Tag: home seller

Home Features That Ward Off Radon: A Guide for Homebuyers

January 23, 2023

If you aren’t familiar with radon yet, now is the time to learn about this potentially deadly natural gas. Outside of smoking, radon is the number one cause for lung cancer in the US and Canada. One thing that separates radon from other lethal gases, however, is its uniquely subtle nature. radon is an odorless and colorless gas, created through a natural process of uranium deterioration in the soil. Everyone is affected by radon gas, but outside and in the open air, radon has room to freely dilute down to non-hazardous levels. Too frequently though, homes can restrict the space that radon needs to dilute into these safe levels. For Canada, the World Health Organization warns that homes with over 200 Bq/m3 of radon are unsafe and require immediate radon remediation. In the US, this guideline is even lower, at 4 pCi/L (or ~150 Bq/m3). (Check out the WHO’s recent coverage of the topic here.) While not all homes experience the same average volume of radon dilution, the US’s Environmental Protection Agency has published a zone map so that homebuyers can be aware of the overall trends in their area. Only a certified professional can be relied upon for an

Carson Dunlop Acquires National Property Inspections, Inc.

April 4, 2022

National Property Inspections, Inc. is pleased to announce that Carson Dunlop has recently acquired our organization. In this exciting development, Carson Dunlop and NPI are slated to become the preeminent provider of inspection and inspection-related services in North America. “I have long admired the strength of the Carson Dunlop brand and am thrilled to join forces to further accelerate growth at NPI,” said Roland Bates, founder of NPI. “I am extremely proud of the business we’ve built over the last 35 years and am enthusiastic about the future. Becoming part of Carson Dunlop will be an exciting new chapter for us and I look forward to continuing to support the NPI franchise system in my new role.” I have long admired the strength of the Carson Dunlop brand and am thrilled to join forces to further accelerate growth at NPI. I am extremely proud of the business we’ve built over the last 35 years and am enthusiastic about the future. Becoming part of Carson Dunlop will be an exciting new chapter for us and I look forward to continuing to support the NPI franchise system in my new role. Roland BatesFounder of National Property Inspections, Inc. Carson Dunlop has been

Get the Most Out of Your Home Listing

August 30, 2021

Trying to get the most money for your home can feel like navigating through a maze at times. You try to figure out your local market and price your house competitively, but you’re still struggling to get good offers. As you work with your agent, they’ll likely give you advice on how to optimize your listing. Here are a few tips to draw the perfect buyer to your home. Spruce Up Your Listing To make a great first impression with buyers, start by creating a strong listing. Each part from your pictures to the description of the house should be as accurate as possible. If a buyer comes to tour and realizes things aren’t how they appear in your listing, it can turn them away from making an offer. Staging your home for photos makes all the difference in how buyers will assess it. To get your home picture ready, clean from top to bottom. All your belongings should be put away so that people can see each room in its entirety. If you have a storage area or large closet space you want to highlight, clear it out to show the full size. Lastly, use good lighting so each

A New Leaf: Pros and Cons of Moving During Autumn

August 16, 2021

Moving can be an exciting, albeit, stressful time during any season. Fall, especially, has its own set of challenges, the main one being weather. But there are upsides to selling at the end of the year as well. So is it worth it to move during the changing season, or should you wait it out? Pro: Fall typically has nicer temperatures. Autumn temperatures tend not to drastically swing too much, which is nice when you’re trying to plan out a moving day. Unlike spring or early summer, you won’t have to worry about getting caught in a surprise rainstorm. The cooler temperatures also mean you probably won’t be sweating or risk getting overheated as you sort boxes and lug totes up the stairs. Con: Northern falls can get chilly. While it’ll feel good to have lower temps, you might have to be wary of that fluffy white stuff interfering. Northern climates in particular are prone to early snows that could impact your travel plans. Ice and snow make roads dangerous to drive on for long distances. If you’re not heading out until late October or November, you may need to keep a close eye on the forecast. Pro: You might

Benefits of a Pre-Listing Home Inspection

August 29, 2018

When you’re trying to sell your home, should you hire your own home inspector? It’s a good question, and it’s one many homeowners ask their real estate agents before putting their houses on the market. As it turns out, there are a lot of great reasons to get a pre-listing home inspection before a buyer makes an offer. We’ll tell you everything you need to know below for a smooth, hassle-free sale process. 1. You won’t be surprised. There are certain flaws about your home you’re already well aware of, but what about the things you know nothing about? When you order a pre-listing inspection, you get a top-to-bottom report of hundreds of features and systems in your home. If any problems are revealed, you’ll have a chance to repair them or build repairs into your asking price. This is especially good for DIYers, who can save a lot of money by completing simple repairs themselves. 2. You can price your home more accurately. Pricing is one of the toughest parts of selling your home, but a pre-listing inspection makes it easier. Once you have a full picture of your home’s strengths and weaknesses, you can be a lot more