A Comprehensive Guide to Property Condition Assessments: What You Need to Know
What is a Property Condition Assessment? Property Condition Assessments (PCAs) are an important yet often overlooked element of real estate transactions. This comprehensive guide provides the information and resources you need to understand what a Property Condition Assessment entails, how it compares with other assessments, and when such an assessment is required in order to […]
How To Winterize Your House: 5 Simple Ways to Prepare for the Cold
Winterizing Your Home: A Guide The colder it gets outside, the more likely you are to start feeling cabin fever. And while indoor heat is convenient and makes us feel safe from the elements, it also keeps us from taking advantage of them. Keeping your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter […]
10 Tips to Make Your Home Winter Friendly
In home maintenance, we’re often so focused on keeping our lawn green and taking care of the exterior that we forget about all the little things that keep our houses running smoothly year-round. Smelly carpets? Check. Damp walls? Double check. But wait, there’s more! If you aren’t getting the proper maintenance done on your home, […]
Manufactured Housing and Standards
The term “manufactured home” was adopted in 1980 by the the U.S. Congress to describe a type of house that is constructed in a factory to comply with a building code developed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In the past, manufactured homes were called “mobile homes,” a term that many people […]
Landscape Shading
by Nick Gromicko, CMI® One of the easiest ways to reduce solar heat gain and subsequent energy costs is as simple as planting a tree. The strategic placement of trees, known as landscape shading or tree shading, is a technique used to provide shade from the warm summer sun. Unobstructed solar heat can significantly increase indoor […]
How Your Smart Home Can Help You Prepare for the Next Big Storm
by Eric Murrell As high-tech as our modern homes have become, we’re still at the mercy of Mother Nature every time the next big storm rolls through. While there’s not much you can do to put a stop to strong winds, power outages, and flooding, the right smart home tech can give you a leg […]
House Numbers
by Nick Gromicko, CMI® and Kenton Shepard Ever wonder about your house number? Often, the previous owner installed the number and the new owner never had to think about it, leaving them clueless as to why it was placed where it is or why a particular color or size was chosen. These numbers are more […]
Home Insurance Tips
Why You Need Homeowner’s InsuranceThe largest, single investment most consumers make is in their homes. The consumer can protect their home, possessions, and liability with a homeowner’s insurance policy. The homeowner’s insurance policy is a package policy that combines more than one type of insurance coverage in a single policy. There are four types of […]
Knowledge Is Power When It Comes to Appraisals and Inspections
Buyers in today’s market often have questions about the importance of getting a home appraisal and an inspection. That’s because high buyer demand and low housing supply are driving intense competition and leading some buyers to consider waiving those contingencies to stand out in the crowded market. But is that the best move? Buying a home is […]
What’s the Difference between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection?
What Separates a Home Inspection from an Appraisal? If you’re planning to buy a home, an appraisal is an important step in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior […]