Category Archives: Real Estate Unveiled

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: ASBESTOS ISSUES WITH DAN DUNNE

On this month’s podcast, Tim and Liz sit down with Dan Dunne with CAZ Environmental to address commonly posed questions regarding asbestos removal, including:

  • What is asbestos?
  • Can you detect asbestos without testing?
  • Is asbestos only pertinent to older homes?
  • Do popcorn textured ceilings typically have asbestos?
  • What are common home elements that may have asbestos? 
  • Are there materials that never contain asbestos?
  • How dangerous is asbestos? 
  • What advice do you have for home DIYers? 
  • How much does asbestos testing cost?

(LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD PODCAST HERE ONCE UPLOADED)

About CAZ Environmental

CAZ Environmental was founded in 2013 with a mission to protect the health and safety of its clients, employees, and public throughout Northwest Washington. The company works with 13 employees to sample and remove asbestos, lead, and mold in residential, commercial, and industrial settings that range from mobile homes to mansions. 

If there is one thing Dan Dunne recommends, it’s this: When in doubt, get it tested.

For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: ROOF MOSS ISSUES WITH CALVIN VAN KOOTEN

Calvin Van Kooten is the Owner of Oh Say Can You See, a window-cleaning company that also provides gutter cleaning and eco-friendly roof cleaning services to Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island residents and commercial businesses.

In this sixth episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! Podcast, Tim, Liz, and Calvin focus on answering moss and roof maintenance questions, such as:

• How does moss growth on a roof affect a home appraisal or a home inspection?

• How does moss growth on a roof impact a homeowner’s insurance policy?

• Is moss growth inevitable? 

• What causes moss growth? 

• Does moss growth cause damage on a roof?

• How should you deal with moss growth?

• What should you NOT do when cleaning your roof? 

More about our guest: Oh Say Can You See is based in Oak Harbor, and was founded in January 2018 by Calvin Van Kooten. The company provides window cleaning, gutter cleaning, and eco-friendly roof cleaning services to Whidbey Island residents and commercial businesses in Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Greenbank, Freeland, Langley, Clinton, as well as to Fidalgo Island and Anacortes. For more information, visit https://oscyswc.com .

For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: FAQs PART II WITH TIM & LIZ HANCE

Listen to the latest podcast here!

In this fifth episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! podcast, Tim and Liz Hance are back for Round 2 of the FAQs that clients often want answers to regarding home inspections and real estate appraisals. This month, they discuss:

• What are home warranties, and should you have one?

• What do Tim and Liz think about online property valuation services?

• What kind of licensing requirements do real estate inspectors and appraisers have? 

• How much do inspections and appraisals typically cost? 

Check it out here: 

For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: FAQS WITH TIM & LIZ HANCE

Listen to the latest podcast here!

On this month’s podcast, Tim and Liz address commonly posed questions regarding home inspections and real estate appraisals, including:

• What is the difference between a real estate appraisal and a home inspection?

• Who is the client in a home appraisal or home inspection (buyer, seller, etc.)?

• How long do home inspections and home appraisals take?

• Should clients attend home appraisals and home inspections?           

• When is a reinspection required (for both home inspections and home appraisals)?

• What happens if the home inspector or home appraiser misses something? 

• How long are home appraisal and home inspection reports valid?

For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: LORI REECE OF REMAX TALKS REAL ESTATE

Lori Reece, Designated Broker and Owner of RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc., in Bellingham, was our featured guest on the third episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! Podcast. 

RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. is recognized as one of the leaders in residential and commercial real estate in Whatcom County and also on a regional and national level for its achievements by RE/MAX International. 

During the podcast, Tim, Liz, and Lori had Q&As about a variety of topics, including:

• What are common issues that occur between real estate professionals, home inspectors, and home appraisers?

• What types of home repair issues should you negotiate when buying/selling a home?

• What is the benefit of working with a Realtor? 

• What is a concession vs. a necessary repair? 

• How is the local real estate marketing changing?

More about our guest: Lori was licensed in 1980 after graduating from Western Washington University, and she started RE/MAX Whatcom County in June 1991. Since then, the company has grown to five offices in Bellingham, Sudden Valley, Lynden, Point Roberts, and most recently in Anacortes (with partner Blake Boatman). There are now more than 100 RE/MAX professionals and administrative staff listing and selling residential and commercial real estate everywhere in Western Washington, with emphasis on Whatcom and Skagit counties. Lori has won multiple awards for her work—including a “Lifetime Achievement” award from the Whatcom Association of Realtors. She was also the past president of Whatcom County Association of Realtors, past president of the Bellingham/Whatcom MLS, and a past local and state director with the Washington Association of Realtors.For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: DAVID BRADLEY OF BRADLEY ENGINEERING TALKS HOME STRUCTURAL ISSUES

David Bradley

David Bradley, owner of Bradley Engineering, Inc., in Bellingham, popped by the studio for the second episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! Podcast to discuss the latest in structural engineering issues.

Bradley Engineering is a full-service structural engineering firm that addresses structural needs in a variety of settings. These include residential, multi-family, small retail businesses, manufacturing, industrial, wood-framed construction, steel fabrication, solar panel installations, retaining walls, and more.

During the podcast, Tim, Liz, and David examine several structural subjects, including:

• When are foundation cracks serious?

• How do you know if a foundation crack is active or historic?

• When are interior cracks a cause for concern?

• What are general fixes for the most common foundation issues?

• How much do foundation fixes cost?

• How can you tell what elements are load-bearing in a home structure?

• What is involved with seismic retrofitting? 

Links for Seismic Retrofitting

• Simpson Strong-Tie: https://www.strongtie.com/resources/literature/seismic-retrofit-guide

• Project Impact: http://www.soundseismic.com/live/page/project-impact

More about our guest: David Bradley has been a practicing engineer for 31 years. He holds a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. In 2001, David and Isabel started Bradley Engineering. For 17 years, Bradley Engineering has been serving Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Snohomish, and King Counties with clients that include homeowners, designers, architects, contractors, business owners, business managers, and nonprofits. His areas of expertise include structural engineering on buildings and equipment, including virtually all wood-framed, steel, and concrete construction. David is also well-versed in seismic retrofitting of existing buildings and OSHA fall protection.For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

Real Estate Unveiled! Podcast: Bob Shupe of Cleaner Guys Talks Mold

Editor’s Note: We hope you enjoy this first episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! podcast. We are thrilled that you stopped by. Each month, we will broadcast a new show about topics related to real estate, home inspections, residential appraisals, construction, and issues related to these fields. Along the way, we will share our expertise, learn from other experts, and have some fun. Thanks for listening! – Tim & Liz Hance

Bob Shupe, principal executive with Cleaner Guys in Mount Vernon, dropped by to join us for the inaugural episode of the Real Estate Unveiled! podcast.

Cleaner Guys is a well-established business that provides exceptional cleaning and restoration services—including issues related to mold.

During the podcast, Tim, Liz, and Bob examine myriad mold questions, including:

• Do home appraisers and home inspectors need to reveal the discovery of mold?

• Is mold always a health concern?

• What should home buyers and home sellers need to consider when it comes to mold issues?

• How much does mold remediation cost?

Bob Shupe

More about our guest: Bob Shupe has worked in the cleaning and restoration industry for nearly 20 years, and has a unique depth of experience, having worked for large national/international franchise organizations on both the corporate/franchiser and franchisee sides of that business model. He has personally managed both small and large loss projects, including water damage mitigation and repairs, fire damage clean-up and reconstruction, high-rise/multi-use commercial losses, and localized catastrophic events related to river flooding and wind storms. He holds a Master Water Restorer and Mold Remediation certifications with IICRC as well as smoke/odor and fire damage cleaning certifications.

For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: Is DIY a good idea for window installation?

On this month’s podcast, Tim and Liz sit down with John Carlson and James Montgomery with Island Sash & Door to answer questions about windows and doors, including:

  • What’s the deal with “fogged” windows?
  • Why do window seals fail?
  • Do windows have warranties? Do warranties transfer to new owners?
  • How does window replacement work?
  • Is DIY a good idea when it comes to window and door installation?
  • What role do windows play in a home’s thermal efficiency?
  • Are there ways that homeowners can improve issues related to in-home environmental sounds (e.g., jet noise) by using specific windows/doors?
  • What is tempered glass? Why is it used? When is it required?
  • What are typical egress requirements for homes?

More about our guests

Island Sash & Door is a small, narrowly focused company that specializes in windows, doors, skylights and shower doors. We work closely with you, your building professional, your architect/designer and the manufacturer to ensure the window and door products for your home or building project meet your objectives and vision–and not simply your needs. With more than four decades of experience in the window and door industry in the Pacific Northwest, we are often able to accomplish design requirements, overcome compliance hurdles or solve product selection problems where others can’t. For more information, visit http://islandsashanddoor.com/For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).

REAL ESTATE UNVEILED! PODCAST: MORTGAGE LOANS WITH STACY WARNER OF BANK OF THE PACIFIC

On this month’s podcast, Tim and Liz sit down with Stacy Warner, AVP, Senior Mortgage Loan Originator with Bank of the Pacific, to answer questions from the world of home loans, including:

• How important is it to work with a locally-based mortgage lender? 

• What is a loan underwriter? 

• How often are structural pest inspection reports required by underwriters?

• Should you show your home inspection report to a mortgage lender?

• What are some simple things owners can do to ensure a smooth home appraisal from an underwriting perspective? 

• How significant is mold growth to underwriters?

• What if mortgage rates go down after you negotiate a loan? Can you re-negotiate?

• What are the different, common loan types?

(LINK TO SOUNDCLOUD PODCAST HERE ONCE UPLOADED)

More about our guest: Stacy Warner is the spouse of an active duty service member and specializes in VA loan financing as well as FHA, USDA, Jumbo, and Conventional loan programs. Having joined banking as a Teller, Stacy now offers her clients Mortgage banking, loan servicing, loan processing, and loan underwriting experience. This knowledge has helped many customers buy, refinance, or build their dream home with confidence. Stacy especially enjoys working with first-time homebuyers and strives to make sure they are comfortable with their new home purchase and fully understand the mortgage process. For more information, visit https://www.bankofthepacific.com/home-loans/mortgage-loan-specialists/stacy-warner . For more, subscribe to our newsletter at https://allislandsinspections.com/category/newsletters. If you have questions or comments about home inspections in general, tweet me (@AIHomeInspect).