An appraisal is an opinion of market value rendered by a real estate appraiser.

It’s the appraiser’s job to research multiple listing and other data sources to compare the sale price of the subject property to those of recently sold homes in the area. The determination of value is based on a side-by-side comparison of the subject property to a minimum of three comparable properties.

To be considered a “comp” the other properties will preferably be the same type of property, apples to apples, so to speak. So one can’t compare a detached condominium to a single-family detached home, even though they may look alike. Once qualifying comps have been located, the appraiser compares aspects of the most similar properties which have recently sold and makes adjustments, based on market data, to determine the final estimated value of the property.

From time to time a lender may refer to an appraisal as an “inspection” because from their perspective, the appraiser acts like the eyes and ears of the lender when they visit the property site. Even though it’s not their primary purpose, if the appraiser notices items such as shoddy construction, a worn or potentially leaking roof or inadequate electrical wiring in the course of their visit to the property, they will remark on that to the lender and will recommend a property inspection, or defer to the property inspection if one has already been performed.

A home inspection is performed by a professional individual who checks the property for condition and likelihood of potential problems (or not) based on the overall condition of the structure, roof, siding, plumbing, electrical, as well as other systems such as heating and cooling.

Depending on what types of inspections they have been hired to do, they may also sub-contract out to check for wood-destroying insects, septic, water and radon testing.

Today, the standard types of commonly requested inspections are worded directly into the purchase and sale agreement. The vast majority of home buyers have a home inspection done as a routine part of purchasing a property.

Appraisals and home inspections are both useful tools in determining a property’s value and condition, but they are two distinct types of reports.

Virginia Beach, VA. 12/27/2007 - After finishing a nice Christmas dinner at my sisters house, I decided to help out with the dishes. OUCH! The hot water tap was so hot that the reflex of jumping back almost caused me to elbow my Mom in the stomach. Of course my warnings of “That’s a scald hazard!” where drowned out by family laughter followed by antidote justifications of “Mom’s got Teflon hands and teenage shower worshipers need more hot water. But what do I know? I’m just the brother visiting. Experience and expert safety advice seems to fall on deaf ears when it comes to family.The next day I was back to work inspecting a brand new upper end home for a very nice young professional couple with 2 small girls , two car garage, and a dog. Everything seemed perfect. But unknown to them, danger was lurking. I turned on the hot water tap which seemed to more like a steam vent. The temperature reading was a scalding hot 153 degrees F.

Now I’m not one to be too superstitious, but wisdom and mostly age has taught me to heed the messages I receive from the universe. Are two back to back incidents like this a coincidence? I don’t know but I decided I should write about it anyway. It better to be safe than sorry. If I can save one person form getting hurt, it’s worth it.

Each year, approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in the home due to scalding from excessively hot tap water. The majority of these accidents involve the elderly and children under the age of five. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to preventing accidents, this decrease in temperature will conserve energy and save money.

Most adults will suffer third-degree burns if exposed to 150 degree water for two seconds. Burns will also occur with a six-second exposure to 140 degree water or with a thirty second exposure to 130 degree water. Even if the temperature is 120 degrees, a five minute exposure could result in third-degree burns.

Various procedures for lowering water temperature in the home exist, depending on the method of heating. Here are some suggestions:

Electric water heaters. Call your local electric company to adjust the thermostat. Some companies offer this service at no-charge. Hot water should not be used for at least two hours prior to setting. To make the adjustment yourself, start by shutting off current to the water heater, then turn off the circuit breaker to the heater or remove the fuse that serves the heater. Most electric water heaters have two thermostats, both of which must be set to a common temperature for proper operation. To reach these thermostats you must remove the upper and lower access panels. Adjust the thermostat following the instructions provided with the appliance. Hold a candy or meat thermometer under the faucet to check water temperature.

Gas water heaters. Because thermostats differ, call your local gas company for instructions. Where precise temperatures are not given, hold a candy or meat thermometer under faucet for most accurate reading first thing in the morning or at least two hours after water use. If reading is too high, adjust thermostat on heater, according to manufacturers instructions, and check again with thermometer.

Furnace heater. If you do not have an electric, gas, or oil-fired water heater, you probably have an on-line hot water system. Contact your fuel supplier to have the temperature lowered. If you live in an apartment, contact the building manager to discuss possible options for lowering your tap water temperature. Reducing water temperature will not affect the heating capacity of the furnace.

The CPSC notes that a thermostat setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) may be necessary for residential water heaters to reduce or eliminate the risk of most tap water scald injuries. Consumers should consider lowering the thermostat to the lowest settings that will satisfy hot water needs for all clothing and dish washing machines.

Never take hot water temperature for granted. Always hand-test before using, especially when bathing children and infants. Leaving a child unsupervised in the bathroom, even if only for a second, could cause serious injuries. Your presence at all times is the best defense against accidents and scaldings to infants and young children.

More information about water heater safety is available CSPC

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Many people are under the misconception that new homes don’t need an inspection because after all, they are new and the city municipal inspection should cover that right?…..Wrong!

Experienced home inspectors have learned that all new homes have defects of one kind or another, regardless of the quality of construction or the integrity of the builder. This is because human imperfection prevents anything as large and as complex as a home from being constructed flawlessly.

A commonly held fallacy is that all construction defects will be discovered by municipal building inspectors. This view is highly mistaken, but not because of professional shortcomings on the part of those inspectors. The purpose, scope, time allotment and procedures for municipal inspections are not the same as for home inspections.

Municipal inspectors inspect primarily for code compliance, not for quality of workmanship. They can cite a builder for improper structural framing or for noncomplying drain connections, but a poorly fitted door, an uneven tile counter top and slipshod finish work are not included in the list of concerns.

Municipal inspectors rarely inspect an attic or a crawl space. They come to the job site with a clipboard and a codebook, not with a ladder and overalls. Construction defects in such areas can escape discovery.

Municipal inspectors typically inspect a roof from the ground or possibly from the builder’s ladder. From these perspectives, roof defects are not always apparent. And final inspections are performed before the utilities are turned on, so municipal inspectors cannot determine if or how well the appliances and fixtures truly work. They don’t test outlets for ground and polarity because this can be done only after the power supply is turned on. Nor, without power, can they test the performance of GFCI or AFCI safety breakers.

The lack of utilities also prevents the testing of plumbing fixtures such as sinks, showers, tubs and dishwashers, and of gas fixtures such as furnaces, fireplaces and water heaters.

Those who buy new homes should not forego the benefits of a thorough home inspection. Just be sure to find an inspector with years of experience and a reputation for thoroughness.

Easy Things to Do That Pay Off BigWhen it comes to home maintenance, you’re not the  Energizer bunny. Sound like you?  Zipping off the mortgage check on time isn’t enough. The health of your home depends on routine check-ups – simple, must-do chores to keep your house running like a fine-tuned machine and holding its value. So muster up the motivation and get moving with this basic guide.

OUTDOORS 

Divert water.Gutters do their job best when clean. Check yours for foliage build-up, particularly if trees hover over the roof. The rainy season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris. Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to moss and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls. While you’re at it, make sure the downspout is clean and pointing 2-2 ½ feet away from foundation walls.Maintain the roof.

It’s easy to take for granted the one thing that shields you from the elements. But doing so could cost you unnecessary repair costs. Be diligent about roof maintenance. After the next rainy day, inspect your ceiling for wet spots. Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling, or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof.

Check your paint job.

Look for chipped, cracked paint along the exterior of your home. The worse thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot. Scrape off any failing paint. Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with a high quality paint product. Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt. Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut shrubs and trees.

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture. Branches should be at least 7 feet away from the exterior of your house to prolong the life of your siding and roof. Get rid of out-of-control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love your lawn.

Rake up the excess leaves you didn’t get around to last fall. Too many can suffocate your grass and stop it from growing. Pull up weeds, and remove foilage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants. Pull up dead flowers, and replace them with a low-maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.
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INDOORS

Keep the air fresh.

With warm, sticky days ahead, do yourself a favor and give your air conditioning unit a little TLC. Not only does it cool you down, but an efficient air conditioner removes moisture and humidity from your home, which in excess, can damage its foundation. So if you aren’t changing air filters monthly, start now. A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill. While you’re there, check duct connections for leaks. Make sure the condensate and drain pans are draining freely. If you suspect a problem, contact a certified technician.

Watch windows and doors.

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials. Neglecting these tasks can open up potential for environmental hazards like mold growth, experts say.

Control pests.

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home. Do what you would do inside, and get rid of junk. Check the house for entrances and gaps where mice and insects may be tempted to come through. Seal up cracks, even if you just did so in the winter. Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. “It’s good to keep a barrier between your mulch and your home.

Take a peek at the plumbing.

Except for a coffee maker, anything dripping in your house is a bad sign. Check for leaking faucets or “sweating” pipes, clogged drains, and faulty water drainage systems. On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks, and make note of wetness around the dishwasher. Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Tackle the tiles. While you’re in spring-cleaning mode, pay attention to worn grout between floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair later. If necessary, re-seal as soon as possible. For the bath, get into the habit of wiping down shower walls and tub after each use to eliminate soap and scum build-up.

The bottom line is a message you hear about your automobile time and time again: Preventive maintenance is crucial. Keep your home happy and in tip-top shape with regular check-ups to save you the headache of emergency repairs from season to season.
Take care of your home and it will take care of you.

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