Working from home has its advantages, but it also carries some risks you may not have considered. With more people than ever before making their homes their workspace, now is the time to consider all the possibilities and take preventative…
With the increasing labor cost, construction materials, and project financing, it is hard to remodel a house completely. This is one of the reasons to opt for property improvements rather than home remodeling. While as property ages, it starts with…
According to the best home inspectors in Phoenix, water damage is one of the common reasons for the property-related loss. Homeowners might think water damage is a seasonal threat, but they appear wrong. Preparing your home for winter is essential,…
It's no secret that many people are flipping houses these days. With the popularity of home renovation shows, it's easy to see why this is becoming a more and more popular way to make money. Fast-rising prices, hungry buyers, record…
Sometimes, people will purchase a second home or vacation property as an investment. This can be a great decision if you live in an area with high real estate prices and the market is always on the rise. But when…
Indoor air pollution can be just as severe as outside air pollution, if not worse. And given that the average American spends 87% of their time indoors, you'd think we'd hear more about indoor air quality. However, keep calm. You…
Are you wondering about the best time to have your home inspected during the year? No matter what time of the year you get an inspection, it will always benefit you. Home inspections should be done without delay, especially if…
As you might be aware, buying a home can be expensive. When you sign a contract, many necessary costs, such as realtor and lawyer fees, come with it. This can leave you feeling like it's impossible to save money before…
Question:
What is the truth about why there’s always a big push to get your air conditioner serviced every year? Is this just self-serving so the service companies can make more money?
Answer:
I like where you are going with this question and a home inspector is the right person to ask.
It does seem like these service companies are trying to make extra money on service, but in reality, they often lose money on the service call because the fee for the service is low. They make money on repairs when problems are found during a service call, and there are some very good reasons to have the service and make repairs on any problems found.
Answer:
Mobile/manufactured home tie-downs are installed to resist wind loads that can topple or rack (deform) the building. Sometimes the home has a tie-down system put in place when the mobile/manufactured home was set at the property, or the structure might have been placed with no tie-downs installed. It is always best to have a professional verify your existing home for the presence of a tie-down system. There has historically been very low levels of consistency and enforcement for tie-down placement in Arizona. This is likely because of a lower risk (Wind Zone I) HUD rating for the area. HUD stands for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Wind Zone I only equates to a top wind speed of 70 mph, however, it is very possible for wind to exceed this speed in Arizona.