What is Chinese Drywall?
Homeowners nationwide have been complaining of drywall (also know as wallboard, gypsum board or plasterboard) that smells like rotten eggs. In several cases, they have even had to leave their homes....
View ArticleChinese Drywall Update: First Congressional Hearing Held Yesterday
The Chinese Drywall issue is officially gaining national attention as the situation unfolds and more and more areas are affected—as demonstrated during a heated congressional hearing on the topic held...
View ArticleChinese Drywall: Poised to give the market a boost?
It’s hard to believe, perhaps, but as reported in this morning’s Miami Herald, the Chinese Drywall issue could actually give the South Florida real estate market a boost. Now, with all the homeowners...
View ArticleChinese Drywall: Did they know?
It is the story that everyone was hoping we would not hear—did builders/installers suspect or know that Chinese Drywall was defective (or at least was not quite right) when it was being installed? Did...
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What's Wrong with this Picture: Creative Wiring
ANSWER: Improperly wired outlet and light fixture.This is an actual picture, taken at an actual U.S. Inspect inspection. What's wrong with this picture? Well this one is pretty obvious. It is some...
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Buying & Selling Foreclosure Properties
Work the foreclosure, but don't forgo the inspection. With the increased rate of foreclosures nationally, a property inspection is extremely important to educate and protect buyers and REALTORS®...
View ArticleFlorida insurance company reverses course and will cover home with Chinese...
It had been reported as recently as last week that some insurance companies in FL were starting to drop coverage for homes with Chinese Drywall. Without homeowners insurance, the buzz was that these...
View ArticleMaintenance of Storm Shutters
When it comes to electronic and manual storm shutters there is a major difference between “High Maintenance,” “Low Maintenance,” and "No Maintenance.”High Maintenance usually means regular, preplanned,...
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Top 5 Tales from the Road 2009
As home inspectors we come across so many things every day--unusual buildings, spectacular homes, never-before-seen defects, strange animals--even ghosts! We've been sharing some of those Tales from...
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What are Sinkholes?
Sinkholes are a common feature of Florida's landscape, and being a resident of Florida myself, they are something with which I have become familiar. Over the past month, sinkholes have become a major...
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Heat Pump Operation and Maintenance
Proper operation of your heat pump will save energy. Don’t set back the heat pump’s thermostat if it causes the backup heating to come on; backup heating systems are usually more expensive to operate....
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Planning Your Spring Landscaping: How close can I plant to my house?
With the first day of spring fast approaching (we hope), many of us are starting to plan out our spring gardens and landscaping. If your ideas this year include planting a new tree or large shrub next...
View ArticleChinese Drywall Firm Ordered to Pay $2.6 Million
A New Orleans judge ruled against a Chinese Drywall manufacturer last week, ordering them to pay $2.6 Million in damages to seven Virginian families. We don't know whether they will actually pay (or be...
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Unique Properties - Renaissance Vinoy Resort
My wife and I enjoy period preserved architecture along with the history behind it and make it a point to visit those places when we travel. When we first visited this local property a number of years...
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Encourage A Final Walk-Through
A final walk-through is performed anywhere from a few hours to several days, maybe even a month prior to closing by the buyer. The primary purpose of a final walk through is to make certain that the...
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