We have more choices than ever when it comes to choosing a home.  Among the many options are pre-manufactured houses.  If you are thinking this is a good choice for you, what are some helpful things to know beforehand?

The great thing is that there are many options nowadays with pre-manufactured housing, with numerous styles for a variety of budgets.  The important thing to remember though is that while you are purchasing a house, you will need to find land to put it on.  Again, there are a few different options with this.  You could lease the land in a place designed for manufactured housing, purchase a piece of land, or purchase the house and land together.

You will need to be very familiar with the legal requirements that come with any of these options though.  Its essential to know things like zoning laws and utility connections etc.

Another key factor to consider is the warranty.  The manufactures warranty might not cover things like transportation and installation, so it’s important to find that out ahead of time.  Also, be careful to not void out the warranty for things like not correctly following the homeowner maintenance guidelines.
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You will want to make sure that the home is checked thoroughly for any kinds of defects or problems.  It’s a good idea to have a home inspection done even on a pre-manufactured home to ensure everything is as it should be for the efficient running of the household.  As with any investment though, its always wise to do as much research as you can before you make a final decision.

​The kitchen is viewed by many as one of the most important rooms of the house.  We understand this as home inspectors and so we take a lot of time when inspecting it.  A kitchens condition can tell you a lot, not just about the kitchen itself but give you an idea of what condition the rest of the home is in.  So, when you are viewing a home, take a close look at the kitchen.  Some things to check are:
 

• The kitchen sink is a good place to start.  Turn on the faucet to see how well its working, how is the water pressure?  If it is low, you will want to know the reason.  How is the sinks drainage? Does it take a long time to drain?  Its important to check under the sink as well, are there any signs of leaking or water damage?

 

• If the kitchen has a dishwasher, have a good look at the surrounding cabinets for any signs of water damage.  Is there any indication the hoses or seals are cracked or leaking?  Any persistent leaks could produce a number of serious issues such as mold or rotting of the sub-floor.

 

• Next, look at the oven, is it gas or electric?  If it is gas, be aware of any signs of a gas leak.  Check the electrical outlets as well to see if they are working.  If any of these things are not working correctly, its important to know why, as they could be indications of a bigger problem with the house.

 

• Looking at the kitchen countertops, what kind of shape are they in? Unless you will be replacing them, its important that they are not too damaged as this is where food is prepared.  Bacteria will very easily form in cracked tile and grout etc.

 
While many problems will be revealed by your home inspection, its good to have a knowledge of some of the things to look out for ahead of time.  In this way, when viewing a house, you can spot some of the warning signs yourself. 

​Selling a home can sometimes be a lengthy process.  Do you have your home on the market currently?  More than likely you have done a lot to prepare the home to sell.  This likely required spending some money to get the home to look appealing to a prospective buyer.  A problem can arise though, when after all your hard work, the home buyer’s inspection finds issues you were not aware of.
 
This video provides advice on why a pre-listing inspection might be a good option for you.  You want to be the first to discover problems with your home, and not a potential buyer.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule an inspection by an InterNACHI certified home inspector, please don’t hesitate to contact us.  We are happy to provide the assistance you need.

For many, the month of December will mean some welcome time off to enjoy with family and friends.  Since there is usually a lot more time spent in the home, which of course increases the risk of accidents in the home, it’s a good time for some safety reminders.


What are some safety reminders?


Keeping a watchful eye on small children is most imperative.  Keep sharp objects like scissors and knives well out of their reach. Were you aware that poinsettias are poisonous?  If you enjoy having them in the house, make sure that children and pets cannot get to them


Fire, as we commonly mention. can be big problem in the home.  Lit candles should never be left in a room unattended.  Make sure they are kept well away from flammable materials.  String lights need to be checked for any signs of frayed wires or broken bulbs etc. particularly if they have been in storage.   And again, watch small children and pets around these items. 


A fireplace is a beautiful thing to have on chilly winter days, but take some time to make sure the fireplace and chimney is in good shape.  Check to see if the flue is open.  It is easy for anything flammable that is surrounding the fireplace to set on fire, so move anything like this out of the way before lighting the fire.


Now would be an appropriate time to test your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.  Are they in need of batteries?  There are many possible fire hazards to be mindful of.  Some major threats are leaving the stove unattended, also will there be smokers in the house? Make sure that no smoldering cigarette butts are placed in the garbage.


Yes, these are rather basic reminders, but they could easily be overlooked.  Your safety is very important to us. 

Buying a home is a very big commitment, so making sure everything is exactly as it should be when it comes to your new home is vital. That is why having a home inspection done is a very important part of the purchase.

But you may be thinking, how much am I going to have to pay to get the home inspection done? That is why we wanted to present this brief video that gives you an idea of what the cost of your home inspection is based on.

Remember that its essential to have your home inspection done by a certified InterNACHI home inspector. We are happy to assist you with this, so please contact us and we can give you a quote.

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The household toilet is an indispensable part of our lives. Where would we be without it? Were you aware that a toilet flush uses more water than a lot of us realize?. Are there more environmentally friendly alternatives then,when it comes to finding a toilet that uses less water?


Other than not flushing the toilet every time its used, there are some options. One option that is now widely used is a dual flushing toilet. The toilet flush contains two buttons, one for liquid waste which uses 1 gallon of water when flushed. The other is for solid waste, which uses the normal 1.6 gallons of water per flush. Seeing that the majority of toilet use is for liquid waste, we can see that a large amount of water would be saved this way.


Another very environmentally friendly toilet option is the composting toilet. They are a lot different than a regular flushing toilet in that they use very little or even no water. They use aerobic bacteria to break down the waste. The left over product resembles soil. In some countries ( though prohibited in the States) this waste is used in soil for cultivation. A elaborate sewage system is not required with a composting toilet and so makes for a toilet with very low environmental impact.


As we can see, whatever our preference, we certainly have options. If you feel you need to have your toilet or bathroom inspected, or have any questions please give us a call.

Lightning is something that poses a threat to pretty much all of us. While the biggest danger exists for anyone outside in a lightning storm, there are still some dangers when we are inside our homes.


There are various dangers that can come from a lightning strike at home. A obvious one is the house could set on fire. Electrocution can also be a danger.


Your home can have damaged appliances due to power surges. The home can also be damaged not only by fire but also from the water used to put the fire out.


What can we do to be safe at home during lightning?


To stay safe at home during lightning keep away from windows.


Your surge protector can help protect electronic equipment, but don't think that is all you need. Its best to be on the safe side and unplug or turn off electrical appliances that could be damaged if lightning strikes, such as computers and phones. Also don't use these appliances while there is lightning.


Avoid doing anything where you are using running water such as washing dishes and bathing etc.


There are some other measures you can take to protect your home such as lightning rods or lightning protection systems. It is best to research what is best for you and your area.


This is just a few things to keep in mind and stay safe during a lightning storm.

OK, so we've all seen the movies where some unsuspecting family member pulls down the attic hatch only to be struck in the face by the ladder right?? While installing these should really be left to the experts, many home owners like to take on this task themselves.

Here are some things to keep in mind before you do:
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• While it would be nice to use those extra nails and screws we have left over from a project, they wont necessarily be right for this job as they may not be strong enough to support a pull down ladder.
• Its also important to use ALL the nails and screws provided in a kit (think about why you have nails and screws left over from that previous project)
• What about insulation? A hatch that's not installed properly could allow cold air from the attic to seep into the house and result in inefficient energy usage
• Its very important to make sure that when installing a attic pull down ladder that it is not too short, that it is not missing important fasteners and that it is properly secured.

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After considering just a few of the potential problems and pitfalls that can arise with a pull down attic ladder, you may decide that it would be best to get some advice on the matter. Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.