| Spring has sprung! Even more important than | | | | test the devices by pushing the "test" button. The |
| buds, birds, and bees, spring brings buyers! When | | | | cost of a new GFCI is less than $10. They can be |
| buyers are looking for a place to nest, they would | | | | installed in less than 10 minutes.Amateur |
| really rather not see problems. As it turns out, | | | | Workmanship. When something looks like an |
| nearly every home inspected has problems or | | | | amateur did it, that means an amateur did it, |
| imperfections of some sort or size. Most issues | | | | even if the perpetrator was paid for his work! |
| are very minor and simple to correct. Almost all | | | | When amateurs do things, the materials are often |
| are a result of deferred maintenance.Most of | | | | improper for the intended purpose or of poor |
| these simple deferred maintenance problems, | | | | quality. Many times they are both. Seldom are |
| when discovered during the home inspection, | | | | proper permits pulled or inspections performed |
| cause the majority of the headaches when trying | | | | when work is performed by amateurs. Amateur |
| to bring a contract to close. With the five quick | | | | work is also difficult to maintain. Amateur work |
| checks described below it is probable that 90% or | | | | and the people who perform it always complicate |
| more of the minor maintained items typically | | | | a closing.Wood Rot. Closing contracts sure would |
| discovered in the home inspection could be | | | | be simpler without wood rot. It sure would be |
| eliminated, and with them a great portion of the | | | | nice to see a home listed that said "clear WDO on |
| time and stress associated with their | | | | file". Consider doing the WDO inspection at the |
| correction:Dirty Filter and Coils in the Heat Pump. | | | | time of listing to greatly reduce the greatest |
| The clean and efficient flow of conditioned air as | | | | challenge in Florida real estate.The act of selling |
| well as the longevity of this very expensive | | | | real estate can be made simpler, more enjoyable, |
| system is dependant on proper airflow. A | | | | and more profitable by educating buyers and |
| professional cleaning is most always well under | | | | sellers about preventative maintenance. Spring is a |
| $100. Routine filter replacement can be done by a | | | | time of renewal - renew your interest in home |
| homeowner for about a dollar.Poor Caulking of | | | | care and take a few simple steps to keep safe, |
| Ceramic Tile in the Tub and Shower Area. The | | | | comfortable, and ready for some summer |
| cost to repair or replace a rotted shower wall | | | | sun!Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro |
| often exceeds thousands of dollars. This is an | | | | Inspections, and has been featured regularly on |
| avoidable event! A homeowner can accomplish | | | | HGTV's "House Detective". Wally has recently |
| caulking of tiled areas easily for under $20. If a | | | | written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy |
| crack in the caulk or grout is visible, you can | | | | Home Inspector", available at or As a speaker, |
| believe it's large enough for water to pass!Ground | | | | writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home |
| Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) not Properly | | | | Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on |
| Functioning. GFCI's are the electrical outlets that | | | | WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of |
| have the "press" and "test" buttons. These | | | | up-to-date information with just the right amount |
| devices are critically important in reducing the | | | | of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world |
| chance for electrocution. The homeowner can | | | | application. Visit for more information! |