A Good Home Inspector Is More Than Just Credentials

Finding a home inspector is an important part of the home selling and buying process. To find the right inspector for your needs, you need to look beyond credentials.

You should be ready to interview multiple candidates to make sure that the person you hire is a professional with experience. The home inspector you hire is going to serve as your eyes and ears. He or she will tell you the true condition of the home you are considering purchasing. Remember, a home is likely one of the most expensive purchases you will ever make. 

Check Out Real Estate Agent Referrals

A real estate agent might give you a list of home inspector names with the best of intentions. However, there is a conflict of

How a Failed Home Inspection Can Impact Your Closing

While there are several reasons that a real estate closing might be delayed or canceled, one of the most common reasons is that the home did not fare well during the home inspection. Fortunately, this is something that the buyer has an opportunity to correct before the sale is closed. Continue reading to learn more about home inspection issues and what to do to avoid any surprises.

What Is a Home Inspection?

When selling a home, a buyer arranges to have the home examined by a qualified home inspector. This inspector will enter the home and perform a noninvasive analysis of the property's condition. In other words, he or she is not going to look into the walls, but he or she will visually

Cleaning a home meticulously requires time and energy as well. With the busy life that you have, you might not have the hours to do so. On that account, you need professional cleaners who will do a perfect job. We’ve rounded up critical reasons why you need to hire experts to do it for you.

Great Results

Proficient cleaners have training and experience to give you the best outcome. They will work on the bathroom and kitchen sinks and make them spotless. All your windows and floors will be super clean once they complete the exercise. Plus, the whole house will ooze fresh air since they use excellent detergents.

Pocket-Friendly Services

Professional cleaning is utterly beneficial since it comes with economical prices. The

Is there anything as emotionally enriching as moving into a new living space specially designed just for you? From the décor and floors to the kitchen countertops, you get to be in charge of customizing some aspects to fit your taste in your newly acquired home. While it’s relatively easy to be taken away by the ambiance of a new home, it’s important to consider both the pros and cons.

Advantages

• Advanced building standards: New building codes are being set up every other day in line with the recommended construction etiquette. It’s relatively easy to come across old homes that lack basic attics and safety measures. You can be assured of proper insulation and modern protective gear with any new home, though.

• Home warranties: Many

A buyer doing their due diligence is likely to add a stipulation that allows them to arrange for one or more inspections of a home and property before they go through with its purchase. These inspections are meant to inform the buyer of potential problems, and the results give the buyer a chance to back out of the deal if the inspection is unsatisfactory or if you, as the seller, refuse to remedy any problems. If you disagree with the buyer's home inspection report, you have a few options for handling the situation.

Ask the Inspector

If you disagree with the inspection report, contact the inspector. Ask to see photos or videos of the areas on which you disagree. Some aspects of a home inspection could be up to interpretation, but others

Homes for sale are surprisingly common targets for thieves. While they may seem empty to some, experienced thieves know that they are easy targets that can still be full of valuables. If you are putting your home on the market, you need to know how to keep it safe from intruders. 

Why Empty Homes are a Tempting Target

Empty homes are a tempting target for thieves because most home robberies are crimes of opportunity. Thieves may plan to come rob a home, but they are not concocting elaborate plans to circumvent security systems. Instead, they tend to look for homes that are easy targets - and no target is more tempting than an easy home. After all, there's no chance that a person will be home to call the police, and the odds of being interrupted in

Preparing to sell your home is a lot of work, and you can forget about one important issue, security. Open houses are an ideal target for thieves to get a nice payday if you are not careful. Take the necessary steps to keep your home protected during your open house.

Put Away Expensive Items

Even honest people can be tempted to steal if opportunities present themselves. Remove all items that are tempting, such as jewelry, cash, and electronics. Store these items in a hidden location that is accessible only for you and your family members.

Get a Trustworthy Agent

Do lots of research before you hire a real estate agent. Not all agents are trustworthy and responsible, so rely heavily on word of mouth and internet reviews before moving forward. If

When you own a home, you must prepare it for the winter season. It is better to begin these home maintenance chores during the autumn before the weather gets too cold to work on a variety of projects. 

Trimming Trees and Shrubs

On a warm and dry autumn day, you should trim the shrubs and trees around your home. This can keep the branches from dangling on a home’s rooftop or beating against the side of the building during a blizzard. You will need an extension ladder and pruning shears to trim the branches. Make sure to have a friend nearby to help you with this chore, and also, collect the branches for proper disposal. 

Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts

While you have your extension ladder available, you can also clean the debris from your

Heating a home can get expensive when temperatures drop. It’s helpful to have window treatments that retain heat. If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy bills, consider the window treatments below.

Energy Efficient Blinds

When it comes to energy efficiency, blinds are most known for keeping the heat out. However, there are also blinds that help to keep your home warm in the winter. These are blinds that improve the R-value of your windows, which will dictate whether or not heat is able to escape through the windows. You can actually choose blinds that serve the purpose of both keeping heat out in the summer and keeping it in during the winter. 

Multi-Purpose Shades

There are multi-purpose shades that are effective at keeping the heat

It seems as though pests are eager to stay warm during the winter months by taking shelter inside of homes like yours. Whether there are rodents hiding in the attic, under your house or around the firewood, you’ll want to take the necessary precautions to prevent this problem. Check out the tips below

Properly Store Food

Improperly storing food is a recipe for disaster when it comes to pest-proofing your house in the winter. Since there is an elevated chance of some pests taking refuge in your home during the winter, you’ll want to be extra vigilant about how you store food. While you might think it’s fine to store food on the countertop for a few hours, this can become problematic during the winter months. It’s best to wrap up any food that’s not