Category: Home Inspection

Lead-Based Paint Remains a Concern in Chicago’s Older Homes

Despite the Chicago Department of Public Health’s efforts to address lead hazards in older homes, many neighborhoods in and around the city are still in need of lead paint abatement. Although lead-based paint is relatively harmless when left undisturbed, it can because a serious health hazard when it begins to deteriorate into a toxic dust…. Read more »

Things to Keep in Mind Before Buying a House With Water Damage

You find a home that you and your family absolutely love. You’re just about ready to make an offer, but then a routine home inspection reveals signs of past water damage. Could this cause more problems in the future? Should you abandon the home altogether? There are a few important things to consider before following… Read more »

How to Negotiate Repairs Following Your Home Inspection

Before you commit to buying a home, you should always have a home inspection done. A professional home inspection can not only identify areas of concern and items that need to be repaired, but also give you more leverage at the negotiating table. If your inspector finds that the home does need some work, you… Read more »

It Time to Replace Your Old Water Heater?

If you have a hot water heater that is more than 10 years old, it’s probably time for you to think about replacing it. Your typical tank water heater is only meant to last for about a decade, and while you might get a little bit more life out of it than that, you should… Read more »

Here’s Why You Should Have an Inspection Done Before Listing Your Home

When is the last time you had your home inspected? Most likely, it has been a long time since a professional looked it over, and that’s typical. But if you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, you should consider having First Choice Inspectors conduct a thorough inspection. Yes, you as the seller should… Read more »

What to Expect During Your Home Inspection

What can you expect during your home inspection? Typically your home inspector is a professional man who knows a lot about homes. He will give the home you’re interested in a thorough examination, much like a doctor checks a patient. The inspector typically carries a clipboard with sheets of paper on it. On these pieces… Read more »

The Importance of Having an Inspection Done Before Buying a Foreclosed Home

Foreclosed homes can typically be bought for a “better” price than a non-foreclosed home. Think about it this way: the home, at one time, was utilized and loved. Now, however, it’s most likely owned by a bank just looking to get rid of it. This could be a very good deal for the right buyer…. Read more »

What is Included in a Standard Home Inspection?

First Choice Inspectors regularly inspects homes in the Chicagoland area. A standard home inspection looks for structural or mechanical defects. An inspector is trained to look for construction mistakes and shortcuts, as well as potential problems in a home. A standard home inspection involves a detailed written report that’s like a report card for the… Read more »

Is Your Home At Risk For Lead Poisoning?

How old is your home? If it was built before 1978, there’s a chance that its woodwork contains lead-based paint. Though the use of lead-based paints for homes has been banned in the United States since 1978, many people live in homes constructed before then, and those homes probably contain lead-based paint used in a… Read more »

Dryer Vent Safety 101

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 house fires were caused by clothes dryers and washing machines in the United States in 2010. This accounts for roughly 4.5% of all the house fires in the country that year. Many of these fires were the result of clogged or improperly installed dryer vents that… Read more »