2) Fungal rot was found in decking boards and joists at the back deck. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair as necessary. All rotten wood should be replaced.

4) Some sections of vinyl soffit were missing. Recommend that a qualified person install soffit panels where missing.

5) One or more holes or gaps were found at the fascia board (north east corner). Vermin, insects or water may enter the structure. Recommend that a qualified person repair as necessary.

6) Shrubs were in contact with the building exterior. Vegetation can serve as a pathway for wood-destroying insects and can retain moisture against the exterior after it rains. Recommend pruning, moving or removing vegetation as necessary to maintain at least 6 inches of space between it and the building exterior. A 1-foot clearance is better.

7) A tree was close to the building at the north east corner of the house. Damage to the building can occur, especially during high winds. Recommend trimming or removing the tree.

8) The stain/paint finish in some areas was failing (e.g. peeling, faded, worn, thinning). Wood trim with a failing finish can be damaged by moisture. Recommend that a qualified person prep (e.g. clean, scrape, sand, prime, caulk) and restain/paint the the wood trim as needed.

9) The basement stairs (bottom section) were missing a handrail. This is a potential fall hazard. Handrails should be installed at stairs with four or more risers or where stairs are greater than 30 inches high. Recommend that a qualified person install a handrail where missing.

10) A guardrail was missing at the basement stairs landing. This poses a fall hazard. Guardrails should be installed where walking surfaces are more than 30 inches above the surrounding grade or surfaces below. Recommend that a qualified person install guardrails where missing and per standard building practices.

11) The rim joist was not insulated (wood joist on top of foundation wall). This is a major area of heat loss. Recommend a qualified person install insulation around the entire rim joist for better heat retention. Fiberglass insulation or spray foam insulation should be used for best results.

13) Gutters were missing at the dormers (front and back). Rainwater can come in contact with the building exterior as a result. Recommend that a qualified person install gutters as necessary.

14) One downspout was missing an extension. Water can accumulate around the building foundation and inside the basement as a result. Recommend that a qualified person install a downspout extension so rainwater drains away from the structure. Ideally the extensions should be a minimum of 5ft in length and point away from the foundation in such a way that water cannot accumulate at the foundation.

15) Moss was growing on the roof in some areas. As a result, shingles can lift or be damaged. Leaks can result and/or the roof surface can fail prematurely. Efforts should be made to kill the moss during its growing season (wet months). Typically, zinc or phosphate-based chemicals are used for this and must be applied periodically. For information on various moss treatment products and their pros and cons, visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?MOSS

16) One or more electric receptacles and/or the boxes in which they were installed were loose and/or not securely anchored. Wire conductors can be damaged due to repeated movement and/or tension on wires, or insulation can be damaged. This is a shock and fire hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician repair as necessary.

17) One or more electric receptacles at the kitchen and full bath had no visible ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) protection. If not GFCI-protected, receptacles in wet areas pose a shock hazard. Recommend that a qualified electrician evaluate and install GFCI protection if necessary and per standard building practices.

18) Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were missing on one or more levels and in each bedroom. This is a potential safety hazard. Some states and/or municipalities require smoke and CO alarms to be installed in the vicinity of each sleeping area, in each bedroom (smoke), on each level and in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. Recommend installing additional smoke and carbon monoxide alarms per these standards. For more information, visit:
http://www.reporthost.com/?COALRM and http://www.reporthost.com/?SMKALRM

19) The electrical outlet at the front porch had no power. Recommend asking the property owner about this. Switches may need to be operated or GFCI/AFCI protection may need to be reset to make some receptacles energized. If necessary, recommend that a qualified electrician repair as needed.

20) The covering on the main electrical service line was slightly deteriorated. Water can penetrate the line and enter the electric meter and/or electrical panel. This can cause electrical components to rust and corrode. Recommend wrapping the line with a water proof tape for better protection.

21) The water heater drain valve was leaking. This may indicate that the water heater will need to be replaced soon. Recommend that a qualified person repair or replace the water heater as needed.

23) One or more heating ducts gaps present. This can result in reduced energy efficiency and increased moisture in surrounding spaces. Recommend that a qualified HVAC contractor make permanent repairs as necessary. For example, by securely supporting ducts and installing approved tape or mastic at seams.
There is also a hole in the cold air return at the air handler. This may have been done for better air flow. Recommend a qualified HVAC contractor evaluate and make repairs as needed.

24) The gas fired forced air furnace is new so routine servicing is not needed at this point. However a qualified HVAC contractor should inspect, clean, and service this system, and make repairs if necessary annually in the future. For more information visit:
https://www.reporthost.com/?ANFURINSP

25) No spark screen or rain cap was installed at one or more chimney flue terminations. Spark screens reduce the chance of embers exiting the flue and causing fires. They also prevent wildlife (e.g. birds, rodents, raccoons) from entering flues. Rain caps prevent water from entering flues, mixing with combustion deposits and creating caustic chemicals which can corrode flues. They also prevent damage to masonry from freeze-thaw cycles and prevent metal components (e.g. dampers, metal firebox liners) from rusting. Recommend that a qualified person install rain caps with spark screens per standard building practices where missing.

26) One or more solid fuel-burning fireplaces or stoves were found at the property. When such devices are used, they should be professionally inspected and cleaned annually to prevent creosote build-up and to determine if repairs are needed. The National Fire Protection Association states that a "Level 2" chimney inspection should be performed with every sale or transfer of property with a wood-burning device. Recommend consulting with the property owner about recent and past servicing and repairs to all wood-burning devices and chimneys or flues at this property. Recommend that a qualified specialist evaluate all solid fuel-burning devices and chimneys, and clean and repair as necessary. Note that if a wood stove insert is installed, it may need to be removed for such an evaluation. For more information, search for "chimney inspection" at:
https://www.reporthost.com/?CSIA

27) The brick chimney was severely deteriorated. For example, loose or missing mortar, cracked, broken, loose or spalled bricks. Loose bricks can pose a safety hazard, and deteriorated masonry can allow water to infiltrate the chimney structure and cause further damage. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair as necessary.

28) One or more masonry chimney crowns were missing. Crowns are meant to keep water off of the chimney structure and prevent damage from freeze-thaw cycles. Recommend that a qualified contractor repair or replace crowns as necessary, and per standard building practices.

29) The hot water supply at the 2nd floor bathroom tub did not get hot when tested. This could be due to the fact that the water heater was turned to the vacation setting. Also the mixing valve handle turned less that a 1/4 turn which may be restricting the hot water flow. Recommend that a qualified person evaluate and repair as needed.

30) The 2nd floor bathroom didn't have an exhaust fan installed. Moisture can accumulate and result in mildew and peeling paint. Even if the bathroom has a window that opens, it may not provide adequate ventilation, especially during cold weather when windows are closed or when wind blows air into the bathroom. Recommend that a qualified person install an exhaust fan in the bathroom and have it vent to the exterior.

31) Handrails at the 2nd floor stairs were missing. This is a potential fall hazard. Handrails should be installed at stairs with four or more risers or where stairs are greater than 30 inches high. Recommend that a qualified contractor install handrails where missing and per standard building practices.

32) Condensation or staining was visible between multi-pane glass in one or more windows (2nd floor). This usually indicates that the seal between the panes of glass has failed or that the desiccant material that absorbs moisture is saturated. As a result, the view through the window may be obscured, the window's R-value will be reduced, and accumulated condensation may leak into the wall structure below. Recommend that a qualified contractor evaluate and repair windows as necessary. Usually, this means replacing the glass in window frames.

33) The window at the 2nd floor bathroom was stuck shut. Recommend that a qualified person repair windows as necessary so they open and close easily.

34) Glass in one or more windows (front living room windows) was cracked. Recommend that a qualified contractor replace glass where necessary.

35) One or more window/door screens were damaged or deteriorated. These windows/doors may not provide ventilation during months when insects are active. Recommend replacing window screens as necessary.