​During the hot summer months, we usually spend a lot of extra money just to keep our homes cool.  So, are there any ways to reduce those extra costs?  One way is landscape shading.  This involves the strategic planting of trees and shrubs so that they provide shade to a home, reducing the amount of heat that enters.  This method is known to lower indoor temperatures by as much as 9 degrees Fahrenheit.  Before you decide on landscape shading on your property, here are a few things to think about:
 
Its very important that you plan everything out well ahead of time.  There are many factors to take into consideration.  One of the main factors is which trees to use.  How big will the tree become and how much shadow will be cast?  The denser the tree or shrub, the more continuous shade you will get.  Another thing to think about is whether you want shade all year round or just for the summer months.  If you want the sun to heat the home in the winter, then choose deciduous trees that will lose their leaves in the winter but provide full shade in the summer. 
 
If you want something that will grow fast and provide shade, then vines are a good option.  They can be grown to wrap around a trellis or be placed in a planter box and, as well as providing shade, they also allow for a much-needed breeze to come through.  What if you are looking to shade driveways or pathways? Shrubs are a good choice for this.
 
As we mentioned, before you start planting extra trees and shrubs, take into consideration your property and its surrounding area and check that you won’t be creating moisture related problems by doing so.  Another thing to think about is that, with the cost of trees etc. it might be a while before the energy savings outweigh their cost.

​Have you been told you should have your home tested for radon? Although you may agree that testing for it would be a good idea, perhaps you are not sure what radon is exactly.  To help provide the answer we have a short video.  It will help you to have a better idea of what it is, why it could be present in a home and why, depending on the level of radon found, it is dangerous.
 
Radon is not detectable with sight or smell which means high levels of it could be in your home without you even knowing.  This is why a test for it is so important.  When scheduling your next home inspection, why not include a test for radon? It is always better to be well informed. 
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​While it’s true that solar energy has many benefits and is a great source of renewable energy, it’s also important to be prepared for some of the downsides to installing solar panels.  Research is needed to make sure it will be a good choice for your home so, to help you, here are a few of the drawbacks you might find with solar power:
 
Although much depends on the size of your home, it’s good to be aware that you will not be able to power your entire home with just one or two solar panels.  To do this requires a much larger system and the space to keep it.  And, while the progression of technology means that solar paneling is becoming less expensive, you will still need to spend a substantial amount to install as well as maintain them.
 
As is the case with most materials exposed to the elements, solar paneling will start to deteriorate with time.  Even the suns ultraviolet radiation will eventually cause damage. 
 
In order for solar power to be a reliable source of energy, it needs a constant supply of sunlight.  There are many factors, beyond our control, which affect this such as clouds and bad weather, the degree of latitude and nighttime.
 
Solar paneling is often installed on the roof of a building.  One of the drawbacks to this is that repairing the roof they are fitted to can become difficult. 
 
Solar paneling as well as the batteries they need are made using know pollutants which could harm the environment.
 
Being aware of the downsides to solar paneling as well as the advantages will help you make an informed decision on whether solar power is right for your home.

​With the many natural disasters we have experienced in this country in recent years, it’s not hard to understand why being prepared in advance for one is so important.  So, how can we be as prepared as possible for any type of disaster? Here are a few basic reminders:
 
One of the best ways we can be prepared ahead of time is to have an emergency go kit.  This kind of kit should contain all the essential items we might need to survive for a few days.  It will also need to be small enough that you can grab it and go quickly.  This is important because there is not always a lot of warning when a disaster strikes.
 
Discussing as a household what to do in an emergency situation is another good way to prepare in advance.  Knowing evacuation routes and meeting points etc. are among some of the things that the entire household should be aware of.
 
Depending on the type of natural disaster, a home can incur a lot of damage but, are there any ways we can prepare the home in advance and minimize the amount of damage that might happen? Keeping tree limbs and branches well-trimmed can help prevent them falling on roofs and power lines which will cause a lot of damage.  It’s also good to repair any loose shingles on the roof, clear guttering and downspouts of dirt and debris and secure any items that would easily become projectiles in the event of high winds.  Familiarize yourself with the location of shut off valves for utilities such as gas, electric and water.  If your area is affected by a disaster, returning to the home will be less hazardous if these things have been turned off beforehand.
 
We hope that nobody has to cope with the effects of a natural disaster, however, being well prepared in advance will go a long way to keeping you and your household safe should one occur.

​We are very well aware of what a complicated and stressful experience buying a home can be.  However, its vital that any complications or problems you find with the property are issues that can be resolved and are not something you will end up having trouble with for years to come.  For example, what if you find a house you love but it has a history of flood damage?  Will it automatically be a bad investment?
 
This month, we have a video that will help answer that question.  It highlights the various reasons a home could flood and will help you to determine whether the home you’re considering is a wise choice.  Yes, its so important that the property you buy is the right one, that’s why we provide such a thorough and comprehensive home inspection.  We want the home buying process to be a happy one for you.  If you have any concerns or worries about the home you are looking to buy, please feel free to contact us.  We will be happy to assist you with all your home inspection needs.
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​When we think of condensation we don’t automatically think of it doing any major damage to our property, however, with time, condensation can start to become a problem.  Continuously dripping water from condensation could start to damage and rot flooring, even creating a mold problem if its not taken care of.  If water is falling on electrical items, it will become a fire hazard.  So then, what can be done to reduce condensation in the home?
 
There are a few things you can try.  To begin with, you want to try to reduce humidity levels.  A good way to do this is with a dehumidifier or even an air conditioner.  A dehumidifier will draw water vapor into a tank instead of allowing it to accumulate on surfaces. 
 
If you love to have many plants in your home, this will contribute to greater humidity levels.  Having less plants will reduce the humidity.  Opening windows and doors to air out the home is another simple option, keep in mind though, that this will only work if the outside air is not as humid as the indoor air.
 
An effective way to reduce condensation is to insulate pipes.  Remember, though, that if you are relying on these pipes to provide heat for the home, insulating them will stop this.
 
If you have tried different methods of reducing condensation and still find water accumulation, you should have a professional check it out for you.  It may not be condensation but instead could be a water leak, which will cause even greater issues if left unchecked.

​Sinkholes are something we have come to be more familiar with these days.  For whatever reason they are formed, whether naturally or by human means, the destruction they cause is clear to see.  However, by being aware of the warning signs that indicate a sinkhole is forming, we can do a lot to keep our household safe.  Let’s look at some of those warning indicators:
 
Some big warning signs to look out for are rapid ground subsidence, openings in the ground and cracks that start to appear in circular patterns in the ground.  Some of the subtler warning signs of a sinkhole forming are trees and fence posts that are starting to lean over or becoming exposed in places that are usually under the soil.  Water might start to pool in places that have never previously had this problem.  Plant life could be dying off in certain areas.  This would be due to the run off of water into a sinkhole which would mean it was no longer reaching the plants.
 
What warning signs might you see inside the home?  some indicators would be cracks starting to form in the floors or walls of the home.  You might observe door and windows no longer closing properly.  If you have well water, it might look cloudy or muddy.
 
As you can see, there are various warning signs to look out for on and around your property that would indicate a sinkhole.  It should be mentioned, though, that some of these warning signs could also be indicators of a different problem.  If you have noticed some of these issues on your property, why not have it inspected? It’s always better to err on the side of caution and stay safe.

​This may seem like a strange question but if you finally find the perfect home, one that’s ideal for all your households needs, only to discover that there are many offers on the home, you may feel tempted to do all you can to secure the property.  You might look for ways to make your offer more appealing to the seller.  You may suggest skipping the home inspection in the hopes of sweetening the deal, after all, is it really that important?
 
The following video will help you see why viewing your home inspection as an optional extra that can be skipped is a very bad idea.  Its important to remember that you will be the potential new owner of this property and although it may seem perfect it could end up being a very bad investment if you have not taken the proper steps.  We know that buying a home is very stressful, so we want to help make the home inspection as stress free as possible for you.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more advice. 
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​With so many different purchase options for property available, you may well of heard the term buying “as is”.  If you are considering this kind of property, what will that mean for you as the home buyer? Is it a good idea?
 
Generally, when a home is listed “as is” it means that the homeowner takes no responsibility for the properties condition after it has been sold.  It could also mean that they will not be doing anything to fix it up to sell.  Does that automatically make buying it a poor choice?  The answer to that will really depend on who purchases the property.  It might be in a location they want and for a price they are happy to pay and so is a good choice.  Whoever decides to purchase a property “as is” however, should find out beforehand what kind of state the place is in.  There are some locations that legally require the homeowner to provide a written disclosure detailing the properties condition.  But sometimes these disclosures omit important information that might affect whether it’s a good buy or not. 
 
What can you do, then, to ensure you are fully aware of what you’re getting into when buying a property “as is”?  The best thing to do is to have a home inspection performed on it.  Although the home may well have obvious things that need fixing, the home inspection will give you an idea of what else you can expect to fix up, things that are not at first apparent from a simple walk through. 
 
So, while buying property “as is” isn’t always a bad idea, its good to do all you can to make sure you are aware of the state of the place first and avoid unpleasant, costly findings after you buy.

If you are approaching retirement, you are hopefully looking forward to having much more time on your hands to do the things you previously didn’t get the chance to do.  While there are many things to look forward to with retirement, there are also some, not so enjoyable, things to start thinking about such as preparing for advanced age.  What are some preparations you could make for this with regard to your home?


It might be a good time to have your home inspected by a certified home inspector.  By doing this you can find out the condition of your home and whether any major work needs to be done or will need to be done in the coming years.  This will help you to know how much money you should start setting aside to pay for this work.  It is also a good idea to have a separate savings account so that money is put aside just for home maintenance and repair work.  In this way, you will minimize the stress when you are faced with large household expenses.


Are you thinking of having some remodeling work done?  It might be a wise idea to incorporate some features that would make life easier for someone who had limited mobility.  A well planned out design could include features like this without being too obvious.


Another important thing to consider is letting those closest to you, such as family members, know your plans for the home, this way they can make the right decisions for you if you are not able to make them for yourself. 


While making these kinds of plans may not be something you want to do as a newly retired person, they will help to eliminate stress and concern if the time comes when you can no longer get around like you can now.