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In This Issue
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Sliding Glass Door Repair
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Tax Time
B&A Home Inspection
Company is a family owned and operated company. Our mission is
to exceed our customer’s expectations.
We can help you on
all your home inspection needs. We can provide EDR reports that
comply with House Bill 2779. We are also certified mold
inspectors.
In addition, one
call does it all no need to find and assign the wood destroying
organism inspection out we can handle that too.
Contact Tom
Buckhardt at B&A Home Inspection (623)742-7432 or (480)560-7841.
We are licensed and
insured. We are proud members of the BBB and the Phoenix Chamber
of Commerce.
Our hours are
flexible so call us for your inspection needs or to just ask us
a question regarding inspections in general. We are always glad
to help.
Contact Us On the web
http://www.B-N-A.Com
Tom@B-N-A.com
“Your Home
Inspection Specialist”
Far better to
dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though
checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits
who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the
gray twilight that know not victory, nor defeat.
-Theodore Roosevelt,
1899
Quick Hits
Need a
professional? Don’t be shy call me. I am an extensive net worker
and can assist you in locating just the professional you may
need. All you need to do is call me.
What
professionals have known about screws for years is now catching
on with the homeowner. Screws go in easier, hold tighter and
resist corrosion much longer. Nails, by design, are temporary
fasteners. They split or wedge wood fibers apart as they enter
the material. What’s worse is, as the wood dries and shrinks,
nails tend to work loose and protrude or in some cases fall out.
This condition is especially prevalent with decks, fences and
nail pops at drywall.
Screws are
particularly effective for applying drywall to a wall that has
lath and plaster or tile on the other side could otherwise be
jarred by hammering. Unsuspecting do it yourselfers have been
known to crack interior plaster walls, and exterior stucco
siding and ceramic tile in a futile attempt to drive a nail when
all this damage could have been easily avoided by using screws.
The biggest
challenge that a do it yourselfer has to face when using screws
instead of nails is becoming familiar with using a screw gun.
All things considered, a crash course in Screw Gun 101 beats
bent nails and smashed fingers anytime. Besides guys you can to
buy a new power tool!
Ask The Inspector
I’m buying a house
“as is” do I still need an inspection since the seller is not
willing to complete any repairs?
The short answer is
yes! Just because the house is being sold “as is” does not
mitigate the need to have the home inspected by a professional.
An inspection will determine the condition of the home and
determine if there are any serious issues like foundation
movement that may change your mind about the purchase.
The inspection will
identify items needing service, how old the mechanical systems
and what kind of condition they are in. In addition, the report
should indicate about how long they are expected to last. This
way you can budget for these future expenses.
If repairs are
required your inspector may know of qualified individuals that
can complete the repairs in a timely cost effective manner.
Don’t forget
purchasing a home is still the largest single financial decision
you will probably make so why not protect it. Some “as is” homes
just need a little TLC but others will require major overhauls
which your budget may not allow. You, as the lay person, will
not know one from the other. Hire a professional and you will
not be sorry you did. Remember the cost of a quality home
inspection is insignificant as to the total cost of the home and
or major repairs if you don’t have one.
If you have any
questions about the inspection process just call me. I will be
glad to answer them.
Home |
Maintenance
Fix a Sticking Sliding Door
Years of dirt, exposure to the elements
and hard use can turn sliding doors into sticking doors, but the
problem is usually easy to fix.
Start with a good cleaning. Scrub caked
dirt and grime out of the track with a stiff brush and soapy
water. If the door still doesn’t slide smoothly, the roller
under the door either nee adjusting or need to be replaced.
Locate the two adjusting screws at the
bottom of the door (on the face or edge of the door) and pry off
the trim caps that cover the screws. If one side looks lower,
raise it until the door looks even on the track. If the door
still sticks, turn both screws a quarter turn to raise the whole
door. Then slide the door just short of the jamb and be sure the
gap is even.
If the door still doesn’t slide smoothly,
you will have to remove the door and examine the rollers. Get
help for this-the door is heavy! Unscrew the stop molding on the
inside of the jamb. Be sure to hold the door in place once the
stop removed-if you forget and walk away for a moment, the door
will fall in, requiring a much bigger repair! Tilt the door back
and set on sawhorses. Inspect the rollers for problems. If they
are full of dirt and debris, give them a good cleaning and a few
drops of lubricant and see if they spin freely. However, if the
rollers are worn, cracked or bent, remove them and replace them
with a new pair ($8-$16.00 a pair)
You can order rollers and other door
parts through lumberyard and home centers or online (alcosupply.com
or blainewindow.com. Look for the door manufacturer’s name on
the edge of the door or the hardware manufacturer’s name on the
roller.
What’s New
Outdoor sink plus automatic hose reel.
The ReelSmart outdoor sink station $100.00
hooks up to an outside hose bib for instant water to a 24 inch
sink. Just pull the drain plug to let water drain from the
sink. Included is a 3 piston engine run on water that retracts
the hose and stores it under the sink. Great for washing garden
produce etc. www.hydro-industries.com.
Questions To Ask When
Shopping for a Tax Professional
Although you may not have received all
your tax documents yet, it’s not too early to start looking for
someone to prepare your tax return. Remember, not all tax
preparers are created equal. So, when shopping around, ask
yourself a few important questions:
1. What kind of tax preparer should I
seek?
Enrolled agents (EAs), certified public
accountants (CPAs), attorneys, commercial firms, and seasonal
tax preparers are popular choices for tax preparation; however,
only EAs, CPAs, and attorneys can represent you before the IRS.
The money you may save using an unqualified preparer could be
overshadowed by the additional tax you may pay.
Many states have no special licensing
requirements for tax preparers, but Enrolled Agents receive
their designation (license) from the federal government. They
are authorized to appear in place of a taxpayer in dealing with
IRS audits, collections, or appeals.
2. Is the tax preparer knowledgeable
and up-to-date? With
four new tax laws at the time of this article with over 1500
pages, knowledge is king. EAs are also experienced in areas such
as tax and financial planning, estate and trust services, small
business consultation, and more.
3. Is the tax preparer bound by any
ethical standards?
Enrolled agents are required to abide by a high standard of
professional conduct. EA’s who violate this standard may be
suspended or disbarred from practice. EAs are also subject to
rigorous background checks before they receive their license.
EA’s are also bound to the Gramm-Leach-Bailey Act of 1999 to
keep all your information confidential.
4. What are your
needs?
Everyone has specific tax needs. Enrolled agents prepare
millions of tax returns each year for individuals, partnerships,
corporations, estates and trusts, and other entities required to
file tax returns. Enrolled agents are an excellent resource for
anyone seeking up-to-date information on all tax-related issues!
The preparer’s fees and availability are
other items to consider when seeking a tax professional. High
fees do not necessarily denote quality service, nor do low fees
necessarily denote poor service. Also ask yourself if the
preparer is available year-round or just seasonally. If you’re
in a tax bind after April 15, where’s that seasonal return
preparer going to be?
Kerry Freeman
is your Anthem Enrolled Agent. Mr. Freeman is a member in good
standing with the NAEA (National Association of Enrolled Agents)
and the CACEA (Central Arizona Chapter of Enrolled Agents). Mr.
Freeman will gladly answer any question by calling 800-925-6924.
Capitol Update
Due to the growing evidence of mortgage
fraud in Arizona Senator Jay Tibshraeny of Chandler introduced
bill #1221 which would make mortgage fraud a felony and
punishable by a 10 year prison sentence. This bill is meant to
hinder of eliminate the growing problem in our state. The bill
has passed almost unanimously out of the Commerce and Economic
Development committee on January 31, 2007. There has been an
amendment adopted to the bill which clarifies specific language
to define “mortgage fraud” under the guidelines of the law.
Contact Tom
(623)742-7432 or (480)560-7841
E-mail:Tom@b-n-a.com
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Inspector Connection
