Barbara Kalbfleisch

Following up: you mentioned "spats" on the wall. If you have a poured concrete wall (rather than concrete blocks), it sounds like one or more rod holes are leaking. Again, this is an easy, inexpensive fix but any drywall has to be removed first to gain access to the holes. The reason you are seeing water on the floor is perhaps from the leaking rod hole. My suggestion is to work to solve this issue. Moving is expensive and stressful. A good repair company could get this done for far cheaper than it would cost you to hire a moving company. (A few hundred $$ maybe). Here is a quote from Glenn Haege's column on basement leaks: Rod holes and cracks in poured walls
Rod holes can be patched with hydraulic cement but when the foundation shifts, the crack and the leak return. Mr. Sponge Waterproofing, (800) 491-4686, created a homeowner do-it-yourself resin-based rod hole kit that solves the problem and is available at Damman Hardware stores.
Affordable Dry Basement injects a flexible urethane grout. Mr. Sponge injects a proprietary resin, called SP3. The resin expands to fill the crack and flexes with the concrete.
Injection does not work on block walls or major structural cracks caused by external pressure or wall failure. (www.masterhandyman.com)
Good luck! - Mon Aug 4 2008, 09:08

It may be helpful to give the mgmt company some detailed information about the leak. Is your basement made from concrete blocks or is it poured concrete walls? Is the leak coming from an obvious crack in the wall? If so, that is an easy and inexpensive fix on a poured wall. Is the water coming in where the walls meet the floor? If so, is it every wall or just one area? Does it happen with every rain or just a deluge? How old is your home? I would suggest reading up on basement leaks so that you can have an informed discussion with the management company. Glenn Haege is a newspaper columnist with extensive archived columns that discuss basement leaks. I think his website ishttp:// www.masterhandyman.com. Good luck! - Sat Aug 2 2008, 10:47

Thank you for sharing your information, Ahmed. Goldfarb is mostly a bail bondsman, I think, which would explain the complexity & the high rate. Regarding the temporary C of O: I would ask again. A temp C of O is normal operating procedure, especially in the new construction area. Often our homes are completed in the winter, when we can't complete the concrete and landscaping. Municipalities issue temp C of Os pretty frequently. This allows new homeowners to move in, with a deadline for completion of the final tasks. In general, ALL health and safety issues must be complete before a temp C of O is issued. Ask Dearborn again about the temp C of O. Their staff is, as a rule, very nice & helpful. Many municipalities, though, are experiencing heavy workloads due to all the foreclosures. - Sat Jul 26 2008, 12:02

Try contacting a "commercial underwriter" insurance agent for a bond. There are several in Dearborn. - Sat Jul 19 2008, 10:32

River's Edge, a new home community in Canton (on Cherry Hill, west of Ridge) allows fences, so long as they are not chain link ("Cyclone") type. Realtors are always welcome at River's Edge. - Sun Apr 13 2008, 10:27

I live in Van Buren Township. We have the ONLY inland lake in Wayne County: Belleville Lake. We have to specify "inland" lake because, of course, we've got the Great Lakes as well. We have a great downtown, too, as well as quick access to freeways, airports, shopping, Ann Arbor and downtown Detroit. Our schools have strong local support and fine teachers. I live on the lake and my house is for sale. It's too big for me now that my kids are grown and gone. - Fri Dec 28 2007, 10:03

Hello, Tyson: Cherry Hill Village encompasses the area WEST of Ridge Road as well. New homes in Canton's Cherry Hill Village are being built in the SW quadrant of the Ridge/Cherry Hill intersection by two builders, in addition to the more-visible section of CHV in the SE quadrant. River's Edge at Cherry Hill Village is in Phase I and includes some walkout and daylight-basement lots, which are very rare in Canton. I am the sales manager in that new-home community and would welcome a visit from you. You could contact me at barbara@palazzolobrothers.com CHV has a brand-new elementary school. The Canton Township library is superb, as are the recreational facilties at The Summit. We would love to see you move to Cherry Hill Village. - Wed Dec 19 2007, 08:50