How to Get the Most Value From Your Home Inspection

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Just read an article about how to get the most from your home inspection and I would recommend something different to my clients. The article from Fox News, bear with me here, states that you should do the following things: Attend the Inspection, Check the Inspectors Credentials, Inspect the Home Yourself, Make a list of Costs, Negotiate Repairs.

I would recommend that the first thing to do is have a critical eye yourself when first looking at a home before putting a purchase offer in. Then find a qualified inspector by asking them their qualifications and call a few of them to find the one that will work the best for you. Your realtor will give you a list of inspectors potentially, be aware that these are the inspectors your realtor prefers, that should get you thinking about finding your own. Attending the inspection is very important and you will learn about your home and how to maintain it. Next is to figure out what it will cost to make the repairs and negotiate with the seller if necessary. That is the order I would have chosen.

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By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

Fox News Article

Home Inspections Worth the Cost

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Buying a home is one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime. Knowing if your home has potential problems will help you determine if you are able to afford what you are getting and to repair or walk away from the home. Out of all the fees you will pay to finally purchase your home, home inspections are the least expensive and will provide you with knowledge about your home and what to do to maintain it for future buyers.

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

Home Inspection Cost

Decks improperly built can be a real danger

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A deck collapsed and thankfully no one was on it. The link to the video below has some great information about how important it is to get your deck inspected properly so that potential safety hazards can be addressed before someone is injured or killed.

Half of all decks in failure

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

June is Home Safety Month

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Here is a list of safety issues you should check around your home to make sure it is safe.

Safety tips

* Develop a family emergency escape plan. Review and practice it with the family.

* Prepare and/or update the family emergency kit.

* Make sure all family members know the meaning of watches and warnings in case of dangerous weather.

* Post emergency numbers by the phone and program them into cellphones.

* Are smoke alarms present and working?

* Are carbon monoxide alarms installed and working?

* Ensure water heater’s thermostat is set at 120 degrees to prevent scalding.

* Be sure extension cords do not carry more items than are recommended.

* Check to make sure electrical cords are placed out of the flow of traffic.

* Ensure windows have locks and screens are secure.

* Use safe step stools and ladders to reach hard-to-get items.

* Keep garage doors shut and doors locked even when you are home or working in the backyard.

* Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen area in case of fire.

Home checklist

* All rooms have adequate lighting.

* Stairs are secure and have handrails on at least one side.

* Carpet on steps is secure.

* Steps are clear and items are not left on them.

* Stairs are well-lighted with light switches at both ends of the stairs.

* Bathtub and shower have non-skid mats or textured standing area.

* Grab bars are installed by the toilet and in the shower and bathtub areas.

* Floors in all rooms are free of loose rugs or runners and not slick.

* Medicines and cleaning products are stored out of the reach of children.

* Handrails are installed on outside steps and porches.

* Outlets that are not used have safety covers (especially in homes with small children).

Take time to check your home for hazards and make the necessary changes to correct them. By doing regular maintenance and keeping your home safe, you will save time and money.

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

You may read the original article here.

Home Inspection Tips

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Found this video news report on home inspection tips for buyers and sellers of real estate.

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

Why having a licensed inspector is important.

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Great article about states who don’t have licensed home inspectors and the problems that can be created when you don’t hire a qualified licensed inspector to report on your home purchase.

CBS Denver New Article

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

What Homeowners Need to Know About Vapor Intrusion

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EDR offers a free neighborhood environmental report to those wanting to find out if there are any records of environmental contamination in or around their home. I just sent off for one and will look into seeing if it will be of use to my customers. The link to the report is at the bottom of the page.

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

What Homeowners Need to Know About Vapor Intrusion

Radon in your home and how to mitigate if there is a problem

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Great article on radon in the home. Where radon comes from and how you can easily reduce the levels of radon in your home through a mitigation system.

http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2013/may/04/radon-can-be-home-danger/

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

What to Look For Inside When Buying a Home

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Another great article from a home inspector who gives buyers some things to look for when shopping for a home. This is a follow up article for the interior aspects of the home and focuses on the major items you should be looking at when thinking about purchasing a home.

http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/205733671.html

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

Keeping your home safe

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Use nonskid pads under all rugs.
Make sure stairs are well lit, with light switches at top and bottom.
All railings should go from the top to the bottom of the staircase and be easy to grab, at 36 to 39 inches from floor.
Doors should have easy-to-grip leveraction handles instead of round knobs.
Furniture arrangements need wide paths for traffic, clear of cords and other trip hazards.
Keep a lamp or flashlight within easy reach of your bed.
Install smoke detectors on every level and near sleeping areas so you’ll hear them anywhere in the house; change batteries twice a year. (Battery-operated alarms can now be connected by wireless technology so you don’t have to worry about batteries going dead.)
Keep electrical and telephone cords out of walkways.
Arrange items in closets and cupboards so they are easy to reach.
Install night-lights for better visibility in the dark.
Place a slip-proof rug next to the bathtub and a rubber mat or nonskid texture strips inside the tub or shower.
Replace glass shower doors with nonshattering material.

By Adrien Tanguay, President of ACT Home Inspections Inc., NYS Lic #16000059233

Read the original article here from the Huffington Post.