market.

This may actually be the best market buyers yet for buyers. It continues to be a great time to find homes at record prices. Lenders are improving their loan processing. More inventory with fewer buyers may more than compensate a savvy buyer who didn't get in on the tax credit with a far better deal in the long run.

Of course if the buyer has any doubts, it is a good idea to get an independent inspection of the property.

OLDER HOMES MAY BE DIFFERENT

2010-06-19T06:45:00.000-07:00

Being prepared and expecting the unexpected are important in working with older homes. (It also helps to have a partner with some experience.)

Older homes may have been built with lumber that was actually a full 2" x 4". Today a 2x4 is actaully 1 1/2" x 3 1/2". But an experienced carpenter knows short cuts to compensate for these variations.

Storm warnings and the Home Inspector

2010-06-18T14:20:00.000-07:00

Storm Warnings

It's easy to forget about all the things that can go wrong when a storm is heading your way. As a home builder it was time to find the Storm is Coming Checklist. Here's one for home owners.

1. Anything loose in the yard: toys, tools, clothesline, pets, garden?

2. Windows and doors closed?

3. Is the sump pump plugged in? and working??

4. Are the downspout extensions attached?

5. Now watch. Pay attention to how your home handles the storm. Look for leaks, poor drainage and your own safety if the storm is bad.

Plymouth Inspection

2010-06-17T09:15:00.000-07:00

The first thing I noticed at the Plymouth house was how nice and high the house was sitting on the lot. Some homeowners insist that their home be buried as deep as possible on the lot. It's great for playing basketball on the drive way, but it can make the basement more vulnerable to water problems. Another problem can be installation of landscape edging that traps rain water up against the foundation.

Often these problems can be corrected with simple landscape correction and good clean gutters. Everyone who buys a house needs to be aware of the impact that changing weather conditions can have on their home. It's always important that landscaping improvement enhance water run off.

Home Inspection Introduction

2010-06-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Okay, here I am. Today I'm inspecting a house in Plymouth and another in Chaska. The Chaska property is a townhouse.

The Plymouth house is a rambler from 1972. Often it is just as important for me to know who the buyers are. First time home buyers some-

times need a lot of information. Sometimes they are afraid to ask questions because they think they should know everything.

After meeting, I make sure my written report is complete so every issue that's important is covered in writing with helpful illustrations.

2010-06-09T12:28:00.000-07:00