Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not a threat. Your indoor air quality impacts your entire household, and the presence of radon, mold, or mildew can create serious health hazards for your loved ones. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can get trapped in your home and increase the risk of lung cancer. Various types of mold can cause mild to severe respiratory complaints, skin problems, and allergic [...]
Plumbing problems are one of the main things every homeowner dreads. Repairs can be painfully expensive as well as inconvenient and, let’s face it, highly unpleasant. While a sewer scope inspection of your plumbing system isn’t required by InterNACHI's Home Inspection Standards of Practice, it is one of the many additional services proudly offered by WCHI so you can get peace of mind — and avoid being unpleasantly surprised by a poorly-timed plumbing [...]
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, [...]
Whether you’re planning on buying a new residence or selling your property and moving to greener pastures, a thorough home inspection by a licensed, experienced professional is an absolute necessity. Even if you have no plans to relocate any time soon, an inspection can help you maintain your beloved family home and avoid sudden costly repair bills. How do you know what to look for when hiring a home inspection firm? Many companies [...]
Condominiums offer a world of convenience for potential owners due to their reputation for low maintenance, affordability, and a glorious lack of yard work. But buying a condo is still a major investment, and it’s always best to do your due diligence before signing the final paperwork. You should also ask yourself if the condo lifestyle is right for you. In a competitive market, they can be easier to buy than a single-family [...]
Unfortunately, even the most elegant of homes can have problems that might affect your purchasing timeline, make the selling or buying process much more difficult, or even derail the sale altogether. You don’t want to be saddled with a piece of real estate that needs costly repairs to be livable or worth your investment. But there’s no need to panic. After you’ve found a highly experienced home inspector you can trust and a [...]
Buying or selling your home can be scary — but it doesn’t have to be. Imagine purchasing a house, thinking everything is fine, and then finding out days or months later that your home needs thousands of dollars of repairs. In order to prevent any expensive, unwanted surprises in your new home, it's crucial to choose a highly qualified home inspector who knows how to uncover these dreadful home inspection nightmares before it’s [...]
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 [...]
Most home purchase contracts include several contingencies; that is, conditions that must be satisfied before the sale of a home can be finalized. One of the most common of these contingencies, included in virtually every home sale contract, is the home inspection contingency. This contingency can be confusing, especially for first-time buyers. The inspection contingency gives the buyer the right to have the home inspected within a specified time period. It serves as [...]
In most ordinary consumer transactions, settling on a sale price is the last step before finalizing a transaction. In home sales, however, it is only the first step in the process. Entering into contract on a home sale usually requires sellers to satisfy a number of conditions, or contingencies, before a sale can be finalized and title transferred to a new owner. In a worst case scenario for a home seller, a buyer [...]
