A Licensed Home Inspector's Perspective on Getting Your Home Inspected BEFORE You List It As a licensed home inspector, I’m often asked whether it makes sense for a seller to schedule a home inspection before listing their property. Traditionally, inspections...
If you’re buying a home in the Chicago suburbs, selling one, or even thinking about putting your house on the market, you’ve probably heard about the home inspection. It’s one of the most important steps in a real estate transaction. But it’s also one of the...
When most homeowners think about home safety, they picture smoke alarms, electrical wiring, or security locks. But there’s one large moving system that’s often overlooked—your garage door. As a home inspector, I can tell you that garage doors and their openers...
In 1988, the state of Illinois passed the Smoke Detector Act. This law required all dwellings to have working smoke alarms. In order to be compliant, the alarms could to be either battery-operated or hard-wired. Effective January 1, 2023, newly-installed smoke alarms...
Buying a house has become more difficult in the last few years. There’s a shortage of available properties, making bidding wars all too common. Although most real estate agents advise against it, some desperate buyers are forgoing pre-close home inspections to make...
Have you ever wondered why you can order the same cocktail from several bartenders, and none of them taste the same? Even when it’s something as simple as scotch and water or gin and tonic, the end result varies from bartender to bartender. There are many factors that...
Do you own an older home? If so, you may be aware that builders used lead pipes and solder to plumb older homes. These materials can transfer lead particles to the water that passes through them. Since then, we have learned more about the dangers of lead in our...
More smart homes hit the market every day. Read on to get smart home tips for buyers and sellers that will help your home transaction go better for both parties. What is a smart home? A smart home allows homeowners to control appliances, thermostats, lights, and other...
What is an HVAC filter? An HVAC filter, or furnace filter, allows air to flow through while collecting particles or contaminates such as dust, dirt, dander, allergens, and other pollutants. The type and amount of material the filter collects depends on the quality of...
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) are safety devices used to protect people from shock and electrocution. There are two types of devices. One is a a receptacle, commonly called an outlet, which has a test button and reset button. The other device is a special...