Not every house for sale has a homeowner polishing faucets, painting walls and baking cookies inside. Vacant or abandoned homes also find their way to the market. The owner might move early if they find the home of their dreams. Maybe the property was a rental and the investor wants to sell. Sometimes, foreclosures or…
DetailsReal estate agents and home inspectors use the phrase “good bones” all the time, but what does it actually mean? It does not mean that your house is like a skeleton or that it doesn’t have more than the basics to offer. The truth is that good bones have positive meaning for the house in…
DetailsAll of the tools, skills, and gadgets in the world can’t take the place of good old-fashioned customer service. Unfortunately, it seems like taking care of customers is a dying concept in the 21st Century. A few businesses get it, but many don’t. That leaves customers feeling underappreciated and worse, taken advantage of. Neither of…
DetailsNow that summer is slipping away and fall is nearing, you can expect to see an influx in critters making themselves cozy in residences. If you are a home inspector, this does not spell good news. Fortunately, you can arm yourself with education to ensure that you do not find yourself troubled by common pest…
DetailsWhat would you rather do all winter? Try to drum up home inspection business, or move into a different seasonal job phase? Spring and summer are the classic high-volume seasons for all aspects of the residential real estate industry, from listing and buying homes to inspections and home improvements. But commercial properties need inspections year-round.…
DetailsIn Hawaii, home inspectors don’t have licensure regulations. That simplifies the path between deciding to become an inspector and going to work in the field. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the job. An education ensures you know how to perform the job correctly. Knowledge about construction, plumbing or electrical makes a good…
DetailsIs there anything homier than the curb appeal of a house with mature trees all around? Trees clean toxins from the air, provide shade, block winds and give birds and squirrels a nice place to live. But they can also cause plumbing problems. Every home is likely to have a drain line blockage at one…
DetailsAlabama residents have a straightforward path to home inspector certification and licensing. It all begins with a great education, which is what ICA School does best. Unlike many other states that have exhaustive licensing requirements, Alabama helps new inspectors get to work quickly. Here’s what you need to know about compliance in the Cotton State.…
DetailsCrosslinked polyethylene tubing (PEX) is an acceptable water supply piping material according to most building codes. Certain states and small towns, however, might frown on it. What if your area doesn’t allow PEX? Is it an automatic home inspection defect? Probably not, as defects and code violations aren’t the same. Whether or not you caution…
DetailsHomes are getting smarter each year, and even professionals have trouble getting up with tech advancements. Each of these items could become part of your daily routine as a home inspector, especially as technology allows for more convenience. Whether you are dealing with homeowners who use these gadgets or you carry some for yourself when…
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