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How to Choose a Home Inspector

The first and best way to select a home inspector is to ask your real estate agent.  Their expertise and experience is an invaluable asset during the entire home buying process, and you can benefit greatly from their professional contacts.

Here is a Home Inspection company that I would highly recommend:

• A Closer Look Real Estate Inspections, (520) 975-7580, ask for Bob

Choosing a home inspector is a very important decision.  As it is a relatively new profession, comparatively speaking, many states do not currently regulate home inspectors with licensing and certification.

Because of this, many homebuyers are tempted to select a handyman or a contractor to perform a discount inspection.  This is not recommended.  Because the inspection process is highly detailed, it is important to select an inspector that is thoroughly knowledgeable and experienced.

There are some other things to watch for when selecting an inspector.  Ideally, your inspector should be associated with the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI).  Membership in this organization requires that your inspector adhere to the professional standards outlined by this association, and participate in continuing education.

Next to professional affiliation, your inspector should be experienced in the inspection process.  Competency at home inspection is developed from years of hands-on experience.  A contractor's license is important, but not nearly as important as inspection experience itself.

Your inspector should be knowledgeable, thorough, meticulous, competent and detailed.  Knowledge of contracting and building code certification is also helpful.

Water
	City of Tucson Water Department
		Contact: 520-791-3242 or 1-800-598-9449 Vail Water, 13955 E Colossal Cave Rd, Vail, AZ 85641 Phone: (520) 647-3679 Metro Water
	Contact: 520-575-8100
Telephone
	McLeod USA
	Qwest
Sanitation
	City of Tucson Solid Waste Department
Post Office
	US Post Office
Gas
	Southwest Gas
		Contact: 520-889-1888 or Within USA 1-800-428-7324
Fire Departments
	City of Tucson Fire Department
		City of Tucson fire/emergency services. Fees included in city taxes.
	Northwest Fire
		County fire/emergency services.
	Rural Metro Fire Department
		County fire/emergency services. Subscription service.
Electric Companies
	Trico Electric Cooperative
	Tucson Electric Power
		Contact: 520-623-7711 or Outside of AZ 1-800-328-8853 7 am - 7 pm, Mon-Fri
Cable TV Service
	ComCast Cable, generally service for county properties.
	Cox Cable, generally service for city properties.
	Direct TV
	Dish Network

Homeowner's Insurance
	Most lenders require homebuyers to carry homeowner's insurance.  This is a hazard insurance policy designed to cover your property against peril.  Most homebuyers elect to take out a comprehensive homeowner's insurance policy.  This type of coverage covers the cost of rebuilding your home, your possessions, liability, vandalism, theft, water damage (not flood related) and loss of use.  There are three basic areas this type of insurance is designed to cover. Casualty:  If your home should be damaged or destroyed (most frequently due to fire), your insurance will cover the cost of rebuilding your home.  This is usually based on the square footage of your dwelling space (which can be found on the appraisal report).  It is important to note that your coverage amount is not based on the amount you paid for the home, or the amount of your mortgage. Keep in mind that your insurance policy likely doesn't cover rising water (flood) or earth movement (earthquake).  Separate insurance policies can be purchased to cover these occurrences. Personal Property:  Your insurance policy also will likely cover up to a specific amount towards the replacement of your personal belongings in your home, similar to renter's insurance.  It is important to ask your insurance agent which items may not be covered under this portion of your insurance.  In most cases, a separate policy can be purchased to cover any items not falling under the purview of this portion of your coverage.  One example may be an expensive item of jewelry. Liability:  As a property owner, you are liable for any accidents which may occur on your property.  If a guest or passerby slips on a patch of ice on your front porch or falls off your staircase, you are liable for their injuries.  This is also covered under your homeowner's insurance. Remember to compare insurance rates.  Ask your insurance agent any questions you may have regarding coverage and loss, limitations, deductibles and the like.  Most companies also offer discounted rates if you have both your vehicle and home insured.  If you need assistance in finding an insurance agent, please feel free to contact me. Or try calling: Allstate, Dana Kelly 520-327-4974

What You Should Know About Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Reports

Homeowners are usually reluctant to admit to potential buyers that their homes are damaged by termites. For some people, the mere mention of the words "termite damage" conjures up images of tiny insects with very big teeth dining on weight-bearing wood beams until a home collapses in a heap of sawdust. Thankfully this is not usually the case. WHAT'S A W.D.I.I.R? As a protective measure, banks and lending institutions require that homes be inspected for damage from termites or other wood-destroying insects before closing the sale of the home. A Wood-Destroying Insect Inspection Report (WDIIR) is a document prepared by a licensed pest control business that informs the lending institution and buyer about termite damage or presence. WDIIR's have two-pages. The first page provides basic information about the inspection such as the address of the property, and answers general questions, such as: Are there any obstructions or areas inaccessible to inspection? Is there any visible evidence of infestation or previous treatment? If damage is present, who will correct it? A statement of the inspector describes the terms, conditions and limitations of the inspection. The second page of the WDIIR goes into more detail. It pinpoints special areas of concern such as locations of previous treatment, and areas that are inaccessible to inspection. At the bottom of page two, there is a space for the inspector to draw the structure with these details included. Obviously, this is where accuracy matters most because the buyer and lending institution rely on this specific information when deciding whether or not to go through with a sale. WHAT A WDIIR IS NOT Now that you know what a WDIIR is, let's talk about what a WDIIR is not. A WDIIR is not a structural damage report – it is only a report about visible damage relating to infestation, not about structural damage for other reasons, such as earthquakes or floods. A WDIIR is not a guarantee of the absence of wood-destroying insects. An inspection is an important tool in evaluating the soundness of a structure, but there are limitations. After all, an inspector can't pick up a house and look under it, or take it apart and put it back together. What do termites look like? Select  one of the video formats Subterranean Termites Real Video (223k)* 10 second download on a 56k modem Subterranean Termites Mpeg format (1,709k) 5 minute download on a 56k modem Drywood Termites Real Video (249k)* 10 second download on a 56k modem Drywood Termites Mpeg format (2,905k) 10 minute download on a 56k modem WHAT ARE WDIIR'S GOOD FOR ANYWAY?! So what good is a WDIIR if it does not guarantee that a house is free from termites? Well, aside from identifying obvious infestations and previous treatment, WDIIR's highlight potential problem areas. Here are some things that buyers should look for: Cracks in foundation walls. It only takes a crack 1/32 of an inch wide to give termites and other wood destroying insects hidden access to a house. Leaking pipes and faucets. Termites as well as other insects, seek out moisture for survival. Leading pipes can keep wood and soil continually damp and create a perfect home for termites. Wood debris around and under a house. Pieces of scrap lumber or firewood kept next to a structure can support a colony of termites. Sprinkler systems or bubblers placed near the outside wall of a structure. Excessive watering can dilute pesticide treatments around foundation walls. Flower planters. Planters allow hidden and direct access to unprotected siding and cracked stucco when built in direct contact with a house. Trellises and wooden fences. If a trellis or wood fence touches soil and is in contact with a structure, it provides a direct link between the subterranean termites in the soil and wood in the structure. WDIIR's provide valuable information for the sale of a home, and document its present condition for future reference. Unfortunately, there is no state law that requires a WDIIR for the sale of a structure; it is a requirement of the lending institution. State law does dictate that WDIIR's meet certain minimum standards. By law, all pest control applicators, inspectors and companies must be licensed by the Structural Pest Control Commission. The general public may call the Commission to find out if any applicator/inspector or company is properly licensed. In addition, the Commission maintains a database on the WDIIR's and post construction termite treatments performed on homes in Arizona since 1988. [This information was taken from the brochure entitled "What you should know about wood infestation reports". It is available, at the S.P.C.C. office, free of charge. Our phone number is (602) 255-3664. Consumer information line is (800) 223-0618.]

To schedule a termite inspection, call: Termagon at 322-9211. They will need to know the address of the property, the title company (to send the invoice to), and your agent's name.

I will be venturing to China in November 2007 with a group from the Tucson Chamber of Commerce. It's an 8 day tour, mainly in Beijing and Shanghai. 

Below are some photos from my trip...I apologize if they seem distorted, the website fits them to the size alloted for photos....

It was a very interesting trip, and it gives one a better love for America!! I am glad to be Home!