​There are many areas of a home that could become a hazard if not well maintained.  One of those areas is the stairs as well as its surrounding area.  It is a place where many accidents happen especially if the household has young children and elderly or handicapped residents.  What are a few things, to do with stairs, that could potentially become a danger for the family?
 
Firstly, make sure that you check all stairs on the property, not just the main staircase.  This includes any stairs you have outside.  Check exterior stairs to see if water pools on them, this may mean they do not have the right amount of slope.
 
Are the stairs up to code?  Bannisters should be the right width apart to ensure that children cannot get their heads struck, and stairs need to be of equal height to stop them becoming a tripping hazard. 
 
Imagine how dangerous it would be if the very thing you rely on for support on the stairs is loose?  The handrail should be checked to make sure it is not wobbling or loose.
 
Does the staircase and its surrounding area have good lighting?  This is particularly important for those whose eyesight is failing or elderly ones.
 
Do not polish wooden stairs too much as this makes them treacherous for anyone wearing just socks.  Make sure any loose stair carpeting is fixed right away.
 
By performing some simple checks of the stairs and landing etc. you will go a long way to making sure they do not become a safety hazard.

​Are you a homeowner looking to have some work done on your house?  It can be challenging sometimes to find a good trades-person.  For example, how can you be sure they will be honest and professional?  Well, there are some things you can look out for when it comes to finding a good worker.  Here are a few, simple ways to do so:
 

• Before hiring someone to do the job, ask them for their credentials and check to make sure they are insured for the job they would be doing.  If they are honest, they will not have a problem producing the information you ask for.

 

• It is normal to put down a small deposit for the job, up front, but, be wary of anyone who asks for a large deposit or even wants the whole amount before any work has even been done.

 

• It sometimes happens that a person living in a more affluent neighborhood will be quoted a higher price for the same job, than someone living in a less wealthy area.  When obtaining quotes over the phone, try to avoid giving your address until after the price has been quoted.  In this way, the price won’t be based on your neighborhood.

 

• Even if you are quoted a price, it might not end up being the final price when all those “unforeseen extras” are added up.  Find someone who will give you a fixed price for the whole job and then have it all down in the contract.

 

• Be wary of anyone who is overly pushy and wants you to make an immediate decision about hiring them.

 

• Ask the trades-person for their address and ask them to tell you about the locations and details of their previous jobs.  If they seem reluctant to give the information, you might not want to hire them.  An honest person should not mind giving out this kind of information.

 
Following these simple tips should help you make the right decision about who to hire for your job.

​This month’s video will be of great interest to you if you have recently moved into a new construction home.  “Why?” you might ask.  Most builders will provide a 1-year warranty with their new homes, which means that you are covered within that time for any issues that might arise with the home. 
 
While some problems might arise that are clear to see, what about those that might not be so apparent?  What if the warranty expired and you didn’t even know about the problem?  This is where an 11-month warranty is very beneficial.  This short video will help to give you a better idea of why this type of inspection is a good idea.
 
Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information on 11-month home inspections or if you have any kind of home inspection related question.

​Sometimes instead of spending a lot of money to fix up a home or in order to avoid becoming liable for any possible defects, a seller will put a property on the market “as is”.  If you are interested in this type of property, how can you make sure that it is a successful purchase?
 
Buying a home in this way can be a good idea if the price is right for you, but there are a few things you should do before making the final decision.  One important thing to do is to obtain a detailed inspection of the property by hiring a home inspector.  Maybe you’re wondering what the point of that is, after all the property comes “as is”.  Well, it’s very hard to determine the condition of a house simply by walking through it.  While the property may have some obvious problems, other serious issues might not be so apparent.  A home inspection will help you be aware of just what you’re getting yourself into.
 
Another thing to be aware of is that If the property is in a State that requires the seller to provide you with a written disclosure showing the condition of the property, you might feel that is all the information you need, but very often the seller will leave out key aspects of the properties condition.  Your home inspector will be able to tell you if any vital information is missing from the disclosure and if it is, you may feel it’s best to walk away from such a sale.
 
Purchasing a property “as is” can often be a good option to go for, but make sure it works for you by getting a thorough home inspection performed on it.  It is worth it to spend a small amount of extra money to ensure you get what you are paying for.  

​For many homeowners, the thought of starting a DIY project around the house is an enjoyable prospect.  These kinds of people usually have a tool for every kind of job.  But what about those who are less enthusiastic about doing their own jobs around the home?  Well, any homeowner will still benefit greatly by owning at least a small selection of tools. 
 
Think of some of the small jobs you might do around the house that still require some sort of tool.  For example, what do you need if you want to hang a picture or a shelf?  Even flat-pack furniture requires some tools to assemble it.  The types of tools you would need for these tasks are: a tape measure, a hammer, a screw driver set with flat head and Philips head screws and a level to make sure everything is straight.  
 
Another task that frequently needs doing in some homes is unblocking toilets and sinks.  While you might need to call someone to fix a big problem, very often it can be resolved using a plunger.
 
Here are a few other useful things to have in your tool kit:
Wrench set
Flashlight
Duct tape
Safety equipment such as: Breathing mask, gloves and safety glasses
 
As you can see, even if you do not like DIY projects, having a small tool kit at home can be extremely useful and help you do even the smallest jobs effectively.

If you are about to buy a brand-new house or are even having a home constructed, perhaps you don’t feel its necessary for it to have a home inspection.  After all, its never been lived in, what could possibly be wrong with it? It might surprise you to know that there still could be issues with the home that you are unaware of. 

​What could some of these issues be?
 
Even newly constructed home could have leaks or faulty plumbing and electrics etc.  There might be a number of reasons for this.  Sometimes, although unintentional, a worker might damage parts of the home by washing tools in the sinks or using electrical outlets for example.  All these factors could contribute to problems later on. 
 
There are many advantages to having your home inspector involved even during the construction process.  By getting to see the homes bare bones, so to speak, an inspector can get a better idea of the quality of the home.  They can look at the homes structure, pipes and wiring to observe any potential issues, before it is covered up with drywall and finishes that would hide these issues.
 
It’s easy to see the many benefits to keeping your home inspector involved every step of the way during the home buying or construction process.  If you have any questions regarding this or any other home inspection issue, or if you would like to schedule a home inspection, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We are always happy to help. 

​If you are someone who is looking to purchase a home, you probably feel somewhat overwhelmed by all that has to be considered.  You want a home that will be comfortable and convenient for you and your family.  You want the right location etc.  With all that to think about, you’re most likely not thinking about whether the space around the house is properly graded or not.
 
This video will provide you with valuable information when it comes to proper grading guidelines.  We are here to help you when it comes to inspecting areas that you may not realize need inspecting.  Please contact us, we are happy to help.

​With all that is involved in the home buying and selling process, you may feel like you need to cut out any unnecessary expenses.  It is certainly and challenging thing to budget for.  Maybe you feel like you want to skip having a pre-listing inspection done, but should you?  Why is it so important to have this type of inspection performed?
 
This month we have a short video that will help you understand why a pre-listing inspection is one of the most important things when it comes to selling your home.  If you are going through this process for the first time, this video will help you with the first steps to take when you decide to sell and buy a home.
 
Please feel free to call us, we would be happy to schedule your pre-listing inspection

If you are buying a home for the first time, all of the steps involved in the purchase may feel unfamiliar and strange.  There may be things that you don’t anticipate or foresee when going through the process. 

As we are involved in inspecting the home, we promise we will always be as thorough as possible and we will be completely upfront about any potential defect. 
Does this mean, however, that you don’t need to be present while we are inspecting?  Is it just a matter of trusting us or not? 

While it’s true a home inspection is a very important step to buying a new home and you want to make sure it's being carried out correctly, this isn’t the only reason to be present with us while inspecting the home. 

​After we go through the inspection ourselves, it will be important to explain any defect there may be on the report or anything else about the house that may be unique or out of the ordinary.  There are also things that as a new home owner you may want to know, like changing the filter on the furnace, or where to find the main plumbing trap. 

With such a big decision, you want to know as much as possible about your future home.  So don’t feel shy about being around during and after our inspection of your home.

The thought of selling your own home could seem like a great option, after all, think of all the money you'd save by not having a real estate agent. You also might like the thought of being in control of the whole process, and not worrying whether your best interests are being taken into consideration.

This can be a lot harder that it seems though. If you are considering selling your home by yourself, there are a lot of factors that you need to consider. Here are a few:

For starters, you may not have any experience in the field of real estate. This means you will have to do a lot of work and research in order to make it successful. Make sure you are prepared for this.

A real estate agent knows the market well, and so is aware of the price a home can get. You may feel your home is worth a certain amount, and could possibly waste a lot of time trying to get that amount.

They also know not to cut corners, for example, they are well aware of the importance of a home inspection by a certified professional.

They know the rules and regulations, as well as what types of agreements must be signed. If you sell your own home, be prepared to find all these things out for yourself. Do your research.

Some times a buyer will find it more comfortable to deal with a real estate agent, rather than deal with the seller directly.

While selling your own home can be a great option, it is extremely important to know all you can and to put as much effort into it as possible. The good news is that we are also here to help. Please contact us, your local Internachi Certified Home Inspector. We will be happy to assist you.