More words...

Ok, so, this house in the pictures, we are supposed to settle on 2/29/2008. We've had both the pool and the house inspected to date. Overall it is a very nice 22 year old colonial design People's built home. The roof was new in 2004. HVAC oil burner and heat pump was new in 2003. Windows, all high end vinyl units, all replaced in 2004. So the "majors" have been updated, which meets my requirements for serious consideration. The owner also had new entranceway double doors installed, fiberglass, with leaded glass inserts and side windows, and matching lighting. Very pretty, and there's a lighted brick laid sidewalk leading up to the front entrance which also adds a very nice touch. The french doors leading to the sunroom are also of similar quality to the entranceway doors. The home inspector commented today when we toured the house for the home inspection process that all the replacement materials used by the homeowner were of high quality, not cheap by any means, and workmanship was first rate. Overall, our home inspector said we should be able to move into this home and enjoy many years of maintenance free living, except for one major defect. When the owner replaced the exterior roof in 2004, he also replaced the soffits (the area under the roof overhangs) and gutters. The roof installed uses a ridge vent system, which means that the soffits need to have perforated sections, or vents, that must be baffled and unobstructed to provide continous ventilation to the ridge vent. Apparently, whomever did the roof work, either didn't baffle the soffit vents, or covered them completely over with blown insulation. One of the most important elements of the roof ventilation system is to ensure moisture does not stay trapped in the house. So, the one major defect is that mold has formed on some sections of the north side of the roof, on the underside of the plywood upon which the exterior roof is installed. So, the owner must repair this defect. Our real estate agent will submit an addendum accordingly, and we will of course have any work inspected after the fact to ensure the repair was done properly.

The inground pool, which was installed in 1991, is an Anthony gunnite pool with a plaster surface. The pool is very well maintained however all equipment is original as far as the pool inspector could tell. This means the plaster surface of the inground pool will most likely need to be updated in the relative near future, and the pump and filter, while top end units when originally installed, will be difficult to repair and parts will be hard to find given the age of the equipment. Still, the plaster, coping, tile work, and equipment looks as good as can be expected given the pool is coming up on 20 years of age. Of course, the children are excited about the prospect of having a pool to enjoy over the summer and to invite their friends over to enjoy along with them. Myself, now I have to become the resident pool maintenance expert! :-)

Well, gotta run just now, the kids need help with their homework and there is work to be done...