Special offer

Oaklyn, NJ Real Estate News

By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Corrugated stainless steel gas tubing (CSST) has been commonly used in residential, commercial and industrial construction for over the last 20 years.  CSST is a continuous flexible stainless steel tube covered with a PVC coating.  It has advantages over steel piping as no or few fittings are necessary and it can be routed directly to the appliance from the gas manifold or main gas pipe.  I have it in my home and I am not alone. Unfortunately, the walls of this tubing are very thin and have been reported to be vulnerable to perforation by lightning strikes.  Accordingly if struck by lighting and perforated, ignited gas can blow from the tubing and quickly create a fire.    As a result, the CSST gas tubing has now been associated with product defect allegations and litigation.  At presen...
Comments 5
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
This four year old South Jersey home was advertised as having a cozy family room with a natural gas fireplace.  After completing my home inspection, I believe this fireplace was a little too cozy.  No evidence of problems was observed in the family room.  However, the exterior of the fireplace showed melted vinyl siding.  As the fireplace was positioned at the rear of the house which faced north, I ruled out any sun reflection and concluded that an installation defect was likely.  As similar to other fuel burning equipment, the manufacturer provides detailed instructions regarding safe clearances to combustible materials and proper vent installation which can include insulating the vent.   The next step would be to open the exterior wall or fireplace for evaluation and to determine the ...
Comments 3
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Finally got one!  After all these years of observing evidence of mice living inside electrical panels In South Jersey I have caught one in the act performing a home inspection.  This time he did not hear me approaching.  This time I was too quick for him.  Off came the electrical panel cover and there he was frozen in fear while I snapped these pictures!   Mice in electrical panels can cause considerable damage and create a fire risk.  From the homeowner's perspective this is a safety concern. From the perspective of a mouse the electrical panel is likely to be a warm dry home, safe from cats and other enemies.  The mice will furnish the electrical panel with cozy bedding such as insulation and also stock pile groceries, often pet food or nuts.  For entertainment the mice will chew on t...
Comments 14
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
I hope most Americans are aware of the financial troubles of Fannie Mae and the questionable practice of the Federal Government backing Fannie Mae losses with taxpayer dollars.  And I am sure that many Americans are aware that Fannie Mae owns thousands of recently foreclosed homes that have and are being placed on the real estate market for resale.   Having performed home inspections in southern New Jersey on countless foreclosed homes, I am well educated in the typical condition of these properties.  In short, most foreclosures have serious defects.   It is not unusual for a foreclosed property to have been vacant for a year or more with no heat or air conditioning, allowing moisture to accumulate in the home in addition to permitting water pipes to freeze and burst.  Due to the above,...
Comments 5
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
While performing home inspections in Southern New Jersey for over twenty years, often I wonder if the condition of the home is qualified by the prospective purchaser and his or her sales agent prior to signing a contract.  My conclusion is often not.  As a South Jersey home inspector, I have developed a simple Home Inspection Checklist for buyers and sales agents to use as an easy tool to help qualify the condition of a home and provide comparison to similar properties under consideration. While the checklist is no substitute for a professional home inspection, the observations included below can be made by most anyone with a good set of eyes.  The goal of this checklist is to encourage observance of issues that are often overlooked when shopping for a home, with the end result being an...
Comments 7
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Frequently real estate agents will recommend home inspectors to their clients as part of the service they are providing.  This is expected as the agent is viewed as an expert in real estate and should know local home inspectors which include the good and often the bad. The concern by this author is do the agents really know anything about the individual they are recommending.  Sometimes the home inspector is pre-qualified on rumor.  For example, the other sales agents in the office state the inspector is a non-alarmist and/or a very good inspector.  Other times, the home inspector can be recommended after speaking at a sales meeting and dropping off donuts to the office as a follow-up.   It is my position that before referring an individual that will be entering a family's home there sh...
Comments 4
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
It has been a difficult winter for the real estate professionals and everybody else that has had to deal with the extreme cold weather and extensive snowfall.  While the cold can be considered cruel, the snow can be very beautiful, particularly the icicles that result from thaw and freeze cycles. While we all appreciate the beauty of winter, one most must remain aware to the danger of falling icicles, ice and snow.  Any of the above can cause severe injuries and even present the possibility of death.  Accordingly, prior to viewing the exterior of a building during winter weather it is of the utmost importance that one be sensitive of hazards that may cause injury.  If it is necessary to be under buildings that exhibit icicles, ice and snow, I strongly recommend that hardhats be utilized...
Comments 6
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
The Philadelphia Inquirer has reported that a pistol was pulled on a Pennsylvania real estate agent visiting a home on Friday making a sales pitch.  Reportedly, the homeowner's son met the agent at the door and requested that he leave.  Apparently, the slow-footed sales agent tried to overcome the young man's objection and gain access to the owner.  That did not work as the son pulled a gun and pointed it at the agent.  The agent got the message and left.  A short time later the gunman was arrested.  We all need to be very careful as this type of situation is becoming more ordinary.  I always have said "It's not the houses that scare me.  It's the people that live in them". "Glen Fisher southjerseynpi@aol.com                                                                               ...
Comments 11
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Everyday more and more home inspection companies are selling mold tests as part of a real estate transaction pre-purchase home inspection.  Is the mold testing really necessary or recommended when buying a home?  Isn't it enough that a good home inspector will document any visible significant mold growth and/or visible moisture problems that could lead to mold growth? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in most cases, mold testing or sampling is unnecessary.  EPA further states "Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards". The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, states that "If you can see or smell mold, a health risk may be present. You do...
Comments 9
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Lenn Harley recently commented on Jeff Karlsons post titled "That's Grandfathered In" as follows. "We have ceased to recommend two home inspectors because they wrote as "defects" things that didn't comply with the code as of today.  There is no section in the home inspection report for "code matters".  Further, code inspections in my area are legally done only by municipal and licensed code inspectors. The visual inspection performed by home inspectors demonstrates the "condition" of existing systems, foundation, roof, etc.  The sophistication of the average buyers simply doesn't permit them to digest the difference between condition of existing structures and code compliance which isn't a part of the Contract of Sale, the Home Inspection Report or Notice of Defects, etc."    I disagree...
Comments 38
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
During my years of home inspections, I have observed hundreds of gas water heaters wrapped with insulation blankets.  I don't like it.  The insulation hides possible leaks and other defects and often covers the identification tag which states the age of the unit. After some research I have confirmed that the manufacturers of most gas water heaters don't like it either.  In fact, the following is directly from the installation manual of a General Electric gas water heater. "Insulation blankets, available to the general public, for external use on gas water heaters are not necessary. The purpose of an insulation blanket is to reduce the standby heat loss encountered with storage tank heaters. This water heater meets or exceeds the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act standards with ...
Comments 8
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Homebuyer, I am sorry to say that the four bedroom house you just purchased for your large family only is considered to be a two bedroom dwelling. You see those two extra rooms in the basement that have been covered with drywall cannot meet the definitions of a bedroom.  Apparently, the seller, the sales agents and you have overlooked the lack of any windows, missing electrical outlets and no heat source.  In addition, closets are not present. Please be aware that industry standards require the first three as noted above for a bedroom.  Just because a bed and dresser can physically fit into a room does not allow it to meet the standards for a bedroom.  Nor should it be marketed and utilized as such. For reasons of safety, all bedrooms should have two exits in case of fir...
Comments 5
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
It happed again and it shouldn't.  Another unpleasant confrontation at the home inspection occurs.  Myself (the home inspector), the real estate sales agent representing the buyer and the buyer all meet in front of the property last Saturday morning for the home inspection.  The buyer's father had also arrived and is parked nearby with a contactor expected later on to measure a room.   As we approach the front door, the male seller steps out to meet us.  The sales agent announces that we are here for the home inspection and introduces himself, the buyer and myself.  The seller then proceeds to coldly question the sales agent demanding to know who will be going inside as he doesn't want any "shit missing".  The buyer quickly replied that nothing would be stolen as he is a police officer....
Comments 9
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Time and time again, I have performed home inspections on horrid homes where the purchaser was represented by a reported Buyer Agent.   What I don't understand is that often, the obvious dreadful defects I report come as a complete surprise to the Buyer Agent and my client. Mt question is a how can a real estate agent represent themselves as a Buyer Agent and not have any expertise in recognizing the condition of the home?   The National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (NAEBA) standards of practice state in part that "the Buyer Agent will discuss and evaluate the properties viewed with his/her Buyer-Client, comparing each property shown with the target property profile".  How does the Buyer Agent evaluate the home without specific training? We all are aware that there are numerous...
Comments 82
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Most of us have done it.  We have taken on a home improvement that resulted in a disaster.  While there were good intentions, the project was destined to fail due to any number of reasons.  I call this misfortune "Home Improvement Gone Wrong". Home improvement project failure can be blamed on various reasons which include lack of planning, inadequate patience and poor skills.  It must also be noted that sometimes special tools are required and there is a quite a difference between a utility knife and a reciprocating saw. There are mainly two different types of home improvements; cosmetic and functional.  An example of cosmetic is when an interior room is painted.  Fine, the homeowner may be no Rembrandt.  However, we all can see that no surface preparation was performed.  Paints drips a...
Comments 10
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
It is getting close to that time of year when I start dwelling on new equipment for my home and building inspection business.  I have been thinking about purchasing an infrared camera to use on my inspections which are mostly residential homes. However, I am not sure how infrared cameras are perceived by real estate agents and brokers.  This is where I need your input.  If you are not familiar with these cameras, what they do is take a picture of invisible infrared or "heat" radiation also known as thermal imaging.  The camera is a remarkable diagnostic tool for inspectors as it can indicate problems not visible to the naked eye.   For instance, water leakage can be detected through a roof, wall or window with no interior evidence that the leakage even exists.  We all know what problems...
Comments 33
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Sometime ago, I was performing a home inspection on a single family residence.  I usually don't remember the details of the home inspections that I provide.  However, occasionally a unique discovery or event will occur that does create a lasting impression.  This inspection was proceeding as normal with the buyers following and the selling real estate agent and the owner of the home nearby.  It was time for the review of the attached garage and the first item I wanted to check was the main electrical service panel.    After a quick visual inspection of the panel exterior, I grabbed my battery screwdriver and removed the four screws that secured the cover plate to perform an internal viewing.  I removed the electrical panel cover plate and rested it against the garage wall.  My eyes then...
Comments 12
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Just a reminder after the contracts are signed the work is not done.  The house is not sold until closing.  For liability reasons, home inspectors are not required, nor advised to move items blocking access to areas that need to be inspected.  Failure to provide access to these areas during the inspection can lead to incomplete results, call backs, additional fees or a frustrated buyer. Most home inspectors will charge an additional fee if they must return to the property to inspect items which were not accessible.  Listed below are some simple tips that can prevent unnecessary delays when it is time for the home inspection. To make the process as smooth as possible, the seller should verify that:       All utilities are on       Pilot lights are lit including gas fireplaces       Attic...
Comments 4
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
Much to my dismay, January produced a disappointing number of radon tests completed by us for the southern portion of New Jersey.  Understandably, the economy is shaken and real estate sales are suffering, but January was National Radon Action Month. January is when radon tests should peak due to government alerts and promotions by the radon industry.  January is also an ideal time for radon testing to take place as short-term tests require that windows remain closed.  Radon continues to be the number-one environmental concern for homeowners with up to 20,000 annual lung cancer deaths estimated by the US EPA.   Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer with cigarette smoking number-one. I believe that attention has been diverted from radon due to the media's love for mold.  Mold ...
Comments 2
By Glen Fisher
(National Property Inspections of Southern New Jersey, LLC)
With the generous number of foreclosure homes and short sale homes on the real estate market today, they are often found without heat due to one or more disconnected utilities.  This is a serious concern in the colder parts of the country. While everything may appear fine, freezing conditions may have caused major damage.  Often a property will have notices posted that it has been winterized.  However, I have seen many a home that was not properly winterized or winterized only after cold weather has set in. Plumbing and hot water heating systems are the number one concern that is affected by freezing due to lack of heat.  Additional defects that often prevail are mold growth, damaged sheet rock and buckled floors.  The mold growth can occur as an unheated home will gain a substantial am...
Comments 4
Explore Oaklyn, NJ
Oaklyn, NJ Real Estate Professionals