​In recent years, the United States has experienced its share of natural disasters, with the results often devastating.  Its true that we cannot control where or when the next disaster will strike, but one thing we should do is prepare in advance, as much as we are able, for one. 
 
We are often advised to have an emergency go kit, containing everything we would need to survive for a few days and something we could grab quickly if needed.  Its also wise to have an emergency disaster plan that the entire household is familiar with.  This way, in a disaster situation, the family knows exactly what they should do and where they should go.
 
What about the home? How will that benefit from advanced preparation? Well, if areas of the home are in disrepair, they may present more of a problem during an emergency.  For example, loose roof shingles could easily fly off during a storm.  Gutters and downspouts should be kept clear of debris as this would also be a problem.  What about the chimney, if the home has one? Does that need some repair work? Trees can become a problem during a disaster as they can cause a lot of damage to roofs, power lines and could even injure someone.  Make sure trees are well trimmed and do not have loose branches.
 
It’s important that you are familiar with the location of where to switch off the home’s utilities such as gas, electric and water so that you will be able to quickly turn them off during an emergency. 
 
So, while we never want to have to deal with an emergency disaster situation, being prepared in advance may go a long way to staying safe during one.

​Choosing a home’s exterior finish is a huge decision and will determine the entire look of the home so it’s important that you select the right kind of cladding.  There are numerous options available these days.  One option that has been used for decades is wooden siding and maybe you are considering this for your home, but, even with this choice, there are also a lot of options. So, what different types of wooden siding are there? Here are a few:
 
A common type of wood siding is solid wood or lumber.  Provided it is well maintained, it can be very durable and has a very nice appearance.  You can also use it horizontally, diagonally or vertically.
 
If you are looking for a less expensive option then hardboard is a good choice.  Hardboard siding is usually made up of wooden fiberboard which is compressed and made using a synthetic adhesive.  It is then treated with a preservative (EPA approved) to help protect it from decay and insect damage.
 
Another attractive option is weatherboard or clapboard which is generally installed horizontally using overlapping boards.  Woods often used for this are cedar and redwood as they are strong and less prone to decay.
 
Plywood is another wooden siding option.  It can be installed either horizontally or vertically and may even add extra support to the homes structure.  Douglas fir, yellow pine and red cedar are among the woods typically used for this.
 
From this short list its clear to see that if you are thinking about wooden siding for your home, you have many choices.

​The majority of home buyers have a fixed budget planned out ahead of time of what they can afford to pay for a house.  However, something that might be overlooked whilst preparing that budget, is all the fees and closing costs that accompany the purchase of a home.  The result might be that the buyer looks for ways to reduce some of those fees.  It is important to understand, though, that there are some areas where it would be unwise to try and economize on.  One such area is the home inspection, but why is that so important?
 
Well, probably the biggest reason is that purchasing a house is one of the biggest expenses you can have, so you want to make sure you’ve made a good investment.  How awful it would be to skimp on the home inspection and then, only after you’ve purchased the house, to find out there are numerous issues that will require a lot of money to fix.  All of a sudden that budget will have been for nothing.  It is much better to have the home inspected and discover any problems before you commit yourself to the home.
 
So, maybe you’re thinking “I’m not going to skip the home inspection, just look for the cheapest price”.  Would this be a good idea?  Its good to remember that not all home inspection companies are the same.  Sure, you might find a cheaper price, but that could be reflected in the quality of the inspection.  To make sure your home inspection is as thorough as it can be, choose an InterNACHI certified home inspector.  While they may not be the cheapest quote, they will be the most thorough and qualified.

​Perhaps your planning to move to a new house sometime in the new year.  We all know that buying a home and moving is among some of the most stressful things you can do.  As you may already be aware, when you find a home you want to buy, a home inspection will need to be performed on it to make sure there are no hidden problems with it.  Maybe you’re wondering, then, what will be inspected? And, how thorough is a home inspection?
 
To help answer those questions and more, we have a short video that will give you a better understanding of what’s included on our home inspections.  Our home inspections are very thorough so that you can have peace of mind that the home you’re choosing will be the right home.   We are here to help you through this stressful process so please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.
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​So many people work very hard and spend a great deal of time to make their yards and gardens a thing of beauty.  How frustrating it can be, then, when some kind of animal or rodent comes along and ruins all that hard work.  Perhaps the natural reaction would be to try to eliminate the problem as quickly as possible by using some sort of chemical pest control method.  There are, however, other ways of deterring an unwanted animal in a more natural way.  Let’s consider a few options that could be tried first.
 
To determine the best way of getting rid of a pest in your yard, its important to first find out what type of animal or rodent you are dealing with.  In this way, you can research the best type of deterrent for that specific creature.  You will also be able to determine what attracted it to your yard.  Most of the time it’s because there is some kind of food source its after.  Have you planted certain types of plants or shrubs that the animal enjoys eating? It could be that you will need to remove them from your yard in order to deter the animal.
 
Another deterrent that could be used is a barrier intended to keep out wildlife.  If you find this to not be too effective, perhaps a repellent could be placed around the perimeter.   This doesn’t have to be chemical, it could even be a noise that scares the animal or some type of visual deterrent.
 
If you find that, after trying all these methods, you are still not able to control the problem, it might be better to capture the creature and relocate it.  Before you decide on doing this, though, get in touch with an animal or wildlife control agent to see what the recommendations are for this.  Finally, after trying all you can, you might want to think about how much of a problem is being caused by allowing the animal to continue on your property.  It might not be worth all the effort in the end.

​Bank owned properties or foreclosures are something many potential home buyers look into as a way of getting on the property ladder for a relatively low cost.  Are you considering this option?  Perhaps you are a first-time buyer with a tight budget and feel this is the right choice for you.  While purchasing a bank owned property can be a great option, its important to go into the process with as much information about the house as possible.  What are some ways you can do this?
 
If you are using a real estate agent, be wary if they tell you not to bother with a home inspection.  They may well reason that because you are buying the property “as is” there is no point in spending extra money on an inspection.  Although that may seem like a reasonable argument, how can you really know what state the place is in if you have not had it thoroughly looked at by a professional who knows what to look for?  What if the home has some major structural problems?  This would end up costing you thousands. 
 
Another reason for having a home inspection performed is that, because of the nature of bank owned foreclosure properties, it is likely that very little maintenance has been done on the home.  Sometimes a homeowner will even cause damage or strip the home of anything valuable before vacating it.  It might be full of rubbish and have been vandalized.  These are all things you, as the new owner, would be financially responsible for.
 
To summarize, then, although buying a foreclosure property can be a very good purchase, make sure you get it inspected before you sign any contract.  In this way, you will be aware of what’s involved in the fixing up of the property and can prepare yourself for the extra expense.

​Proper ventilation of a bathroom is important because it is one of the most warm and humid rooms of the house.  Most bathrooms are fitted with some kind of extraction fan, generally installed into the bathroom ceiling, this fan is then connected to a duct which vents out to the exterior of the home.  When working properly, a bathroom fan should be able to extract most of a bathroom’s moisture.  However, very often this is not the case, meaning your bathroom fan is not working as it should.  So, what are some causes of this?
 
One reason is that it could just be clogged with dust and dirt that has accumulated around the fan.  This will stop the fan from functioning effectively.  There is an easy fix for this and that is to give the fan a thorough cleaning, then, periodically check for dirt and give the fan a clean to ensure it continues to work well.
 
There are some houses where the fans connecting duct work doesn’t actually vent all the way out to the home’s exterior, but instead, only goes as far as the attic space.  You might not find this is a problem for your bathroom, but it is a problem for your attic.  Excess moisture being vented into your attic can cause all kinds of issues like mold and the decaying of the attic’s materials.  If you are concerned about this, you might want to have it inspected.
 
While you might hear the fan turn on and think it is working, what are some other signs that it is not functioning correctly?  Look out for corroding of bathroom fixtures, also you might notice paint starting to bubble and peel due to an excess of moisture.  Does there seem to be an excessive amount of moisture on walls and ceilings?
 
If you have noticed any of these signs and feel concerned that your bathroom fan is not working correctly, please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to advise you.

​Are you about to put your home on the market?  Maybe you are looking to buy a home, perhaps for the first time.  Whatever the reasons are for selling or buying a home, you need it to go as smoothly and successfully as possible, so its vital to have the right professional people working for you.
 
Its clear to see the advantages to this, so what about when its time to have the home inspected? Please enjoy the following video that highlights why we are a good choice for all your home inspection needs.  We are there to help you, not just on inspection day, but for all your inspection needs in the future.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information and advice for your home.  We will be happy to assist you.
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​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.