A Loan Modification Should Be More Than a Band-Aid

A Loan Modification Should Be More Than a Band-Aid

A valid question recently posed by James Budrow of Sacramento Inspection LLC in Sacramento, California is why the government or the bank doesn’t require the home to be re-inspected by a certified home inspector as part of the process before a loan modification is finalized? If an inspection is not performed and major deficiencies are not addressed, the loan modification could be nothing more than a band-aid on an issue that will clearly come back on the home owner or the bank down the road.

 

A Loan Modification Should Be More Than a Band-Aid

 
Sacramento Inspection LLC has been called out to do inspections on homes recently handed back to the banks that have clearly not been maintained. Some of the situations found at these homes are non-permitted additions, structural foundation problems, leaking roofs or roofs past their life expectancy, heating and air conditioning systems that don’t work properly, defective plumbing issues, unsafe electrical issues, and mold growth inside the home that is so prevalent that the inhabitants were sick 24/7.

Any one of these issues can potentially cost a home owner tens of thousands of dollars unexpectedly and can start a chain reaction, lessening the desire to continue to make the payments on the loan or allowing the home to fall into further disrepair if the problem is not corrected. If the occupants walk away from the home and allow it to go into foreclosure and back to the bank without making the necessary repairs, the home will either sit vacant on the market indefinitely or be sold via auction at a drastically reduced price, further weakening the already fragile real estate market. If these homes had been inspected prior to the loan modification being finalized, the investment the government, the bank, and the homeowner has in that property could be protected further by adding enough money to the loan to make necessary repairs to the home to bring it to acceptable standards.

James Budrow feels that the homes need to be inspected by a certified home inspector, a “cost-to-cure” analysis compiled, and that the bank and home owner should be required to agree as part of the loan modification that all major defects be repaired before the loan modification paperwork is finalized.  A program like this would be a move in the right direction that could benefit more than the initial parties. It would stimulate the economy by putting more contractors back to work to make those repairs, help the government update homes to be more energy efficient, and keep the homes in good repair to maintain their value over time.  James Budrow believes that this may be the only way to insure that more home owners can be compelled to make their monthly payments for the life of the loan modification.

A Loan Modification Should Be More Than a Band-Aid

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Basement Remodeling

Basement Remodeling

Increase Your Living Space With Basement Remodeling

The basement was traditionally a dark and dank place to store holiday decorations and old toys.  But the modern family uses more space per person than in the past, and many homeowners are looking for more livable space. The most logical choice is basement remodeling.  Whether you have a full or partial basement, follow some basic steps to create a cozy and appealing basement remodeling retreat: prepare the space for safe living, consider how you and your family will use the space, and thoughtfully design the plan to meet those needs.

Prepare the Space for Safe Living

Subterranean spaces are always vulnerable to dampness and flooding.  Even if you rarely have water problems, address even small issues and take proactive measures to prevent larger problems before doing any other work. One bout of leaking or flooding can ruin any finish work.  Start by consulting a professional home inspector who specializes in waterproofing basements.

Air that circulates well helps prevent condensation and mold problems.  But most basements in older homes have few if any vents and return air ducts. During the basement remodeling process add these openings where they will be the most effective. If your basement houses the furnace and other major appliances install a carbon monoxide detector to ensure that dangerous fumes are not being sucked through the vents and into the rest of the house.

Decide How the Space Will be Used

A finished basement will add a significant amount of livable space to your home.  Consider your family’s changing needs and how you will use the space. Popular and practical uses include a recreation room for the kids, a music practice area, or a home theater. Utility components such as water lines and heating and cooling ducts are usually available, so it is generally easy to add a bathroom and other comforts to turn the space into a guest suite as well.

Design Thoughtfully

Make practical decorating choices.  Install surfaces that don’t easily absorb moisture instead of plush carpets and curtains.  If you want to carpet, consider a hardy indoor/outdoor variety or use area rugs that can be removed and cleaned.  And plan for electronics or technology needs by adding adequate wiring and outlets on each wall.
Maximize natural light – if the basement partially extends above ground level add windows or enlarge existing ones; you can dig window wells for completely underground spaces.  If you are concerned about security, install glass bricks rather than actual windows to allow light into the room. Keep the layout open so that light will move throughout the space. Creative use of artificial light can also help to open up the space and dispel that “cave feeling” of many basements.  Direct the light upwards to give the allusion of greater ceiling height. Strategically placed mirrors will also amplify the lighting effects.

You might be starting out from a rough space, but with the right design you’ll have a great basement remodeling addition that will increase your living comfort and your home’s value.

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Basement Remodeling

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Clearing a Drain Blockage

Drain Blockage

Keep the Plumbing Lines Open

Some of the smallest household contraptions contribute in large part to the convenience of our modern living.  The drain is given little thought – until it doesn’t do its job properly. A blocked drain can disrupt a home more quickly than many other problems. Thankfully, unclogging a drain can be relatively easy with the right tools.  By learning a bit about drain cleaning you can save yourself time, money, and inconvenience.

Prevention is the best medicine, and it’s wise to use drain screens to catch hair and debris before they can run down into the pipes and cause a clog.  But over time it’s inevitable that your pipes will accumulate enough things like food particles, grease, and soap to cause even a minor clog. A blockage is easy to detect – water is slow to leave the sink or tub.  When you are faced with this situation there is no choice but to clear the line.  There are simple ways to clear a clog using items often found around your house.

Drain Blockage

Be proactive – in the event of a plumbing backup, a speedy response can make the difference between minor and major damage to your home and your belongings.

Begin by removing the drain stopper (it should pull up or unscrew).  Pour a pot of boiling water down the drain and let it sit for fifteen minutes.  This will soften many drain blockage enough to move it through the pipes.  Repeat this step once or twice if it does not work the first time. A homemade solution of equal parts baking soda and vinegar (1/2 cup each) can also be used to dissolve a smaller drain blockage.  Pour the solution into the drain, allow it to work for about fifteen minutes, and then flush the drain with hot water.  Repeat if necessary.  At this point a plunger may bring up the rest of the drain blockage: fill the basin with some water, block the overflow with a rag, and push the plunger down and up about a dozen times.

If the drain blockage still persists try to dislodge it with a plumber’s snake (you can buy or rent one) or a straightened wire hanger.  Work the tool up and down until you have cleared much of the clog.  The length of the professional plumber’s snake, a flexible steel cable over a dozen feet long, will be necessary for deep clogs.

At times, you may encounter a more difficult drain blockage, one that has moved further from the local drain site, causing problems with several or all drains in the house.  To deal with this problem you will have to work out the drain blockage at the main drain. Ensure that no one in the house is using any of the plumbing facilities, then find the access point and position a bucket to catch overflow before you remove the cap.  Feed a plumbing snake through the pipes until you hit the drain blockage then work the snake back and forth to dislodge the clog.

If your best efforts still cannot solve the problem it’s time to call in a professional.  Most drain blockage issues should be dealt with promptly to prevent water damage to the home.

Drain Blockage

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Homes For Sale In Sacramento, CA

Homes For Sale In Sacramento, CA

 

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Fighting Germs in the Home

Fighting Germs in the Home

Testing Indoor Air and Surface Quality

Anyone who is or has been the parent of a school-aged child will be familiar with the frustrating scenario – the kids were fairly healthy over the summer months or the holiday break, and then a few days back in school brings on the runny noses and nagging cough.  A schoolroom full of children will pass around germs at lightening speed. Containers of hand sanitizer have cropped up in schools and other public places so that we can clean our hands on the spot. Most people are careful to wipe down things that they are going to touch in public places in an effort to ward off germs.  But current research shows that our homes might be germier than we think, causing over 50 percent of food-borne illnesses and over 65 percent of colds.  Even with the most rigorous cleaning efforts, it turns out that some of the dirtiest air we breathe is in our own homes!

Areas inside the house that hold the highest levels of bacteria per square inch range from the expected, like the toilet bowl, to the more surprising, such as the kitchen faucet handle.  Some of the contamination can be mitigated with more stringent disinfecting routines.  Most homeowners regularly sterilize the toilet bowl, but how many do the same to the cutting board, which is a rich breeding ground for bacteria- and virus-producing germs?  However, even the most energetic house cleaning generally cannot address all levels of infecting agents in the home. Our homes now contain many of the irritants that we have worked so hard to reduce in the outdoor environment, from the chemical cleaners we use to the clothes in the closet laced with dry-cleaning compounds. Many houses have hidden problems, such as water leaks that are promoting mold growth.  With all of our modern knowledge about the impact of environmental pollution, we know that airborne toxins can affect physical health in many ways such as inducing asthma symptoms and exacerbating allergies.  Today’s homeowners need to take new and cutting-edge approaches to managing the household environment to keep the home cleaner and the family healthier.

One of the most beneficial tools available to homeowners now is the indoor air and surface quality evaluation. Some home and building inspectors have fulfilled educational and testing requirements in the area of indoor air quality, focusing on issues including mold, lead, radon, carbon monoxide, asbestos, and pesticides.  These professionals will come into the home, take air and surface samples to be tested, and produce a detailed report on the contaminants found.  They can also discuss the available solutions and help customize a plan for your situation.  By combining a professional evaluation with your own cleaning efforts you can achieve a comprehensive plan to make your home the healthiest place it can be.

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Sacramento Mold Inspector

Sacramento Mold Inspector

Do You Need A Sacramento Mold Inspection? We Can Help!

It may have happened to someone you know or even in your own home.  Water damage or some other work required you to open up the wall, the floor, the ceiling – and there it was…mold.  Time to call the Sacramento mold inspector. The thought of having a mold problem can strike fear into the heart of any homeowner.  Mold is formed by microscopic spores and attaches to moist surfaces.  In nature mold has the important function to help decompose substances such as leaves and plant debris.  But when that mold has settled into your drywall, carpet, or other house material it becomes a significant problem. We would like to point out that if you suspect you may have a mold issue in your home, we recommend you contact a certified Sacramento mold inspector to conduct a thorough indoor air and surface quality review as soon as possible.

Any issue that creates humid or wet conditions, including leaks or poor ventilation, will increase the chances of mold breeding in the area.  There are telltale signs of a mold problems that trigger a Sacramento mold Inspector to be called. Stale, musty odors, especially in the bathroom, laundry room, basement, and attic, are strong indicators that mold is growing. You may also see small black or white specks along damp areas.  This is a sign that you need to call a Sacramento mold inspector. Mold may be hidden behind walls or tiles, and even dry mold can still cause problems. This means that if you fixed a leak that caused mold and then cleaned up the mold, mold colonies of spores may be dormant but not entirely dead.  Just as grass and plants are rejuvenated after a cold winter by the sun and rain of spring, dormant mold can begin to spread anew if conditions become optimal again from additional leakage or humidity.  Untreated mold will continue to grow and damage the house, calling for an invasive and expensive repair effort.

Contact a Sacramento Mold Inspector

Having mold colonize your home is an issue, but many people are equally concerned about the health risks to the family exposed to mold.  A Sacramento mold inspector can test for many different types of spores. People that have allergies, asthma, or other breathing conditions may be especially sensitive to mold. Those with more serious health issues may be at increased risk for infection.  Symptoms of mild exposure may include runny noses, congestion, or cough. A small number of molds, such as “black mold,” will produce very harmful toxins that can induce more persistent affects such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue.

Because mold is a double threat, to both the house structure and the family health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Deal with leaks promptly and dry out affected building components and furniture.  Keep areas of high humidity, such as the laundry room, ventilated properly.  If you do suspect that you have a mold problem, act quickly call a Sacramento mold inspector at 877-424-8289. The State of California suggests that some smaller mold issues can be cleaned using common household chemicals.  We strongly encourage any non-professional to review the information and related links on the State Dept of Health Services website before attempting to clean up even the smallest amount of mold or suspected mold. After educating yourself on the issue, if you feel comfortable, clean up the mold you can see – specially formulated solutions are available to deal with mold and mildew.  However, you may find that symptoms persist even after the cleaning.  At that point it’s time to call in a Sacramento Mold Inspector who is skilled in testing, removal and/or treatment.  A thorough testing, treatment and or removal will prevent the mold from spreading into uncontaminated areas, kill and remove the mold, and protect the cleaned out area against future infestations.  With proper testing by a Sacramento mold inspector, vigilance, treatment in preventing mold growth and prompt attention when a problem arises you can avert a potential disaster.

Get a Sacramento Mold Inspection

Contact A Sacramento Mold Inspector

Sacramento Inspection LLC
5714 Folsom Blvd Suite 106
Sacramento, CA 95819
877-424-8289
SacramentoInspection.com

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Find out how to eliminate your mold liability while protecting yourself, your tenants, and your property from mold damage and other indoor air quality hazards.

If you are interested in speaking to a Sacramento mold inspector or would like to set up a Sacramento Mold Inspection in your home please feel free to contact us at 877-424-8289.

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Indoor Air Issues

Every Breath You Take

Indoor Air Issues

For many people, the home is a sanctuary.  However, the air there may not be as clean as we think.  Several aspects of modern living can actually spoil the air in the home.  And because houses are being built and remodeled in ways that tightly seal the shell, drastically reducing air movement between the indoors and outdoors, pollutants in the house will largely remain there. The better informed you are about any air issues affecting the family home and health, the better equipped you will be to control and prevent them.

Indoor air problems stem from many substances including biological pollutants, combustion by-products, hazardous building materials, and household products.

Biological pollutants come from living matter.  The most widespread examples include mold, animal dander, and dust mites.  Excess condensation and poorly maintained HVAC systems can promote mold growth. Therefore it’s critical to have appliances with condensing units cleaned and serviced regularly.  Minimize the impact of animal dander and dust mites with regular dusting and cleaning.

Fuels, including natural gas, propane, oil, and kerosene, produce harmful by-products. Any heating appliance that burns fuel can release carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or excess water vapor.  Ensure that all fuel-burning equipment is well maintained, properly vented, and inspected regularly for safety.

Remodeling projects give your home new sparkle, but the process can create unhealthy air.  Home renovations often disturb areas containing old hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead paint, and can release particles into the air.  Rather than try to remove them, which often creates more of a health hazard, it is better to carefully cover them up. A professional inspector can help you determine what hazardous materials you will uncover and how best to contain and clean them up.  Paints, adhesives, and stripping and finishing solvents can also create indoor air pollution. Some of these products are volatile and flammable.  Read all labels thoroughly and use them strictly as recommended.

The very chemicals we use to clean and disinfect our homes can also cause air pollution.  Follow manufacturers’ instructions for amounts and usage.  Use the least strong product that will do the job with the smallest amount necessary.  Ventilate the area that you are cleaning so that fumes do not linger.  Keep household chemicals tightly sealed in their original containers.

Be aware of the signs that you may have an indoor air quality problem.  You may notice stale and musty odors.  Dirty or faulty HVAC equipment will most likely affect the air quality.  Excessive condensation and humidity often correlate to the presence of molds.  And take note of any changes to the family’s health inside the home, such as irritated eyes and throat, sneezing, coughing, congestion, and fatigue. If you suspect a problem with the air in your home, take action promptly.  A professional air quality inspector can do a comprehensive review of your home’s environment and help you address issues effectively.  Once you have fixed existing problems, schedule annual inspections and service calls to prevent recurring damage.

 

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

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Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

Spring Cleaning

Giving the House a Good Once Over

For many homeowners springtime brings thoughts of making home improvements and upgrades.  When you are putting together a list of potential projects, think about adding a thorough spring cleaning at the top of that list.  Even the most ardent housekeepers do not get to all the nooks and crannies regularly.  Giving the house a good once over has many benefits.  Dust and allergens settle in upholstery and carpets; deep cleaning those items will improve your home’s air quality.  Freshening up décor such as light fixtures and blinds keep them in good repair and brighten up the house.  Cleaning the inside of closet and pantry spaces will help you to inventory what you have and to purge old, unused items.

An effective spring cleaning will take several days – decide when you can dedicate the time and effort, and then mark it on your calendar.  Scheduling the cleaning alongside your other events and appointments will give it that importance and help you stick to your plan.  Your to-do list will include those bigger tasks that do not make every routine cleaning, such as:

• Baseboards
• Walls and Ceilings – vacuum dust and clean surface grime
• Light fixtures
• Window frames and doorjambs
• Window coverings – take down and clean draperies, curtains, and blinds
• Hardware including door knobs and hinges
• Closets – shoe racks, shelves, and floors
• Pantries – clean shelves and inventory food items
• Cabinets – interiors and doors of kitchen and bath cabinets
• Refrigerator and Stove – remove and clean all parts including crisper drawers, knobs, racks, and burners
• Floors – move large furniture and vacuum or mop all surfaces
• Carpets – have carpets professionally cleaned
• Furniture – wax wooden furniture and have upholstered furniture professionally cleaned

And last but not least, take the opportunity to organize.  During an in-depth spring cleaning you will be going through things that you might not have looked at in a long time, like items shoved under the bed or hidden on the floor of your closet under the hanging clothes.  Begin by sorting through the clutter that is in your way as you are cleaning an area.  Put things into three groups: to be used, to be stored, to be purged (donate or sell items that can be reused).  Set up a storage system that will work for you by keeping the basics of smart storage in mind:

• Group similar items together.  Keep tools in the toolbox, hang dress shirts together.
• Define where things are stored.  Give specific uses to closets, cabinets, and shelves.  Labels storage bins and boxes.
• Be sensible.  Use your space in a way that fits your needs and that you can maintain over time.  If it makes sense to store a frequently used tool kit in the food pantry, then do it!
• Think ahead.  Storage needs change over time as people part with and accumulate things.  Maintain some free space for future needs and regularly clear out old, unused items during the annual spring cleaning.

Sacramento Inspection LLC

James Budrow

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