Dear Barry,
When we bought our home, eight months ago, we asked the home inspector for his opinion regarding rust at the base of the bathtub. He said this was caused by water dripping from the shower curtain. But this week we learned otherwise. While remodeling the master bedroom, we discovered moisture on the wall opposite the tub, and upon further investigation we found leakage beneath the tub. We also have learned from the neighbor that the seller had previous leakage in this area, once causing flooding of the house. The warranty company refuses to repair the problem, leaving us with one question. Who is responsible for this mess?
Nicole

Dear Barry,
A home inspector recently went through my attic. He found mold on the wood framing and gave me an outrageous estimate to fix the problem. The estimate mentioned something about a foaming borade [sic] solution that would be put on the wood to kill and prevent future mold growth. I'm just wondering where I could get this stuff if I can or what other options I have. Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.
Donna

People sometimes say to their home inspector, "You've probably seen it all when it comes to home and building defects." From a buyer's or seller's perspective, a home inspector's knowledge and experience might sometimes appear to be that complete. But in truth, no inspector has encountered every possible situation. And just when an inspector is developing that false level of self-assuredness, something new and surprising emerges in the course of an inspection.

Having personally inspected over 6,000 homes, I've discovered that no one ever sees it all. There's always some new surprise when you least expect it. However, I've also found that there are common types of property defects which rear their unsightly heads as often as the sun rises, not just in older homes, but often in brand new ones, even before the smell of the new paint has become a memory. So here is our top ten list of defects likely to appear in a home.

Dear Barry,
I look forward to your column as a weekly voice of common sense and reason for your readers. So I was surprised and offended by a statement you made in a recent article. Your main point was to explain that sellers should not be liable for defects that are concealed within walls, and you advised a buyer to cut his losses and move on, rather than suing the seller. But then, you took a gratuitous swipe at the entire legal profession, stating that "armies of lawyers" would pursue poorly founded litigation to obtain excessive fees. I agree that some attorneys practice law on that basis, but it is unfair to portray such practices as a general rule. As an attorney who values professional integrity, I would be interested to know your basis for this assertion.
Heidi