It’s easy to get inspired by home improvement TV shows. You could feel so empowered that you’d buy a home that needs renovations from top to bottom with the belief that you’ll make it grand again. Unfortunately, that fixer upper might still need...
Maybe it looks pretty, but the new home you’ve fallen in love with could be a real stinker. A pretty face sometimes disguises trouble that lurks underneath. That’s why you need a certified home inspector. Home inspectors aren’t impressed by home gadgets, shiny...
New construction homes sound like a pretty safe bet. No other family has lived there. All of the finishes, fixtures, and appliances are new, down to the scratch-free wood floors and shiny bathtubs. The reality is that even a new house or condo might have defects. In...
There’s a bit of confusion surrounding homeowners insurance and a home warranty. According to Realtor.com®, it’s a common mistake. Insurance protects homeowners against loss from certain damage, such as a storm or fire. A warranty, on the other hand, covers you in...
Roof leaks, foundation cracks and water heaters on the brink of failure. They’re enough to give a home buyer anxiety. So, what about good reports that help you rest easier? Every home has a defect or two. In fact, perfect homes are practically the stuff of myths and...
’Tis the season for home maintenance projects and your certified home inspector’s report is a good place to start building a plan. After a rough winter, marginal issues included in the report might be worse or perhaps new issues have popped up. Either way, follow your...
Tina Gleisner, founder of Home Tips for Women, builds confident homeowners by providing helpful advice on many different aspects of maintaining a home. Because she has home inspection experience, we asked Tina about the overall process, the problems an inspection...
Electricity is vital for modern living, frustrating when it’s out-of-date and dangerous when it’s defective. As one of the most critical systems in any home, the electrical wiring and accompanying fixtures undergo intense scrutiny during a home inspection. The...
So much is riding on the results of your home inspection. It’s natural to worry about who to hire and whether or not to trust them. Should you go with the recommendation of your real estate agent? Maybe, but remember that mixed loyalties could put your interests on a...
“Code” creates a hazy gray area for home inspectors and their customers. A home inspection identifies defects and dangerous conditions. The knowledge about what makes a condition hazardous is rooted in the building code, but home inspectors are not code enforcers. The...
