Home inspections tips and articles
If you are in the market to buy or sell a house, you have probably heard about the housing inventory shortage that is happening across the country. As a home inspector in the central Maryland and South-Central Pennsylvania regions, I literally see hundreds of homes and it allows me to see the trends in the Real Estate markets here. Many of my recent clients have described extreme experiences with the purchase of their new homes, with quite a few Buyers and their Agents having to have gone to literally dozens and dozens of showings and submitting multiple offers before getting…
When people decide to sell their home, most do so with an understanding that they will need to do at least some renovating in order to make sure that their house is competitive in the real estate arena. Apart from the many components of the home that should be addressed in anticipation for fairing well on a home inspection, tackling projects that can increase the overall value of your home is also a popular thing to do and can help make your home stand out in the market. However, not all home improvement projects produce the same level of benefits,…
Radon Could be Lurking in any Home With the Environmental Protection Agency estimating that nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated radon levels, you may have heard about radon testing for homes. If you have not, do not fret - we will explain in this article the basics of radon in residential homes and what you need to know about it. Reading this statistic might make you a little nervous about buying a home, but do not fear! Information is the best antidote for fear, which is part of why having a radon test done before…
You may have heard of Radon on the news or from a friend or family member, or maybe you are familiar with it personally, or maybe you have never heard of it before now. What is Radon, you may ask? Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally deep under the earth's surface and it, unfortunately, enters our homes and buildings where it can build up to harmful levels. By now I am sure that you have heard that smoking causes lung cancer, but did you know that Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States?…
Your home should be a safe and healthy refuge for the entire family. While you may be diligent about minimizing your exposure to household chemicals, there may be other substances causing health threats throughout your home. To protect yourself and your loved ones, beware of the following home health hazards that may be present in your home here in the Maryland/Pennsylvania area: 1. Radon What is radon? Radon - Radioactive Gas You cannot see, smell or taste Radon… but it may be a problem in your Maryland or Pennsylvania area home without you even knowing it! Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive…
What is a home inspection? We hear this question A LOT! Home Inspections can vary from State to State depending on whether a State regulates Home Inspections or not, but in general, most home inspections have evolved to follow a fairly standard definition. Like most States, a Maryland home inspection is a visual examination of the home's major structure, systems and components that are both visible and safely accessible. The inspector should substantially adhere to a Standards of Practice that outlines what will be covered during a general home inspection, as well as what is excluded. Some inspectors may strictly…
I know, I know - Daylight Savings time is this weekend, March 10, 2019 at 2:00am and, let me guess, you're tired of hearing the same old cliché, "Change the batteries in your smoke detectors", right? Well, perhaps I have some good news for some of you that live here in Maryland! With the current Maryland smoke detector law that had a deadline of January 1, 2018 for compliance (it was passed in 2013) and depending on when your home was built, some Maryland residents might not have to change batteries in smoke detectors anymore! For the rest of us,…
One of the most common problems we find when performing home inspections in the North-Central Maryland and Southern-Central Pennsylvania areas in and around Westminster is issues with the home's gutters and downspouts. This often overlooked part of the home is a CRITICAL system in controlling moisture intrusion into the structure, but many people underestimate the importance of a properly functioning gutter and downspout system. This article can help you understand more about the need for gutters and downspouts and gives you some tips for maintaining them. Spring will bring rain! Although recent snow and ice may have you still thinking…
