The Hazards of Owning a Home with Concrete or Split Face Block

Chicagoland has always been a center of exciting architectural developments and has seen several building booms throughout its history. In the late 1990s, as demand for affordable residential housing skyrocketed, many single-family homes and condominium developments utilized concrete block, or its fancier cousin, split faced block. Split faced block is simply an inexpensive 16” concrete block split into two 8” pieces, each with a roughened face that resembles much more costly rock masonry. [...]

2023-06-07T10:47:49-05:00June 7th, 2023|Home Tips|

How to Prepare for A Spring Home Inspection

Spring is almost here and soon you’ll see delightfully warmer temperatures, tulips blooming along Michigan Avenue, and cherry blossoms in Jackson Park — along with possible building damage caused by Chicagoland’s brutal winter weather. It’s also the perfect time to schedule a thorough inspection of your home by a licensed and experienced professional. Regular inspections are a crucial part of maintaining the value of your property, ensuring your family stays safe, and protecting [...]

2023-03-13T11:37:34-05:00March 13th, 2023|Home Tips|

The Challenges of a Winter Home Inspection in Chicago

Winter home inspections in Chicagoland add some unique challenges to a complex procedure. From extremely cold temperatures to potentially hazardous conditions, it’s critical for all parties to be properly prepared for this undertaking.  The needs of homeowners and hopeful property buyers in our bustling real estate market don’t go away during the winter months, and a comprehensive inspection is a necessary part of buying, selling, or maintaining a home, no matter what season [...]

2022-12-27T10:28:33-06:00December 27th, 2022|Home Tips|

The Best Air Conditioning Solution for your Space: Central Air vs The Rest

If you’re tired of sweltering and melting in your own home, join the club. Air conditioners are one of the country’s most in-demand major appliances right now. But which type of air conditioning is the most appropriate for your house? Central AC is awesome, but is it the right choice for you at this time? You’ve probably heard a lot about heat pumps — are they really more efficient than the other styles [...]

2022-09-14T10:19:18-05:00September 14th, 2022|Home Tips|

What is the Life Expectancy of Home Systems

Your home’s internal systems are what keep your family safe, secure, and comfortable. But what “systems” do we mean, and how long can you expect them to last before they need to be replaced? According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, there’s a multitude of interlocking parts and products that ensure the smooth functioning of your daily life, both on the inside and the outside of your house. In this article, [...]

2022-08-22T10:59:10-05:00August 17th, 2022|Home Tips|

Summer Home Maintenance 101

What comes to mind when you think of summer in the Windy City? Warm weather? Trees swaying in the breeze? Going for a long walk on a peaceful evening? Enjoying a day at Wrigley Field, or listening to the tunes at Ravinia? As the days get warmer and longer and we move further away from the harsh winter months, it’s important to remember that taking on some common summer maintenance tasks can help [...]

2022-07-22T11:50:03-05:00July 22nd, 2022|Home Tips|

The Most Common Home Inspection Findings

If you’re reading a home inspection report for the first time, it can seem overwhelming. The report can range from about 15 to about 50 pages, and contains a great deal of information about the home, the inspector’s process, and any defects or dangerous conditions found during the inspection process. Some of these conditions present real risks or potential expenses down the line, while others may not present any issues at all once [...]

2022-01-26T10:30:18-06:00January 24th, 2022|Home Tips|

How to Avoid Heat Loss In Your Chicago Home

Chicago winters can be brutally cold, sending residents of even the comfiest homes to hide under cozy blankets. As we head out of the fall season, now is a good time to prepare your home for winter in the Windy City – including taking steps to minimize heat loss and keep your family warm and safe.  As of 2017, more than half of Chicago’s homes were built before 1950. This means that many [...]

2020-12-07T15:47:18-06:00December 14th, 2020|Home Tips|

How a Home Inspector Can Help You Protect Your HVAC

If you’ve ever spent a summer day at home sweating away the hours, or had your heater fail in the middle of a tough winter snowstorm, you know the incredible importance of protecting your home’s HVAC systems.  Short for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning,” your home’s HVAC system includes many critical components that work together to keep you safe and comfortable, including the home’s furnace or boiler, air conditioning system, vents and ducts, [...]

2020-06-12T13:55:56-05:00June 15th, 2020|Home Tips|

How to Improve Your Chicago Home’s Energy Efficiency In the Winter

One day, the weather outside is frightful; the next, it’s comfortable, sunny, and oh so delightful. Welcome to wintertime in Chicagoland! This winter has been an unpredictable one here in Chicago, with temperatures fluctuating wildly and winter storms passing through in quick fits and spurts. It can be hard to know exactly how to care for your home in such extremes. In particular, it can often prove tricky to monitor your home’s energy [...]

2020-02-05T11:08:02-06:00February 6th, 2020|Home Tips|
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