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The June Membership Meeting & Educational
Program will be held on Thursday, June 26th at the
Piccadilly's Pub at the Best Western in Waltham. Join
us for our last meeting of the season before our
schedule takes a two-month summer recess. Our
Roundtable Discussion will offer insightful discussion
of a topic to be chosen by a facilitator. After dinner, we
welcome Bruce Irving, renovation consultant and
former producer of This Old House as he offers a
glimpse of what it was like to work on the popular
WGBH show and offers discussion about some of the
more challenging, innovative and unusual projects he
has encountered as a renovation consultant. Bruce
will discuss the role a renovation consultant can play
in the homebuyer/home inspector equation.
In the interest of exposing you to innovative and new
concepts in construction, we next welcome Ms. Randi
Mail of Apex Green Roofs who helps to market and
install "green roofs" on buildings throughout the
Northeast. She will define what a "green roof" is and
cover the benefits (including energy efficiency and
other earth-friendly aspects), specific design
considerations and showcase examples of such
projects. She has been involved in many "green"
pursuits, including her other post as recycling director
for the City of Cambridge, MA.
We look forward to seeing you on June 26th.
Bob Mulloy, Education Chairman |
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ASAP Environmental
HEALTHY HOMES FOR BETTER LIVING
1 Arcadia St. Dorchester, MA 02122
inspections@asapenvironmental.com 800-349-7779 www.asapenvironmental.com
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The Massachusetts Association of REALTORS®
(MAR) recently reported that both single-family home
sales and condominium sales experienced their
biggest April-to-May percentage increase in the past
10 years. While year-over-year single-family home
sales were down 10.1 percent in May, this is the
smallest decrease since September 2007. May
median single-family home prices were also down
9.2 percent compared to last year. The number of
condominiums sold in May was down 24.5 percent,
with median sales prices down 2.6 percent. On a
month-to-month basis, median prices for both single-
family homes and condominiums increased by 2.4
percent and 2.7 percent respectively from last month.
"While the number of sales for both single-family
homes and condos were down in May, these
decreases continue to narrow since the start of the
year, which is definitely a move in the right direction,"
said MAR President, Susan M. Renfrew, broker/co-
owner of Renfrew Real Estate in Greenfield. "It is also
a positive sign that median prices on a month-to-
month basis continue to move up. However, the 9.2
percent year-to-year median price drop indicates that
the growing number of distressed sales continues to
have an impact."
There were 3,491 detached single-family homes sold
this May, a 10.1 percent decrease from the 3,884
homes sold the same time last year. On a month-to-
month basis, there was a 24.5 percent increase
compared to the 2,803 homes sold this past April.
This was the largest April-to-May increase in the past
10 years.
The median selling price for single-family homes in
May was $322,500, a decrease of 9.2 percent
compared to $355,000 in May 2007. On a month-to-
month basis, the May median selling price was up 2.4
percent from April. This is the highest median selling
price in 2008.
The condominium market continued to experience a
significant decrease in the number of units sold this
May, with a 24.5 percent drop compared to the same
time last year (from 2,173 units sold in 2007 to 1,640
units sold in 2008). Yet this is the smallest annual
decrease in 2008. On a month-to-month basis,
condominium sales were up a significant 27.5
percent compared to 1,286 units sold this past April.
As was the case with single-family home sales, this
was the biggest April-to-May increase in the past 10
years.
Condominium median selling prices in May were
$282,500 down 2.6 percent compared to the year
before at $290,000. Despite the decrease, the May
median price was the highest since August 2007.
Compared to this past April, the median selling price
of a condominium is up 2.7 percent (from $275,000).
The inventory of residential properties (detached
single-family homes and condos) on the market as of
May 31, 2008 decreased 6.2 percent compared to the
same time last year (from 53,913 listings in 2007 to
50,537 listings in 2008). At the current sales pace,
this represents approximately 9.8 months of supply,
an increase from 8.9 months of supply in May 2007,
and a decrease from 12.1 months of supply in April
2008. This is the first time in the past eight months
that months of supply were down from the double-digit
figures.
The inventory of single-family homes was down 5.0
percent from May 2007 (36,857 listings in 2007 to
35,012 listings in 2008) which translates into 10
months of supply in May 2008. This is up from 9.5
months of supply last year and down from 12.2
months of supply in April 2008.
The condominium market saw April inventory go down
9.0 percent (17,056 listings in 2007 to 15,525 listings
in 2008), which translates into 9.5 months of supply,
up from 7.8 months in May 2007 and down from 12.1
months this past April.
Detached single-family homes stayed on the market
an average of 143 days in May 2008 compared to an
average of 139 days in May 2007 and down from 166
days this past April. Condos stayed on the market an
average of 135 days, up from an average of 134 days
in May 2007 and down from 162 days this past April.
Massachusetts Association of Realtors |
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FREA
E&O Insurance for Home Inspectors
800-882-4410 www.frea.com |
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June 9, 2008
Division of Professional Licensure
239 Causeway Street Boston, Ma 02114 % Joseph Autilio, Executive Director of Real Estate Dear Mr. Autilio:
I am writing you as the vice chairman of the Board of
Registration for
Home Inspectors to request your attendance at our
June 18, 2008 Board meeting. The
purpose of this request is the continued violation of
chapter 112 Section 87YY1/2.
"Section 87YY1/2. At the time of the signing of the first
written contract to purchase, real
estate brokers and salesmen, or the seller if no
broker or salesperson is involved in the
sale, shall distribute a brochure, published by the
office of consumer affairs and business
regulations, educating consumers about the home
inspection process. Real estate
brokers and salesmen shall not directly recommend a
specific home inspection
company or home inspector but may, upon request,
provide a complete list of
licensed home inspectors prepared by the board. This
prohibition shall not apply if
there is a written contractual agreement or a written
agency disclosure between the
buyer and the real estate broker specifying that the
real estate broker is acting
exclusively for the buyer as a buyer's broker".
The law is clear in that real estate brokers, salesmen
and/or the office they represent are
not buyer's brokers until they have a written
contractual agreement or a written
agency disclosure between the buyer and the real
estate broker specifying that the
real estate broker is acting exclusively for the buyer.
Absent a written contract and or
an agency disclosure between the buyer and the firm,
real estate broker, and/or salesman
the firm, real estate broker, and/or salesman are not
allowed to provide the names and/or
direct buyers to home inspector firms or home
inspectors on an individual basis.
Here is just a sample of what is going on:
http://www.chriskelloggrealtor.com/partners.htm# Home_Inspectors http://richhaen.com/home_inspection.php As you know the Home Inspection Board has
promulgated new regulation, in full force
and effect January 25, 2008. Those new regulations,
under Section 8.03: Ethical
Standards and Professional Conduct subsection3.
Professional objectivity/conflict of
interest, prohibit home inspectors and/or their
firms
from knowingly permitting a real
estate broker or salesperson (as defined in M.G.L. c
112 § 87 PP) to directly recommend
his/her services. This prohibition shall not apply if
there is a written contractual
agreement or a written agency disclosure between a
specific buyer and the real
estate broker specifying the real estate broker is
acting exclusively for the buyer as a
Buyer's Broker.
It is considered an ethical violation (subject to
sanctions) for home inspectors and/or their
firms to permit their names to be used in the manner
noted on web sites, two of which are
included above. With that said, the Home Inspection
Board is requesting your help in
have both Boards comply with the law.
Sincerely
John Digby PHI Mass license #1 Vice Chairman Board of Professional Home Inspectors |
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CORCORAN & HAVLIN INSURANCE GROUP
THE SUPERIOR HOME INSPECTOR ERRORS &
OMISSIONS INSURANCE PROGRAM!
Underwritten by AIG's Lexington Insurance Company - Rated A++ by A.M. Best Home Inspector E&O Coverage offers these features:
For a quote or more information, please call Debi
Drury (x244 or ddrury@chinsurance.com) or
Mike Curtis, Marketing Manager (x243) or visit
website at www.chinsurance.com
287 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 800-304-8242 Fax 781-235-7190 |
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For at least two years there have been several bills
introduced into the New Hampshire Legislature that
would license home inspectors in some way. In
January 2007 a bill (SB212) was introduced into the
Senate that would license home inspectors. It moved
through the Senate with many hearings and work
sessions. Finally on January 17, 2008 it passed the
Senate with an amendment. The bill then proceeded
to the House where there were several more public
hearings and work sessions. Finally on May 7, 2008
the House passed the bill. Before this bill can be
enacted into law, the Legislature must make sure that
the bill that passed the House is identical to the one
that passed the Senate. This has been accomplished
through a Conference Committee.
The bill sets up a seven member oversight board to
determine testing requirements and standards of
practice in line with nationally recognized norms in
order to promote and protect quality of services for
New Hampshire citizens and to enhance the trade for
its practitioners.
As the bill currently stands, each applicant for
licensure as a home inspector shall meet the
following minimum requirements: completion of no
less than 80 hours of board-approved education
covering all the core components of a residential
building, have successfully completed high school or
its equivalent, proof of passing the board adopted
examination required for licensure, be at least 18
years old, and submit to a criminal background check
by the N.H. State Police.
The grandfather provision only pertains to those home
inspectors who are N.H. residents and have actively
engage in home inspection in N.H. over the past 12
months. Home inspectors who meet this eligibility
will only be exempt from the requirement of obtaining
the 80 hours of board approved education. They must
still fulfill all the other requirements.
The deadline is fast approaching for the N.H.
Legislature to pass this bill and send it to the governor
for his signature.
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CRACK-X
Got water in your basement?
Since 1985, CRACK-X has been a full service company specializing in residential and commercial foundation welding of cracks and other concrete repairs such as bulkheads, penetrations, cold joints, elevator pits, and slabs. We are committed to 100% customer satisfaction and back up all vertical wall crack repairs with an unconditional 10-year warranty. 25 Washington Avenue, Natick, MA 01760
877-272-2539 www.crackfx.com |
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B-Dry Systems
20 YEARS OF SOLVING WATER PROBLEMS
Written warranty for the full life of the structure. 800-320-2379
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The Chapter's Executive Office has mailed out to all
members their dues renewal forms. Please take a
minute and review the contact information that is
printed on the form. In submitting your dues payment,
indicate on the form any coprrections that neeed to me
made to your contact information.
Your prompt attention to renewing your dues would be
greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please
call the Executive Office at 800-248-2744.
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Vent Master
ATTIC VENTILATION SPECIALISTS
Inspectors, when you see signs of:
Recommend Vent Master For a FREE consultation, call Don Marcoux at Vent
Master
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with A.O. Smith Water Products Co., of
Ashland City, Tenn., today announced a voluntary
recall of approximately 1,500 natural and propane gas
water heaters because the water heater's flue gas
temperatures can exceed safe limits and produce
excessive temperatures in the venting unit, posing a
fire hazard. Also, the water heater's exhaust can leak
into the surrounding room, posing a carbon monoxide
hazard. To date, no injuries have been reported.
This recall involves 75 gallon natural and propane gas
water heaters. "A.O. Smith" or "State" is printed on the
side of the unit and the model and serial numbers are
printed on the water heater's rating plate. These water
heaters were manufactured in the United States and
sold by independent contractors and plumbers
nationwide from November2007 through January
2008 for between $1,000 and $2,500.
The A.O. Smith brand units that are involved are the
model FCG-75 300 and FCG-75 301 and the State
brand units that are involved are the model GS6 75
XRR S and GS6 75 CRR S, with serial numbers
ranging from L07A071460 through L07A144966 or
M07A009387 through M07A072884.
Home inspectors are in a unique position to spot
these units and make people aware of these issues.
Inspectors seeing any of these units should advise
the homeowners to immediately stop using the
recalled water heater and contact A.O. Smith to
arrange for a free repair.
For more information, contact A.O. Smith toll-free at
(866) 880-4661 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, or visit
the firm's Web site at www.hotwater.com.
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Peter Greifer Enterprises
ASBESTOS REMOVAL & MOLD REMEDIATION
Serving Eastern Massachusetts & Rhode Island 800-582-5288
401-946-4506 (Rhode Island) peter.greifer@verizon.net |
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The ASHI NE Chapter maintains a library of
educational books, video tapes and CD's for Chapter
members and candidates to utilize for personal and
business growth. Those who wish to sign materials
out may do so for a fee of $16 per item ($10 per
tape) which covers two-way shipping and handling.
Library materials may be used for a two week period,
beginning on the date of shipment. Those who fail to
return library materials on time will be assessed a
fine
of $1 / day. If the materials are not received back
within two months of date of shipping, you will be
charged the cost of replacement. To sign materials
out, there is a form that is posted on our web site
that is to be completed and sent to the executive
office. It is always recommended that you call the
executive office to check on the availability of an
item. Once this form is received, the executive office
will ship the items out with a postage paid return
envelope. The list of the materials that are currently
available in the chapter library is on the web site as
well.
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Rene Mugnier Associates
When in doubt, refer to a structural engineer
specializing in the investigation of homes and
commercial structural problems.
REHABILITATIONS & INVESTIGATIONS
777 Concord Ave., Ste. 201, Cambridge, MA 02138
617-547-7773 |
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The Massachusetts Board of Registration of Home
Inspectors holds meetings on a regular basis that are
open for home inspectors to attend. These board
meetings are usually held at 239 Causeway Street,
2nd Floor, Room 204 in Boston from 10:00 am to 3:00
pm.
The meeting dates for 2008 are as follows:
August 13, 2008 September 10, 2008 November 12, 2008 You are encouraged to call the board office at 617-727-
4459 for any posssible changes in location and time
of these meetings.
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Atlas Watersystems
WE DON'T MAKE THE WATER.
WE MAKE THE WATER BETTER!! Residential & Commercial Water
Filtration & Purification Water Testing & Analysis
Radon & Arsenic Remediation Softeners * Filters * Purification 800-215-9966 www.atlaswater.com "Bringing Technology to Water"
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President
Lisa Alajajian-Giroux /
homequest1@comcast.net
Vice President
Mike Atwell /
m.atwell@rcn.com
Secretary Donald Bissex /
dbissex@comcast.net
Treasurer
Paul Kristenson /
absinspections@comcast.net
Directors
Paul Cornell / pcornell@inspecthouses.com Paul Rogoshewski / paul@harmonyhomeinspection.com Council of Representatives
Paul Kristenson / absinspections@comcast.net Lisa Alajajian / homequest1@comcast.net Bill Sutton / wsuttoninspector@hotmail.com Committee Chair
By- Laws: Mike Atwell / m.atwell@rcn.com Communications: Education: Bob Mulloy / rmulloy@verizon.net Legislative: Membership: Executive Director
Walter Perry /
wperry@choiceonemail.com
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We look forward to seeing you on June 26th!
Sincerely,
ASHI New England
email:
clough@choiceonemail.com
phone:
800-248-2744
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