Home Inspections – A Question and Answer Guide

A home inspection is an evaluation of the visible and accessible systems and components of a home (plumbing, heating and cooling, electrical, structure, roof, etc.) and is intended to give the client (buyer, seller, or homeowner) a better understanding of the home’s general condition. Most often it is a buyer who requests an inspection of the home he or she is serious about purchasing. A home inspection delivers data so that decisions about the purchase can be confirmed or questioned, and can uncover serious and/or expensive to repair defects that the seller/owner may not be aware of. It is not an appraisal of the property’s value; nor does it address the cost of repairs. It does not guarantee that the home complies with local building codes or protect a client in the event an item inspected fails in the future. [Note: Warranties can be purchased to cover many items.] A home inspection should not be considered a “technically exhaustive” evaluation, but rather an evaluation of the property on the day it is inspected, taking into consideration normal wear and tear for the home’s age and location. A home inspection can also include, for extra fees, Radon gas testing, water testing, energy audits, pest inspections, pool inspections, and several other specific items that may be indigenous to the region of the country where the inspection takes place. Home inspections are also used (less often) by a seller before listing the property to see if there are any hidden problems that they are unaware of, and also by homeowners simply wishing to care for their homes, prevent surprises, and keep the home investment value as high as possible.

The important results to pay attention to in a home inspection are:

1. Major defects, such as large differential cracks in the foundation; structure out of level or plumb; decks not installed or supported properly, etc. These are items that are expensive to fix, which we classify as items requiring more than 2% of the purchase price to repair.

2. Things that could lead to major defects – a roof flashing leak that could get bigger, damaged downspouts that could cause backup and water intrusion, or a support beam that was not tied in to the structure properly.

3. Safety hazards, such as an exposed electrical wiring, lack of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) in kitchens and bathrooms, lack of safety railing on decks more than 30 inches off the ground, etc.

Your inspector will advise you about what to do about these problems. He/she may recommend evaluation – and on serious issues most certainly will – by licensed or certified professionals who are specialists in the defect areas. For example, your inspector will recommend you call a licensed building engineer if they find sections of the home that are out of alignment, as this could indicate a serious structural deficiency.

Home Inspections are only done by a buyer after they sign a contract, right?

This is not true! As you will see when you read on, a home inspection can be used for interim inspections in new construction, as a maintenance tool by a current homeowner, a proactive technique by sellers to make their home more sellable, and by buyers wanting to determine the condition of the potential home.

Sellers, in particular, can benefit from getting a home inspection before listing the home. Here are just a few of the advantages for the seller:

· The seller knows the home! The home inspector will be able to get answers to his/her questions on the history of any problems they find.

· A home inspection will help the seller be more objective when it comes to setting a fair price on the home.

· The seller can take the report and make it into a marketing piece for the home.

· The seller will be alerted to any safety issues found in the home before they open it up for open house tours.

· The seller can make repairs leisurely instead being in a rush after the contract is signed.

Why should I get a home inspection?

Your new home has dozens of systems and over 10,000 parts – from heating and cooling to ventilation and appliances. When these systems and appliances work together, you experience comfort, energy savings, and durability. Weak links in the system, however, can produce assorted problems leading to a loss in value and shortened component life. Would you buy a used car without a qualified mechanic looking at it? Your home is far more complicated, and to have a thorough inspection that is documented in a report arms you with substantial information on which to make decisions.

Why can’t I do the inspection myself?

Most homebuyers lack the knowledge, skill, and objectivity needed to inspect a home themselves. By using the services of a professional home inspector, they gain a better understanding of the condition of the property; especially whether any items do not “function as intended” or “adversely affect the habitability of the dwelling” or “warrant further investigation” by a specialist. Remember that the home inspector is a generalist and is broadly trained in every home system.

Why can’t I ask a family member who is handy or who is a contractor to inspect my new home?

Although your nephew or aunt may be very skilled, he or she is not trained or experienced in professional home inspections and usually lacks the specialized test equipment and knowledge required for an inspection. Home inspection training and expertise represent a distinct, licensed profession that employs rigorous standards of practice. Most contractors and other trade professionals hire a professional home inspector to inspect their own homes when they themselves purchase a home!

What does a home inspection cost?

This is often the first question asked but the answer tells the least about the quality of the inspection. Fees are based according to size, age and various other aspects of the home. Inspection fees from a certified professional home inspector generally start under $300. An average price for a 2,000 square foot home nationally is about $350-$375. What you should pay attention to is not the fee, but the qualifications of your inspector. Are they nationally certified (passed the NHIE exam)? Are they state certified if required?

How long does the inspection take?

This depends upon the size and condition of the home. You can usually figure 1.2 hours for every 1,000 square feet. For example, a 2,500 square foot house would take about 3 hours. If the company also produces the report at your home, that will take an additional 30-50 minutes.

Do all homes require a home inspection?

Yes and No. Although not required by law in most states, we feel that any buyer not getting a home inspection is doing themselves a great disservice. They may find themselves with costly and unpleasant surprises after moving into the home and suffer financial headaches that could easily have been avoided.

Should I be at the inspection?

It’s a great idea for you be present during the inspection – whether you are buyer, seller, or homeowner. With you there, the inspector can show you any defects and explain their importance as well as point out maintenance features that will be helpful in the future. If you can’t be there, it is not a problem since the report you receive will be very detailed. If you are not present, then you should be sure to ask your inspector to explain anything that is not clear in the report. Also read the inspection agreement carefully so you understand what is covered and what is not covered in the inspection. If there is a problem with the inspection or the report, you should raise the issues quickly by calling the inspector, usually within 24 hours. If you want the inspector to return after the inspection to show you things, this can be arranged and is a good idea, however, you will be paying for the inspector’s time on a walkthrough since this was not included in the original service.

Should the seller attend the home inspection that has been ordered by the buyer?

The seller will be welcome at the inspection (it is still their home) although they should understand that the inspector is working for the buyer. The conversation that the inspector has with the buyer may be upsetting to the seller if the seller was unaware of the items being pointed out, or the seller may be overly emotional about any flaws. This is a reason why the seller might want to consider getting their own inspection before listing the home.

Can a house fail a home inspection?

No. A home inspection is an examination of the current condition of your prospective home. It is not an appraisal, which determines market value, or a municipal inspection, which verifies local code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, cannot not pass or fail a house. The inspector will objectively describe the home’s physical condition and indicate which items are in need of repair or replacement.

What is included in the inspection?

The following list is not exhaustive. Not all of these may be in the inspection you get, but the inspector will be following a standardized checklist for the home:
· Site drainage and grading
· Driveway
· Entry Steps, handrails
· Decks
· Masonry
· Landscape (as it relates to the home)
· Retaining walls
· Roofing, flashings, chimneys, and attic
· Eaves, soffits, and fascias
· Walls, doors, windows, patios, walkways
· Foundation, basement, and crawlspaces
· Garage, garage walls, floor, and door operation
· Kitchen appliances (dishwasher, range/oven/cooktop/hoods, microwave, disposal, trash compactor)
· Laundry appliances (washer and dryer)
· Ceilings, walls, floors
· Kitchen counters, floors, and cabinets
· Windows and window gaskets
· Interior doors and hardware
· Plumbing systems and fixtures
· Electrical system, panels, entrance conductors
· Electrical grounding, GFCI, outlets
· Smoke (fire) detectors
· Ventilation systems and Insulation
· Heating equipment and controls
· Ducts and distribution systems
· Fireplaces
· Air Conditioning and controls
· Heat Pumps and controls
· Safety items such as means of egress, TPRV valves, railings, etc.

Other items that are not a part of the standard inspection can be added for an additional fee:
· Radon Gas Test
· Water Quality Test
· Termite Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
· Gas Line Leak Test (usually performed by the gas company)
· Sprinkler System Test
· Swimming Pool and Spa Inspection
· Mold Screening (sometimes performed by a separate company)
· Septic System Inspection (usually performed by a separate company)
· Alarm System (usually performed by a separate company)

We recommend getting a Radon Test if your prospective home falls into an area of the country with known Radon seepage, since Radon gas produces cancer second only to cigarette smoking and can be easily mitigated by installing a vent system. We also recommend a water test to make sure you do not have bacteria in the water supply. Water can also be tested for Radon.

What is not included in the inspection?

Most people assume that everything is inspected in depth on inspection day. This misunderstanding has caused many a homebuyer to be upset with their inspector. The inspections we do are not exhaustive and there is a good reason for this. If you hired someone with licenses for heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, engineering, etc. to inspect your house, it would take about 14 hours and cost you about $2000! It is much more practical to hire a professional inspector who has generalist knowledge of home systems, knows what to look for, and can recommend further inspection by a specialist if needed. Your inspector is also following very specific guidelines as he/she inspects your home. These are either national guidelines (ASHI – American Society of Home Inspectors, InterNACHI – International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) or state guidelines. These guidelines are carefully written to protect both your home and the inspector. Here are some examples: We are directed to not turn systems on if they were off at the time of the inspection (safety reasons); we are not allowed to move furniture (might harm something); not allowed to turn on water if it is off (possible flooding), and not allowed to break through a sealed attic hatch (possible damage). The downside of this practice is that by not operating a control, by not seeing under the furniture, and not getting into the attic or crawlspace, we will might miss identifying a problem. However, put into perspective, the chances of missing something serious because of this is quite low, and the guideline as it relates to safety and not harming anything in the home is a good one. There are other items that 95% of inspectors consider outside a normal inspection, and these include inspecting most things that are not bolted down (installed in the home) such as electronics, low voltage lighting, space heaters, portable air conditioners, or specialized systems such as water purifiers, alarm systems, etc.

What if there are things you can’t inspect (like snow on the roof)?

It just so happens that some days the weather elements interfere with a full home inspection! There isn’t much we can do about this either. If there is snow on the roof we will tell you we were unable to inspect it. Of course we will be looking at the eves and the attic, and any other areas where we can get an idea of condition, but we will write in the report that we could not inspect the roof. It is impractical for us to return another day once the snow melts, because we have full schedules. However, you can usually pay an inspector a small fee to return and inspect the one or two items they were unable to inspect when they were there the first time. This is just the way things go. If you ask the inspector for a re-inspection, they will usually inspect the items then at no extra charge (beyond the re-inspection fee).

Will the inspector walk on the roof?

The inspector will walk on the roof if it is safe, accessible, and strong enough so that there is no damage done to it by walking on it. Some roofs – such as slate and tile, should not be walked on. Sometimes because of poor weather conditions, extremely steep roofs, or very high roofs, the inspector will not be able to walk the roof. The inspector will try to get up to the edge though, and will also use binoculars where accessibility is a problem. They will also examine the roof from the upper windows if that is possible. There is a lot the inspector can determine from a visual examination from a ladder and from the ground, and they will be able to tell a lot more from inside the attic about the condition of the roof as well.

Should I have my house tested for Radon? What exactly is Radon?

In many areas of the country, the answer is a definite yes. You can ask your real estate agent about this or go on to the internet for a radon map of the country. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that’s formed during the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon exits the ground and can seep into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation. Radon gas can also contaminate well water.

Health officials have determined that radon gas is a serious carcinogen that can cause lung cancer, second only to cigarette smoking. The only way to find out if your house contains radon gas is to perform a radon measurement test, which your home inspector can do. Make sure the person conducting your test has been trained to The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) or The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) standards.

What about a newly constructed home? Does it need a home inspection?

Yes! In fact, we find far more problems, some quite serious, in newly constructed homes than in homes that have been lived in for years. This is not due to your builder’s negligence – he/she has done the best job they could with subcontractors and planning – it’s just that there are so many systems in a home, that it is close to impossible to inspect everything, and correct it before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Then, for some reason, the subcontractors no longer want to work on the home, and final jobs and details are missed. We recommend getting several professional home inspections near the completion stages of the home to discover everything that should be corrected. If the house is still new but sitting for a while before sale, it’s even more important to get a home inspection. We have seen water lines not hooked up, plumbing lines not hooked up, sewer lines not hooked up, vents not hooked up, and a variety of other serious but easily correctable problems!

I am having a home built. The builder assures me he will inspect everything. Should I have an independent inspector make periodic inspections?

Absolutely yes! No matter how good your builder is, he/she WILL miss things. They are so concerned with the house, they get so close to their work, as do the subcontractors, that important items can, and will be, overlooked. Have a professional inspector make at least 4-6 interim inspections. They will be worth their weight in gold.

What is the Pre-Inspection Agreement?

Most service professionals have a service agreement, and home inspection is no different. In fact, there is enough confusion about what a home inspection should deliver that the agreement is even more important. Some homeowners who get a home inspection expect everything in the home to be perfect after the repairs. This is not the case! Imagine getting a call from a homeowner a year later who says the toilet is not flushing – remember that the inspection is a moment in time snapshot. In the inspection agreement the inspector is clear about what the inspection delivers and the things that are not covered, as well as what you should do if you are not pleased with the services. We really think that by reviewing this before-hand you will understand much more about the inspection and be happier with the results. A home inspection does not guard against future problems, nor does it guarantee that all problems will be found.

What kind of report will I get following the inspection?

There are as many versions of a “report” as there are inspection companies. Guidelines dictate that the inspector deliver a written report to the client. This can range from a handwritten checklist that has multiple press copies without pictures and 4 pages long to a computer generated professionally produced report with digital pictures that is 35 pages long and can be converted to Adobe PDF for storage and emailing. Be sure to check with your inspector about the report he or she uses. We recommend the computer generated report, since the checklist is more detailed and easier for the homeowner/buyer/seller to detail out the issues with photographs. In this modern age, we feel the reports must be web accessible and e-mailable to match the technologies most of us are using.

There are some great things you can use the report for in addition to the wealth of information it simply gives you on your new home:

· Use the report as a checklist and guide for the contractor to make repairs and improvements or get estimates and quotes from more than one contractor.

· Use the report as a budgeting tool using the inspector’s recommendations and the remaining expected life of components to keep the property in top shape.

· If you are a seller, use the report to make repairs and improvements, raising the value of the home and impressing the buyers. Then have a re-inspection and use this second report as a marketing tool for prospective buyers.

· Use the report as a “punch list” on a re-inspection and as a baseline for ongoing maintenance.

Will the report be emailable or available as an Adobe PDF file?

Yes. As discussed in the last question, you will probably want your inspector to be using the latest reporting technology.

What if I think the inspector missed something?

Inspectors are human, and yes, they do miss items. However, they routinely use advanced tools and techniques to reduce the possibility that they will miss something. This includes very detailed checklists, reference manuals, computer based lists, and a methodical always-done-the-same-way of physically moving around your home. That is one of the reasons that an inspector can miss an item when they get interrupted. The inspector will have a set way of resuming the inspection if this happens. If, in the end, something IS missed, call the inspector and discuss it. It may warrant the inspector returning to view something that you found. Remember, the inspector is doing the very best job they know how to do, and probably did not miss the item because they were lax in their technique or did not care.

What if the inspector tells me I should have a professional engineer or a licensed plumber or other professional contractor in to look at something they found? Isn’t this “passing the buck”?

You may be disappointed that further investigation is required, but, believe us, your inspector is doing exactly what they should be doing. The purpose of the inspection is to discover defects that affect your safety and the functioning of the home; the inspector is a generalist, not a specialist. Our code of ethics as well as national and state guidelines dictate that only contractors that are licensed in their specialty field should work on these systems and areas. When they tell you that a specialist is needed, there may be a bigger, more critical issue that you need to know about. If you move into the home without getting these areas checked by a qualified specialist, you could be in for some nasty and expensive surprises. The inspector does not want to cause you any more expense or worry either, so when they do recommend further evaluation they are being serious about protecting you and your investment.

Will the inspector provide a warranty on the inspected items?

Most inspectors do not give the homeowner a warranty on inspected items. Remember, a home inspection is a visual examination on a certain day, and the inspector cannot predict what issues could arise over time after the inspection. However, some inspectors are now including a warranty from the largest home warranty company in America – American Home Warranty Corporation, as well as others, on the inspected items for 60 or 90 days. This is a very good deal, and the agreement can be extended after the initial period for a relatively small amount of money.

Do most inspection companies offer money back guarantees?

Most inspection companies do not offer a satisfaction guarantee nor do they mention it in their advertising. It’s always a good thing if you can get extra services for no additional cost from your inspection company, and of course a satisfaction guarantee is an indication of superior customer service. You usually have to call your inspection company right after the inspection and viewing of the report to tell them you are not satisfied. If you are not happy with the services, you should talk to your inspector first and let him/her correct the issue(s) you are unhappy with first, as the inspector is trying to make an honest living just like the rest of us, and is not failing you on purpose.

What if my report comes back with nothing really defective in the home? Should I ask for my money back?

No, don’t ask for your money back – you just received great news! Now you can complete your home purchase with peace of mind about the condition of the property and all its equipment and systems. You will have valuable information about your new home from the inspector’s report, and will want to keep that information for future reference. Most importantly, you can feel assured that you are making a well-informed purchase decision.

What if the inspection reveals serious defects?

If the inspection reveals serious defects in the home (we define a serious defect as something that will cost more than 2% of the purchase price to fix) then pat yourself on the back for getting an inspection. You just saved yourself a ton of money. Of course it is disappointing, even heart wrenching, to find out that your well researched house is now a problem house, but you now know the facts and can either negotiate with the seller, or move on. You may want the home so much that it will be worth it to negotiate the price and then perform the repairs. Imagine, though, if you had not gotten the inspection – you would have had some very unpleasant surprises.

Can I ask my home inspector to perform the repairs?

You can, but if your inspector is ethical, he/she will refuse, and correctly so; it is a conflict of interest for the person who inspected your home to also repair it! Inspectors are specifically barred from this practice by licensing authorities, and it’s a good practice – an inspector must remain completely impartial when he or she inspects your home. This is one reason you should have a professional home inspector inspect your home and not a contractor – the contractor will want the repair work and you are likely to not have an objective inspection from this person even though they mean well and are technically competent.

Does the Seller have to make the repairs?

The inspection report results do not place an obligation on the seller to repair everything mentioned in the report. Once the home condition is known, the buyer and the seller should sit down and discuss what is in the report. The report will be clear about what is a repair and what is a discretionary improvement. This area should be clearly negotiated between the parties. It’s important to know that the inspector must stay out of this discussion because it is outside of their scope of work.

After the home inspection and consulting with the seller on the repairs, can I re-employ the inspector to come re-inspect the home to make sure everything got fixed?

You certainly can, and it’s a really good idea. For a small fee the inspector will return to determine if the repairs were completed, and if they were completed correctly.

What if I find problems after I move into my new home?

A home inspection is not a guarantee that problems won’t develop after you move in. However, if you believe that a problem was visible at the time of the inspection and should have been mentioned in the report, your first step should be to call the inspector. He or she will be fine with this, and does want you to call if you think there is a problem. If the issue is not resolved with a phone call, they will come to your home to look at it. They will want you to be satisfied and will do everything they can to do this. One way to protect yourself between the inspection and the move-in is to conduct a final walkthrough on closing day and use both the inspection report AND a Walkthrough Checklist to make sure everything is as it should be.

3 Common Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Risk Factors

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancer diagnoses. It occurs when cells in the lungs start to grow in a rapid and uncontrollable way. This then leads to the development of a malignant (cancerous) tumour which causes damage to the lungs. There are a number of factors that can affect your NSCLC risk and in this article I will be discussing three of them.

1) SMOKING:- Smoking is the most significant risk factor for any type of lung cancer. It can strongly increase your chances of developing non-small cell lung cancer. The reason for this is that tobacco smoke is loaded with cancer causing chemicals known as carcinogens. When you inhale cigarette smoke over 70 different types of carcinogens are transported to your lungs greatly increasing the risk of cancerous growths developing.

Smokers are thought to be 10 times more likely to develop NSCLC than non-smokers. Heavy smokers (those who smoke 20 plus cigarettes each day) are up to 40 times more likely to develop this condition (depending upon how heavy their smoking habit is). Even people who do not smoke may be at an increased risk if they spend a lot of time in smoky environments.

2) RADON:- Radon is a gas that is created when uranium breaks down. It is a radioactive substance and therefore prolonged exposure to this gas can increase your non-small cell lung cancer risk. If you are exposed to radon and you smoke you have an even greater chance of developing NSCLC.

3) GENES:- Research has suggested that there is a genetic link between NSCLC and your level of risk if you smoke. Whilst all smokers are more likely to develop this type of cancer than non-smokers, certain smokers may be more at risk because of their family history. However, it is currently not know which genes are responsible for this increased non-small cell lung cancer risk.

I hope this article has shown you the significance that smoking can have on your chances of contracting NSCLC. Whilst there are other risk factors this is by far the most prevalent. You can choose whether or not you smoke and this has a direct influence on your non-small cell lung cancer risk.

NRC Ruling in New Mexico Moves

“The judge’s decision was wrong,” yelped environmental activist Chris Shuey into his cell phone, during a chat with StockInterview.com this past Friday. “It sets a horrible example for other mining companies.” Shuey, whose Southwest Research and Information Center is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, clearly didn’t like the recent federal ruling in favor of Texas-based Uranium Resources’ (OTC BB: URIX) subsidiary, Hydro Resources Inc. (HRI). For nearly two decades, Southwest Research and Information Center (SRIC) and Chris Shuey have clung to a fanatical position: Uranium mining is bad. Federal and local government regulatory panels disagree, having voted SRIC and Mr. Shuey down every step of the way.

A January 6th ruling by a three-judge panel of the Atomic Safety and Licensing Board in Rockville, Maryland shot down Shuey’s challenges of radiological air emissions. “The NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and the judge continue to support mining,” Shuey lectured into his mobile phone. “We continue to legally challenge.” For more than eight years since the NRC granted HRI a materials license to perform ISL mining at four sites in McKinley County, SRIC has engaged in what the licensing board calls “protracted litigation” to stop HRI from supplying much-needed uranium for U.S. utilities. The recent federal ruling stated, “HRI’s operations will not be inimical to public health and safety.”

Other uranium companies in the area rejoiced on the ASLB ruling. According to an historic geological report, authored by McLemore and Chenoweth in 2003, suggested about 588 million pounds of uranium remains after the area produced 348 million pounds through year 2001. An asset valued at greater than $21 billion, and growing more valuable each month, is certainly worth celebrating. The recent ruling may help accelerate the permitting and development of uranium assets in New Mexico.

“It helps that the regulatory community shed light on the inaccuracies, and on the disingenuous approaches the anti-nuclear contingent brings to the argument,” explained Juan Velasquez, Vice President of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for Strathmore Minerals (TSX: STM; Other OTC: STHJF) in a telephone interview from Strathmore’s permitting office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “Anything that moves those properties closer to production is a good thing for Strathmore, for the environment and for the country as a whole, as we move forward and look toward energy independence.” William Sheriff, Director of Corporate Development for Energy Metals (TSX: EMC), agreed, “I think the rulings by the NRC (on URI, and HRI’s applications, are very positive. It’s just another step toward production.” Dallas-based Sheriff is considered one of the leading prospect developers in the United States. Energy Metals Corp also plans to develop properties in New Mexico’s Grants Uranium Belt over the next decade. Velasquez, who was now more optimistic Strathmore’s Church Rock project would move forward to production, added, “The decision gives some faith to those of us that are regulated that the NRC does use common sense in coming to its decisions.”

StockInterview.com solicited an opinion from a Santa Fe attorney not involved in the recent case, but who was familiar with the ruling. While asking that he not be named in this article, the lawyer stated, “It was a very reasonable decision, and what one might expect. The decision was scientifically sound.” Chris Pugsley, HRI’s attorney at the Washington, DC-based law firm Thompson and Simmons, which defended the case, echoed that attorney’s sentiments, saying, “It was a decision based upon sound technology and extensive industry experience. The ruling was an endorsement that ISL mining is environmentally safe and will be the future of the domestic uranium mining industry.” Pugsley added, “This was sound science and the proper interpretation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s regulations and requirements.” John DeJoia, Strathmore’s Vice President of Technical Services, concluded, “It makes me feel very optimistic about the production of uranium, domestically and especially in the Gallup (New Mexico) area. It validates the original determination by the NRC.”

These weren’t the first legal setbacks for SRIC. In November, New Mexico’s McKinley County Water Board denounced SRIC’s allegations of groundwater contamination, a cause the environmental group championed for a decade. The Water Board criticized the group, writing, “What we find however, are unsupportable propositions. The expert witness from the Southwest Research and Information Center provides lots of speculation, theories that could never be proved or disproved and headlines of gory consequences. This is not science. Science asks that we look at the data and come to a conclusion based on the evidence presented.” They concluded, “The mining operation as proposed by HRI and approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is safe and effectively protects our groundwater sources.”

In a July 20th ruling, the ASLB used stronger language, labeling much of SRIC’s arguments of possible contamination of Crownpoint water wells by HRI’s operations as “insubstantial” and “disingenuous.” In a separate January 6th ruling, the ASLB described a key SRIC claim as a “groundless assertion.” It has been one defeat after another for SRIC and their lead attorney, Eric Jantz. His law firm, New Mexico Environmental Law Center, had recently hosted “A Special Evening with Ted Turner,” the maverick billionaire, as a fund raiser to help stop uranium mining. On January 11th, five commissioners comprising the full commission of the NRC rejected SRIC’s appeal. They refused an SRIC petition to review the groundwater case. Strathmore’s Velasquez said of the recent legal decisions nullifying SRIC’s challenges, “If you are an environmentalist, it has to make you wonder at what point you are going to stop being taken seriously.” As the spot price of uranium continues its march to $40/pound and higher, the SRIC voice may need to find a new audience or a new cause.

ISL Mining and “Pristine” Groundwater

According to the World Nuclear Association (WNA), “ISL mining means that removal of the uranium minerals is accomplished without any major ground disturbance. The WNA explains ISL, or In Situ Leaching. as follows, “Weakly acidified or alkaline groundwater with a lot of oxygen injected into it is circulated through an enclosed underground aquifer which holds the uranium ore in loose sands. The leaching solution with dissolved uranium is then pumped to the surface treatment plant.” According to the WNA, over 20 percent of the world’s uranium is mined using the ISL method. At least four uranium companies plan to develop ISL operations in New Mexico: Uranium Resources (URI), Strathmore Minerals, Energy Metals and Max Resources (TSX: MXR). URI, Strathmore Minerals and Energy Metals specifically plan for the development of operations in the Churchrock or Crownpoint areas. None of the properties are located on the Navajo reservation.

One of the anti-nuclear movement’s arguments about ISL mining is that the injected water can not be contained. In the SRIC house organ, Voices from the Earth, Mitchell Capitan, a Navajo activist, is given top billing in the Spring 2005 edition. Pumped up as a former Mobil Oil lab technician, SRIC has mysteriously made Capitan an expert on ISL mining. In his interview, Capitan said, “Mobil was doing a pilot project with the in situ leach mining west of Crownpoint. I worked in the lab with the engineers. And no matter how hard we tried we could never get all the uranium out of the water, so Mobil gave up. We closed the project.”

Craig Bartels, president of Hydro Resources whose parent company Uranium Resources helped pioneer ISL mining in the United States, differs with Capitan’s assessment of the Mobil Oil closure. “It is incorrect for someone to say Mobil shut down ISL because they could not contain it. It’s also incorrect to say that Mobil shut down because they could not restore, or clean up, the water.” Bartels explains what did happen, “They ran a pilot plant, including restoration, in the early 1980s. When the price (of uranium) dropped dramatically, they plugged that well field and got out of the business.” Bartels believes Mobil “would be out there today, if the price had stayed up.”

Nonetheless, SRIC and Capitan’s grass roots Navajo group, ENDAUM (Eastern Navajo Dine Against Uranium Mining) continue arguing that ISL mining would contaminate the ground water and that ISL process is flawed or dangerous. Dr. John Fogarty, Chief of Staff for the Indian Health Service Hospital in Crownpoint, New Mexico, argued as the ad hoc medical expert, “The mining company intends to inject chemicals down into the aquifer, next to the community water supply. Those chemicals will leach, or strip the uranium off of the rock into the aquifer creating basically, a toxic soup.”

Unfortunately, Dr. Fogarty failed to describe the “chemicals” used in ISL mining. The lixiviant solution commonly used in the United States is sodium bicarbonate, or as known in the kitchen, baking soda. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes this process, “The extraction of Uranium using injection wells is the most prevalent mining technique for this mineral. An injection well is drilled to the formation containing the mineral salt.” The EPA describes the steps of the ISL method:

“The process used for the extraction of the uranium salts includes:

o Injection of a leaching solution, called lixiviant, into the mineral containing formation;

o Allowing for adequate contact of the lixiviant in the mineral zone;

o Extraction of the nearly saturated lixiviant to the surface;

o Separation of the uranium salts from the lixiviant.”

In an interview with world-renown nuclear physicist Dr. Fred Begay, who is also Navajo and resides in the Los Alamos (New Mexico) area, he described to StockInterview.com the chemicals used in ISL mining, “What you pump down in there is baking soda.” We asked Dr. Begay, “That’s it?” He compared it to working in the kitchen and the procedure was as safe as baking bread. What about water contamination? Begay responded, “The uranium is already there.” And because the uranium is already there, the groundwater has an a priori contamination.

Bartels also disagreed with Dr. Fogarty’s accusation. “We hear this all the time: ‘The water is pristine drinking water.’ That is not at all correct. The water is already toxic.” Bartels carefully explained why the water in question is already damaged goods, “Any place where there is a commercial ore body, that water is not going to be fit to drink. The ground water is already contaminated.” He pointed out, “There is a huge amount of uranium all through this area, not just in this aquifer but in the overlying aquifer that they call the Dakota Sandstone.” In all, about one billion pounds of uranium may have been scattered throughout the area before uranium mining began in the 1950′s. In comments he made January 11th to the Gallup Independent newspaper HRI’s Mark Pelizza pointed out SRIC’s hypocritical stance, “It appears that fund raising is a driving force for their rhetoric… they completely ignore the health effects of that same radon gas from the uranium ore body if produced directly as drinking water – instead, they call this water ‘pristine,’ and do not alert people to its hazard. Why is that?”

Radon Gas and ISL Mining

What about the radon released during the mining of uranium? “If you have any commercial quantity of uranium, the radon is already there,” explained Bartels. “But, we don’t do anything to it. We don’t mobilize it. We have no effect on it, other than we are not allowed, and we won’t release it to the atmosphere.”

Why did the NRC rule in favor of HRI that ISL mining would not be a danger to the public health? Bartels described the process, “We use pressured vessels. It is contained in the solution that goes around and around. Everything comes up to the surface but doesn’t get into the atmosphere. There is a model that simulates and estimates how much radiation dose you are releasing to ensure that the health of the people in the surrounding area is not affected.”

Velasquez was adamant about SRIC’s air emission claims, “The representations they make with regards to radon are simply unsupportable and incorrect.” Few realize how common radon gas is found throughout the earth. Velasquez added, “You and I release radon every time we turn over a spade of dirt in our garden. The single largest emitter of radon gas in this country is the agricultural industry because they till the soil. Nobody is upset about that.” Scott Heaberlin writes in his widely read treatise, A Case for Nuclear Generated Electricity (Battelle Press, 2004), “Because uranium is essentially everywhere on the planet so is radon.”

Highly respected Strathmore Minerals President David Miller, who has served as an ISL geological consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency and is a three-term Wyoming legislator, believes ISL mining will actually reduce the radon problem for the Navajos, “Removing the uranium now and moving the uranium off the project will lower future radon gas generation in the area.” He appealed on the basis of common sense that the Navajos were doing a disservice to their own health, “If the Navajos allow uranium mining on the reservation, then trillions of future radon atoms will not be formed on the reservation.”

The SRIC panic concerning background radiation may be for naught. In a General Accounting Office report, entitled, Radiation Standards (June 2000), stated, “… we examined 82 studies, which generally found little or no evidence of elevated cancer risk from high natural background radiation levels… Overall the studies’ results are inconclusive, but they suggest that at exposure levels of a few hundred millirem a year and below, the cancer risks from radiation may either be very small or nonexistent.” To put this in perspective, by taking a chest x-ray in your doctor’s office, you are exposed to between 20 and 40 millirem (mrem) of radiation. Those living in Gallup, New Mexico, the largest city near the Church Rock uranium projects, would get an annual dose of about 60 mrem. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual permissible exposure to radiation is 5,000 mrem. By virtue of where they live, some on this planet continue to survive despite extraordinarily strong terrestrial sources of very high radon concentrations. A few places in Europe can give inhabitants of 5000 mrem per year. In Iran, Sudan and Brazil, one might get up to 3800 mrem annually. Some places in India can dose the locals with up 1500 mrem per year.

Radon studies have been conducted. The prestigious New England Journal of Medicine published a study entitled, “Residential Radon Exposure and Lung Cancer in Sweden” (January 20, 1994). The scientific team investigated residential radon as the principal source of exposure to ionizing radiation. The study concluded, “As a rule, the radon concentration decreases when a window is kept open. A window ajar can provide an exchange of 10 to 30 cubic meters of air per hour at a wind velocity of 3m per second. This may be two to three times the normal rate of air exchange and thus may reduce radon concentration by 50 to 70 percent.”

FSBOs -The Secret of ‘After Settlement Escrow’ to Solve Problems

Most FSBOs (people who are selling their own homes) are aware of the conventional use of escrow. In this article, we look at ways to use escrow to solve problems.

Escrow

Escrow means different things in different parts of the country. In California it’s part and parcel of the settlement process. In Virginia, while there’s no formal escrow before settlement, the settlement agent gathers title information, draws or has a deed drawn, coordinates with the lender, receives various inspection reports and in general conducts an informal escrow in the days before settlement. The difference is that, in Virginia, usually documents aren’t signed by the parties until they meet at the settlement table. It’s the use of escrow after this period that we’re concerned with here.

A Problem Rears Its Head

What’s possible varies from state to state, but creating an escrow account (usually held by the settlement agent) after a home is sold can solve problems. What sorts of problems? Let’s look at a few.

First of all, let’s assume the buyer or seller needs, or wants, to settle by a certain date. Lots of things can cause this including the date school starts, the date a breadwinner starts a new job or the date of settlement on the seller’s new home.

Now, let’s suppose a problem crops up which would prevent that settlement deadline from being met. Such problems might be caused by the discovery of termites and termite damage, the discovery of encroachment on a utility right of way by a garden shed on the property being sold or the discovery of high levels of radon gas within the home.

Let’s further suppose that the buyer and seller have agreed on the basic solution of the problem. In the above examples, typical solutions might be that the seller will have the home treated for termites and have a licensed contractor repair the damage. Or the seller will have a contractor move the shed out of the right of way. Or the seller will install a radon mitigation system. Of course, everything is negotiable, and a buyer who wants a property badly enough could agree to fix the defects himself.

What if the pest control company, contractor or the radon mitigation company can’t finish their work until after the planned settlement date? What happens then? Most frequently, settlement is delayed until these sorts of things are taken care of, but sometimes that isn’t desirable. Sometimes delay of settlement can be a deal killer.

Problem Solving 101

Enter the “after settlement escrow.” The parties agree that an amount of money (usually a bit larger than the estimate) is set aside in escrow pending completion of the work. The escrow agent has clear (usually written) instructions about what must be done before the money is released to the person who put it up (or before the work is paid for and any excess returned to the person who put it up).

The funding of an after settlement escrow usually comes from the proceeds of the sale, so it can be used where there are no funds to take corrective action any other way. Even if the person responsible could get a loan for the purpose, the process could take too long to meet the settlement deadline. In that way, it can be a “cash flow” solution, too.

No matter what problem you encounter, it’s usually possible for a willing seller and a willing buyer to work things out. Remember that all sorts of needs can be accommodated without anyone’s being a loser. Situations in which both buyer and seller are winners happen frequently. With any luck, that’s what will happen in your case. It just takes creativity and persistence.

How to Sell Your Home for The Top Dollar

Paying attention to details before you list your home will give your home an edge over others in the same price range. These improvements don’t have to cost a lot but might make a big difference on the appearance of your home and increase the interest level and the number of offers made from potential buyers.

Pre-listing Inspection.

Having your home inspected by a licensed home inspector helps by:

o Allowing you to see your home through the eyes of a critical third-party;

o Pricing your home realistically;

o Identifying repairs needed ahead of time so that defects won’t become negotiating stumbling blocks later (keep receipts in case your buyers have questions);

o Giving your buyers an option to waive the inspection contingency;

o Alerting you of items of immediate personal concern, such as radon gas or active termite infestation;

o Reducing your liability by adding professional supporting documentation to your disclosure statement;

o Alerting you to immediate safety issues before visitors tour your home.

Clean up the outside.

Curb appeal is the first impression of your house.

o Keep the grass cut and the area tidy.

o Paint or wash the house exterior including windows, shutters and doors.

o Check the gutters and chimney.

Touch up the interior.

o Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls and trim.

o Wash the walls where paint is not appropriate (e.g. wallpaper, paneling).

o Wash all floors and bathroom tiles.

o Shampoo dirty carpets.

o Remove clutter from counters, closets, garage, basement and attic.

o Replace air filters to help keep the dust down.

Replace bathroom and kitchen fixtures that are worn, leaking or dated. People will notice a leaking or worn-out faucet. On the up-side, they will be impressed by updated fixtures. Remember to clean under the sinks. If there are any leaks, fix them and then cleanup the damage using a disinfecting cleaning solution and a fresh coat of paint.

The Chemical Threat – Alarming Facts You Must Know

We are all exposed to thousands of potentially toxic chemicals from the day we are conceived to the day we die. There is some good news in this otherwise grim picture. According to the PCP report, several simple, but effective steps can significantly reduce our exposure to synthetic chemicals and other environmental hazards.

We simply do not know enough about the health effects of the tens of thousands of chemicals in widespread use today. Here’s why:

- Over 80,000 synthetic chemicals are approved for use in the US. Examples include pesticides, fertilizers, plastics, paints, coatings, fire retardants, and even oil dispersants (Gulf oil spill, anyone?).

- Only a few hundred of these 80,000+ chemicals have been tested for safety.

- Many chemicals in use today are known and suspected carcinogens. Carcinogen means cancer causing.

- Despite this known toxicity, the majority of chemicals remain unregulated.

- Chemicals typically are studied for safety one at a time. This tells us nothing about the damage to health that may result from exposure to multiple chemicals at once.

- Further, single chemical testing doesn’t reflect reality. All of us are exposed to dozens, and even hundreds, of chemicals at a time.

- What little regulatory oversight that does exist for these chemicals uses the framework that chemicals are safe unless proven otherwise. This is one time when “innocent until proven guilty” is not a wise approach.

- Exposure to chemicals during pregnancy and childhood is particularly damaging to health.

- Sadly, more than 300 chemicals can be found in the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies. We are all “pre-contaminated.”

Simple, But Effective Steps to Minimize Exposure to Chemical and Environmental Hazards…

If possible, eat foods grown without fertilizers, pesticides, and growth hormones the majority of the time.

- Store drinking water in stainless steel or bisphenol-A (BPA) free containers.

- Microwave foods only in ceramic or glass containers, not plastic. Do not put very hot foods into plastic containers.

- Choose foods, home and garden products, and toys in a way that minimizes your child’s exposure to potentially toxic substances.

- Filter your drinking water. Use bottled water only if tap water is known to be contaminated with substances or microbes that cannot be filtered out.

- Avoid secondhand tobacco smoke in the home, car, restaurants, bars, stores, and other public places.

- Avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and known or suspected carcinogens when trying to get pregnant and throughout pregnancy. This includes BPA, a known endocrine disruptor.

- Properly dispose of household chemicals, paints, cleaning supplies and other materials.

- Make informed decisions about products you buy and use. Check out the Household Products Database, a service of the National Institutes of Health, and the Environmental Working Group’s Health and Toxics Database. These resources offer a wealth of information to help you make healthier choices in your every day life.

- If a job exposes you to chemicals, remove shoes before entering your house. Wash your work clothes separately from the family’s regular laundry to minimize kids’ exposure.

- Check radon levels in the home. Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate in confined spaces, such as basements. Exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer-related deaths in non-smokers.

- Make sure your health care provider keeps accurate records of medical tests that may result in harmful exposures, such as radiation from x-rays or scans. If these records aren’t being kept, keep them yourself. With this information, you can make better decisions about the benefits and risks of medical tests.

- Wear a headset when using a cell phone, text instead of calling, and keep calls brief.

- Avoid ultraviolet light by using sunscreen and proper sun-protective clothing. Never use tanning beds.

Courting Controversy

Despite what seems like a slam dunk on environmental hazards and cancer, this report is not without controversy. Michael Thun, MD, a respected physician and epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society points out that there is no doubt that environmental pollution is of profound importance to human health and the health of the planet. But he fears that the report may minimize the focus on other known, modifiable causes of cancer that currently offer the best opportunity for cancer prevention.

The scientific evidence most solidly supports the major causes of cancer as being tobacco use, obesity, alcohol, infections, hormones, and sunlight. According to Thun, the report implies that pollutants are the major cause of cancer, but this is far from a settled issue.

Go the Extra Mile

The best approach is to hedge your bets in all areas of cancer prevention. It makes sense to take the precautions (detailed above) presented by the PCP. But it also makes a whole lot of sense to tackle the things we can control in our daily lives.

There is no doubt that obesity is a leading cause of cancer and other chronic diseases in this country. Make your body a priority and make sure you’re not among the two-thirds of Americans who are overweight and obese. Exercising regularly is another known cancer prevention technique, so lace up those sneakers and get moving. Always avoid tobacco in any form.

And don’t forget about food. Simply put, the right foods can be used to your advantage to “cancer-proof” your lifestyle. Plant foods are your ticket to detoxifying from a toxic lifestyle. By plant foods we meant the vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, peas, nuts and seeds that we’ve discussed so frequently in these newsletters. From the anti-cancer antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, to the nutrients known to aid with detoxification, plant foods are a must.

A Guide to Home Inspections

Any Sally and Sam Homebuyer can look at a home and decide whether it is attractive. They might notice it is freshly painted in pleasing colors, has the requisite number of rooms, a cook’s kitchen and is located in a location with top schools. But what about less obvious parts of the house?

It takes special expertise to determine if the functional parts of a home are in good shape. If you attend an open house, how do you determine if there are plumbing problems, electrical problems, structural problems, drainage problems, the condition of heating and air conditioning equipment and the condition of literally hundreds of other items that could cause concern?

Enter the home inspector.

A home inspector is trained to be a detective in regard to the construction and working parts of homes. It is not an exact science.

The home inspector cannot tear into things, so they can’t always see everything they’d like to. They do, however, come equipped with ladders, strong flashlights, and devices to measure various things related to plumbing, electrical and other necessary home items. Importantly, a home inspector will also typically bring a digital camera to photograph problems such as roof shingles not lying flat, signs of mildew from leaking pipes and construction that doesn’t comply with building codes. They don’t miss much.

It’s a good idea for the buyer to be present during the home inspection. If you ask them to, home inspectors will usually explain how things work to you. This is important as they can show you where cut off valves are, how to remove filters for cleaning or replacement and tell you how often various maintenance chores need to be done. This information can be very valuable if you ultimately purchase the property.

It’s also a good idea to ask the home inspector if there are any particular tests they would perform if they were buying the home. For example, radon gas (a colorless, odorless gas which is a carcinogen) can be a problem in some parts of the country. It can be detected, measured, and, if levels are above EPA standards, there are procedures to deal with it successfully. A home inspector can help identify such issues for you.

10 Step Program to Allergy Recovery

10 Step Program To Allergy Recovery

Most people spend approximately 86% (more or less) of their lives indoors. Some are more fortunate, and have jobs that take them outdoors in the open air. Individuals who spend a lot of time indoors risk being exposed to chemical and biological contaminants in this environment. Some of these contaminants can be carcinogens. Being exposed to these agents may influence the risk of developing respiratory problems such as asthma or allergies. There are more serious things that can be contacted such as lung cancer from exposure to Radon or Smoking. This article is not going to cover this topic, but focus on Allergies and Asthma Symptoms.

There is a lot of conflicting data concerning allergens and it seems no one can agree on the causes only
what drug to give the person for the symptoms. Just watch the commercials on TV, there seems to be a new drug everyday to fix your symptoms. Its funny, no one says anything in these commercials about fixing what causes the problem.

From my experience on dealing with individuals with Asthma and Allergies, the most common problem is exposure to simple allergens in the home. Examples would be cats, dogs and dust mites in the home. Let’s not forget about birds either. It seems most individuals start to get better after removing pets from the house under a strict protocol of cleanliness of the home. I will list them in the order of doing this.

I call this the 10 Step Program To Allergy Recovery.

1. Remove the pets from the living area.

2. Remove the pet contaminated carpet from the home.

3. HEPA Vacuum the entire house, especially the areas that were occupied by the pet.

4. Wash the walls and floors with TSP or Trisodium Phosphate. This is a non-toxic cleaner that painters use to remove oils from walls before painting. Do not use the liquid type, use the bag type that is mixed on site. Be sure to test the surface to see if it is compatible with TSP before using the product. Rinse the walls after use with clean water.

5. Repaint all indoor walls of the house using a non-toxic paint that the allergic individual is not allergic to. Do not use any form of oil based paint indoors where the allergic individual will reside. Why paint you ask, to help seal the walls from odors from the pets. Several manufacturers offer low VOC paints or no VOC paints. They are Sherwin Williams, Dulux Paint, Porter Paint, Benjamin Moore and Mystic Paint. Be sure the individual is not allergic to the paint being used. I personally use Delux’s “Lifemaster 2000″ paint, but cannot use Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams. Everyone is different.

6. Flooring should be tile, marble or terrazzo only. Wood is Ok but not recommended because the dust mites love the dark, damp areas under the wooden floors at ground level, second story wood floor is ok. It has to be sealed on the surface and in all the joints. Wood has to butt up against the drywall with a baseboard over it.

7. No drapes or dust dust catchers in the home.

8. Home must be cleaned once a week using a HEPA rated vacuum cleaner.

9. No one in the home can smoke. If someone does, they can not get near the allergic individual because of the smoke residue in the hair and clothes of the smoker.

10. Have your home tested for Radon, Allergens and Mold after all the work is complete to verify you have done the work right. Most individuals forget to do this most important part of verifying that the work was done right.

The first thing you probably said after reading these steps is, not me, this is too much. Well, guess what, the allergic individual will not begin to get better unless they begin the recovery process. In the end, if this does not work, you will have figure out what else they are allergic to. There are lots of items in todays’ homes that they can be allergic to.

In conclusion, most homeowners can improve the air quality in their homes, often with relatively simple measures, which should provide health benefits immediately.

Ten Ways to Get Off the Investment Roller Coaster

Remember your first ride on an amusement park roller coaster? I will never forget mine. The painfully slow climb, the anxiety-building wait at the top and the inevitable terrifying plunge into the abyss. The exhilarating speed and the unexpected turns that flung me headlong into that black tunnel of unknown length was the worst part. The rushing highs and lows, the fun, the fear and the panic, all of these emotions are all created by a complex structure under the control of someone else.

Today’s stock market is a lot like that roller coaster ride, the same ups and downs, the same terror. The difference is the stock market ride never ends and the stakes are far greater. Many retirees have lost a portion of their retirement savings in the stock market during the past few years. In the aftermath of September 11, many took a swift ride they’ll never forget and for some, may never recover from. We all remember the Fed’s eleven interest rate cuts in 2002, which reduced some retiree’s incomes by as much as 90 percent. Interest rates on savings and CD accounts have never been lower.

The good news is it’s possible to get off that financial roller coaster and enjoy the confidence that comes from stepping back onto solid financial ground. It’s not difficult and it’s a lot less risky than staying in the “you never know” stock market game. Here are my ten simple steps for getting off that rollercoaster quickly and regaining control of your financial future:

1. Assess your situation. What are your assets? Gather all your financial documents including: your stock certificates, bank statements, brokerage statements, tax returns, social security information and insurance statements and documentation on all other assets you may have. Look at them collectively and re-acquaint yourself with your portfolio. Make a list of each asset.

2. Evaluate your investments. Review and determine the true rate of return on each investment in your portfolio. On your list, rate the return for each asset as high, medium or low.

3. Determine your state of risk. Review how risky your investments are. What percentage of your overall savings is in conservative investments and what percentage is at risk? On your list, rate the risk factor for each asset as high, medium or low.

4. Review your needs. Are you already retired, close to it or far away? Do you have sufficient monthly income? Have you estimated what it needs to be? Consider the pros and cons of each investment on your list. Are your investments in line with your financial needs and objectives? Rate each asset as yes or no.

5. Investigate alternatives. Investigate other investments that would better support your financial goals and help provide the security you need. If your portfolio over-emphasizes high risk investments, consider balancing it with conservative alternatives.

6. Reallocate. If you find better options, then act. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments or modifications to your portfolio. Remember, it’s your money.

7. Establish or update your estate plan. If you have an estate plan, review and update it. If you don’t, then evaluate your need for one. Anyone with any assets should protect them through an estate plan. Don’t put this off!

8. Activate your estate plan. Ensure you have the proper estate planning tools in place and utilize them. Your assets should be protected from probate taxes, estate taxes and other taxes that can reduce their value.

9. Remain “savvy” and avoid scams. The fact is financial scammers are everywhere. Unfortunately, they particularly prey on retirees. Remember the following points whenever approached: Reputable financial firms don’t solicit you about moving your money. Companies should always have available references. Banks don’t send representatives door-to-door. Credible financial professionals have no vested interest in a particular product. And if it sounds too good to be true — IT IS!

10. Check in regularly with a financial advisor you trust. Review your portfolio with your financial advisor at least once or twice a year. There are some worthy investments out there, and you don’t want to be the last one to hear about them!

The worse move you can make is to wait. The stock market roller coaster is unpredictable. Yes, it will go up and come down, but no one knows when. If you’re like most retirees, you don’t have the time or money to make that gamble. Retirement is about enjoying life and spending time with friends and family. Besides, the only roller coasters you should be on are the ones at Disneyland.

Should I Get a Home Inspection?

The short answer to “should I get a home inspection” is “yes.” The longer answer is “certainly yes.”

For most of us, buying a home will be one of the most expensive and important purchases we will make in our lifetimes. It is a purchase that can make either your dream come true or your worst nightmare come to life. A house devoid of grave repairs will be a comforting and enjoyable place to call home. On the other hand, a house in need of grave repairs will be not only expensive to repair, but sometimes even dangerous to yourself and your family. Fortunately, a qualified home inspector can help put your fears at ease.

A home inspection is a top to bottom, objective, non-invasive visual examination of a home or piece of property. In particular, non-invasive means that the components being inspected will not be dismantled, and if the item is not functioning, the inspector will not attempt to make any repair. The inspector will, however, provide you with a professional opinion on what should be done to correct the problem(s). As always, there is an exception. An inspector will remove covers on furnaces or electric panels to better evaluate their condition.

Inspectors are specifically trained in these areas so they are able to spot problematic areas that the average person would not be able to. More specifically, there are three major functions each inspector undertakes. An inspector will:

(1) assess the physical condition of the property (e.g. foundation, walls),

(2) point out items that are damaged or in need of repair (e.g. windows, boiler), and

(3) provide an estimate of the remaining useful life of major systems (e.g. electrical, heating, air conditioning, plumbing), structures, and equipment.

For example, an inspector may inform you that there are cracks in the foundation of your home that may be problematic, that the windows in the home are in need of repair, and that the boiler should be replaced within the next five years.

A professionally conducted home inspection will provide you with the information you need to make a wiser purchasing decision. You will have a greater understanding of the overall condition of the home after the inspection is conducted. The inspection report will put into writing all of the information the inspector provided you during the inspection and will provide additional information – information that you can use during the negotiating process.

Before hiring your inspector, verify whether he/she uses photo-editing software to manipulate photos of the property in order to point out problematic areas. High quality colored photos with superimposed circles or arrows that indicate areas of concern are much easier to follow than a report’s textual information.

Also, ask your inspector for a list of items he/she evaluates during a home inspection. The list is usually obtainable on the business’ website, and should include items such as the following:

> Electrical system
> Water heater
> Plumbing system
> Air Conditioning
> Insulation
> Ventilation
> Roof and flashings
> Gutters
> Crawlspace
> Foundation
> Grading
> Siding and trim
> Doors and windows
> Ceilings
> Floors
> Walls
> Chimney
> Fireplace
> Garage
> Driveway
> Porch

Some inspection businesses also offer wood destroying insect infestation inspections (e.g. termite) and radon inspections. These usually require an additional fee. Suffice it to say that these two inspections are also very important, but I will leave that for another article.

Overall, a home inspection provides a great opportunity for you to really understand the condition of a home. An inspection completed prior to purchasing property can end up saving you thousands of dollars in unforeseen repairs. More importantly, the information gathered from an inspection ensures that you are well equipped to make a wise decision on whether to make a purchase or not, including whether you and your family will be safe in the home.