Why does moisture form in attics? There are two main causes of attic moisture: outdoor air humidity in the fall and indoor living space air humidity throughout the fall and winter. For the sake of this conversation, we are looking at a standard flat interior living space ceiling with a sloped trussed attic roof. First, moisture in the attic can be caused from outdoor air humidity. In the fall, lots of rain in September and October creates high humidity in Read More …
How to keep your home healthy Living in a clean environment can reduce the risk of infection from the flu, salmonella, mold, dust mites, mice and other indoor contaminates. A healthy home is a clean and dry home that is properly ventilated. The following are the basics for a healthy home environment. Anything we touch after entering our home each day we should clean with a disinfectant. You can use soap, chlorine, alcohol, vinegar, peroxide and so on depending on Read More …
This hose was left attached to the shut off faucet outside which caused the system to freeze and split the copper pipe in the walls between the faucet and the actual shut off valve inside the home. When hoses are left on the faucet, water can back up into the system and FREEZE! This can cost you a few hundred dollars to repair, not to mention the potential flooring and Read More …
Brrr.. Why the house so cold? In Alaska, we should have warm, cozy homes that don’t cost an arm and a leg to heat! Homes that don’t feel drafty like a sea breeze on the beach in Homer or be as dry as the Arizona desert during the cold months! Unfortunately, we don’t build energy efficient homes, unless the builder decides to construct a Five Star Energy rated home, or we do it ourselves after the home is already built. Read More …
Many things in our homes are totally legal and conform to building codes, but are still unsafe for small children. Little Mack seemed to find one of these “in-home hazards.” He bumped his head on the stone fireplace hearth, like countless children before him, and came away with the black eye to prove it. When you think of it, the stone fireplace hearth is never kid-friendly. It is usually the only surface in the home that is elevated just Read More …
Alaskan homes are a lot like a rainbow after a good rain. Depending on how you look at that rainbow will depend on which beautiful colors you see. With your home, depending on what date it was built will depend on what color, or building standard, you will see when you look at the structure. Think of all the many building code books written over all these years, and see how they appear as different colors of the rainbow. Most Read More …
An important factor it consider is that home inspectors and real estate professionals must adhere to a strict code of ethics in order for the sale process to benefit everyone. The home inspector may be liable for any damages, mishaps or safety concerns that may occur on a property when it is inspected. It is not advisable to bring anyone to view the home who is not directly involved in the home inspection process. The following email was sent recently Read More …
We have permission from the property owner to enter their property and do our work with the understanding that we will be considerate. The following guidelines are expected to be followed by all parties concerned. (This information was provided as a directive from Bev Rude at the Alaska multiple Listing service. She referenced the NAR’s Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual.) Guidelines for Home Inspection Etiquette Realtor, home inspector, or client – these are good practices for everyone: Schedule Read More …
You love dry and tedious technical manuals, right? I bet you just can’t wait to dive into these resources. Are you day-dreaming right now about spending a relaxing evening, nestled in your favorite armchair, and pouring over dusty volumes of numbers and stats? What? You don’t like boring codebooks? Really. I had no idea. Well, then what are you doing on this page? Did you get lost looking for our online scheduling page? Is it perhaps that you are one Read More …
