Buying A Home? Don't Panic! with Home Inspector

Send a text Jeff Schulte Joins John Laforme in this podcast episode to explain what you need to know about swimming pools as a home owner and a home inspector. Jeff has been in the pool business since the 1970's (my favorite era by the way). His depth of experience is endless and he shares it all with us in this episode. Jeff explains child safety topics, electrical safety hazards, filters an...

Send a text Episode 17: CREIA Standards Of Practice Section 2: Exteriors This episode has special guest Bud Hayes from Hayes Inspection Group, Bud is a CREIA certified inspector as well. Bud and I break down each sub section and explain the standards of practice. As promised here is a youtube video explaining how to identify if the doors are installed backwards. https://youtu.be/RXNfGy4c8fY CREIA...

Send a text Matt Neal , The host of his own podcast Peace Of Chaos  Joins John Laforme for an action packed episode covering several topics like Matt's home inspection experience with john and his bad experience's during his real estate transaction. After looking at 30 homes before finding the right one, Matt explains in detail the good the bad and the ugly of buying a home in todays rea...

Send a text HVAC Title 24 Energy Efficiency Compliance! What Home Buyers, Realtors and Home Inspectors Need To Know. What is Title 24? The California Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards are designed to ensure new and existing buildings achieve energy efficiency and preserve outdoor and indoor environmental quality. These measures (Title 24, Part 6) are listed in the California Code of Re...

Send a text Photography 101 for Home Inspectors, Why are home inspection photos so important? Seriously do your report photos SUCK! Are they dark, fuzzy or over exposed? Listen to this podcast to learn how to improve your photos. In this episode John talks about why home inspection photos are so important even after the inspection. John also talks about how to take better photos on site to keep th...

Send a text Time management is the ability to use your time productively and efficiently. You could also think of it as the art of having time to do everything that you need, without feeling stressed about it. Risk Management: (in business) the forecasting and evaluation of financial risks together with the identification of procedures to avoid or minimize their impact. Are you tired of chasing yo...

Send a text John is joined by real estate agent Sona Gallatin of the Gallatin group from the Santa Clarita valley area in California. Sona talks johns ear off in this action packed episode 12 that is packed with realtor and home inspector insight covering several topics like being better prepared for the home inspection process during this unprecedented time in the real estate market, bridging the...

Send a text Geotechnical Engineer Abe Simantob Explains What You Need To Know When buying A Hillside Home. Abe Simantob, P.E., G.E., D. GE  L.A. PRIVATE EYES ENGINEERS perform geotechnical inspections for real estate clients. geo-engineer.com   Contact us at 866-436-3647 or ( 866-GEO-ENGR) to schedule an inspection A Geotechnical survey is a necessary inspection when buying a home on a hillside fo...

Send a text Episode 10:   Water Heater 101 Tank Vs Tankless Pros and Cons. Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. They don't produce the standby energy losses associated with storage water heaters, which can save money. Tankless water heaters heat water instantaneously without the use of a storage tank. When a...

Send a text Does Size Really Matter?  How Many System Defects Can A 1000 Sq Ft House possibly Have? Listen to this podcast to find out. Don't let the size fool ya they always say, its true these small home issues can easily outweigh a much larger house when it comes to system defects. Each and every house needs to be inspected in the same thorough manner wether or not its under 1000 square fe...

Send a text Episode 8: CREIA Standards Of Practice Part 1 Foundation, Basement, and Under-Floor Areas. This episode has special guest Bud Hayes from Hayes Inspection Group, Bud is a CREIA certified inspector as well. Bud and I break down each sub section and explain the standards of practice. CREIA Standards of Practice Residential Standards of Practice - Four or Fewer Units Part I. Definitions an...

Send a text Attention Home Buyers! Lets Set Some Realistic Expectations With Your Home Inspector. Yes this means you, It is very important you understand what to expect during your home inspection. To many times home buyers have unrealistic expectations during there home inspections because they did not read the inspection agreement and or were given bad information from there realtor or family me...

Send a text Aww Rats! No seriously the home you are buying may have tenants already living in it rent free, otherwise known as squatters of the fury kind. Let's make sure you not buying a petting zoo. This condition may be identified by one of your inspectors you hired after opening escrow. If the home does have evidence of pests don't panic just call a professional and have the problem...

Send a text Are your exterior doors installed backwards? Listen to this podcast to help identify if they are installed backwards. Often times i find doors that open outward on a home and the installation looks questionable, typically because i see the door hinges on the exterior. If your door hinges are outside then they must be the correct type for this application. The hinges should be security...

Send a text Episode 4: Too sewer scope or not to sewer scope? That is the big question when buying a home. John Laforme and Robert Deyl both agree having your sewer lateral inspected is a must have inspection when buying a home, Heres why. The unknown is a sewer lateral pipe which is buried under ground between your foundation and the city sewer connection. This pipe is the responsibility of the h...

Send a text In Episode 3 , David Olivas from Pyramid Pest Control and John Laforme explain the difference between a Termite Inspection Vs Home Inspection. Wood damage to a home can be general wood damage typically pointed out by a general home inspector, however determining if damage is dry rot or (WDO) Wood Destroying Organisms must be reported by a licensed pest control contractor only. This epi...

Send a text Episode #2 is about what causes drywall cracks, Are the cracks cosmetic or indication of a bigger structural issue? There are many conditions that can lead to drywall cracks so let's start with the minor cosmetic only issues home buyers tend to stress over. Straight line cracks are typical in any home new or old and are typically the result of a poor drywall joint where 2 sheets o...

Send a text This episode is about setting expectations for home buyers and their realtors when buying a home built in the early 1900's. I have inspected hundreds of early 1900's homes over the years, the reactions from buyers and their realtors can be a bit numbing at times when i am giving my overview of what conditions i found during the home inspection. I believe the reason for this i...