Steven Hockstein

My account is an HSA and I get to keep the money left (hopefully), it grows tax free, and I can use it for future medical expenses until I die. It is part of my estate if I die before I use up the money. It stays with me and my estate. I do not lose it. I think you are misinformed (you can read the rules in IRS form 969). I have a few employees and if I do offer an HRA through my company I will have to pay to manage their HRA accounts. My bank manages my personal HSA for a single start-up fee of $20. I have a Visa HSA card from the Bank. The insurance company already has control of enough of my money. Believe me, I have researched the options and working with my accountant we determined that the HSA is a better option for me. The bottom line is that it is much too costly for insurance.

My HSA policy for my family was $894 per month until renewal. Basically, it was a major medical policy and I paid everything up to $2,500 per person and the deductibles up to $5,000 per person (I am a family of 4). Once we hit $5,000 per person or $10,000 for the family, the insurance covered everything. The current plan is an HSA and the premium is now $1,490 per month. The benefits are identical except that the full benefits don't kick in until I hit higher thresholds ($6,250 for an individual or $12,500 for the family). Essentially, unless something really expensive happens, I am self insured for the cost of $17,800 per year for a major medical policy. What a mess! On top of that, I am required to pay extra for a dental health plan for my son even though my good friend is my dentist. There is no way to opt out of the dental plan if you have a kid under 19 years old on your plan! Between my business insurance, health insurance, auto insurance, homeowner's insurance, and life insurance, I feel like I am working to pay for insurance bills. The most expensive cost to me in my life is something that I hope I don't need.

As a small business owner I am assuming that I am in the same boat as many others on this forum. My health insurance costs have dramatically increased annually for a long time. I am shocked at how much my monthly premiums have increased upon the most recent renewal with the new Federal insurance requirements and how my benefits have decreased. I don't want this to be a political discussion because it will quickly deteriorate into party politics thread. I would just like to take an informal poll and ask if other inspector's health insurance rates have gone up or down with this new law.

What kind of heat do you have?

Just out of curiosity, does anyone run back-up generators as part of their standard home inspection? I agree with Kurt, I defer to the generator company and exclude it from my scope of work.

I was thinking politicians and lawyers. Edit-Actually, now that I think of it, they are already full of crap and probably won't do much good.

A couple of comments after I looked at your website (constructive critique intended): In NJ we are prohibited from performing any work on houses that arises from what we find as part of our inspection. I am confused by you advertising the combination of builder and real estate agent and how you are not a one and done inspection company. Do you intend to repair what you find? I also saw this on your site: "We want to make sure it is safe and that there are no hidden problems that might cost you a bunch of money" Good luck defending that comment in the future when someone wants you to pay for a hidden defect that you did not find.

Hope someone checked to make sure the floor system can handle the weight of an 11' island with granite. That sucker will be heavy.

Mostly because I may not know exactly what codes were enforced and how they were interpreted when a house was built, but good building practice is timeless. If needed, I can defend my opinions and building codes are part of my arsenal.

I never quote code.

I would say "The attic access opening is X x X. Opening is too small to easily access the attic, especially because there is mechanical equipment in the attic that needs to be regularly serviced (and replaced in the future). I recommend that a larger access opening be provided." You found the problem, tell them why it is an issue, and recommend what to do about it.

Thinking about trying one of these: http://ardrone2.parrot.com/ Anyone have one yet?

You may also want to ask your insurance company if they will have someone in their legal department review your contract. They may have some recommendations to help protect you and their exposure.

We had a similar problem a few years ago and it was the transformer on the pole at the street. The power company replaced it and the noise was gone.

I am looking to buy a new primary flashlight and use my existing flashlights as backups. It has been a while since I have seen some postings on this subject. My needs are as follows: Rechargeable without removing the batteries Bright Similar in size to my existing Ultra Stingers and 3-cell Mag Lights. I have looked at ordering a new LED Streamlight but can be swayed with reviews of others. Anything new out there that I should consider? Thanks.

I would also recommend that you take photos of the before and after. The repair will be apparent and raise questions to the buyer and the home inspector. Documenting the repair can ease the buyer's concerns.

One of the things I learned is that you are required to have a phone in the elevator in case someone gets stuck.

what about something like one of these on the condensate pipe to the exterior? Do they make one for drains? https://wrap-on.com/products/phc.html

Reminds me of when a long lost friend calls me out of the blue and asks if I am interested in earning a lot of money without working too hard. My multi-level marketing radar sounds-off and the call quickly ends after that.

I hope that it is the biggest issue that you have with the builder. If so, you are doing good. Most people would envy your problem. A lot of people in the world would be thrilled with running water. If you have it in writing you should be able to request that it be changed. I would not be surprised if the builder figures out a way to "pay" you back in the future. Don't expect a quick response when you need it. If you can "Suffer" with the 60/40 sink, maybe the builder will take it as a gesture of compromise and give you something in exchange.

Some context would be helpful.

It is not just happening with the little window companies http://www.windowsettlement.com/Default.aspx

Sounds like you are very fussy about your house and it is probably very nice. I advise you to leave the house during the home inspection or your head will explode.

Just Listed... "Unique old house with a lot of character. Needs some TLC"

I have a battery back-up pump in my sump pit. The water table around here is high and my sump pump runs regularly most of the year. I figure the battery back-up pump gives me the time to come home and set-up the generator if there is an extended power outage. I also like that even if the power is on, the back-up pump will help if my primary pump fails. I keep an extra sump pump in my basement because 7-11 does not sell sump pumps if my pump craps out in the middle of the night.