Home Findings
INSPECTION FINDINGS
Below: Notice how this slab crack is working it’s way across the structure starting at the garage.
Below: Notice the disconnected flexible heating and air conditioning duct in the attic. The seller’s said they had high energy bills, little did they know they were heating and cooling the attic.
Below: Notice how this roof truss is about to break at the load bearing point.
Below: Note the attic vent pipe that should extend beyond the roof. This vent pipe is venting against the attic refrigerant line leading to the evaporator cooler.
Below is a classic: Please note the exposed wire for the pool light , let’s hope nobody turns the pool light on.
Below: Note the heaved pool plaster from roots of the tree growing near the pool.
Below: This is a “new house” people paid good money for. Wonder why your cooling and heating bills are so high? The builder forgot to insulate half the attic!
Below: Notice how the tree roots heaved this garage slab that transferred through the entry hallway.
Below, this is totally uncalled for. This was a new house that I inspected today. Notice the way the truss cross members were fitted and nailed. Totally unacceptable.
Below: I noticed that the mirrored wall tiles were very loose, so I decided to pull a few off since it was a vacant bank owned property. Note the mold behind the tiles. The plumbing for the exterior hose-bib was located between the studs of this wall creating the mold.
Below: This is from an inspection I did a few years ago. Note how the slab crack transferred up through the existing exterior brick wall.
Below: Note the broken attic truss on a “brand new” house. The buyer’s told me that the home builder assured them they did not need a home inspection stating that the house was just inspected by the county inspector.
Below: On this inspection the water manifold was leaking between the wall. I can see the manifold was leaking for a while. Note in the second picture the mold at the base of the wall.
Below: This one cracks me up. Repairs have been made to the main water line at the shut off valve. Four elbows noted where one is needed. This will create a mineral buildup that will cause low water pressure in a year or two.
Below is an example of a normal plumbing loop.
Below: This was another “brand new” home. Why would you have electrical lines against the attic furnace gas pipes - you have the whole attic to run the electrical lines? What happened to common sense?
Below: This is an attic furnace. Notice that the flue pipe is missing allowing gases to vent into the attic.
Below: This is a major structural support post that is supporting a second floor balcony, this was built by the builder. Where was the county building inspector?
Below: This mold was found growing in a small closet behind the laundry area.
Below: Disconnected HVAC evaporator discharge pipe noted at the attic drain pan causing ceiling stains.
Below: Illegal wiring found in an attic. This is a possible fire hazard. These wires should be encased in a junction box.
Below: The electrical lines leading to the attic furnace are tight against the furnace gas pipe. This was another “brand new home”.
Below: (HVAC-Attic) The evaporator cooler drain pan is tilted away from the discharge pipes not allowing the system to drain properly by reaching the discharge pipes. The condensation will spill over the pan and creating ceiling stains. Most mistake this for a roof leak.
Below: Notice how well kept this pool looks. I also noted during the inspection that the pool motor is not grounded and the exposed wires noted at the timer box and the pool pump is leaking.
I hope you enjoy the following pictures of some of the homes that I have inspected. After a few thousand inspections I have inspected some multi million dollar condos on the strip to the “beer house”. I wasn’t sure if I should have posted these pictures but after sending them to some of the Realtors and asking their advice they all said yes by all means ! The inspection I did at the “beer house” was sent to about 300 realtor’s who then sent them out to others. They made their way to CNN and Fox news so I was kind of proud that I did that inspection. Please enjoy the pictures below. I’ll start with the condo - Turnberry at MGM and then the “beer house”. It doesn’t matter what kind of structure it is, I enjoy inspecting them all as you can see.
Below: It’s amazing how some people don’t realize the situation shown below can easily start an electrical fire.
Below: The water heater flue pipe is against the plywood sheathing. Repairs needed for fire safety.
Above: Corrosion noted at the REHAU plumbing fittings at the hot water side of the attic manifold. The water drips and the minerals stay as a solid at the early stages of the leaking process. Rehau & Kitec fittings seem to be leaking all over town.
Above: Some people wonder why their electric bill is so expensive. Notice the repairs on the HVAC duct was made with electrical tape (wrong tape), leaving the other end of the connection to fall off allowing the duct to heat and cool the attic.
Above, another ”brand new home”. Shame on the builder!
Above, while inspecting an attic, I noticed a burnt owner’s manual on top of the furnace that had just about caught fire. I took the manual and showed the home owner who had the house inspected a few years prior. The manual had been left there over the years from the builder. I took the paper owner’s manual to my local fire house for them to examine. The fire chief said it was only a matter of time before it would have gone up in flames. It takes a few minutes to check your attic.
Above, this was a “brand new home” I did last month. Notice the poorly fitted vent pipe off the attic furnace. Gases from the furnace were escaping into the attic.
Above is another brand new home. Where was the county building inspector on the frame walk?
Above, this was a new home inspected. Notice how the truss cracked at a load bearing area.
Above: I inspect all breaker boxes and sub panels. This is called “double stabbing”. Notice there are two wires leading to one breaker. Not only is this a code violation, it is also a potential fire hazard.
Below: Hole noted at the attic HVAC duct. I wonder if the seller’s knew they were paying to cool and heat the attic?
Above: I always inspect for mold.
Who engineered the rafters on this brand new home below? Where was the county inspector?
Below: This is what happens to your air conditioning - evaporator cooler when you don’t change your air filters regularly.
January 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Nice blog you have here
January 25th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Once again I have found a good post of yours
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:01 am
Hey!…I Googled for hot water heater, but found your page about Findings : Alpha Home Inspection…and have to say thanks. nice read.
February 4th, 2008 at 6:04 am
Craig,
I’ve had many local inspectors before, none and I mean none are in your league.
You are so through and took the time to explain all your findings and solutions to your finding.
Thanks,
Carol Whitley
February 13th, 2008 at 4:17 am
As a Realtor in Las Vegas for over thirty years I’ve come across a lot of inspectors.
One word, far and away the best.
Jeanne
February 13th, 2008 at 4:25 am
A licensed certified home inspector must take 23 hours of re-educating courses every two year required by the state.
In the class I taught - Craig was by far the sharpest and the one with the most questions. Heck, I learned a few things from him!
If I was to choose an inspector to inspect my house out of thousands that I have taught it would be Craig
Bill
CCSN
February 14th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Hello webmaster Wow what a fantastic article about Las Vegas Fire! Your keen insight into Las Vegas Fire is informative and creative. I look forward to reading other articles you have. Thanks.
February 17th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Craig:
Thanks for the great job you did with my future home. I learned plenty from your inspection and will be sure to give you a call if I have trouble with some of those minor repairs.
Thanks again,
Marc
February 17th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Hi Craig,
Thank you so much for such a great job. The photo makes it easier to understand the problems described. It is really nice to work with a pro.
Chaling
February 17th, 2008 at 5:33 am
Thanks for your help.It’s always a pleasure to deal with a professional.
Mike
February 17th, 2008 at 5:35 am
If it’s for a home inspection, I’ve used Craig Stivale of Alpha Home Inspections for years. His number is 869-4642, and his wife Rita usually answers the phone. Great guy who does a wonderful job for both sides!
Jacque Harrington
Anthem office
February 17th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Hi Rita,
Thanks so much for your and Craig’s prompt response! We really appreciate his thorough report.
We are referring Dana to a friend so you will most likely be inspecting their condo next year too.
Have a great day!
Becky
February 17th, 2008 at 5:37 am
Craig
When you have a chance, can you drop off or mail me some of your business cards? I don’t get a lot of residential deals (mostly commercial), but I will, with confidence, give out your name.
Thanks for all of your insight.
Mary J. Drury, Esq.
10001 Park Run Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89145
telephone: 702.942.2157
direct facsimile: 702.856.8961
central facsimile: 702.382.5816
mdrury@marquisaurbach.com
www.marquisaurbach.com
February 17th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Craig- thanks for the really nice pictures. I think I have a good idea of the extent of the repairs. I talked to Zephyr who helped explained them to me. You really did an excellent/thorough inspection job. Thanks again !!!
Terence Lew
February 17th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Dear Craig,
Thank you very much for everything you have done for
us! Your dedication and endeavour to your job is
greatly respected.
Please bring my best regard to Capt Shih.
David and Mutao
February 17th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Hi Craig,
First of all nice to know you, you are very hardworking and nice man. I thank you for a job well done to my future house.
Respectfully,
Celso
February 17th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Greetings Skydwellers,
I just got off the phone having talked for an hour with a Property Inspector that Barb & Greg referred us to. We can’t get to L.V. to do our own after all.
I am quite impressed with his ethical and thorough attitudes toward inspections. He knows his stuff and I would certainly choose him over the run of the mill Amerispec guys.
He will even do a coordinated cosmetic inspection with Sky personnel if you can’t do the walk through yourself.
Alpha Home Inspections: Craig Stivale 702-869-4642
Al
February 17th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Hey, know what you mean. Before we found you, we went through so many “inspectors” that didn’t know one end of a hammer from another… thanks for keeping your business so above board!
Lee Jones
Corporate Housing Manager, Realtor
Executive Locations Realty
6240 McLeod Drive, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89120
702-222-1951 - Office
702-373-6425 - Cellular
702-876-4900 - Fax
February 17th, 2008 at 5:41 am
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The report was awsome…now to make sure the seller gets the repairs done.
Randy doesn’t want to deal with any repairs….
Thanks for being so prompt.
Janice
Corporate Housing Manager, Realtor
Executive Locations Realty
6240 McLeod Drive, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89120
702-222-1951 - Office
702-373-6425 - Cellular
702-876-4900 - Fax
February 17th, 2008 at 5:42 am
Thank you very much for everything Craig. Great work!
Michael Stamcoff
February 17th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Thanks Craig,
Really good job! You’ll be hearing from me on my next transaction.
Clark Encabo
February 17th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Please let me know if there is anything we need to provide for this. I know I still owe you the past address sheet. We will also be locking our rate tomorrow and sending in our loan documents by the middle of this week. I will let you know when these are complete.
Also, could you contact the owner’s real estate agent and see if they decided about the rent-back? It would save us some money if they did decide to do that. Do you think they’d be willing to pay around 2500 a month? That is WELL under what our mortgage will be, but it seems reasonable. We could cover the rest of the mortgage and they could stay in the house until they are ready to move. I still need to discuss the actual amount with my wife. I’m just throwing a number up there right now. If they aren’t interested in doing the rent back at all, then it is a mute point.
Lastly, I wanted to say how impressed I was with the home inspector. His diligence and scrutiny will save us heartache in the future. He was/is truly a professional and I would recommend him to anyone that needs an inspector. Thank you.
Very Respectfully,
Allen Peplinski
February 17th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Craig,
This is very thorough which is exactly what I need. I thank you for that, for all the pictures, and for the quick turn around.
You are a true professional and I will recommend you if any of my fellow investors in need of an inspection in Las Vegas.
Also, I promised to send you the link to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. Here is the link to the main page -
http://www.ofheo.gov/
From the main page you can sign up for the e-mail updates or you can just go to the site on a quarterly basis for the reports.
In case you want to see a sample, here is the link to the last quarterly report on the housing index. The reports come out about two months after the end of the quarter.
http://www.ofheo.gov/media/pdf/2q06hpi.pdf
Liz Gallant
February 17th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Hi Craig,
Just wanted to say thanks for being my Home Inspector, I enjoyed doing
business with you and wish you the best.
I have moved to Chattanooga. We just thought the time was right.
Good-luck,
Chris Wilson
Re/Max Home Store
Email chris@coam.net
Web Site www.advertiseproperty.com
Cell 702-523-3738
February 17th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Craig,
Thank you very much for the inspection, the walk-through, and the
pictures (my Mother is going to love those). I appreciate your
advice and your expertise!
Sincerely,
Jay Fury
February 17th, 2008 at 5:46 am
Craig,
I really appreciate your efficiency. I am very glad to have worked with you in this case. I certainly will refer your name to all of my clients.
Sincerely,
Mihaela Ionescu - REALTOR®
LIBERTY REALTY
Office: 702 307 3729
Fax 702 248 4888
Cell 702 403 5346
http://mihaelaionescu.las.mlxchange.com
February 17th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Thanks’ Craig
I got it, and as usual you did a great job.
Anthony J. Bieszczat
RE/MAX
CENTRAL
Cell: 702-328-4814
Office: 702-360-2030
Fax: 702-360-5120
February 17th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Craig,
I enjoyed talking to you yesterday. You are a real professional. I am glad that you are my inspector. Thank you for the hard work and the good information provided.
Best regards,
Joseph Cheung
February 17th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Craig,
Wow - This is an impressive list!
We will let Bonnie advise on how to approach
resolution to the key issues on the list, but my take
is that with common sense negotiation and
reasonableness all around, all should be ’serviceable’
with adequate allowance before and at closing.
You are amazing - direct quote from Catherine.
Thanks again for the invaluable details on how to make
this house a really solid home!
Monty & Catherine Young
Monty L Young
Director Data Resources
University Nevada Las Vegas
ph# 702.895.0484
http://www.unlv.edu/Provost/ARS/
February 17th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Thank you, you did a great job. Will highly recommend your service.
All the Best!
Don Davisson
February 17th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Thank you so much! Your expertly will help the buyer feels more comfortable.
Annie
February 17th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Hi Craig Stivale,
Thank you very much for your professionalism today. Do you mind if we keep your card on file?
Regards,
Linda Macko
Semper Fi
February 17th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Hi Craig…….Just received the inspection yesterday. What a professional presentation! Thank you for the binder with the Sunset Fix It book, the inspection and the great advice. We need more people in this world like you!
Nancy Imada
February 17th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Thank you again, Craig. You have shown us to not only be competent and professional, but we really appreciate your sense of humor.
Thomas
February 18th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Hello, I found your blog on Google while searching for Hot Water Heaters andsome other things and your post regarding Findings : Alpha Home Inspection was intersting. I have added you to my Digg account.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Nice Blog! I was googling and found your blog looking for Real estate las vegas condo, I thought that this post, Findings : Alpha Home Inspection, was right in line with my own thoughts on the matter.
February 21st, 2008 at 3:51 am
Craig:
We received the report and the pictures. Thank you for a job well done. Please find my business contact information below. If you should ever need any legal representation, please feel free to give me a call. Thanks again for your assistance, and I hope to speak with you soon.
M. Sami Bakdash, Esq.
Attorney At Law
10777 West Twain Avenue, Suite 300
Las Vegas, Nevada 89135
Ph: 702.869.8801
February 25th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Craig,
GREAT web site! I love all the pictures and I am so thankful to have found such a great inspector. My buyer’s called me after you were done and said–now that is a great inspector, keep him! Our last Realtor had a grumpy inspector who knew nothing!
Sandy Remax
February 25th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
As a former building inspector in Canada my Realtor told me since I am not in Las Vegas to get a inspecton on the house and said you were the best.
After speaking with you and getting your report with the pictures she was right. You clearly know exactly what your talking about.
Great job.
Todd Canada
February 27th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Thanks Craig I was talking about you yesterday to a repeat client who is looking to purchase a home for her son & daughter n law. She said that she liked you and would use you again. wink what’s not to like, when your good your good and you are great. Thanks for the pic, wow!
Best Regards
Martha Craddock
February 27th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Craig,
I perused your entire website and it is very well done and informative. Keep up your excellent work ethic. Your reputation is impeccable.
Ruth
February 29th, 2008 at 3:56 am
Hi Craig,
Deanna and went to the house today and met Jeff (construction foreman?) and James.
They also had a couple workers cleaning up…
We went through all the stuff in your report, and the good news is they fixed all of it yesterday.
Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera, so I’m sending you the original message with the pictures you sent me.
I added notes of the fixes/repairs between the pictures…
Thank you very much for your help and input.. (we wonder how much of this would have been overlooked had you not been there)
We look forward to see you again for our final walk through, we’ll let you know when..
Thanks again Russ and Deanna
February 29th, 2008 at 4:05 am
Craig:
Thank you…. I made copies for D’Andre and Kia to review… I also advised them if they have any questions you will be more than supportive to answer for them. I have not had a chance to review the photos with the report, however once I do I will certainly give you a call if there is something I do not understand.
Again, Thank you for your prompt respond and professionalism.
Charlotte Tillman
February 29th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Hey Craig,
Thanks for the great job on my condo at Turnberry! Now I have a safe place to stay during race week.
Kenny S
March 7th, 2008 at 12:04 am
Hi Craig ,
Thank you very much for the outstanding job that you have done on the inspection I needed for the property on Hammock st. . Im sure that we will do business together again and again. You are well referred and I can see why. As a new realtor I have not much room for error and i am thankful to work with true professionals. Have a wonderful day.
sincerily ,
John Maracich
Elite Realty Las Vegas
April 25th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Wow! amazing site.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Craig, first of all it was a pleasure to meet you and so nice to see how professional you are, I feel safe knowing all the problems I have in this new house are written down and pictures for me, can’t thank you enough.. you made it so simple for me to view this..If I find that I need any help will give you a call and you can recommend someone to me, think with my son in Law Pierre and Guy I should be pretty well set…thank you once again for all you did on this house…Maureen
June 4th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Craig and Rita,
I wanted to thank both of you for how well you dealt with my clients the Bannons. The great service and fast turnaround on the report are wonderful. And the military discount for this young couple is much appreciated. I also appreciate your kind words about me in front of my clients.
I’ll also be sure to tell people to say your name when I give out Dave’s number in the future. I’d like to pass along the name of an excellent all-around maintenance contractor we’ve known for years: San Johnson. His company name is Handy-San Maintenance. 277-5292. Although he occasionally brings along a helper, he prefers to do the work himself. We’ve used him in our own house — he is does great work at reasonable prices — electrical, plumbing, carpentry, tile. And another thing we like, if a job is beyond his experience — he’ll say so.
I know I’m going on, but one more thing I’d suggest is if someone is scheduling an inspection at a vacant house, I’d ask if they called the 3 utilities to confirm if service is on. As I mentioned to Craig today, it took me only about 15 minutes yesterday to check all three companies to make sure they were active. I’ve called before (on Peaceful Morning), and no one ever gave me a hard time. They just have to keep working the automated system until they get a live customer service rep.
Great to see you again. Look forward to more deals together now that I’m back to working with buyers again!
Regards, Barbara
____________________
Barbara Newman
Broker/Salesperson - RE/MAX Associates
Las Vegas - Henderson
702-491-0547 Direct
877-725-3758
702-446-8068 Private eFax
NewmanTeam@cox.net
Search the MLS at www.NewmanTeam.com
June 4th, 2008 at 3:15 am
Craig and Rita,
I wanted to thank both of you for how well you dealt with my clients the Bannons. The great service and fast turnaround on the report are wonderful. And the military discount for this young couple is much appreciated. I also appreciate your kind words about me in front of my clients.
I’ll also be sure to tell people to say your name when I give out Dave’s number in the future. I’d like to pass along the name of an excellent all-around maintenance contractor we’ve known for years: San Johnson. His company name is Handy-San Maintenance. 277-5292. Although he occasionally brings along a helper, he prefers to do the work himself. We’ve used him in our own house — he is does great work at reasonable prices — electrical, plumbing, carpentry, tile. And another thing we like, if a job is beyond his experience — he’ll say so.
I know I’m going on, but one more thing I’d suggest is if someone is scheduling an inspection at a vacant house, I’d ask if they called the 3 utilities to confirm if service is on. As I mentioned to Craig today, it took me only about 15 minutes yesterday to check all three companies to make sure they were active. I’ve called before (on Peaceful Morning), and no one ever gave me a hard time. They just have to keep working the automated system until they get a live customer service rep.
Great to see you again. Look forward to more deals together now that I’m back to working with buyers again!
Regards, Barbara
____________________
Barbara Newman
Broker/Salesperson - RE/MAX Associates
Las Vegas - Henderson
702-491-0547 Direct
877-725-3758
702-446-8068 Private eFax
NewmanTeam@cox.net
Search the MLS at www.NewmanTeam.com
July 8th, 2008 at 4:09 am
THANK YOU..THANK YOU FOR SUCH A PROFESSIONAL REPORT!!!
We appreciate the report and all the additional pictures of 9 Al Castello Court. We only saw the house one time and love having some reminders of what it looked like. I just had one question….was Woodside provided with a copy of the report. If not I will fax/send to them.
Thanks again!
Keri
July 12th, 2008 at 2:21 am
Thanks again for all your help, Craig. It’s great working with someone who is both honest and knowledgeable.
Can you recommend any licensed contractors that could take a look at that planter box and wall inside the garage, and give me an estimate on fixing it? I’d like to have a number to negotiate with the seller.
Thanks.
Brian Felgar
September 6th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Hi Craig,
We met with David today and he is wonderful. You are absolutely right, the HVAC installation was not done properly. David will fix it and he will also do some of the plumbing.
Thank you again for recommending him. He said you are his mentor.
Peggy & Jeff
October 1st, 2008 at 5:52 am
Hi Craig, I wanted to thank you again for a very thorough inspection and most of all the pointers and advice you gave me to better me prepare my family for the new home.Thank you for the business cards of people you trust to help with some of the fixes i will need in the near future. Thanks again Keith Sampson
p.s. it’s never to late to take a typing course at home. Thanks again.