Licensed and Certified Home Inspectors in Pensacola, FL

Perhaps for some, there’s nothing more nerve-wracking than the thought of finally owning a home. Of course, it’s for all the good reasons. Home buying can hype you up with a roller coaster of emotions. After years of saving up for down payment and other mortgage fees, you’re a step closer to finally having a place to call your own. Whether you’re buying a newly built modern home or a fixer-upper that was built in the 60s, the truth behind walls is paramount. What’s the best way to get the lowdown of your potential home? A home inspection. Because the truth is, a home inspection will discover things even the seller didn’t know existed. For sure, you wouldn’t want to move into a premise of issues and defects. In fact, we’ve compiled some of the problems commonly found during a home inspection. We want to arm you with proper information to help you evaluate your potential purchase. 1. Water problems. Water is on top of the list for so many reasons. Grade sloping is were draining is towards the home instead of away from the home. This could lead to a damp basement or crawl space and ultimately cause foundation problems. Apart from that, it could rot the walls, and eventually make room for mold buildup and growth. Some indications of foundation movement include doors that have uneven gaps at the top when closed or even floors that are visibly out of level. If not taken care of right away, the problems can add up quickly just as the repair costs would. 2. Roofing problem. After years of keeping the entire house dry, the roof material ages and succumb to water intrusion. This often leads to expensive repairs and replacement. 3. Style vs the materials used. A combination of styles and look makes a cool, contemporary house with a hint of the olden days. However, if you plan to buy a home, it’s best to look for consistency in terms of architectural style and building materials being used. Sometimes, unauthorized modification can bring about costly repairs in the end. 4. Faulty wiring. Unfortunately, while modern homes have an ample supply of power and electrical outlets, old homes do not. It’s not uncommon to see extension cords running between rooms. Problem is, this is considered a fire hazard as it places a burden on the electrical system, outlets, and cords. Another common problem found in all ages of a home is exposed the wiring. Any exposed electrical wire should be considered a top priority and must be corrected by a licensed electrician. 5. The year the house was built also offers a handful of issues when it comes to potentially hazardous components. The 1900s to 50s: Knob and tube wiring consists of fuse and fuse boxes. Unfortunately, these components are already considered outdated and risky to cover modern-day loads.

If there is one thing that we learned from Prime Day it’s that the smart garage is a must-have for Amazon Prime Members. Chamberlain Group’s myQ Smart Garage Hub was one of the best-selling smart home items during Prime Day. So, why are so many homeowners focusing on making their garage smart? 1) Get deliveries straight to your garage with Key by Amazon. Key by Amazon lets you get packages delivered safely and securely right in your garage so you don’t have to worry that the dog’s food, kid’s birthday present or a special treat for yourself will get wet or go missing. If you’re a Prime member in one of 50 eligible cities and surrounding areas, simply download the free Key by Amazon app, sync it with your myQ profile, and start selecting in-garage delivery when you shop on Amazon.com. Your packages will be delivered directly into your garage for no extra charge by a delivery driver, like Tesya, who walks you through how in-garage delivery works in the video below. 2) Never wonder if the garage door is open. How many times have you driven away from home wondering if you left the garage door open? Or, how many times do you have to remind the kids to close the garage door after they get home from school before they actually do it? With a myQ-connected smart garage door opener, you’ll always know whether or not you or a family member has left the garage door open. You can check the status of your garage door, plus open and close the garage door from your smartphone – anytime, anywhere. 3) Know who is coming and going at all times. You can’t be in two places at once but you can get real-time alerts when your garage door opens and closes to keep track of daily comings and goings. And, if you pair your smart garage door opener with an Amazon Cloud Cam, you can actually see the kids heading out on their bikes, check to make sure the dog sitter made it in – or just keep an eye on your car while you’re at work. You can also watch in-garage deliveries live, or view a clip in the app after they have been completed. 4) Share garage access – without sharing your password. With myQ Guest, you can securely and conveniently invite people to your inner circle so they can control and check the status of your myQ-connected garage doors, gates and lights from anywhere. More than 75% of homeowners use the garage as their primary access point into the home. With Key by Amazon and Chamberlain’s myQ technology, it’s never been easier to make the most of your smart garage.

Spring is the best season for upgrades! As winter melts away, it’s time to get ready for the warm season! As you prepare to enter into summer, you may want to take a quick look around your home. Spring is one of the best times to take care of any maintenance that you couldn’t get around to throughout the winter. This includes any electrical updates that you might have put off.  If you want to make repairs this spring, then take a walk around your home and create a list of necessary repairs. This list doesn’t have to be extensive at first. Simply write down any electrical upgrades or maintenance you think you may need. Then, you can make a game plan that will save you time and money on those repairs.

Interested in remodeling your shower, but unsure where to begin? If you’re looking to upgrade your shower, there are several possible routes to the renovation—and, of course, it will depend upon your personal needs or preferences. Maybe you feel that it’s time to upgrade from a standard shower to a shower and tub combo. You could also work to improve the storage capabilities of your shower by creating new niches or shelves. If possible, you can even consider installing a window nearby; this can help to maximize light within your shower. How about adding a seat or a new door? However you decide to upgrade, happy renovating! For advice on shower renovations, contact us today.

As time goes by, the public is becoming progressively more conscious about how their lifestyle impacts the health and wellbeing of the planet. For this reason (and more), eco-friendly homes have become more common. However, just because the home you purchased wasn’t a “green” home, that doesn’t mean you can’t make some eco-friendly improvements. During construction, try to stick to sustainable materials local to your region. You could also install some brand-new energy-efficient appliances and/or solar panels and keep your HVAC system well-maintained and running as efficiently as possible. Be sure to get rid of your old lightbulbs and invest in some energy-efficient bulbs instead. Contact us for a guide on eco-friendly home improvement.