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 »
Category: Home Inspection
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 »
Protecting Your Home from Water Intrusion This Winter
We’re halfway through February, and before too long we’ll be due for a healthy dose of spring weather. Here in Chicago, spring is synonymous with snow melt. One warm day in March might unleash millions of gallons of water onto the streets of our fair city. All that water can be disastrous for homes that… Read more »
Five Signs it’s Time to Repair or Replace Your Water Heater
We often do not realize that our water heater needs to be repaired or replaced until we smell rotten eggs or take cold showers. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid the problem in the future. When you know that your water heater is getting of age, or you plan to sell your… Read more »
Trust a Home Inspector with Electrical Inspections
Every home has electricity. So, if you’re moving into a home, you need to make sure that the electrical work is up to code. You could take a whack at it on your own, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Here are 3 reasons to trust a home inspector with the electrical inspection on your home:… Read more »
5 Common Problems in Foreclosed Homes
Buying a foreclosed home can be a very good investment if you have the time and energy to make up for all of the problems that arise from foreclosure. So, before you buy a foreclosed home, get a foreclosure inspection. Here are some common things we see as Chicago home inspectors: 1 – Mold –… Read more »
Avoid Hazardous Dryer Duct Materials!
You probably don’t think too much about your dryer duct. You set it up, it discards dryer air out of your house and there’s not much more to think about. Or is there? We encounter this sort of thing all the time during foreclosure inspections. Think about it: dryers create intense heat in small, usually… Read more »
No – Brick is not Indestructible!
A week or so ago, The Chicago Tribune posted an article about brick homes. After reading it, you might just think that brick homes require no maintenance or upkeep. You might even think a brick home is entirely indestructible. Well, a quick look a this panoramic photo of San Francisco, after the earthquake of 1906… Read more »