With another New England winter upon us, the warmth and ambiance of a home fireplace can feel so inviting. While a fireplace’s coziness may be top-of-mind, don’t forget you also need to take a proactive approach to maintenance to ensure safety. Today, we’re sharing seven essential tips for fireplace safety and maintenance; if followed, you’ll be able to enjoy its comfort and efficiency all season long!
[Read more…]When Do I Need to Get My Grease Trap Pumped?
For many homeowners, the term “grease trap” might be unfamiliar, but for certain businesses and properties, it’s a critical component in maintaining a smoothly operating plumbing system. If you own or work in one of these businesses and don’t know when to get your grease trap pumped, you could encounter a greasy mess of blockages and bad smells! In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about grease traps, including where they’re commonly found, why they need pumping, and when this maintenance should be performed. Just read on.
[Read more…]How Home Inspections Impact Insurance & Appraisals
A home inspection isn’t just a checklist of your property’s condition; it’s a pivotal tool that can influence both your homeowners insurance and the appraisal value of your home. As a seller, you might suddenly discover your house isn’t valued as high as you thought it was worth. As a buyer, you might need to factor more money into your budget in case you end up with higher insurance premiums than expected. Either way, an inspection can affect your wallet in more ways than one. Let’s explore how home inspections impact insurance and appraisals.
[Read more…]6 Consequences of Delaying Septic Tank Pumping
As a responsible homeowner, it’s easy to overlook routine septic tank maintenance, especially when it’s out of sight and out of mind. However, delaying or neglecting the crucial task of septic tank pumping can lead to a host of unpleasant consequences, both for your home and your wallet. Let’s explore.
[Read more…]6 Steps to Help a Seller Prepare for a Home Inspection
Many homeowners tend to get nervous at the thought of a home inspector going through their house with a fine-tooth comb, worrying that the inspector will find a major problem requiring costly repairs and delaying the sales process. Though the experience might seem daunting, with a little effort ahead of time, you as the home seller(s) can ensure everything goes smoothly—both for you and the inspector. Just follow this handy guide to help you prepare for a home inspection.
[Read more…]When Is a Home Inspection Required?
Believe it or not: home inspections usually aren’t mandatory. Yet, they still come highly recommended by real estate agents, banks, appraisers, and other professionals involved in the housing market. While your mortgage lender or local regulations might not deem a home inspection required, getting one is wise and often cost-effective for homeowners and buyers alike, as it can help them avoid significant financial losses and potentially deal-breaking issues with the house. Let’s explore some scenarios in which a home inspection is invaluable!
[Read more…]What Is a Sewer Line Inspection?
Imagine your home’s plumbing system as the circulatory system of your house. Just as your body needs regular check-ups to catch potential health issues, your plumbing system—particularly your sewer lines—deserves the same level of attention. A sewer line inspection acts like an X-ray for your home’s drainage; it helps identify any potential problems lurking beneath the surface before they progress into costly nightmares. In this blog, we’ll explain how this type of inspection works, the types of problems it can identify, and why you should have one conducted.
[Read more…]Home Inspections and Appraisals: What’s the Difference?
For first-time home buyers, it’s easy to get all the different terminology related to the housing market confused. Take, for example, home inspections and appraisals—after all, both involve a professional doing some type of examination and evaluation of the premises. So, what’s the difference between the two? Let’s break it down.
[Read more…]Common Issues Found When Inspecting Older Homes
Older homes can have a lot of architectural character and unique style. If you’re house hunting, you’ve probably noticed older ones on the market that are significantly less expensive than any relatively new construction. But the lower listing price isn’t just because of some shag carpeting or outdated kitchen cabinets—it’s because these houses tend to come with the risk of problems that require expensive repairs. In this blog, we’ll share some of the issues we most commonly find when inspecting older homes.
[Read more…]What Is a Home Seller’s Pre-Inspection?
As a home inspection company, we frequently write about buyers’ inspections on this blog. However, did you know that sellers have something to gain from getting a home inspection, too? That’s right. From identifying issues early on to standing firm in your asking price, let’s discuss what the benefits of a seller’s pre-inspection are.
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