Haslett, MI
Home Inspections
Mid Michigan
Property Prestige, LLC
Commercial Inspections
(517)348-7817
2700939
HOME INSPECTOR:
Property Prestige, LLC: Home Inspections
PLUS: Insurance, Construction, Bank,
Mortgage, Commercial, CNA Reports, ADA Compliance, Residential Design and Drafting
CERTIFICATIONS:
General Inspections (Residential and Commercial), Exteriors, Roofs, Decks, Chimneys, Fireplaces, WDO (Wood Destroying Organisms, Pests), Pools and Spas, Moisture Intrusion, Mold, Indoor Air Quality, Radon, Plumbing, Electrical, Mechanical, Attics, Crawlspaces, Home Maintenance, Means of Egress, Well Water, MoveIn Certified, 11 month Warranty.
THREE CATAGORIES OF FINDINGS
BIG TICKET
ITEMS
HEALTH & SAFETY
ITEMS
MAINTAINENCE
ITEMS
NOW UTILIZING DIGITAL REPORT WRITING SOFTWARE!
Home Inspections
INSPECTION REPORT
On Inspection Day I walk the property inside and out in search of items that I deem to be "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". Many home inspector focus only on the bad aspects of a home but this does not give the full picture. i can walk thru any building and find fault with it but that doesn't mean it's a bad purchase. I want to offer a wide range view of the perspective home so the pros and cons can be weighed and an intelligent and informed decision can be made that fits the goals, budget and plans of my client. I find it best if the client is present and will, on occasion, discuss issues in detail during the inspection period which will generally last 2 to 3 hours depending on the size of the home and the types of inspections requested. Before I leave the property I will hand my report to the client and I follow up my report with photos taken during the inspection and noted to depict my findings. This helps clarify the specific details so they can be easily addressed by the client or a qualified repair specialist.
I began my career in construction in 1976 working as a carpenters apprentice learning the trades from an experienced craftsman. After several years of construction experience I attended college to study architecture. As I entered this new profession I found great accomplishment in a wide array of construction types, retail, commercial, light industrial and residential. With a strong draw toward the technical aspects of the business I excelled in code research, detailing, material use, and construction processes. A large segment of my residential experience has been devoted to walking construction sites to observe the methods and quality of the work performed. I have worked in Construction & Architecture and have 25+ years of experience inspecting homes, including new construction, at sale & during renovation. I have taught Materials of Construction courses at Lansing Community College & Michigan State University and am well versed on how materials and systems are to be installed and what to look for to determine their condition. I am a Certified Home Inspector thru InterNachi with a goal to not only inspect homes but take time to educate my clients in the basics of home ownership. I often work from a checklist style report however I will customize a full written report if my client prefers. I view Home Inspection as an education process, I inspect the home and reveal my findings to the client not with the intent of directing them to buy or not to buy the home, rather to educate them on the condition of the home so they can determine if it fits with their expectations and budget for future needs. My report findings are presented in three categories: Health and Safety; items that should be addressed immediately, Big cost items; those issues that could greatly impact their budget and might be considered when negotiating a final purchase price, and normal maintenance issues which are not to scare them away from the deal but rather used as a priority list of items to repair as time, money and desire allow. My motto is
Taking Surprises Out of Your
Home Buying Experience.
I have worked with many of the real estate companies in the area including:
Keller Williams, ReMax, Berkshire Hathaway, Reinhart, Musselman, Coldwell Banker, Real Estate One, Century 21, Howard Hanna Real Estate, EXIT Realty 1st,
Masonry
Brick failure from Freeze / Thaw effect and excess moisture.
Brick is not secured to the building. Note the caulk line on the brick 3/4" away from the door frame.
Load Bearing High Rise failure caused by improper construction and poor maintainence.
Brick failure from Freeze / Thaw effect and excess moisture.
Brick comes in a multitude of textures, colors and materials. It is notoriously durable and low maintainance. However, if installed incorrectly or subject to severe elements it begins to deteriorate. Once small signs of deterioration begin to show, repairs should be made or major costs could be incurred.
Roofs
Age has compromised this plumbing vent flashing. It should be sealed and secured to the roof.
Improperly Installed Exposed Roof Nails have been caulked over and that caulk has now become brittle and is Failing.
No Flashing Installed at Low Roof to Wall Connection.
Age has compromised this plumbing vent flashing. It should be sealed and secured to the roof.
Building roofs are exposed to extreme conditions. In weather conditions of locations like Michigan a roof can be below zero degrees at night and the following day in the sun's heat raise to over 100 degrees. This change in temperature causes the roofing to move due to expansion and contraction and the roof must be properly installed to accommodate such movement. Over time these extremes will cause deterioration of the roof products and occasional maintenance is required to get the most life possible from your roof. Some common roofing failures are shown in the slide show, if not properly maintained these conditions will worsen and eventually lead to gradual leaks or allow high winds to blow portions of the roof system off causing extensive leak potential.
Ventilation & Insulation
This Bath Exhaust Fan is Improperly Terminated in the Attic causing Excessive Moisture Leading to Drywall Damage, Mold and Mildew and Wood Rot.
Attic Insulation is often Matted Down reducing it's effectiveness. Here areas of the ceiling are completely bare.
Continuous Strip Vent Mounted in Older Plywood Soffit. This system often does not provide adequate ventilation for today's attic requirements.
This Bath Exhaust Fan is Improperly Terminated in the Attic causing Excessive Moisture Leading to Drywall Damage, Mold and Mildew and Wood Rot.
Insulation helps keep living spaces comfortable. Older homes often have insufficient insulation in walls and attics. Other factors can also affect your insulations effectiveness. Insulation material, density and moisture are a few of these factors. Ventilation plays a key role in the health of your home. Attics and crawl spaces need to be properly ventilated in order to remove heat, moisture and odors from the structure but often times mechanical ventilation systems are improperly installed and terminate in the attic or crawl space dumping significant amounts of moisture into the buiding rather than taking it to the exerior where it belongs. This can cause mold and mildew which can lead to health problems.