Home and Garden, and Real Estate- September 25, 2022

Decorating the hallway

Designers offer tips on how to get creative

By T im Mc K eough New York Times

It’s easy to obsess about the design details in your kitchen, bath room or living room. But what about your hallways? Many of us forget to deco rate them — and it’s a missed opportunity.

“No one ever thinks of those passageways, but you’re in them more often than you realize,” said Allison Lind, an interior designer in Seattle. “Why wouldn’t you utilize every inch of that space to do something personal and interesting?”

Decorating your hall not only makes it feel like more of

a destination, it also improves the feeling of your home, said David Frazier, an interior de signer in New York: “Dressing it up helps it feel like it’s not just a service space, and ele vates all the rooms that open off of it, too.”

Lind, Frazier and other

rows. “That hallway is directly in your line of sight when you enter, and it was previously an all-white, bland hallway,” she said. “So we were really going for something that would catch your eye and make it a ‘wow’ moment.”

When you’re choosing

• Use paint creatively If you prefer paint to wallpaper, you don’t have to default to Decorator’s White, the ubiquitous shade from Benjamin Moore. Vibrant or dark colors that may look overpowering on a paint chip can create a dramatic mood in a hall. Even painting just the trim, doors or ceiling a deep color can make a big differ ence.

In one white hallway, Fra zier painted the ceiling and doors a high-gloss black. “We wanted to infuse some depth and character,” he said. “It creates a little more intima cy.”

Thomas coated the ceiling of one hallway with glossy, sky-blue paint and another with metallic gold paint. The best part? Black, blue or gold

designers shared ideas for making your hallway — and, by extension, your home — a more welcoming place.

• Install wallpaper

In bedrooms and powder rooms, wallpaper is prized for its ability to make a big state ment while adding a sense of coziness. It can do the same thing in an empty hallway.

When Lind designed a Manhattan apartment with a narrow hall leading to the bedrooms, she installed wall paper from Cavern featuring a graphic pattern of black ar

wallpaper for a hallway, a larger pattern is often best, said Phillip Thomas, a New York-based designer who has used scenic wallpapers from Gracie and de Gournay depicting large-scale trees, flowers and birds.

“People are nervous that putting a big-scale design in a small space will overwhelm the space,” he said. “But a big pattern can actually help to open the space up, even if that seems counterintuitive, because you’re creating the illusion of greater depth.”

David Frazier, an interior designer in New York, designed an inviting hallway by adding a runner, lamps and art. (GIEVES ANDERSON VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)

In a home in Denver, David Frazier installed grids of framed family photos that create an effect resembling wall paneling. (GIEVES ANDERSON VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)

“Dressing it up helps it feel like it’s not just a service space, and elevates all the rooms that open off of it, too.”

David Frazier, an interior designer in New York

GARDEN NOTES

EASTHAMPTON Plant sale

The Pascommuck Conser vation Trust’s fall plant sale will be held on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City Hall Complex at 50 Payson Avenue. Donations of plants are welcome; all profits sup port the PCT.

STOCKBRIDGE

Upcoming events

Berkshire Botanical Gar den presents the following upcoming programs:

• “The Garden in Pastel,” Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Learn how to capture the splendor of the Garden with the deep pigments that can only be found with pastels. This class is appropriate for beginners to intermediate students. A materials list will be provided upon registra tion. Students will work en plein air, learning the fun damentals of this medium before using it to render the late summer garden.

Cheryl Moore is an artist and educator who special izes in watercolor and oil pastel. Financial aid is avail able for all Botanical Garden classes. Contact Director of Education Bridgette Stone at bstone@berkshirebotanical. org or online at berkshire botanical.org. Cost is $200 members, $250 nonmem bers.

• “Fall Pruning,” Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This demon stration/workshop will focus on pruning, including when, why and how to shape, renovate, train, or rejuvenate your woody plants. Learn about pruning tools, timing and specific techniques available to the home gar dener. Pruning techniques for both evergreen and deciduous hedges will be covered. Dress to be out side and bring pruners. Ken Gooch is the former forest health program director for the Massachusetts Depart ment of Conservation and Recreation. Additionally, he is a Massachusetts-certified arborist and teaches arbori culture at the Botanical Gar

den. Cost is $20 members, $25 nonmembers.

• “Plants that Pay Their Way,” Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to noon. Resources and time in the garden are limited, so choosing plants that offer more than one attractive feature is a smart strate gy. Workshop will discuss the best plants for late and multi-season interest and their application in the land scape. Cost is $20 members, $25 nonmembers.

For more information, or to register for any of these programs, visit berkshire botanical.org. Botanical Garden is located at 5 West Stockbridge Road.

WILBRAHAM Garden club

The first meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club for the 2022-23 year will be held Oct. 6 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecelia Parish Center on Main Street. Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries will be served. The speaker for the morning will be Alex Nolte of Keukenhof Gardens, who will present a program on Europe’s largest flower garden.

— Send items for Garden Notes to pmastriano@repub. com two weeks prior to publi cation.

AGREAT WAY TO keep little hands and big imaginations busy when it’s too wet to go outside, this animal ark project is a natural for long, rainy afternoons.

The project features eight pairs of animals — bears, cam els, cows, elephants, giraffes, horses, lions and pigs — that stow neatly inside the sturdy ark once the deluge is over.

Simple enough for wood workers (and scroll saw hobby ists) of all skill levels, the entire project is traced from full-size patterns. The design is free

Don & Dave Runyan Project of The Week

Afrom rough edges and sharp corners, making it safe for little hands.

The ark is made from pine, while the animals call for a vari ety of contrasting scrap lumber. To build, trace the patterns onto wood, cut everything out and sand.

Next, assemble the ark with glue and nails. Finally, apply mineral oil or nontoxic paint. It’s so easy the whole family can help.

The ark is 27 inches long by 11 inches wide by 10 inches tall, and each animal measures about 4 inches long by 4 inches

tall.

The Animal Ark plan, No. 786, is $9.95 and includes stepby-step instructions with pho tos, full-size traceable patterns, detailed construction diagrams and a materials list and cutting layout.

Please include $3.95 for postage and handling and allow about two weeks for delivery.

To order by mail, clip this article and send it with a check or money order to U-Bild Features, c/o The Republican, 741B Olive Ave., Vista CA 92083. To order by credit card, visit U-Bild at u-bild. com.

Hallway

paint costs the same as white, which makes it a thrifty de sign choice.

“Just being thoughtful about your choice of finishes can re ally change the space, without impacting budget,” Thomas said.

• Add a mural

If you’re stuck choosing between wallpaper and paint, you can split the difference with a painted mural. Options range from blocking out a simple do-it-yourself geomet ric design with painter’s tape to commissioning an experi enced mural artist to realize something more elaborate.

Or you could do what the ancient Romans did and add a fresco. “What makes a fresco a fresco is that it’s paint ed with earth and mineral pigments suspended in water that are applied directly onto freshly applied lime plaster,” said Mariel Capanna, an artist who teaches the medium at Williams College and Skow hegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Capanna recently completed a hallway fresco for a family in Palo Alto, Cal ifornia, depicting elements from their daily lives — fur niture, clothing, vehicles, flowers and other things.

Compared with paint, “there’s a very different texture” to a fresco, she said. “You can get really rich color, but also a very matte, chalky quality.”

• Make a gallery

Hanging a few framed piec es of art or family photos is another easy way to decorate a hallway; if you group numer ous pieces together as part of a gallery wall, the results can be striking. Frazier sometimes fills hallways with pictures arranged in strict grids. In a home in Denver, he put a selection of family photos in identical black frames and mounted them wall to wall, floor to ceiling. For a house in Alys Beach, Florida, he used the same technique, but with antique illustrations of sea life in white frames. From a distance, these installations

almost resemble wall pan eling. Up close, they invite discovery. “As you walk down the hallway, you notice differ ent pieces each time,” Frazier said. “Or if you’re coming out of one of the rooms, you have a different perspective, which keeps it interesting.”

• Create a focal point

A long, narrow corridor nat urally focuses one’s attention on whatever is at the end, so if your hallway terminates at a blank wall, you may as well take advantage of it. Hanging a single piece of art is one option, but a favorite piece of furniture or a mirror could also do the trick. In the Man hattan apartment with ar row-patterned wallpaper that Lind designed, she installed an antique chair at the end of the hallway. The chair, which she painted red and uphol stered in black-and-white fabric, serves as a functional sculpture. In Denver, Frazier placed a modern leather sling chair beneath a taxidermy ram mount. In Alys Beach, he put a campaign chair in front of a full-height mirror.

“Particularly in these cases, where you have a very strong line of sight,” he said, “you want to have something be the focus.”

• Furnish a hall as you would a room

Narrow hallways usually don’t have much space for furniture, but wider ones, or corridors with niches, can often accommodate a few pieces. When there’s space, many designers will add a console for displaying sculp tural objects, books, flowers and lamps, often beneath a wall-mounted mirror or artwork.

“When you have guests over, it’s a wonderful place to welcome them with beautiful flowers and candlelight,” Thomas said.

Kate Marker, an interior de signer in Barrington, Illinois, uses shallow chests and long benches in hallways. “If it’s appropriate for the space, we always try to put in a piece of furniture,” she said. “It makes it feel like more of a room, rather than a passage way.”

Marker usually rolls out a long runner extending the length of the hallway. “We love vintage rugs, so we usual ly have a special, one-of-kind runner that we put in, almost like a piece of art,” she said. “It adds color and texture, and brings in some warmth.”

• Bring in the light(s)

As in other rooms, lighting a hallway offers the opportu nity to evoke a certain mood while celebrating sculptural fixtures. “Beautiful lighting always adds a little jewelry to the space,” Marker said.

In long hallways, she uses eye-catching light fixtures in multiples to provide even illumination and highlight the directional nature of the space. Sometimes she uses lantern-like fixtures, for a tra ditional feel; other times, she uses sleek pendant lamps, for a modern touch. Either way, she said, the goal is to make the hallway feel warm and welcoming. A dimmer can also help by allowing light levels to be turned up during the day and down at night.

“This is an area that’s taking you to the bedrooms,” Marker said. “So you want it to be a moment that feels good.”

—This article originally ap peared in The New York Times.

In a narrow hallway in Manhattan, Allison Lind added ar row-patterned wallpaper from Cavern and a red chair as a focal point. (REGAN WOOD VIA THE NEW YORK TIMES)

Journey to the top of the world inspires commemorative game

ON TOP OF THE world! In September 1909, the New York Times published Robert Peary’s claims of reaching the North Pole in April of that year, crediting him with the pole’s discovery. However, just a week earlier, another newspaper claimed that Frederick Cook had reached the pole the year before. Both claims have been disputed since then, but they were sensations at the time.

The journey to the North Pole inspired commemorative figurines, souvenirs and games. This North Pole game has a patent date of 1910. It is a game of skill in which the player rolls one of the included metal balls along the winding track, earn ing points for each hole the ball passes without falling in. The rules are printed on the back of the board, along with a scene of two explorers (Peary and Cook, perhaps?) approaching the pole.

This game sold for $480 at Morphy Auctions. The lot included the colorfully

lithographed tin game board, two metal balls, the instruc tions sheet and the box with a color picture of a family in early 1900s dress playing the game. Commercial game boards sell for higher prices when they come with the original box and pieces.

Q. Can you refer me to any website that can check a maker’s mark for me on a Chinese vase and appraise it?

It has a printed mark above the words “Made in China,” which makes me think it’s not worth anything. It’s also stamped “Not for food use. May poison food. For decora tive purposes only.”

A. Your vase is not very old. The Food and Drug Admin istration began requiring a “Not for Food Use” warning on ceramics with glazes that contained lead in 1971. The FDA recommended testing ceramic tableware made in China, Hong Kong, India

To play the North Pole game, tilt the board and roll the ball along the track. Watch out for the holes! It’s less dangerous than a North Pole expedition but still a challenge. (COWLES SYNDICATE INC.)

CURRENT PRICES

Current prices are recorded from antiques shows, flea markets, sales and auctions throughout the United States. Prices vary in different locations because of local economic conditions.

Advertising fan, folding, Bouillie Barousse, Toulouse, pleated paper, opens to form circle, blue, white letters, wooden han dles, France, 17 x 13 inches, $60.

Bronze, mirror, pivot, art nouveau, round, pierced stand, wom an on swing, marked, early 20th century, 18 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches, $90.

Toy, car, racing, Shark, brown, Fox Eagle 60 engine, pusher, Remco, 1961, 20 inches, $250.

Lamp, Orbiter series, globe shade, chrome, adjustable swing arm, black enamel handle and base, Robert Sonneman, 53 x 22 x 10 inches, $270.

Furniture, music stand, Rococo style, burl walnut, pierced, inlaid lyre, two-sided, extending brass candlesticks, carved pedestal base, tripod, Continental, 48 x 16 1/2 inches, $340.

Tramp art, chest, four drawers, locks, chip carved, round finials, four-footed, includes key, miniature, 20th century, 19 1/2 x 14 1/2 x 9 inches, $500.

Wood carving, sugar, lid, painted, red ground, leaves and flowers, pedestal foot, round stepped base, Lehnware, 5 inches, $565.

Picture, appliqued, bird on branch, leaves, fruit, multicolor, fabric, frame, Victorian, 24 x 20 3/4 inches, $640.

Porcelain brush holder, Famille Rose decoration, tiger, head turned, roaring, mountain scenery, painted, character marks on reverse, artist’s seals, Chinese, 7 1/2 x 8 inches, $985.

Silver tea set, raised scrolls, teapot, coffeepot, sugar and creamer, waste bowl, oval tray with four feet, marked, A. Tor res Vega, Mexico, tray 27 1/2 x 17 1/2 inches, $3,750.

and Mexico. The restrictions on the allowable amount of lead in glazes used on dishes used for food were tightened several times. Lead can leach out of the glaze and cause lead poisoning. Chinese marks are hard to decipher. If your vase was very old, you could take it to a museum to see if an expert there could decipher the mark. A dealer in Chinese antiques could give you an estimate of value. However, your vase is not very old and would not be of great value.

Q. A friend of mine was bragging about his collection of Kentucky Derby glasses. He seemed to think they are valuable. Are they?

A. Shot glasses and souve nir glasses are best collected because they are reminders of a fun vacation or event. Every year since 1939, a glass has been produced for the Kentucky Derby in limited quantity with a specific design. The glass is meant to hold the traditional Mint Julep, a drink enjoyed on Derby Day. Ken tucky Derby glass collectors want to collect each annual glass to have a complete set. While they are sought-after souvenirs, they are not as rare as you think. Kentucky Derby julep glasses from recent years sell for about $5 to $9. Older

ones are more expensive; a 1961 glass sold for $60 and a 1948 example sold for $150.

Q. I was interested in a turquoise, three-piece Pyrex Amish Butterprint Cinder ella bowl set. Can you tell me about this print and set of bowls?

A. The Butterprint pattern was introduced in 1957. It was one of the first printed patterns on the opal ware Pyrex line. Others included Snowflake and Pink Daisy. Released in 1957, Butterprint was popular with its Amish scenes in turquoise-onwhite and white-on-turquoise colors. The name “Cinderella” referred to a set of shapes, and its naming was probably related to the popularity of the Cin derella story both in film and on Broadway at the time. Sets of four smaller-to-larger bowls run $215 to $300. We found a set of three bowls for $140 at a thrift store. Shop carefully to get the best price.

Q. How can I safely clean old coins?

A. Coins should not be cleaned. Collectors want coins with the patina unchanged. If your coins are collectible, they should be protected from fingerprints and stored properly. Don’t touch the coins

to examine them unless you are wearing white gloves. The oil from your skin will damage the coin. If you must touch a coin, hold it by the edge. Coins should not be stored loose in a box or envelope. They may be scratched. Paper, card board, plastic and wood give off chemical vapors that speed corrosion. You can buy archival coin holders online or at a coin shop. Coins should be kept in a cool, dry location. You can find more information on properly storing coins on the American Numismatic Association web site, money.org.

TIP: Clean cast iron with coarse salt and a soft sponge. The salt is abrasive enough to remove bits of food and absorb oil without harming the pan’s seasoning. Rinse and wipe dry.

— Send a letter with one ques tion describing the size, material (glass, pottery) and what you know about the item. Include only two pictures, the object and a closeup of any marks or damage. Be sure your name and return address are included. By sending a question, you give full permission for use in any Kovel product. Names, addresses or email addresses will not be published. Questions that are answered will appear in Kovels Publications. Write to Kovels, The Republican, King Features Syndi cate, 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803 or email collectorsgal lery@kovels.com.

Terry & Kim Kovel | Antiques & Collecting

WASHINGTON 30-year US mortgage rate climbs to 6.29%

By M att O tt Associated Press

AVERAGE LONGterm U.S. mortgage rates jumped by more than a quarter-point this week to their highest level since 2008 as the Federal Reserve intensified its effort to tamp down decades-high infla tion and cool the economy.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year rate climbed to 6.29%, from 6.02% the previous week.

That’s the highest its been since October 2008, when the housing market crashed, trig gering the Great Recession.

Last year, prospective home buyers were looking at rates well below 3%.

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve bumped its bench mark borrowing rate by an other three-quarters of a point in an effort to constrain the economy, its fifth increase this year and third consecutive 0.75 percentage point increase.

Existing home sales have been in decline for seven straight months as the rising cost to borrow money puts homes out of reach for more people.

Sales fell 19.9% from August last year, and are now at the slowest annual pace since May 2020, early in the pandemic.

The national median home price jumped 7.7% in Au gust from a year earlier to $389,500.

As the housing market has cooled, home prices have been rising at a more moder ate pace after surging annual ly by around 20% earlier this year.

Before the pandemic, the median home price was rising about 5% a year.

The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, popular among those looking to refi nance their homes, jumped to 5.44% from 5.21% the previous week.

AGAWAM

Beach Mountain LLC, to TCR Properties LLC, Rear Shoemaker Lane, $20,000.

Carol Ann Ciccarelli, Thomas Martin Lariviere, Jason Robert Lariviere, John M. Colburn, trustee, Jamie L. Colburn, trustee, and Lariviere 2022 Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, to Megan E. Cham pagne, 100 Norris St., $261,000.

Joanne M. Lennon and Leigh W. Lennon to Dawna Bartnicki, 183 Brookfield Lane, $200,000.

Tyler B. Hardman and Mallory E. Hardman to Kerri L. Cofer, 20 Federal Ave., $245,000.

AMHERST

Hannah B. Treworgy to Yaman Omer Erzurumlu, Ozum Arzik Er zurumlu and Lutfi Erzurumlu, 170 East Hadley Road, $225,000.

Hani Karanouh and Nora Junaid to Cengiz Karagoz, 104 Belchertown Road, $380,000.

BELCHERTOWN

LaFleur & Son Inc., and LJ Development LLC, to Benjamin McCullough, Franklin Street, $85,000.

Kathy L. Ritter, Russell E. Ritter and Russell A. Ritter to Jesse A. Ritter, 147 Sargent St., $100.

Jesse A. Ritter to Hilltop 141 LLC, 147 Sargent St., $257,500.

Josephine Fitzgerald, trustee, and Josephine Fitzgerald Trust to Robert P. Kosier, 20 Stebbins St., $330,000.

Eric D. Hoadley, personal represen tative, and Thomas F. Hathaway, estate, to Antonio Carvalho, 397 Rockrimmon St., $182,000.

BERNARDSTON

Nancy A. Ducat, Amy L. Stratford,

Debora A. Stratford, “aka” Debra A. Stratford, Rachel L. Stratford and Ruth J. Stratford, “fka” Ruth J. Hanlon, to William Guiel, 213 Martindale Road, $205,864.

BLANDFORD

Joseph D. Jachym, Kelli A. Jachym and Kelli A. Stack to David Mestre Sr., and Sarah G. Mestre, 28 Gore Road, $375,000.

BRIMFIELD

Scribner Development LLC, to Robert Charles Montgomery, 0 Oakwood Road, $380,000.

Stephen R. Soper and Amie J. Soper to John T. French and Amanda L. Banfill, 118 Wales Road, $406,000.

BUCKLAND

Scott M. Doneilo and Diane L. Lanoue to Stephen M. Doneilo, 55 North St., $166,666.62.

Marcia H. DeWolfe, trustee of the Amanda Real Estate Trust, to Ari Covitz and Howard Covitz, 10 Walker Road, $408,500.

Wanita E. Laffond and William P. Laffond to Jonathan D. Steele and Katerie M. Steele, trustees of the 26 Williams Street Realty Trust, 26 Williams St., $200,000.

CHICOPEE

CDM Properties LLC, to Pah Properties LLC, 38-52 Front St., $150,000.

Chad A. Beaudette and Michelle Beaudette to Jill Marie Beaudette, 40 Deslauriers St., $240,000.

Donald R. Lacroix to Justin Paul Fay and Danielle Fay, 15 Maryland Ave., $410,000.

U S A Housing & Urban Develop ment to Rafael Mestre, 35 Shaw Park Ave., $131,000.

James A. Mercier, Darlene J. Na reau and Darlene J. Mercier Nareau to Gary R. Bernard, Lisa Sweatt and Lisa A. Bernard, 41 Syrek St.,

$30,000.

Jorge Morgado, trustee, Marco Morgado, trustee, and Morgado School Street Realty Trust, trustee of, to Nicholas Turnberg, trustee, and School Street Realty Trust, trustee of, 192-194 School St., $380,000.

Joshua M. Njuguna to Chantel Ma rie Duda and Chantel Duda, 200 Lambert Terrace, Unit 6, $235,000.

Kevin Carkey and Melissa B. Carkey to Brian R. Houghton Jr., and Kerryann M. Houghton, 22 Honeysuckle Drive, $192,000.

Matthew A. Ruyffelaert to Kath erine P. Robillard, 71 Austin St., $412,000.

Peter Walsh, Aubrea Walsh and Aubrea Melber to Selicia A. Frank lin, 12 Crawford Ave., $245,000.

Sebastian A. Raposo to Jessie E. Peterson, 59 Prospect St., $349,000.

Thomas D. Morin, Michelle Ann Joubert and Michelle Ann Morin to David Hueber, 162 Pendleton Ave., $270,000.

DEERFIELD

Ragus LLC, to Elaine Dietrich and Kristen R. Dietrich, 6B Gray Lock Lane, Unit 21B Sugarloaf Condo minium, $399,900.

Ragus LLC, to Mary Ann Murnane, 6A Gray Lock Lane, Unit 21A Sug arloaf Condominium, $339,900.

Angel Properties LLC, to J2K Real ty LLC, 3 Sugarloaf St., $305,000.

Christine Manning, “aka” Chris tie Manning, and Christopher Manning to Matthew Alvarez and Samantha Alvarez, trustees of the Matthew & Samantha Alvarez Family Revocable Trust, 630 Greenfield Road. $900,000.

EAST LONGMEADOW

D R Chestnut LLC, to Robert T. Whitely and Pamela K. Whitely, 57 Fields Drive, Unit V-10, $722,650.

Nancy J. Deraleau, representative, Gail A. Miller, representative,

Shirley Joyce Talbot, estate, Joyce Talbot, estate, and Shirley J. Talbot, estate, to Michael Choquette and Judith A. Bordenuk, 56 Nelson St., $225,000.

Peter A. Mengwasser and Beth T. Mengwasser to Jennifer M. Conroy, 47 Breezy Knoll Road, $342,000.

EASTHAMPTON

Mikena L. Wood and Anna C. Siembor to Mikena L. Wood, 50 Overlook Drive, $100.

Melissa E. Peters and Kenneth L. Peters to Kimberly Ann Pedigo, 37 Ward Ave., $445,000.

ERVING

Daniel J. Sargent and Jessie L. Sargent to Andrey Vdovichenko and Olga Vdovichenko, 2 Ridge Road, $250,000.

GRANBY

Joshua M. Justin and Tami M. Justin to Janice Kovitch and Timothy Roberge, 99 Kendall St., $630,000.

Michael J. Brennan and Bonnie G. Brennan to Ty D. Frappier, 24 Circle Drive, $435,000.

Angela M. Parent to Russell Entrikin, 28 Baggs Hill Road, $389,900.

GRANVILLE

Timothy K. Derrig to Jesse T. Mayne, 12 Borden Brook Road, $245,000.

GREENFIELD

Gail G. Shute and Roland F. Shute to Nancy A. Keefe, 230 High St., $278,000.

Vanessa Fortin, personal repre sentative of the Estate of Lorraine Claire Blanchard, “aka” Lorraine C. Blanchard, “aka” Lorraine Blanchard, and Laura T. Haggerty, “aka” Laura J. Haggerty, to Jorge F.

Deeds (C) Bank, (D) S&L, (E) Credit Union, (BA) indicates Licensed Mortgage Banker, NYS Banking Dept., (BR) indicates Registered Mortgage Broker, NYS Banking Dept., (loans arranged through third parties). “Call for Rates” means actual rates were not available at press time. All rates are quoted on a minimum FICO score of 740. Conventional loans are based on loan amounts of $165,000. Jumbo loans are based on loan amounts of $548.250. Points quoted include discount and/or origination. Lock Days: 30-60. Annual percentage rates (APRs) are based on fully indexed rates for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The APR on your specific loan may differ from the sample used. Fees reflect charges relative to the APR. If your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, you will be subject to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. FHA mortgages include both UFMIP and MIP fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. VA mortgages include funding fees based on loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. The Republican does not guarantee the accuracy of the information appearing above or the availability of rates and fees in this table. All rates, fees and other information are subject to change without notice. The Republican does not own any financial institutions. Some or all of the companies appearing in this table pay a fee to appear in this table. If you are seeking a mortgage in excess of $548.250, recent legislation may enable lenders in certain locations to provide rates that are different from those shown in the table above. Sample Repayment Terms-ex. 360 monthly payments of $5.37 per $1,000 borrowed ex. 180 monthly payments of $7.65per $1,000 borrowed. We recommend that you contact your lender directly to determine what rates may be available to you. To access the NMLS Consumer Access website, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. in table, 413-788-1165

Deeds

Dominguez Pacheco, 440 Adams Road, $300,000.

Bonnie L. Lemme and Scott M. Lemme to Dale Berry, Evelyn Berry and Crystal Lee West, 43 Munson St., $339,900.

Joshua A. Moran and Kera R. Moran to Benjamin M. Johnson and Nichelle L. Johnson, 165 High St., $320,000.

Debra S. Roberts and John W. Roberts to James Jacob Brown and Marcelia Hamilton Brown, 111 Homestead Ave., $481,000.

Dylan T. Neal and Taylor E. Neal to Autumn R. Yarian and Jephthah J. Yarian, 342 Log Plain Road, $300,000.

Katherine A. Fish to Joshua B. Kopin and Annasophie C. Lee, 23 Linden Ave., $353,600.

HADLEY

Leslie M. Howard, trustee, and Les lie M. Howard Revocable Trust to Guojin He and Jennifer He, 3 Grand Oak Farm Road, $645,000.

HAMPDEN

John Kirzec and Judith Ma kol-Kirzec to Eric Shimits and Ar ianna Shimits, 272 Bennett Road, $403,000.

HATFIELD

Edward J. Sikorski Jr., and Frances H. Sikorski to Jason Sikorski, 67 King St., $600,000.

HAWLEY

Adin Maynard and Llama Maynard to Timothy O’Reilly, West Hill Road, $30,000.

HOLLAND

Tyler Hutton and Willard J. Hutton to Krista E. DiGregorio, 188 Brim field Road, $402,000.

HOLYOKE

Foley Capital LLC, to Nicholas O. Hewes, 16 Charles St., $249,000.

James M. Reed and Donna J. Reed to Christopher M. Stoddard, trustee, Michael P Stoddard Family Irrevocable Trust, trustee of, and Patricia M. Stoddard Family Irrevo cable Trust, trustee of, 49 Liberty St., $532,000.

Michael W. Czerniak, Helen Breeden and Henry J. Czerniak to Christopher Donahue, 3 Taylor St., $261,000.

Nhi-Reit of Northeast LLC, to 282

Cabot Propco LLC, 282 Cabot St., $2,725,200.

Pah Properties LLC, to William John Zemanek Jr., and Susan Fran ces Zemanek, 47 Pynchon Road, $310,000.

HUNTINGTON

Linda L. Zmuda, trustee, and LaFortune Realty Trust to Pisgah Properties LLC, Pisgah Road, $90,000.

Kirsten L. Myallaked to Daniel Wood, 29 Basket St., $305,000.

Jeffrey Allen Gladding, personal representative, and Lori J. Glad ding, estate, to Justin R. Pinard, 4 Pine St., $225,000.

LONGMEADOW

Ellen Patton Stanaway and Nathanael Noble Stanaway to Anthony Pacheco and Samantha Pacheco, 93 Westmoreland Ave., $430,000.

James R. Clune, representative, and Christine A. Clune, estate, to Cara L. Deane, 33 Cooley Drive, $290,000.

Marsha G. Harbison to Marsha G. Harbison and William A. Harbison, 217 Farmington Road, $100.

LUDLOW

David A. Bucalo, Dawn M. Bucalo and Dawn M. Allen to Daniel Rowe, 142 Cedar St., $240,000.

Luisa McCarthy and Maria Luisa McCarthy to Michelle Morin and Thomas Morin, 143 Parker Lane, $510,000.

Whitetail Wreks LLC, to Evan Wytas and Karla Wytas, Lot 93 Equinox Pass, $149,900.

William F. Ostrowski and Peter M. Ostrowski to Jerad P. Ostrowski, 231 Chapin St., $260,000.

MONSON

Bropod LLC, to TBF HQ LLC, 354 Boston Road, $750,000.

MONTGOMERY

Jon C. Hollingshead and Genessa V. Hollingshead to Felix Lufkin, Margaret Ranen, David Ranen and Karen J. Ranen, 20 Chamberlain Road, $483,000.

NORTHAMPTON

J. Geoffrey Taylor and Sara Ann Taylor to Joshua Orlen, 29 Pleasant St., $354,000.

Orville Pierson and Judy Z. Pierson to Wayne C. Chatterton and Mary F. Proulx, 12 Moser St., $626,000.

Paul S. Weinberg and Mary K. Fago to Milan Merhar and Elissa Bar, 66

Roe Ave., $957,000. Howard Rhett and Claudia Donald to Peter H. Wells and Terrell J. Wells, 4 Center Court, $428,000.

NORTHFIELD

Thomas Aquinas College to Sean Cunningham, 33B Winchester Road, $282,500.

ORANGE

Katrina Elaine Jablonsky and Mary A. Jablonsky to Kenneth M. Nelson, 24 Mechanic St., $160,000.

Wendy L. Cornwell and Mildred B. Hill to Shawnee Lewis-Phillips and Stanley Kent Phillips, “aka” Stanley K. Phillips, 11 Haskins Road and West Orange Road, $220,000.

Kelly A. Barilone to Lori McGrath and Scott Roger McGrath, 142 Mat tawa Circle, $295,000.

Grace Whelan to John Rogowski, 33 Maynard St., $265,000.

Barbara E. Coburn and Debra A. Puppel, “fka” Debra A. Roussell, to Debra A. Cuadro, 47 Prentiss St., $295,000.

PALMER

Carol A. Ramsey and Carol Ann Ramsey to Josephine Fitzgerald, trustee, and Josephine Fitzgerald Trust, trustee of, 3040 Main St., Unit 3040, $195,000.

Helena Stephens and Shane Stephens to Bernadette Flores and Carol Negron, 44 Squier St., $390,000.

Ryan M. Allard and Karye Allard to Darian J. Saraiva, 9 Winthrop St., $255,000.

Stewart A. Terrien and Deborah A. Terrien to Coy Jacob Chaney, 95 Rondeau St., $510,000.

TDK Group LLC, to Linde Gas & Equipment Inc., 19 Second St., $800,000.

PLAINFIELD

David Ruffner and Frances L. Ruffner to Amanda Klekowski Von Koppenfels andAmanda K. Von Koppenfels, Prospect Street, $101,000.

ROWE

Judith A. Slowinski to Alex Potter and Paulette Potter, 124 Zoar Road, $375,000.

SHUTESBURY

Jill Clemmer to Ann Gagliardi and Michael T. McDuffie, 40 Kettle Hill Road, $555,000.

Mary K. Noonan to Abdollah Mogh addam, 6 Carver Road, $331,000.

SOUTH HADLEY

Maureen Mitchell Tindell, Elizabeth A. Mitchell, Sandra H. Mitchell and William J. Mitchell to Cassondra Marie Gendron, 44 South St., $236,500.

David Bergeron and Charlene Bergeron to Robert J. Schroeter, 2 Lesperance Court, $125,000.

David Krok and Darlene M. Krok to Jeffrey G. Couchon, 13 Hartford St., $211,000.

David Bergeron and Charlene Bergeron to Robert J.Schroeter, 2 Lesperance Court, $125,000.

David A. Ettelman and Sarah A. Ettelman to Robin M. Adams, Sarah K. Hampton and Robin M. Adams, 50 East St., $450,000.

Nancy J. Hamel and Paul H. Hamel to Jeremy Barnes and Caroline Cousson-Barnes, 23 Pine Grove Drive, $280,000.

J. N. Duquette & Son Construction Inc., to Joshua Justin and Tami Justin, 25 Lyon Green, $535,000.

Debra A. LaPointe to Curtis Fect eau and Kelly Fecteau, 23 Landers St., $293,000.

Dino Marinello to Tessa Wells and Aaron Wells, 25 Wood Ave., $290,000.

Gary R. Felendzer to John J. Estes and Donna M. Estes, 41 West Sum mit St., $180,000.

Francis T. Simone to Francis T. Simone Jr., and Matthew J. Simone, 3 Crystal Lane, $100.

James Jolley and Kassandra Jolley to Louis Cote and Christina Santa na, 89 Alvord St., $450,000.

Paul D. Boudreau, Catherine A. Boudreau, George E. Boudreau Jr., and Martha D. Gilmore to John A. Dent and Pamela J. Peck, River Road, $187,500.

Steven P. Knowles and Catherine A. Knowles to Donna Duchenicz, 82 Sorbi Circle and 82 Pearl St., $230,000.

SOUTHAMPTON

Ann W. Roy to Michael T. Fay and Julie C. Fay, 7 Elm St., $630,000.

SOUTHWICK

Allison E. Leavitt to Lucy S. Moran, 1 Pauline Circle, $415,000.

Denise A. Ratti to Allison E. Leavitt and Jeremy J. Beu, 8 Laurel Ridge Road, $580,000.

Eugene Harrington to Diane Jeserski, 2 Rails End Road, Unit 2, $400,000.

Hamelin Framing Inc., to Joseph F. Houde and Shelby Houde, 5 (Lot 36) Silvergrass Lane, $525,000.

Zachary P. Dougherty, John K. Dougherty and Pamela M. Dough erty to Ryan A. Wescott, 97 College

Highway, $325,000.

SPRINGFIELD

Amat Victoria Curam LLC, to Miguel Angel Perdomo Rodriguez, 1451 Bay St., $225,000.

Anatoly Atamansky and Valentina Atamansky to Ahmads Realty In vestments LLC, 22-24 East Hooker Ave., $150,000.

Antonio Cavallaro and Rita Cavalla ro to Polly Michel and Peter Michel, 120 Ravenwood St., $285,000.

Bukowski Construction LLC, to Jomaris Vasquez, 28 Juliet St., $390,000.

Clintona Wiley to Carlos Hen riquez, 140 Chestnut St., Unit 709, $45,000.

David J. Joyce Jr., to Noelia Macha do and Freddy Espada, 101 Mulber ry St., Unit 418, $100,000.

David Stejna to Jane Kalfus-Maine and Michael E. Maine, 284 Lake Drive, $255,000.

Edwin M. McCray Jr., to HLRE Development LLC, 21 Greenwich St., $132,000.

Elliot Sierra Sr., and Elliott Sierra Sr., to Posiadlosc LLC, 17-19 Carlisle St., $76,000.

Hanh Chanh and Hang Thi Thuy Dang to Khoa Van Nguyen and Thin Thi Le, 66 Benz St., $275,000.

Helder P. Pires and Aldina O. Pires to Menaka Pokharel Sharma Nepal and Sanjeeb Kumar Sharma Nepal, 44 Andrew St., $320,000.

India Clemons and Lamont Clemons to Calissa B. Pereira and Deon A. Vann, 115 Pasadena St., $233,000.

Jeremiah P. Sullivan to Christal I. Coayla, 19 Arcadia Boulevard, $250,000.

Kenneth Gorenstein and Karen L. Shore to Anthony John Kelly, 30 Halifax Court, Unit F, $255,000.

Korie N. Johnson and Korie N. Mix to Nicolas Ayala, 17 Champlain Ave., $220,000.

1277 Liberty Street-10190746 LLC, to 1277 Liberty St. LLC, 1277 Liber ty St., $28,571,428.

Leslie P. Hobbs, representative, Charles Anderson Leak, estate, and Charles A. Leak, estate, to Stephen Grandison, 27 Delmore St., $237,000.

London Realty LLC, to Ivan Ber mudez and Zaida I. Mendoza, 107 Norfolk St., $285,000.

Lori J. Pellegrino to Ariel J. Pellegri no and Walter E. Frazier, 76 Derby Dingle, $428,000.

Luis A. Alicea and Meilany Figueroa Acevedo to Luis A. Morales and Wanda L. Ramos, 26 Redlands St., $232,000.

Marcy L. Wise to Christopher

Owen and Courtney Gamache-Ow en, 20 Herbert Ave., $275,000.

Nellysha Roberto, Nellysha Sanabria-Lopez and Ruben Orlando Roberto to Phillip Rurak, 136 Nassau Drive, $225,000.

Posiadlosc LLC, to Dalisa C. Wilson, 17-19 Carlisle St., $237,000.

Stephen Walter Wyszynski and Maria Wyszynski to Sean Kelleher, 45 Jonquil Drive, $280,000.

Tammy L. Norton to Stephen Vacca ro, 58 Webber St., $220,000.

William M. Fonseca, representative, and Alice M. Fonseca, estate, to Daniel Beauregard, 250 East St., $117,500.

WQN Management LLC, to Trinity Estate Investments & Development LLC, 1142 Berkshire Ave., $700,000.

SUNDERLAND

Jon E. Storozuk and Kim L. Storozuk, personal representatives of the Es tate of Donald W. Storozuk, to Dana Larsen and Zakes Hart Warner, 167 Hadley Road, $356,000.

TOLLAND

Joanne F. Fletcher, trustee, and Fletcher Family Trust, trustee of, to Laurie E. Herrick and Daniel Zuker good, 68 Woodchuck Hollow Road, $495,000.

WALES

JR Investments & Management Inc., to Joelene Hackett, Par C Holland Road, $55,000.

Timothy B. Hannon and Laurette Johnson to Joseph Fritzges and Shannon Fritzges, 148 Union Road, $32,500.

WARE

Viola C. Cutler, estate, and Jordan T. Dewey, personal representative, to Ryan Cutler and Errin E. O’Hara, 92 Sczygiel Road, Sygiel Road, and 92 Sygiel Road, $144,000.

Roger C. Bouchard, Laureen M. Bouchard and Laureen M. Wells to Michele Denoff, 704 Belchertown Road, $350,000.

Margaret Mary LaBossiere to Luann Lauzier and Michael L. LaBossiere, 52 Anderson Road, $100.

Bruce A. Stevens to Colby Morin and Courtney Morin, 41 Greenwich Road, $357,500.

WARWICK

Susan M. Wright to Donna L. Haskins, 175 Shepardson Road, $354,000.

Deeds $160,000.

WEST SPRINGFIELD

Gaurav Jain to Pasha Teyfurov and Minura Mamedova, 46 Cynthia Drive, $575,000.

Jean L. Young to Mazin Al Nuaimi and Rasha Al Mahdawi, 1536 West field St., $189,000.

Margaret A. Gilbert, representa tive, and Lois M. Fessia, estate, to Dreamwake Homes Inc., 248 Morgan Road, $163,500.

Michael B. Patruski, Roxanne M. Te treault, Marc R. Patruski and Cath erine M. Patruski to Daniel Richard Tibbo II, and Georgia Simon, 53 Worthen St., $245,000.

Raymonde Couture to Scott M. Gill man, trustee, Katherine M. Tardif, trustee, and Gillman/Tardif Family Revocable Trust of 2011, trustee of, 132 Woodbrook Terrace, $480,000.

Susan M. Hoskin to Farai Hatidani and Gladys Hatidani, Colony Road, Unit 78-1B, $113,000.

WESTFIELD

Brian M. Pray and Debra N. Pray to Quazi Kamran Uddin, 8 Rachael Terrace, $650,000.

Cig4 LLC, to Ryan Martin Lukowski and Rita Peter Hannough-Lukowski, 2 Birch Lane, $240,000.

Coy Chaney and Kaitlyn D. Chaney to Zachary Keefer and Megan Keef er, 34 South Maple St., $340,000.

David E. Tester Jr., to Dmitriy Tem chenko and Elena Temchenko, 101 North Road, $114,000.

Maria Lopriore to Mary A. Geiring and Jonathan Miller, 62 South Ma ple St., $335,000.

Michael N. Corbett and Maria D. Corbett to Hilary Lebrun and William Lebrun, 27 Blue Sky Drive, $480,000.

Scott C. Andrews and Colleen Powers to JLX 2 Properties LLC, 3 Parker Ave., $650,000.

Todd C. Ratner, representative, and Lynn E. Rea, estate, to Lester M. Walker and Terry L. Walker, 102 Ely St., $277,000.

WILBRAHAM

Big Sky Properties LLC, to Christo pher Charles Wright and Taylor J. Wright, 15V Peak Road, $1,200,000.

Jeffrey Allard and Laura Allard to Erick Vasquez and Melissa Vasquez, 30 Silver St., $200,000.

John P. Isenburg to Paul Vincent Lotterer and Jeffrey Michael Lotter er, 26 Monson Road, $555,000.

Mark C. Trombley and Michael S. Trombley to Rachel A. Purcell and Paul Modzelewski, 22 Blacksmith Road, $385,000.

Meredith Lee Jacobson Marciano and Meredith Jacobson Marciano to Patrick Roach, 53 Lake Drive,

CARDOON SOUNDS

like it could be a type of derby, tropical rodent, or Scottish sweater. In fact, it is a vegetable (Cynara cardunculus) that’s closely related to globe artichoke.

Whereas the flower bud is the edible part of artichoke, the leaf stalks and heart are the edible part of cardoon (sim ilar to celery). And whereas artichoke is difficult to grow in cold climates, cardoon is easy.

Last night I harvested my one cardoon plant. Cutting down such an imposing plant is a big event. Picture a giant thistle, whose gray-green leaves form a prickly vase towering to four feet high, with a similar spread. I cut the plant off at its base, then lopped off the upper leafy por tion. I pulled a few stalks off this giant “celery” and boiled them up after removing any last traces of leaves along the edges of the stalks.

I should have known car doon would taste good, for Apicius had recommended it in the first century A.D. in his Cooking and Dining in Im perial Rome. Cardoon tastes just like artichoke. To this day, cardoon is popular with the French and Italians, who eat it fried or boiled, then drizzled with a vinaigrette sauce.

This was my first success with cardoon. In previous attempts, the plants grew well but the stalks were disagree ably woody. I attribute last season’s success to blanching, a procedure which makes the leaf stalks succulent and tender by keeping them in the dark, not an easy task with a four-foot spiny monster.

Blanching began in early September, when, with gloved hands and some assistance, I tied the tops of the plant together with string. The plant was then swaddled in a footand-a-half-high cylinder of tar paper, giving the whole affair the look of a green shaving brush with a black handle. Straw or collars made of wood or cardboard could have been

Lee Reich | In the Garden

used in lieu of tarpaper. Two to four weeks are needed to blanch cardoon.

Another way to blanche cardoon is with soil. This the method used in Italy to grow Gobbo Di Nizza Monferrato (Hunchback of Nice) cardoon. The plants are bent over and then covered with soil. Within their soil covering, plants hunch over and turn pale.

Cardoon grows as a peren nial where it is native, in the southern Mediterranean. It has survived winters here in my Zone 5 garden, where temperatures have gone as low as minus 20 degrees Fahren heit, by being cut back in late fall and then protected with a large upturned flower pot and leaves.

If cardoon doesn’t survive winters it’s easily grown as an annual. The seeds, sown indoors in May, germinate readily. Seedlings are trans planted outdoors after danger of frost is past to rich soil in full sun.

Cardoon is worth growing even for its dramatic foliage. If it survives as a perennial, it becomes even more dramatic in its second and subsequent

seasons in the garden. With age, it will tower as high as six feet and send up flower stalks capped what look like arti chokes whose scales spread to reveal giant, bristly blue flowers. Much like a thistle on steroids.

Next year I intend to grow a few cardoon plants. Addition al plants can be propagated by seed, or by pulling off and replanting, in spring, the small suckers that grow around the base of the plant (assuming winter survival). Each cardoon plant needs at least a couple of feet of elbow room all around, but carrots or lettuce can be interplanted and harvested before the cardoons reach full size.

I have read that cardoon can become weedy in some places where it grows as a perennial. It invaded the pampas soon af ter its introduction to Argenti na. Darwin said that “no plant has run wild on so extensive a scale as cardoon.” Uh-oh.

—Any gardening questions? Email them to me at garden@ leereich.com and I’ll try an swering them directly or in this column. Come visit my garden at www.leereich.com/blog.

Besides being a vegetable, cardoon’s bold foliage and blue flowers warrant it a place in a flower garden. (LEE REICH PHOTO)

Cardoon is more than just avegetable – it’s a pretty sight, too

What can you expect from a home inspection?

By L aura Daily The Washington Post

DURING THE RE cent sizzling-hot housing market, many buyers chose to forgo a home inspection to give themselves a compet itive edge when there were multiple offers on a property. Now, though, some may be experiencing buyer’s remorse as they discover cracked foun dations, warped doors or mal functioning electrical panels, which add up to expensive re pairs. Anyone buying a house, condominium or townhouse should get a home inspec tion, which is an unbiased, noninvasive evaluation of a property. The inspector issues a detailed report telling you what — if anything — is wrong with your home and itemizing damage or issues that need to be addressed.

“While inspection can be a formality, it’s a chance to get your home reviewed by an expert, so you go into an expensive purchase with eyes wide open,” says Kerry Sherin, a consumer advocate at Ownerly, a home valuation company. “You are investing a few hundred dollars to save

their home.

• What does it cost? The fee depends on where you live, the size and age of your home, and the services included. Expect to pay about $500 on average for a basic inspection, with it increasing to as much as about $800 if you add mold, termite and radon testing. High-tech services, such as thermal imaging to identify water in filtration, may also cost extra. Ownerly has a searchable database of inspection costs for approximately 950 cities.

• Should I be swayed by price? You shouldn’t look for the cheapest home inspector. One who charges next to noth ing is probably doing so for a reason: They’re either inexpe rienced or they’re hurting for business, Sherin says. Instead of shopping for the lowest price, compare the qualifi cations and services offered by multiple inspectors to see where you can get the most for your money.

• How do I find an inspec tor? Ask friends or family whether they have used one in the same area. Associations such as the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) or

How many homes have you inspected? Are you licensed? Are you certified? Some states, such as Pennsylvania, don’t require a state license; instead, inspectors must be a member of a nonprofit home inspec tor association. Certification standards for InterNACHI or ASHI are high. An InterNACHI master inspector, for example, must complete 1,000 feepaid inspections and/or hours of training and education combined. Other states, such as Florida, require a training course and exam.

pros typically input everything into a tablet — checklists, pho tos of defects, notes, and some times even the serial number, make and model of appliances and HVAC equipment — to generate a report.

potentially thousands.”

Here are some answers to common questions about what to expect from a home inspection.

• Who does the inspector work for? You. Unlike real estate agents, “we have no vested interest in the proper ty. Whether you buy or don’t doesn’t matter. I get paid a fee,” says Eric Mohlenhoff, owner of Remedy Inspections in Rockaway, New Jersey.

Although most home inspec tions are for buyers, pre-listing (or seller) inspections are also an option, so sellers can make necessary repairs before listing

the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) also have on line databases. You can always ask your real estate agent for a recommendation, but keep in mind that their job is to make a sale, Sherin says.

“In the worst-case scenario, a home inspector who’s friends with your agent could give the all-clear on a home to push the deal through, despite there being problems. Bringing your own vetted home inspector to the table can help ensure objectivity.”

• What questions should I ask before hiring? How long have you been in business?

• How can I tell they’re a good fit? The way an inspec tor treats you before you hire them is a good indicator of how they’ll treat you after hiring them. Do they return calls and answer questions in a timely fashion? Make sure the in spector gives you a list of what they are going to inspect, says Benjamin Martin, president of Florida Certified Home Inspec tions in Seminole, Florida. A good one will call you before hand to review any concerns you may have spotted during your buyer walk-through. “It may be nothing, or it may be serious,” he says.

• What technology do they use? Gone are the days of paper and pen. Many inspectors use a drone to look at roofs, thermal imaging to “see” into walls, and mold machines, says Martin, who takes about 400 to 600 images per inspection. The

• What gets inspected? An inspector usually looks at struc tural elements (foundation, framing, drainage systems), roofing, exterior surfaces, grounds (driveway, fences, sidewalks), the attic, interior plumbing, the electrical sys tem, appliances, heating and cooling systems, the basement, the garage, insulation and ven tilation, and safety systems (fire and carbon monoxide detec tors). “I’ll even note if a dip in the front lawn is a trip hazard,” says Martin, who averages nine inspections per week.

• Are there limitations? They can only inspect what they can see and what is accessible. “I don’t move furniture or touch personal property. If a home is cluttered with stuff, there will be a note in my report that says I could not inspect ‘due to personal debris,’” Martin says. They typically don’t inspect swimming pools (that requires a different certification), sheds or outbuildings. And although the inspection may note structural damage caused by pests, such as termites, it will not detect active infestations of insects, rodents or other pests.

• Is there an end product? A home inspection can take

anywhere from two to four hours, depending on the size and age of your property. Once it’s complete, you’ll receive a full report. Mohlenhoff’s are usually 60 to 80 pages, with images and related text. Ask your inspector how long the report will take; it can be up to two to three days, although some arrive within 12 hours.

• If they goof up, do I have recourse? Inspectors are only liable for issues they could see at the time of inspection. So if your roof gets a thumbs up and starts to leak two weeks after you move in, as long as there wasn’t a damaging hail or wind storm in the interim, you may have a case. But if you pull up old carpet and discover rotten flooring, you probably don’t. And you’ll have to provide strong evidence to support your claim. Martin says inspectors should carry a minimum of $1 million in general liability in surance in case they are found at fault.

• Is it worth it? “A certified inspector’s fee may cost less than the repairs, which can be negotiated between the buyer and seller after a home inspec tion report,” Sherin says. “If the seller ends up paying for the repairs, hiring a certified inspector doesn’t cost you money; it makes you money.”

— Denver-based freelance writer Laura Daily specializes in consumer advocacy and travel strategies.

Anyone buying a house, condominium or townhouse should get a home inspection, experts advise. (METRO CREATIVE ARTS)

“While inspection can be a formality, it’s a chance to get your home reviewed by an expert, so you go into an expensive purchase with eyes wide open.”

Kerry Sherin, a consumer advocate at Ownerly

Thursday, September 29, 2022 PM - SPRINGFIELD 54 Bevier Street fam, 1,838 sf liv area, 0.14 ac lot, 6 rm, 4 bdrm, 1.5 bth, Hampden: Bk 17754, Pg