Hurricane Harvey caused widespread destruction and left many homes borderline, unsafe, or completely destroyed. Then a team of drone pilot experts offered their services, making damage maps and insurance claim information more accurate and improving safety for rescue and insurance workers on the ground. Drones are becoming the norm for home inspections. Before long, they…
DetailsWith fall in the air, many homeowners are preparing to cover window-mount air conditioners and central units until warm weather comes around again. But is the AC really worth saving? Just because it cycles on and off doesn’t mean it does its job. An outdated air conditioning system costs homeowners in efficiency, function and hard-earned…
DetailsThe blame game doesn’t seem to end after kindergarten. Humans by nature look for ways to shift blame when something runs afoul of plans. In the real estate industry, a certified home inspector sometimes takes on more than their fair share. Your job is to tell the unvarnished truth about the condition of a house.…
DetailsWhen you’re just starting out as a newly certified home inspector, managing the business side of things isn’t terribly complicated. As your business grows, organization becomes increasingly more important. The clock is ticking toward the end of 2017 and the New Year will be here before you know it. Get your business in order now…
DetailsHurricane season hasn’t been kind to the sunshine state this year, especially in the southern part of the state. Once all of the flooding subsides and cleanup begins, new home defects can surface in their wake. What might you find in your work as a certified home inspector? Here are 7 of the most common…
DetailsWithout knowledge of home systems and their myriad potential defects, you couldn’t perform an inspection. But without communication skills, you couldn’t complete the most important part of the job, which is the report. Some states require home inspection training and some don’t. But none of them require you to learn how to communicate effectively. Here’s…
DetailsIt’s February, it’s freezing outside, and someone somewhere is running late for work. Imagine their unhappy surprise when the shower faucet only releases a trickle of water or worse—nothing at all. Frozen pipes are the wintertime bane of a homeowner’s existence. For the most part, newer homes with don’t have a widespread problem. But in…
DetailsHome inspection work is sometimes solitary with not even the homeowner present. When something goes wrong, no one may know about it for several hours. If the real estate market where you work has lots of farms and other rural properties, here are 5 ways that you can stay safe while getting the job done.…
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…
DetailsEvery homeowner knows (or should know) that attic insulation is critical to energy efficiency and comfort. Heat rises, after all, and attic insulation keeps more heat inside the living areas instead of losing it through the roof. But too many homeowners never think about the crawl space. When they do, they often get it wrong,…
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