Mark's Blog

  Last fall I showed a client 43 homes, and finally found the perfect home! Situated on 6.5 acres, just at the edge of town, with a 6 month old 4BR, 21/2BAmodern 2 story and extra heated garage for the hubby's in-home small motorrepair business, we thought this place was great! We wrote the offer...

 I have found an issue lately in several of the houses I have inspected. The moisture readings in the crawl spaces has been very high. Everytime I have found this issue I have also found numerous vents for thee crawl spaces closed. When i mention this to the listing agent or buyers agent they tel...

Seller Inspections: Streamlining Real Estate Transactions.  Advantages to the seller:•·         The seller can choose a certified NACHI inspector rather than be at the mercy of the buyer's choice of inspector. •·         The seller can schedule the inspections at the seller's convenience. •·     ...

 Do-It-Yourself Home Energy AuditsYou can easily conduct a home energy audit yourself. With a simple but diligent walk-through, you can spot many problems in any type of house. When auditing your home, keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and problems you found. This list will help you pr...

 Moisture in buildings is a major contributor to mold growth, unhealthy buildings, and poor indoor air quality. Wetting of building walls and rainwater leaks are major causes of water infiltration, but so is excessive indoor moisture generation. Preventive and remedial measures include rainwater ...

With the advent of longer, warmer days, many homeowners want to throw open the windows, air out the house, and start working on projects they´ve postponed during the winter. Many of us want to do a traditional "spring cleaning" though it´s challenging when our regular day-to-day work demands most...

Seller inspections (sometimes referred to as pre-listing inspections) are becoming more popular because they virtually eliminate all the pitfalls and hassles associated with waiting to do the inspections until a buyer is found.  In many ways, waiting to schedule inspections until after a home goe...

 Exposure to elevated levels of molds can cause health problems in sensitive individuals, such as respiratory problems and sinus problems, cold and flu-like symptoms, headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and memory loss. Those most susceptible include young children, the elderly, those with...

1. Get a home energy audit every couple of years from a Certified NACHI Home Inspector to find ways to cut costs.2. Check with your utility company for rebated whenever you install energy-saving equipment.3. Add more energy-efficient insulation to your attic, perferably with a resistance rating o...

3 Deadly Mistakes Every HomeBuyer should avoid.Deadly Mistake #1: Thinking you can't afford it.   Today, buying the home of your dreams is easier than ever before.  Many people who thought that buying the home they wanted was simply out of their reach are now enjoying a new lifestyle in their ver...