Pre-listing inspections

As spring approaches so does the most popular time to list a home for sale. When you are ready to sell your home and want to help the sale process go smoothly and quickly, consider a pre-listing home inspection. These type of inspections, paid for by the seller or...

Pre-drywall inspection

A pre-drywall inspection when having a new house built is a smart move. When you decide to have a house built there are multiple stages in the building process, some that seem to take an eternity and some that fly by. One of the most important stages in new...

After a home inspection

You are under contract to sell your home and the buyer has had it inspected. The inspection report states that there are items in need of repair or replacement. What should you do next? If you as the seller don’t agree with what the inspector has found you can have...

Attic Inspections

Attics are not usually foremost on a buyer’s mind in a home inspection but it should not be overlooked. They can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the seller. Roof inspections won’t necessarily turn up defects in the...

What a home inspection is not

A home inspection is not a warranty. It is not a guarantee that nothing will break, go wrong or fail for months or years down the road. Inspectors can’t determine or foresee when an appliance will fail, when roof damage will occur, when plumbing will spring a leak or...

What is a home inspection?

Home inspections are an integral part of the purchase of any home. They are limited, non-invasive, examinations of the condition of a home. The sale of a home is often contingent on a home inspection. Typically home inspections are conducted by a home inspector who...

Interior home inspections

BOULDER – Walls, ceilings, doors, windows and floors should be inspected for any signs of damage or structural failure. Stairways, handrails and guardrails must also be examined. Countertops and cabinets should be inspected as well as all kitchen appliances including...

Ask the Expert: Aluminum wiring

BOULDER – In the late 1960s and early 1970s aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper wiring in residential electrical systems due to the sudden escalating price of copper. Although properly maintained aluminum wiring is acceptable, aluminum will generally...

Exterior inspections

BOULDER – A thorough inspection of a home’s exterior is critical as conditions on the outside may also affect the integrity of the interior. Inspectors will make a visible inspection of the grounds around the house to see if rain water is draining away from the...

Radon testing

BOULDER – What is Radon and why should I test for it? Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that indoor radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in...

Preparing your home for inspection

BOULDER – Almost all residential real estate transactions include a home inspection, be prepared. Here are just a few of the things you can do to make your inspection go smoothly. – Clean your house. A clean home says you can and do take care of the house. – Leave the...

Choosing a home inspector

BOULDER – Home inspectors must have a full working knowledge of every system in a home. A broad background in general construction is a good base to build from. Good inspectors usually have a combination of formal training combined with on the job experience in...

Winterize your home

BOULDER – Given the fact that we have yet to have our first snow or hard freeze it is still not too late to winterize your home. Doing some of these simple things may also remove some items from a home inspectors report should you decide to put your home on the...

Home inspections worth the effort

BOULDER – After you have qualified for a mortgage, searched for a home, found one, made an offer that was accepted comes the home inspection. Time spent with an inspector can provide invaluable information about the home, how it works, and whether there are enough...

Plumbing inspections

BOULDER – Plumbing inspections are for the most part visual. At minimum your inspector should verify that water flows and drains from fixtures at a reasonable rate that serves the fixture’s purpose. The physical condition of the plumbing that is hidden behind walls...

Electrical inspections

BOULDER – Electrical systems are an integral part of any home inspection. Additionally, electrical inspections are a good idea whether you are buying, selling or remodeling a home. Understanding your home’s electrical systems and components are critical when it comes...

Home inspections

BOULDER – You have found your dream home and the contract is signed. It is now time for a home inspection. But what does a home inspection report disclose? Buyers often have little knowledge about home construction and its components, and have difficulty deciphering...

Homebuyer assistance programs

LONGMONT – Understanding your down payment options will help you make smart, informed decisions when it’s time to buy. With costs for housing continuing to rise and affordability decreasing along the Front Range, homebuyer assistance programs might open the door...

Home inspections…why?

BOULDER – When making a written offer on a home, it should state in the contract that the offer is contingent on a home inspection conducted by a qualified inspector. You, as the buyer, will be responsible for the cost of the inspection. However, it could keep you...

Home inspection tips for sellers

BOULDER – One of the best ways to make certain your home attracts buyers and the highest possible sales price is to make sure it’s “dressed for success,” both inside and out. A fresh coat of paint and some new landscaping may seem like obvious first steps in preparing...

Decoding down payment funds

BOULDER – Before you get ready to buy a house, understand what type of funds you need to have available for your down payment – the lump sum paid upfront that reduces the amount of money borrowed. Seasoned funds The money you use for a down payment must be seasoned...

Condo/townhome inspections

BOULDER – Many people are under the false impression that a townhouse or condominium inspection is far easier, takes less time and costs less than a single family home. None of these are true. Inspections on these multi-unit residences are conducted in the same manner...

Home inspection is done, now what?

BOULDER – As a buyer you should not expect a home to be delivered like it is new construction unless it is. If you are under the false impression that a home inspection is for creating a long punch list that will be remedied by the seller you are mistaken. Most...

Attic inspections

BOULDER – Attics are not usually foremost on a buyer’s mind in a home inspection but should not be overlooked. They can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the seller. Roof inspections won’t necessarily turn up defects in the...