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RADON – Myth or Menace!

Governor Mark Dayton has approved a bill that includes the Minnesota Radon Awareness Act dated May 7, 2013.

This act which becomes effective on January 1, 2014 covers all residential home sales (including: existing homes, new construction and high-rise buildings). What does this mean to the realtor and the home inspector?

To the realtor this act means that the seller must be informed that they must make an accurate written statement about radon and radon testing in their home at time of sale. The written requirements are very specific, including a, “radon warning statement” that must include legislated language. To the home inspector; this act will mean much more business, provided he or she is certified to do in-home radon testing.

Public awareness of radon issues in Minnesota is increasing rapidly. There are two basic reasons! The Minnesota Department of Health in recent times has done a tremendous job in getting knowledge of radon to the public through the media and the other significant reason is that all new construction in residential housing in Minnesota, over the past few years, has required passive radon mitigation.

The public is asking; if radon mitigation is required in new construction, why isn’t it required in existing homes?

You may have noticed in the previous paragraph that I said “passive radon mitigation”! I will describe passive and mechanical mitigation in future blogs. The fact is that the Department of Public health would far rather see that mechanical mitigation is used. Broadly, the differences are that passive mitigation relies on the fact that hot air rises to get the radon gas from under the floor slab of the house out above the roof. Mechanical mitigation uses a fan! Passive mitigation is good, mechanical ventilation, which costs surprisingly little, is much better.

I will go into the written requirements of the act and all that is required for realtor, home inspector, and homeowner to understand the radon issue in future blogs. I will be quoting Josh Kerber from the Department of Public health on the written requirements, for the seller, in the act!

In the meantime, if you want to get ahead of the game, contact Joshua.Kerber@state.MN.US. I am sure that Joshua will be happy to provide the wording of the written disclosure and the radon warning statement. Joshua and others of the Minnesota Department of Health have fought vigorously for a very long time to have this act implemented…Congratulations!

Rob ‘Pops’ Leslie

MN Home Inspection
Minneapolis & St. Paul

Kaplan University

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MN Inspector or MN Realtor’s Role!

How much is this home worth?

…is a question often asked, by buyers, of their home inspector! Value is in the eye of the beholder and what the buyer thinks is value may be very different to the home inspector’s opinion. The role of the home inspector in helping the buyer with valuation is solely providing an accurate report that covers the condition of every aspect of the home. The cost of overcoming individual weaknesses in the home can only come with price quotes from other experts involved. Reaching an accurate cost is a matter of being certain that all weaknesses have been found and can be allowed for in a renovation. Good inspection and accurate reporting will greatly reduce the risks involved in budgeting for any needed repairs.

The buyer, with an accurate home inspection report and a quality realtor evaluation, showing value against comparables in the same district, can decide if the house is good value when the cost of updates identified in the home inspector’s report are factored into the purchase price of the home. This fact… Identifying Final Value… is often lost to buyers, sellers and realtors! Buyers want to buy and sellers want to sell and all things are negotiable. Given an opportunity both sellers and buyers are very often better prepared to adjust their price to cover needed repairs that have been identified or; to make the necessary repairs adjusting the price to meet the new value.

How much is this home worth?

It is worth the perceived value of the buyer after the home inspector has identified and commented accurately in his or her report. And, firm quotes have been received from the experts required to bring the house up to the quality expectations of the buyer.

 

 

Rob ‘Pops’ Leslie

MN Home Inspection
Minneapolis & St. Paul Home Inspections

Kaplan University

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Good Home Inspectors Listen to the House

Is a home inspection necessary?

This question is asked often because many homeowners and realtors do not realize just what an inspector does. A home inspector’s task is to represent the voice of the house. A good inspection report will tell you precisely the condition of the house at the time of writing. A well-written report will direct an owner, buyer, or seller to any action that is required to bring a house up to good condition relevant to its age.

Is a Minnesota Home Inspection Necessary?These days, most realtors realize that a home inspection is necessary at time of sale. Today, more than 90% of buyers have a home inspection, so that they know exactly what they are buying. Sellers are also learning the value of a home inspection. A good inspection will tell them what they are really selling and help overcome the surprise of being asked for concessions at close.

A home inspector is not an engineer and does not have a crystal ball. A good inspector cannot predict what is going to happen in the future or what the value of the house will be down the road. Assessing value is the task of the appraiser and life expectancy comes from plumbers, window suppliers, and other specialists. However, the home inspector should be an expert in understanding exactly what is happening to the house at the time of the inspection. In fact, a good home inspector needs to have a solid grounding in all of the elements and systems of a home.

How do you identify the right inspector for you?

When you are looking for the right fit, you need to find someone who is ASHI certified, has reputation, business longevity and can produce testimonials from realtors who have used their services over time.

Rob ‘Pops’ Leslie

MN Home Inspection
Minneapolis & St. Paul

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