RecallChek is the nations first and only appliance safety and recalling system.

Home Inspectors and Realtors have an interest in their clients’ safety, and in their liability. Yet, many American Homes have potential and known fire hazards in them. Despite the fact that since 1974, American citizens have been protected from dangerous items in their homes by law. If a manufacturer has designed a dangerous product, they MUST recall all those items and FIX THEM FOR FREE! 

The problem in the law is that most often it’s up to you, the consumer, to find out whether your appliances are potential fire or safety hazards!  There’s a database online, but you would have to wade through 195 MILLION recalled items to find out if your dishwasher or air conditioner is a potential hazard and this would take a tremendous amount of your time.  As a result, today many of these dangerous appliances are still in homes across America.  That's why RecallChek is such a great product.

Here's how it works!

✓ Your Home Inspector will copy the model numbers of your built-in 

    home appliances and HVAC system. 

✓ At RecallChek Headquarters, your model numbers are computer 

    matched against MILLIONS of recalls using our Model Number 

    Algorithm (MNA). 

✓ RecallChek issues a report within 48 hours, to both the inspector 

    and your client 

✓ In the event of a potential recall, we inform home buyers: 

1) the nature of the recall, 

2) where the product was sold, 

3) how to remedy the defect, and 

4) how to get the item repaired or replaced in most cases - FREE! 

Source: RecallChek (http://www.inspectthebest.com/imported-20100719171704/) by Jami Nash

Freddie Mac's weekly report said the 30-year fixed rate slipped to 4.44% for the week ended Thursday, the lowest since the government-backed lender began tracking the rate in 1971. Last week's rates stood at 4.49%, and a year ago it was at 5.29%.

The 15-year fixed rate fell to 3.92% this week, the lowest since Freddie Mac began tracking it 1991, down from 3.95% last week and from 4.68% a year ago.

Adjustable-rate mortgages also declined, with the 5-year rate falling to 3.56% this week, the lowest since 2005 when the lender began tracking it.

Mortgage tracker Bankrate.com, which surveys large lenders across the country, said the average 30-year fixed loan sank to a record low for the fourth consecutive week, falling to 4.57% from 4.66% the previous week.

The 15-year fixed rate, which is a popular option for refinancing, also fell to the lowest level in the history of Bankrate's 25-year old survey, dipping to 4.06%, from 4.11% the week before.

While the 1-year adjustable-rate mortgage held steady at 4.8% for a fourth week, the 5-year adjustable rate mortgage dropped to a record low of 3.92% from 3.95% the previous week.

"Low rates are helping to heal many battered local housing markets by increasing home-purchase activity, said Frank Nothaft, chief economist at Freddie Mac.

Mortgage rate applications inched up a modest 0.6% during the week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Applications for purchase rose 0.3% while refinance applications increased 0.6%.  

Source: 30 Year Mortgage At Lowest Rate (http://www.inspectthebest.com/imported-20100719171704/)

I'm sure you've all heard about the .co being the new .com....Opportunities do arise, for example COmpany, Corporation, COmmerce etc. It is a short alternative to .com and probably good for branding your business.

What do you think about the new .com

 Deadly Mistake #2:  Not hiring a buyer's agent to represent you.

Buying property is a complex and stressful task.  In fact, it is often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime.  At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.  New technology, laws, procedures and competition from other buyers require buyer agents to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism.  For many home buyers, the process turns into a terrible, stressful ordeal.  In addition, making the wrong decisions can end up costing you thousands of dollars.  It does not have to be this way!

An inspection is also for new homes, given new home defects aren't just incidental.

It's also a good tool to use to assess a home's integrity after a natural disaster, including flooding, an earthquake, a wind or rain storm.

Finally, a home inspection by home owners who aren't listing their home for sale can let them know every few years what maintenance or upgrades they need to perform.

It's always a good time for a home inspection.

For $350 to $500, a professional home inspector will review the major, visible and accessible components of the home and provide a detailed written report rating each element. Typically included are the heating system; central air conditioning system (climate permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; the roof, attic and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors; the foundation, basement and structural components.

The inspection isn't intrusive and it may not include swimming pools, septic tanks, and other systems that require an inspection by a specialist.

The objective report should include detailed information in a way that allows the customer to make informed decisions about the findings.

The inspection also can be a learning opportunity for the buyer or seller who should attend the inspection. The inspection is an opportunity to see the inspector demonstrate systems and to get acquainted with necessary maintenance chores.

The inspection also sees through the veil of misleading staging and other cover-ups and it can help buyers uncover building permit and code violations.

Sellers can likewise use the inspection to determine what they need to do to put the home in competitive shape or price it fairly to sell as-is.

While a home inspection, purchased by the buyer or seller or both, is more common than it's ever been, too many home buyers skip the process.

That's especially true for new homes, but they also need a once over. There could be subcontractor issues missed by the contractor as well items missed by the local jurisdiction's harried building inspector.

Studies have exposed newly built single family homes with construction problems related to the building envelope; framing and structural elements and in the plumbing and electrical systems.

As homes age, given the life expectancy of certain systems, the home inspection grows in importance.

Within 10 years, foundation settling could create drainage problems; by the age of 20, appliances are well outdated and the roof and wood components exposed the weather or moisture could need replacing; at 40 years the HVAC system will likely need replacement. Older historic or architecturally significant homes can develop structural problems and need restoration.

Safety hazards that crop up in older homes include old sliding glass windows that are not tempered safety glass, missing smoke alarms and missing pressure relief valves on water heaters.

Neglect plays a role too, as the lack of preventative maintenance takes it toll. Some homeowners take better care of their car than their biggest investment.

under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that is aimed at preventing deaths and injuries caused by poisoning from the odorless, colorless gas.

Up to 40 California residents die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to state Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), whose legislation was signed by the governor.

“SB 183 will help put an end to the senseless deaths and injuries Californians suffer due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year,” said Kevin Nida, president of the California State Firefighters' Assn.

The California Air Resources Board says an average of 30 to 40 "avoidable deaths" occur in California each year because of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning. Lowenthal said there also are hundreds of "avoidable" emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the state each year.

The bill requires that alarm devices, which can cost less than $30, to be installed in existing single-family homes that have a fossil-fuel burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage, starting in mid-2011. All other residential units will have to have the detectors in place by Jan. 1, 2013.

In addition to the firefighters association, the legislation also was supported by the California Alarm Assn. and Home Depot.

--Patrick McGreevy in Sacramento

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Right Under Law, andNeighborWorks America, said it is launching a national campaign to prevent loan modification scams through public education, complaint reporting, and coordination with local, state, and federal enforcement agencies.

As part of this initiative, the network has launched a consumer-friendly Web site, which is designed to support

national, state, and local law enforcement efforts. This site is intended to serve as a nationwide clearinghouse and destination for loan modification scam information on complaints filed, laws and regulations, and enforcement actions.

“We want homeowners to know they have a place to turn to if they think they are being scammed,” said Marietta Rodriguez of NeighborWorks America.

The Web site includes an electronic complaint form to report scammers, a list of individuals and organizations who have been identified by enforcement agencies to have allegedly committed a loan modification scam, and information on how to avoid a loan modification scam.

In addition, the site has state-by-state information about rules, regulations, and resources available to homeowners, and it posts news and information on enforcement efforts.

“This effort links homeowners to free, legitimate counseling and helps to put scammers out of business,” said Jeff Hayward, SVPof Fannie Mae. “The goal of this campaign is to educate homeowners and empower those who have fallen victim to scammers to report and prevent future fraud.”

Key Considerations

Because of the beating countertops take over their lifetime, durability and stain resistance are key considerations.“The truth is that there is no such thing as a burn-proof, scratch-proof, stain-proof countertop material—green or conventional—no matter what some manufacturers will claim,” says designer Lydia Corser of Eco Interiors in Santa Cruz, CA. “The most important thing to realize is that nothing is foolproof.”

Lifecycle Thinking

When weighing the pros and cons of different countertop materials, remember that your countertop’s environmental impact begins long before it is installed in your kitchen or bathroom and will continue after you dispose of it. Here is a basic rundown of key considerations:

• Raw materials: Are the materials used to create the countertop renewable or finite, and can they come from recycled products? Are they mined or harvested, and if so, how well managed are these processes? For example, mining the metals to produce stainless steel is very energy intensive and in some cases highly polluting, but stainless can be easily recycled. To go a step further, using salvaged material is often best for the environment since it avoids even the energy necessary to recycle.
• Manufacture: Materials that require less processing use less energy, and so have less impact. Ceramic tiles must be fired twice, consuming great amounts of energy, while untreated wood only has to be sawed and planed, using far less.
• Transport: The distance a material travels translates directly into air pollution from vehicle fuel combustion, which is responsible for emissions of sulfur and nitrous oxides, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. Local materials from within a 500-mile radius are always preferable to reduce air pollution, since emissions can lead to acid rain, ground-level ozone formation, increased asthma rates, and breathing difficulty, according to the according to the U.S. EPA.
• Installation: Dust from sawing and grinding as well as VOCs and other chemicals from adhesives can make your home inhospitable during and after installation. Check with your installer to minimize these impacts.
• Use and maintenance: In place, materials may offgas formaldehyde, VOCs, or other chemicals, but selecting specific materials with low impacts on air quality will cut emissions. For example, look for laminates without formaldehyde in their particleboard backing. Durability is also a major factor, directly linked to a material’s lifespan and how often it must be replaced. Laminates are not very durable, but can last 20 years with conscientious care. Using low-impact cleaning materials will ensure that this care is not at the expense of your indoor air quality.
• End of life: Where will your countertop end up when its life is over? Can it be recycled, reconditioned and reused, downcycled into other products, or will it simply be sent to a landfill? Making your unwanted materials available for other uses helps avoid the extraction impacts of mining and keeps harmful chemicals out of the environment. For example, crushing concrete for use as aggregate in new concrete avoids mining of more aggregate.

When choosing a countertop material, keep in mind that “being green is not a black-and-white issue. All products have some green and some not-so-green characteristics. There is no material with zero impact on our planet,” says architect Eric Corey Freed.

But plastic is so easy to care for!

Plastic solid surfac materials are extremely popular due to their resistance to stains and bacterial growth, their very low impact on indoor air quality, and the ability to grind out stains and imperfections.

However, these countertops also have many undesirable aspects:

• They are made primarily from nonrenewable resources: petrochemicals and aluminum trihydrate (ATH). Petrochemicals are processed from petroleum, a finite resource that is energy-intensive and polluting to extract, ship, and process. ATH is strip-mined, disturbing very large swaths of land, and ATH may not come from recycled sources, even though aluminum recycling rates are high.
• Producing these materials uses high-energy industrial processes.
• While plastic solid surface materials can be recut and reused, or reconditioned in place, they usually cannot be recycled.

Materials in depth

For a summary of the environmental pros and cons of the materials discussed here, see GreenHomeGuide’s Countertops Buyer’s Guide.

Concrete

Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and an aggregate, typically sand. It is highly durable and can be poured in place for custom counters. It is not inherently a green product—cement production and transportation are extremely energy-intensive. But if the aggregate is recycled and locally sourced, the energy intensity falls.

Cement is the ingredient with the largest environmental impact. Global cement production is the third-largest producer of man-made CO2, a greenhouse gas linked to climate change; different sources estimate it accounts for 2.5 to 8 percent of total CO2 releases. Luckily, cement makes up only about 12 percent of concrete by weight, and 30 percent or more of it can, and should, be substituted with fly ash, a leftover material from coal-fired power plants. Fly ash is rendered inert during the chemical reaction that forms concrete, so it is not a health concern, and concrete does not offgas harmful chemicals.

Concrete can be molded into custom shapes in place and dyed almost any color or given distinctive blended looks, though you should inquire about the toxicity of dyes. Installation and grinding concrete can generate large quantities of dust, so make sure your contractor addresses this. Once cast into countertops, concrete can withstand heat very well. However, concrete counters should be sealed periodically to limit stains, water damage, and bacterial growth, and heat can damage the seal. Treated well, concrete can last a lifetime.

At the end of its life as a countertop, concrete can be reused whole or cut for other projects. Unwanted concrete can even be crushed into new aggregate for producing new concrete, saving energy over mining more resources to produce new concrete, as well as keeping old concrete out of landfills, according to research by the Portland Cement Association.

According to Ask the Builder, a concrete countertop can be a DIY project for a skilled homeowner. For specific product recommendations, read Low Impact Living’s “Concrete for Green Countertops and Flooring” and consult the GreenSpec directory of countertop products.

Laminates

Laminates are resin-impregnated paper glued to a particleboard backing. The particleboard backing typically has high VOC levels, and the laminates are most often glued to cabinet boxes using high-VOC glues. However, compared to plastic-based solid surfaces, laminates use a very small amount of resin.

Though laminates are not considered green, if the paper and plastic come from recycled sources, their impact can be reduced. Look for laminates made of recycled plastics and recycled, formaldehyde-free paper, that use nontoxic low-VOC glues for installation or that avoid glues by using mechanical fasteners. In terms of air quality, look for laminates that have been certified by Greenguard as low-emitting materials. When installing laminates, avoid first installing plywood (which typically offgasses VOCs) on top of the cabinet boxes. The laminate’s backing should ideally be mechanically fastened to the cabinets, to preserve air quality.

Laminates are inexpensive and easy to clean, but they are easily marred by heat and nicks if not treated with care, so always use trivets and cutting boards in the kitchen. In the bathroom or laundry room there is less danger of damage, as laminates are chemical resistant. Their lifespan is relatively short: typically 10 to 20 years, depending on how well you treat them.

Laminates are not recyclable, and are difficult to remove and reuse if glued in place, so they quickly end up in landfills. This puts them behind many other counter choices environmentally.

Solid Surfacing: Paper Composite

Paper composite surfaces are composed of paper and other fibers that have been impregnated with resin. Paper composite handles heat well, is very durable and, according to Corser, “if folks are worried about staining … nothing seems to penetrate the darker colors, in my experience.”

Maintaining paper composites over their long lives will reduce their overall environmental impact; a nonabrasive cleaner and a sponge are adequate for routine cleanings. This material does not nick easily or dull knives (it’s often used in cutting boards), though, as with all materials, be wary of cutting directly on it to prolong the life of your counter as well as your knives. Many paper composite products can be sealed with mineral oil to improve moisture and stain resistance.

The resin does not come from recycled sources, but it constitutes a small amount of the material used. Because the resin is a thermoset plastic, paper-based solid surfaces are not recyclable, though they can be recut and retooled for future use. Overall, solid-paper composites are environmentally preferable to plastic-based solid surfaces since wood is a renewable resource while petroleum is not. Look for paper-composite countertop products that use pulp from sustainably managed forests and that incorporate recycled (especially post-consumer recycled) paper.

For specific product recommendations, see Sunset magazine’s “Eco-Friendly Kitchen Counters” and consult the GreenSpec directory of environmentally preferable building products.

Solid Surfacing: Plastic

Plastic solid-surface countertops that incorporate recycled materials have a lower environmental impact than the typical plastic countertops mentioned above. These range widely in look, recycled content, recyclability, and composition. Some are made of compressed yogurt containers and aluminum, while others end up looking close to terrazzo. Recycled plastic surfaces are typically quite long lasting, resist moisture, and do not offgas VOCs—but they burn easily, can be scratched, and may warp, according to architect Andrea Traber.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of steel, nickel, and at least 10.5 percent chromium. Because of the impacts of mining, particularly those associated with chromium mining, and the energy used to produce it, stainless steel is not inherently a green material. However, stainless steel typically contains 65 to 80 percent recycled content—up to 100 percent is available—and it’s fully recyclable. (To find a steel recycler, use this recycler locatorfrom the Steel Recycling Institute.)

Recycling steel uses a fraction of the energy required to produce it from virgin sources. Reclaimed stainless steel sheeting and fixtures are sometimes available from waste exchanges and specialty dealers.

Stainless steel countertops offer very high durability and low maintenance, and do not offgas. They scratch easily and show fingerprints, but if stainless steel is sanded to a brushed finish, it helps hide prints. Scratches can be reconditioned in place if they are shallow, though the nicks and marks of daily use give stainless steel a nice patina over time. Leaving extremely hot pots on stainless steel may mar it.

For more information about recycled-metal countertops, see Sunset magazine’s “Eco-Friendly Kitchen Counters.”

Stone

There is a wide range of stone available as countertop material. Stone is a natural material, but is not renewable or recyclable; it can only be downcycled into smaller slabs for other applications. Because it is quarried, it can have high environmental impact and can take a lot of energy to produce.

Buying locally helps reduce energy used in transit. Granite is popular, but is only environmentally preferable in states like New Hampshire where it is quarried. There are granite quarries in California as well, but serpentine (which is similar to soapstone) would be lower impact in California, since it is abundant and mined closer to the surface. Salvaged stone is sometimes available at salvage yards and avoids mining impacts altogether.

Stone is extremely durable and will last as long as your house, with certain caveats. Placing very hot materials on stone counters may damage the sealer used to increase water- and stain-resistance. Without being sealed, stone can easily be stained, especially by oils, and can be susceptible to bacteria if the type of stone is porous. If grinding and polishing take place in the home during installation, make sure dust is minimized.

Stone will not offgas VOCs, although there is some debate about radon emissions from stone. The consensus of many experts is that there is not enough radon in stone used in the home to affect you, according to architect Cassandra Adams. For more information on stone as a building material, see her article on stone and tile in GreenHomeGuide.

Terrazzo

Terrazzo consists of crushed stone and glass set in a cement or epoxy substrate that is buffed smooth. Overall, terrazzo can be a good green choice due to its 40-year-plus lifespan, low maintenance, and high recycled content, especially if you use local materials to avoid the transportation-related energy and emissions. Glass, stone, and other recycled materials can make up as much as 95 percent of the materials in terrazzo.

The environmental and health impacts lie in the epoxy or cement substrate, which is up to 30 percent of the terrazzo. Epoxy is petroleum-derived, cannot be recycled, and can contain a number of potentially harmful chemicals such as phthalates. Once epoxy has cured, it has little impact on air quality, is non-porous and does not need to be sealed.

Cement binders have high embodied energy and contribute greatly to global CO2. Cement-based terrazzo should be sealed to limit staining. It resists scratches extremely well. It can be crushed and incorporated into new terrazzo, effectively recycling it. Grinding down terrazzo of either type to a smooth finish will generate dust and should be handled professionally.

For specific product recommendations, see Sunset magazine’s “Eco-Friendly Kitchen Counters” and consult the GreenSpec directory of environmentally preferable building products.

Tiles: Ceramic

Ceramic and porcelain tiles consist of natural clays, minerals, and sands fired hard and usually glazed and fired again for a smooth water- and heat-proof finish. Extracting the materials and performing two high-temperature firings consumes a large amount of energy (though less than stainless steel recycling, for example), and shipping finished tiles is energy-intensive due to their weight.

On the other hand, ceramic tiles can contain up to 70 percent recycled materials, from ground recycled metals and minerals to post-consumer glass, which increases tiles’ durability. Using recycled materials offsets some of the energy of mining new materials. Buying tiles that use local materials and that are produced locally will further cut down on transportation energy. Many areas of the country still have local ceramics industries. If you’re buying imported tiles, look out for glazes containing lead or toxic materials, which are not always regulated overseas.

Durability is quite high for tile, though it should be professionally installed to ensure long life. Corser recommends that you select large, uniform tiles to reduce the amount of grout needed and that you keep grout lines thin (grout can be a hassle to clean). Use an unsanded, water-based (also called latex-based) grout to cut down on VOCs and mold growth. Keep tiles dry and clean them at least once a month. Cutting and preparing food directly on tile is not recommended.

As individual tiles wear or chip, you can replace them without having to redo your entire counter, further increasing the counter’s lifespan; plan for this by buying a little extra tile initially. At the end of your counter’s life, removing all of the tiles intact is difficult, and they cannot be easily cycled into new products other than aggregate for terrazzo or concrete.

For specific product recommendations, consult the GreenSpec directory of environmentally preferable building products.

Tiles: Glass

Glass tiles can be environmentally preferable to ceramic since they can have 100 percent recycled content. The production process for recycling glass into tiles, called sintering, consumes far less energy than making new tiles from virgin materials. Glass tiles scratch more easily than ceramic, however, and may be less uniform, making more grout necessary. Their potential surface irregularity may affect their use as countertops, which is why architects and designers often recommend using them only as accents or backsplashes.

As with ceramic tiles, locally produced tiles are environmentally preferable. Glass tiles do not offgas VOCs if water-based grout is used.

Glass tiles are easier than ceramic to reuse or recycle, but removing them is just as difficult.

For specific product recommendations, consult the GreenSpec directory of environmentally preferable building products.

Wood

Using untreated hardwood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for your countertop is the best choice on strictly environmental terms, according to architect Eric Corey Freed. FSC-certified wood from local, sustainably managed forests cuts down on shipping costs and energy. Unlike the other material types listed here, untreated wood is truly a renewable resource, and it requires relatively much less industrial processing. But growing and harvesting trees is still an environmentally disruptive activity, so salvaged wood is environmentally preferable.

In your home, wood should be kept from continually wet areas, such as the space immediately surrounding a sink. It can also be burned, scorched, dented and stained, so it requires care and regular cleaning. Otherwise, kept sealed with natural mineral oil to prevent drying, wood is a highly durable and healthy counter material. Mechanically fastening a wood countertop avoids adhesives and makes removal easier.

At the end of its use as a countertop, wood can be reused, given to materials exchanges or, if never treated with toxic materials, chipped and composted or allowed to biodegrade.

For specific product recommendations, consult the GreenSpec directory of environmentally preferable building products.

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