Our Blog
PUTTING YOUR HOME ON THE MARKET?
Putting Your Home On The Market? Don’t leave the sale up to chance. Rather than sticking your head in the sand and hoping for the best, take the bull by the horns and control the outcome by doing a Pre-Listing Inspection to find out what will come up in advance. Don’t hope that an inspector won’t find…
‘Tis the season to be safe.
‘Tis the season to be safe. According to the NFPA, between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually. On average, one of every 52 reported home…
Fill the Gap!
Caulking the Wide Open Spaces Have you ever filled that wide gap in the exterior trim with the best caulk you could buy, and the next year it pulled away from one surface, leaving a large gap? Or you tried to fill a wider gap, and the caulk just fell in the hole? What…
What are all those inspector gadgets?
We wholeheartedly believe that nothing replaces the training and experience that make a great property inspector. Exceptional inspectors use tools to enhance their experience, not make up for a lack of it. In many instances, a flashlight and a screwdriver are the only tools needed. There are, however, a handful of go-to tools our inspectors…
Ice Dams and Infrared (Thermal) Imaging
Ice dams are a nuisance and can cause expensive damage to soffit areas, roof sheathing, gutters, and the most outer portion of living area walls. These ice build-ups can be alleviated, but each house tends to have different reasons for the ice to accumulate in the first place. First, let examine how this massive ice mound…
Is your home prepared for winter?
Home Winterization Winterization is the process of preparing a home for the harsh conditions of winter. It is usually performed in the fall before snow and excessive cold have arrived. Winterization protects against damage due to bursting water pipes, and from heat loss due to openings in the building envelope. Plumbing System Water damage caused…
Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead?
Why Do You Need to Be Concerned About Lead? Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from industrial sources and leaded aviation gasoline, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead may cause…
Will a FHA 203K allow a swimming pool?
As 203(k) renovation mortgages gain in popularity, many of you have recently asked me whether cosmetic repairs and upgrades are eligible. While there are limitations to the things you can do with a 203(k) renovation loan, they are small when you consider what your clients CAN do! The FHA 203(k) loan was designed to rehabilitate…
