Our founder–Ralph R. Roberts–writes for RealtyTimes.com, a leading Real Estate industry news and information Web site. From time to time, Realty Times carries information that speaks directly to homeowners, like the following Q&A, handled by Realty Times columnist Peter G. Miller, a Real Estate expert and syndicated columnist whose advice appears in more than 100 newspapers in the United States and Canada:

Question: I have a home that was built in the fifties and valued at $55,000. I have added a 650 square foot, two-story addition with new siding, roof, carpet and tile through-out the existing and new areas. What kind of value have we added? The roof is metal while the siding is top-of-the-line vinyl siding.

Answer: The answer depends on local values — in Manhattan perhaps several million dollars while in the middle of Kansas a lot less.

You can ask a local real estate broker to give you an estimate of the property’s current market value or you can get an appraisal. If you want to sell, then part of the answer will depend on whether your expansion is consistent with the neighborhood because the general rule is that buyers like to find the least expensive home in the most expensive neighborhood they can afford. Another issue is whether the expansion works with the present property — going from a three-bedroom home to a six-bedroom home and not enlarging the kitchen or upgrading the heating and air conditioning is unlikely to work.

If you would like to receive an estimate of your property’s current or expected value, give our office a call. If we cannot determine the value ourselves, we will help you identify another expert who can. You can reach our office by calling 586-751-0000 or by clicking here.

If you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, you know all about the benefits of using a professional home inspector a part of the process. But how exactly do you go about finding a qualified inspector. While some people rely on the recommendation of family and friends, we suggest looking into what noted home inspector Barry Stone suggests.

From Barry’s September 5, 2006 syndicated column:

1. Professional Affiliations: Membership in a recognized association of home inspectors, such as the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) or the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), is commonly held to be a measure of professionalism among home inspectors. Membership requires adherence to standards of practice, codes of ethics, and ongoing education. On the other hand, no governing body can mandate competent performance or ethical conduct. Regrettably, not all association members are truly qualified inspectors.

2. Inspection Experience: Years of dedicated practice can produce home inspectors with the ability to discover defects that would be missed by inspectors with less experience. On the other hand, shortcomings in talent or integrity can diminish the benefits of accumulated experience.

3. Errors and Omissions Insurance: The importance of E&O insurance is often stressed as an important consideration when hiring a home inspector. If an inspector fails to report a major defect, the deep pocket of an insurance company may be the only recourse. On the other hand, some of the most qualified home inspectors forego this insurance because deep pockets can be an attraction to litigious attorneys.

4. Building Code Certification: Although code certification is not a professional requirement for home inspectors, some inspectors acquire code credentials to increase their knowledge of potential building defects. This knowledge is unquestionably beneficial. On the other hand, increased knowledge is not related to the inherent ability to observe and evaluate defects. It is possible to know the code yet fail to recognize an apparent problem.

5. Formal Home Inspection Training: A common mistake among new home inspectors is to rely on past construction experience, rather than on specific home inspection training. Those who have attended a qualified school are better prepared to commence their careers as inspectors. On the other hand, there is no amount of schooling that truly prepares one for the complexities of inspecting homes. Schooling merely provides a foundation on which to build experience.

6. Ask for a Sample Report: Sample reports provide clues as to the thoroughness of a home inspector. On the other hand, anyone can purchase a high-tech report writing system. The report may look great, but this does not mean there is a qualified inspector behind the printed page. Furthermore, sample reports only show the problems that were found by the inspector, not the ones that were missed.

(c) 2006 Barry Stone

Barry is quick to point out that the above criteria provide only guidelines for selecting a home inspector, and that elements of uncertainty and risk still remain. For recommendations or guidance on choosing a Warren/metro-Detroit home inspector, contact our office today.