​If you live in a multistory home, going up and down the stairs will not be something you think twice about, but stairs are responsible for many of the accidents that occur in the home.  Those especially vulnerable are the elderly, handicapped or young children, even guests to your home could be at risk if they are not aware of irregularities to do with your staircase.  What then, are some of the hazards to be aware of?
 

• Each stair should be of equal height.  If not, it becomes very easy to trip up them or worse still, fall down them.  When a staircase is too steep this can also be dangerous. 

 

• Make sure that handrails and banisters do not become loose.

 

• Carpet on stairs is another hazard to watch out for.  If the carpet becomes loose, someone could easily trip and fall.  Any loose carpet should be fixed straight away with carpet tacks or double-sided tape.  Stairs that are wooden can be just as much of a hazard if they are over waxed or polished.

 

• The staircase and surrounding area should have adequate lighting.  This is particularly important for those whose eyesight is failing or the elderly, as insufficient lighting could cause a person to trip or fall.   

 

• Outside steps are another area that need attention.  If they do not have the correct amount of slope so that water can run off them easily, they can become extremely dangerous, especially in winter conditions where ice can accumulate. 

 
Making sure all areas of our home are well maintained is a vital key to ensuring the safety of our households, so have a regular check of the staircase to ensure that they do not present a hazard.  

​Is buying a property listed “as is” a sensible choice?  Before we respond to that question, let’s consider why sellers decide to sell a home “as is”.  Much of the time it’s because they don’t wish to go through the bother of doing it up just to sell. Another reason is that they may want to avoid being responsible for any problems that may come with the place.
 
As to it being a sensible choice, it depends on how you go about the deal.  If you have found an “as is” property that you like and it’s the right price, it can be a great option.  But, before you sign on the dotted line, there are some things you should do first.
 
Make sure you have the property inspected by a certified home inspector.  Yes, you are buying the property in as it comes, but you don’t have to simply hope you got a good deal.  Having the home inspection done could end up saving you a fortune in the end by giving you an idea of the true condition of the home.
 
A written disclosure from the seller, informing you about the condition of the property is, in some States required by law.  Does that mean that you can forego the home inspection in this case?  The written disclosure is not always as honest as it should be and sometimes important information about the condition of the place is left out.  The home inspection will let you know whether you can trust the seller or not, by showing if vital information has been omitted.  If this ends up being the case, you may want to walk away from the sale. 
 
So, as we can see, buying a property “as is” can be a sensible choice as long as you act with caution and do what you can to find out its true condition.

Are you about to purchase a home and need to schedule a home inspection? You may have a few questions you’d like answers to beforehand.  A couple of questions you might have are: How long does it take to have the home inspection performed? And should you be present for it?


To answer the first question, the length of time it takes to complete a thorough home inspection will depend on a variety of factors such as the size of the home, how old it is, where its located and whether other areas like outbuildings etc. need to be looked at also.  In general, though, you ought to expect the home inspection to take roughly three hours.  Be wary of anyone who takes significantly less time to do it, as it may not be as thorough as it needs to be.


Should you be there for the home inspection?


It is always a good idea for you to be there for the inspection. There are a few reasons for this, one is that as you go through the home with the inspector, you will be getting to know a lot about the house you are wanting to buy.  The home inspector will point out areas of concern or any defects with the property.  That way, instead of just reading the findings in a report, you will have seen everything with your own eyes.  


You will also get to know important features of the home such as heating, cooling and plumbing systems etc.  It’s sensible to know as much about the property you are purchasing as you can.


A good home inspector will be happy for you to be there during the home inspection, but if they are not, this is possibly a caution against using them.  If you would like to schedule a home inspection or have any other question, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

Have you decided to put your own home on the market? Whether the reason to do it without the use of a real estate agent is to save money or to simply be more in control, what are some things you can do to make a success of it?


Good preparation is the key.  You will need to gather as much information as you can about what types of rules and regulations you must abide by.  Be ready for a lot of, it might be a good idea to have a lawyer help you with understanding contracts and administration.


An essential part of selling your home is making sure its appealing for a buyer.  It should be in good order and ready for showing.  You will also be up against experienced real estate agents who are also selling homes in your neighborhood, so you want to give extra attention to making the house look good.


Experienced real estate agents obviously want the best deal for their clients, so its going to be important that you know how to negotiate the sale.  This could mean you have to turn down a few offers at first to get a reasonable price.


There are numerous websites available nowadays that offer information on how to sell a home.  Take advantage of these valuable tools.


As we’ve stated, its vital that you find out all the legal requirements involved in selling a home.  Remember, different laws apply for different zones, so find out as much information as you can about your specific location. 


Having a Move In Certified home inspection completed is also a crucial step when it comes to a successful sale. It helps you be the first to know about any problems with your property, and not a potential buyer. 


Please don't hesitate to contact us to schedule your Move In Certified home inspection.   

We know how vital safety in the home is, but were you aware that every year countless injuries are caused by improperly maintained automatic garage doors? It’s a good idea, then, to have a check of these doors periodically to ensure they are working correctly.  Although it’s important that a skilled professional is the one to fix your automatic garage doors, you as the homeowner can do some simple checks to determine if they are in need of work.  
 
Become familiar with the way these automatic doors function, after all they are one of the weightiest, objects that is constantly moving in our home.  They commonly have a spring-supported mechanism operated typically by a switch on the wall or a remote-controlled device.  There are a lot of moving parts to these mechanisms, so it makes sense that occasionally some of these parts will stop working.
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• Although this may seem like one of the most obvious safety steps, it is important that no one is permitted to walk underneath the garage door while it is in motion.  It can be very tempting to quickly duck underneath it, but while you might be ok, if your children are observing this, they may try it themselves.
• Make sure any younger members of the household are aware of the dangers that could arise if they start playing with pulleys or strings attached to the doors mechanism. 
• When performing your check of the doors, be sure to check that all the correct warning labels are in place and clearly visible.  
• Do you and everyone in the household know where the manual release handle is for the automatic door?    
• Have a thorough check of the framework as well as the garage door to see what kind of condition it’s in.  Make a note if it is showing sign of stress and wear, then call someone qualified to fix the problem, or ask them what you should do.  

 
Maybe this is a good month to perform your simple, automatic garage door check.  

Looking for a new home comes with many stressful challenges.  You no doubt want to find a nice house that fits all of your households needs, make sure it’s in the right location and all within your budget.  Just this in itself is overwhelming.  Its understandable then, that most home buyers are not thinking about whether the property has the correct amount of slope, or grading.
 
Is the right amount of grading that important though?  Well, yes, it is, as not having enough could lead to all kinds of problems.  The following brief video will give you a good idea of why this is an important issue that needs to be considered when choosing the right property.  It will also guide you as to how much is an appropriate amount.
 
As home inspectors, it is our top priority to make sure you are getting the right home, with no hidden problems.  We are on your side, so please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Are you are looking to change the flooring of your home? Perhaps you’re wondering if laminate flooring would be a good option.   Consider some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of flooring. 
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It is commonly known that laminate is less expensive, easier to install and can change the appearance of a room in many ways.  There are different options when it comes to which type of laminate flooring you could choose, it usually falls under the hardwood look.  However, there are other type of laminate flooring like marble and granite.  There is more to it than just the top layer also, it is usually installed with multiple layers.  It's installed much like hardwood flooring with individual pieces or panels fitting together, and each of these pieces has an outer laminate or skin but the principal material used is fiberboard with a melamine resin.  This resin contains formaldehyde, but if you have a sensitivity, you can find products that emit less toxins.

It is also important to understand the risks that can come from installing laminate flooring in your home.  There is a great possibility that the floor can shift or move due to various factors.  If the floor wasn’t installed properly you could see gapping or peaking.  Moisture in the sub floor or from a leak can cause warping and buckling.  Also, if not monitored, mold can easily grow under the flooring.

Another disadvantage to this type of flooring is the fact that it can be very noisy, so if you are installing it, look for ways to dampen the sound that comes from walking on it.
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Laminate flooring can be inexpensive and look nice.  But it’s good to do your research before installing it in your home.

In a previous blog, we talked about Greywater and what it is.  What are some of the pros and cons to using Greywater though?
 
As we have previously mentioned, Greywater can be a very useful tool when it comes to water conservation, especially in areas of drought.  This, we know, is something we must all be conscious of. 

Because of the fact that Greywater can be used for irrigation, it can provide water for landscaping, which is especially good in areas where water is a precious commodity.  This is particularly beneficial with public areas like parks and golf courses, as it saves the community money.

Both in new construction homes and older homes, greywater systems can be installed.  Some localities even offer tax incentives for having one.  You should always check your local area for this though.

Were you aware that dish water can contain nutrients which help improve the soil?  This is another added benefit.
 
What can we say about the disadvantages of using greywater? Much care must be taken when handling greywater to make sure it does not become a serious hazard.

Not everyone is familiar with greywater systems, so you need to make sure that a plumber knows what to do before installing one.  This could prove to be very expensive for you.  Also, the maintenance and parts for these systems can also be very costly.
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It is very important that you consult your local town council to see what kind of guidelines they have with regard to using greywater, as some areas may not allow it to be used inside the home.
 
As we can see, installing a greywater system can have many advantages, especially in areas where water is in short supply, but much care and research needs to be done first to see if it’s a good idea in your area. 

​What is Greywater?  Simply put, it is the water left over from things we do every day in the home.  Things like bathing, laundry and washing dishes all produce greywater.  Although this used water is not fit to drink, it can be used for other things like flushing the toilet or some types of irrigation.  It is important to note that Greywater must not to be confused with blackwater, which is extremely hazardous as it contains all kinds of harmful contaminants such as fecal matter.
 
Greywater can be used in areas that are prone to drought, and is regularly used in third world countries, however, its use is becoming more popular in the United States as well.
 
There are a couple of different types of greywater, treated and untreated.  While treated greywater can be stored, untreated must be used immediately.
 
Differing opinions exist when it comes to the use of greywater.  There are those that are pro greywater usage because it can be used as a non-potable water source both inside and outside of the home.  Then there are those that are opposed to its use, as they believe it would be easier to quickly spread disease.
 
By this brief overview, its clear that there is much to consider if you are thinking about using greywater in your household. A lot of research will be required to determine if it would be good for you.  In our next blog, we will be discussing the several advantages and disadvantages of using greywater.  We are always here to help so if you feel you would like more information on this or any other home inspection question, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Have you decided that 2018 will be the year you look for a new home?  Does this mean your current home will be put on the market?  This will no doubt involve much planning.
 
When a potential buyer has your home inspected, there are many things you will want to do to make it easier for the home inspector. This short video helps you to know what to expect and how to prepare for the home inspection. 
 
We are here to help you.   Please contact us with any questions you have.