Stick-built homes have a lot of things in common, even if the architectural styles are quite different. When comparing stick built to a manufactured or mobile home, some differences go much deeper than cosmetics or architectural preferences. According to StateMaster, about 8 percent of American homes on average are manufactured. South Carolina has more than…
Details“Hydronic” is just a fancy word for a type of heating system that’s been around for over a century. Here’s the gist of how it works: A boiler heats water Hot water or steam travels through pipes Pipes may connect to radiators Sometimes, pipes are embedded under the floor Heat enters the room by transferring…
DetailsOwning your own home inspection business comes with a lot of perks. There’s nothing quite like making your own hours, setting your own policies, and paying yourself a healthy salary. Of course, there are risks associated with this lifestyle no caped crusader will step up to protect the business you’ve built. You’ve got to…
DetailsNot 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…
DetailsHome inspectors need every possible marketing avenue that they can find. That’s especially true in the beginning when newly certified inspectors are just starting out, but it’s good advice for anyone. As long as you get noticed by people who need your services and it doesn’t cost a fortune, exposure is a good thing. Angie’s…
DetailsHome inspectors sometimes get a bad rap, and it’s not usually fair. It’s not your fault if the wiring is outdated, the floor is soft, and the window and doors don’t align. You didn’t install the attic insulation upside-down and cause decades worth of condensation and mold. But sometimes, bad news has a happy ending…
DetailsThe place where you sleep at night should be peaceful, comfortable, and most of all, safe. That’s not the reality that some home buyers inherit once they sign on the dotted line. Mold might lurk, wiring might be outdated or the smoke detector may have seen better days. Bedrooms are not high-traffic areas, but they…
DetailsAs long as the burners heat up, the oven does, too, and there are no obvious breaks or wiring problems, the kitchen range is generally deemed safe. But is that enough for your customers and your business reputation? Opinions split on how far a home inspector should go to inspect a kitchen range or any…
DetailsWhen the air is cleaner, the whole family feels better. That’s only one of the many benefits of keeping up with the easiest, quickest HVAC maintenance there is. Unfortunately, homeowners don’t always change the filter on time. Changing the air filter on a furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or any forced air system keeps the…
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