Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities. The learning curve can be fairly steep, expensive and sometimes even dangerous, but you don’t need a contractor’s license to handle everyday maintenance, small emergencies, and chores. Whether you’re buying your...
There’s no substitute for a professional home inspection. In fact, before the sale of your dream home is final, you probably won’t have the same access as an inspector would. But once you buy the house, regular DIY inspections can spot problems before they turn...
Your home inspection is the best source of information about the property because it’s unbiased. The inspector you choose has your back, so take advantage of the opportunity and learn everything that you can. If you’ve got an inspection in the not-too-distant...
Most home inspections happen just before the sale of a house. But houses age, things break and not every homeowner has the skills or training to identify problems along the way. A home inspection isn’t just for houses on the market. If you’re a homeowner, here...
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire a home inspector, financial guru, Dave Ramsey, has some advice: do it. According to him, “buying a home without an inspection is the same as buying a car without even kicking the tires.” You can go it alone and hope...
A home inspection can reveal a few problems, known as defects or material defects, or a lot of them. But does that mean the seller is on the hook for making repairs before closing? Usually not. Home inspectors strive to find what’s right and what’s wrong with a house....
Sometimes, it’s easy to spot a poor home inspector. Incomplete work, a bad attitude and slow response time are just a few warning signs. But what about finding a home inspector who is great at their job? Certain qualities give you a little peace of mind. If you’re...
Summer is nearly here, so now is the time to flesh out refurb or improvement plans for your new home. A little effort goes a long way. Choose your projects well and you’ll enjoy the beauty and a healthy return on investment in the years to come. #1: Build a New Deck A...
Most real estate markets have at least a handful of Handyman Special listings. Faded homes that need a little TLC have sparked the imagination of enthusiastic first home buyers and penny pinchers for generations. Just be careful not to get in over your head. Here’s...
Landscaping can ramp up your curb appeal and feed your gardener’s spirit. Did you also know that the right plants in the right locations can help protect and cool your home naturally while safeguarding wildlife in your area? Trees, shrubs and even grasses aren’t just...
