A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections Halifax with Ian Corse-Scott

Home inspections are an exercise in risk reduction. Their true value is in alerting you to big-ticket issues within the property, which can safeguard you against buying a money pit. While everyone likes to save money, skipping a home inspection when buying property could easily end up costing way more! https://hubs.ly/H0FGZyC0

One of the most exciting things you can do as a homeowner is tackle a renovation project. But this isn’t just a matter of grabbing a big sledgehammer and starting to knock down walls. Renovations take time and money. Creating a realistic timeline and budget are keys to success. And having your major renovations inspected as they near completion will offer you added peace of mind that your money has been well spent. https://hubs.ly/H0FGZv50

Yikes! Don’t listen to anyone but your inspector when it comes to potential risks on a property.

The reality is that perfect homes don’t exist. And, while the spectrum of issues that can arise in a home varies wildly, every single property in existence can use improvements. And when you’re making one of the largest purchases of your lifetime, it makes sense to have an expert examine the property and make sure there aren’t hidden issues you wouldn’t see without a professional eye. One major problem could cost you a lot of money. https://hubs.ly/H0FGXgD0

Home organizing just isn’t a do-it-one-time-and-forget-it sort of thing. Tackling a small task or two each day, in fact, is one of the best ways to prevent all your organizing and decluttering work from being undone. Check out these helpful tips from organizational pros. https://hubs.ly/H0FF44n0

Healthy appliances contribute to a smoothly operating household that is, until they don’t. People often take these big-ticket workhorses for granted, ignoring routine maintenance and the time that has passed since installation. This can shorten the average lifespan of appliances and require you to spring for a new one, perhaps before you’re financially ready. Ever wonder how long your appliances should last? Did you know that ABCHI also offers lifetime appliance safety recall monitoring, which is free with every inspection? https://hubs.ly/H0FDBlN0

Can I use your washroom? Sure. It’s at the top of the stairs. You can’t miss it. LOL What’s the strangest bathroom you’ve ever seen?

When’s it okay to tackle do-it-yourself projects? When considering DIY tasks, begin with minor repairs and see how you fair. There are plenty of projects that the average homeowner with basic skills and understanding can successfully perform. Check out our helpful blog for suggestions on when to DIY and when to call in a professional. https://hubs.ly/H0D4Blc0

Thinking of selling your home? Check out these 10 things to consider before listing your property for sale. https://hubs.ly/H0D4CB50

Bet our real estate partners can relate. You never know when a camera is watching your reactions LOL But maybe they need to know what’s wrong so they can sell quicker. Yay or nay?

Who knew that streaming our latest shows and music would lose entertainment value? But, after months of intensive screen time, you’re undoubtedly craving other forms of entertainment that won’t break the bank and will be health friendly too. Here are a few fun, frugal and safe ideas. https://hubs.ly/H0ySfXF0

In celebration that we’re well into sweater weather, who agrees with us here?! LOL

Weird houses have always attracted attention especially around Halloween. By boasting some peculiar architecture, showcasing unique interior design or simply by having a strange location, unusual homes manage to impress one way or another, through their creativity and originality. Some also manage to lure in quite a few visitors and become local symbols. Montreal’s Habitat 67 even made the list! https://hubs.ly/H0xl0ZZ0

Lest we forget. Thank you to all the brave men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our rights and freedom.

It has never been more important to support local businesses. There’s a misconception that because someone owns a franchise, they’re not local. On the contrary, each A Buyer’s Choice Home Inspections franchise is independently owned and operated within a local community. We empower local people who undergo rigorous training before becoming active within their communities to better serve their neighbours. https://hubs.ly/H0xl0YG0

Radon is an invisible radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in the ground and it’s the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It’s found in every home in Canada, but testing is the only way to truly know if a home has dangerous levels. As Canadians continue to spend more time at home, now, more than ever, it’s important to test your home for radon. People confined to their homes during the pandemic could be exposed to high radon levels. https://hubs.ly/H0yS8h30

A successful renovation project requires a good amount of planning and flexibility. But besides that, there are some things that you really should decide on early. This will ensure the project runs smoothly and prevents you from having to make rushed, last-minute decisions that you end up regretting. Be sure to have a home inspection after undertaking renos to ensure your contractor got everything right. https://hubs.ly/H0xkQ6J0

Nobody wants to hear that the crack in their basement wall or floor could end up costing thousands to properly repair, but this is something you don’t want to leave to chance. And you definitely want to be made aware of this risk if you’re a potential homebuyer. This is just one more reason why a home inspection is so important for protecting your hard-earned money! https://hubs.ly/H0xg9gy0

Did you know that falls are the leading cause in both children and adults for unintentional injury-related hospitalizations across Canada? November is Fall Prevention Month! Check out our latest blog for tips to help ensure your home remains a safe place to visit, live and work. https://hubs.ly/H0y-9XH0

Our homes are a source of pride, and with more time spent at home lately, it’s a perfect opportunity to give our abodes some long overdue TLC. Maintaining or investing in curb appeal is about more than aesthetics it’s also a financially sound thing to do. https://hubs.ly/H0vM1zD0

It will be interesting to see how housing trends change based on the pandemic. For one, with the possibility of a second wave or another lockdown in mind, many people are looking for more space. This often means searching outside of cities. https://hubs.ly/H0xg7SY0

Haha! Just imagine!

When booking your home inspection, chances are, you’re focused on three main questions: 1) How much will it cost?; 2) How long will it take?; and 3) What will the inspector be checking? While it’s important to know what to expect, it’s even more beneficial to ask the right follow-up questions after the inspection to ensure you have the most up-to-date information about the home you’re buying or selling. https://hubs.ly/H0wMqbT0

With more people staying home these days, pet adoption is at an all-time high. Here’s how to prep your home for a new pet. https://hubs.ly/H0vM1yS0

Fall is clearly in the air and with it comes some important checks to complete in and around your home to ensure you have everything in order before temperatures really start to drop. Your seasonal homeowner to-do list includes completing regular maintenance checks and balances to help prevent the most common and also costly problems from occurring. https://hubs.ly/H0x1r-S0

Did you know Our Warranty and Client Protection Program guards against surprises that show up after you take possession of your new home? We all know that it’s possible for sellers to hide certain deficiencies with their property by cleaning or staging in order to not have to disclose all issues. While full disclosure is required, key information is often not shared between the seller and their real estate professional. https://hubs.ly/H0vM1yc0

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Fire damage and loss of life can be devastating to your family and livelihood. The theme for Fire Prevention Week 2020 on October 4th-10th is focused on the kitchen one area of your home that’s most at risk for a fire to break out. Check out our latest blog for fire prevention and safety tips to help protect your loved ones and property from disaster. https://hubs.ly/H0xwMD70

It has been a hot, dry summer. And with that comes hefty water bills while we ensure our lawns and gardens remain healthy and lush. Check out these tips for creating a water-efficient garden. https://hubs.ly/H0vM19-0

The beginning of the school year has been staggered. While some of you have already sent your kids off to school or started studies from home, others will begin this week or next. Whether you’ve chosen in-class, online or both, as a parent, student, teacher or support staff, no decision was easy. That’s why we need to support each other and keep everyone safe as a community. No judgement, no criticism, just helping hands. Check out our latest blog for tips on learning safely from home or in the classroom. https://hubs.ly/H0vRQQx0

You’re thinking about becoming a homeowner and you likely have lots of questions about the homebuying process from the overarching ‘How do I buy a home?’ to specific queries around financing, home type and location. Check out these 10 steps to buying a home. https://hubs.ly/H0xb_RW0

DOH! Time to disassemble this kitchen and begin again!

And just like that fall is upon us. If your current home or the house you’re looking to purchase is completely or partially heated with wood, it’s in your best interest to have all wood-burning appliances inspected by a Wood Energy Technical Transfer (WETT) specialist. A WETT Inspection will ensure that your system is correctly installed and operating properly, and that it poses no threat to your home and family. Your inspector will also advise you on how to best maintain your system to ensure your family remains safe year after year. https://hubs.ly/H0x6qY00

Appraisers had to adjust the way they do business thanks to COVID-19 to remain safe while still excelling at their jobs, as is the norm for home inspectors, Realtors and other service providers that are part of the homeownership process. Relying on extra third-party data for appraisals, including personal pictures and videos the owner had of their property allowed appraisers to do external observations without having to physically step foot on the property. https://hubs.ly/H0vqSSr0

Sometimes, all it takes to feel like you have a totally new space is a little colour. If spending a lot of time at home has you considering your kitchen’s possibilities, a new coat of paint may be just the thing you need. And while painting kitchen cabinets may sound a little more intimidating than, say, painting a plain old wall, a new coat of paint can transform a standard-issue kitchen into something really spectacular. https://hubs.ly/H0v2BCt0

Ensuring your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are properly installed in your home and remain in good working order should be part of your regular home maintenance routine to make sure they protect your family and home when you need them most. Check out these important dos and don’ts when installing and maintaining smoke and CO alarms. https://hubs.ly/H0v2xTd0

Whether you’re buying your very first home or moving to another one, things can be confusing. You’re not alone! Many people feel this way. Here are a few tips and tricks to overcoming the most common homebuying fears. https://hubs.ly/H0rRd_T0

Drips, leaks and flooding can cause major structural damage to a house if not addressed properly. There are some important visual signs that often indicate excessive amounts of water have been or are still present in a property. https://hubs.ly/H0tPx-Y0

With the summer heat comes the need to use more water. Whether this includes watering your lawn and flowers or filling up the pool, overall use skyrockets in the summer months. Here are seven ways that you can save water, which will help the environment and your wallet! https://hubs.ly/H0rRblF0

It’s important to understand what tasks a home inspector completes as part of an inspection to help realistically set your own expectations and manage the expectations of potential homebuyers. Here are some common home inspection myths dispelled. https://hubs.ly/H0txq6-0

Your garage is a warehouse, toy shop, workshop and maybe even your favourite place to hang out. Check out these great space-saving tips to help maximize your garage space. https://hubs.ly/H0rRblf0

There are just so many questions about what went wrong here?!

Whether you call your place a cottage, camp or country home, the technical challenges of keeping the property up are similar. Here are some maintenance tips to ensure your cottage remains in tip-top shape so you can enjoy more R&R. https://hubs.ly/H0sYjjj0

A well-designed deck includes built-ins and features that are added for practical purposes along with architectural elements that enhance the design and materials of the structure. Let’s face it: it gets hot, and as gorgeously appointed as your fine hardwood deck may be, if you don't provide shade, everybody will run for cover. A pergola or overhead structure will prolong your enjoyment and use of the deck along while adding an attractive design element. https://hubs.ly/H0tctrp0

Beautiful day, beautiful view & beautiful condo at King's Wharf! It was great working with Eric Holman Real Estate Consultant -KW again yesterday in Downtown Dartmouth.

This is what happens when you want a rainfall shower but you don’t want to spend the money on one. DYI pass or fail?!