Buying a house? Selling a house? Whether you're buying a house or considering selling your own, a home inspection from Tri-County Inspections of the Greater Cleveland area is designed to provide you with the information you'll need to inform your decisions. Buyers: A home inspection when you’re the buyer is critical to negotiating a fair price based on maintenance due and other anticipated expenses – or to discover that the home has little to no deferred maintenance and pursue your purchase with more vigor and confidence. Sellers: Getting a thorough home inspection before you list a home can determine if there are updates that will come-up when the potential buyer gets a home inspection and allow you to make repairs and upgrades before you list, or to price the home accordingly and eliminate surprises.
Below our some interesting posts that should help set your expectations regarding home inspections. Call us to schedule your inspection today!
Crawl Space Inspections: Nothing Will Scare Us Away
In a recent video, Mike Vakos from Tri County Inspections delves into the often overlooked but crucial aspect of home inspections: the crawl space inspection. While basements and slab foundations are more straightforward to assess, crawl spaces present unique challenges that require a trained eye and a willingness to get a little dirty. The Unseen World Beneath Your Home Mike begins by highlighting the differences between inspecting basements, slabs, and crawl spaces. Basements are easy to navigate, and slabs, though they require attention, don’t involve going below grade. Crawl spaces, however, are a different story. They are often confined and…
Cleveland Home Inspection: Chimney Issues
In this video, Mike Vakos from Tri County Inspections is completing an inspection with chimney issues. He takes us through the exterior inspection of a house, focusing particularly on a masonry chimney. As he begins, he points out the noticeable issue with the chimney pulling apart from the house—a clear sign of structural concern. Mike emphasizes the significance of chimney inspections, highlighting that they are often overlooked by homeowners due to their location atop the house. He underscores the importance of regular maintenance and repair for chimneys, as neglecting them can lead to significant issues over time. The phrase “inspecting…
Amish Built Home Inspection? Yes, We Do That Too!
Hey there, home enthusiasts! It’s Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections, and I’ve got a new inspection video to share with you today. Picture this: rolling hills, scenic vistas, and the charm of rural Ohio. Now, add a dash of uniqueness to the scene—an Amish built home inspection. In the heart of this picturesque landscape, I found myself tasked with inspecting a home crafted by the skilled hands of the Amish community. It was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I’m eager to take you on this journey with me. Never Compromise Thoroughness First off, let’s address the elephant in the room—power, or…
Cleveland Home Inspection Finds Broken Spring on Garage Door
What do you know about garage doors? Well if you don’t know everything there is to know about them Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections provides some insight from a recent inspection and blog post. In a recent video recorded by Mike Vakos of Tri County Inspections, the focus was on the often-overlooked yet crucial aspect of home inspections: garage door inspections. As a seasoned professional in the realm of home inspections, Mike highlights the significance of thorough assessments of garage doors and their associated hardware to ensure safety and functionality for homeowners. “Hey guys, Mike here from Tri County Inspections, and…
Black Mold? Can a Home Inspector Tell?
In today’s discussion, we’re delving into the often misunderstood topic of mold. Mold is a concern for many homeowners, prompting questions and requests for specialized inspections. Join us as Mike Vakos, a seasoned home inspector from Tri-County Inspections, sheds light on this pervasive issue. As Mike begins his inspection at a property in Cleveland, he encounters a common scenario: signs of moisture seeping into the garage walls and floor. Amidst this, he emphasizes the importance of understanding mold’s varied appearances. “When you look up here,” Mike points out, “people often ask, ‘Is it black mold?’ The truth is, you can’t…
New Construction and Pre-drywall Inspections
In a recent video by Mike Vakos of Tri County Inspections, the spotlight was on the significance of new construction and pre-drywall inspections in the home building process. Mike, a seasoned professional in the realm of home inspections, sheds light on a common misconception among homeowners. That the is belief that a brand-new house doesn’t require inspections. “Hello everyone, in today’s video, real quick, I wanted to talk to you about new construction and pre-drywall inspections,” Mike begins, diving straight into the heart of the matter. He elucidates that while it’s tempting to assume that a new home would be…
Are GFCI Outlets Required in Basements? Cleveland Home Inspector Answers!
Are you familiar with GFCI outlets? Mike Vakos from Tri-County Inspections sheds light on their significance in today’s blog post. In a recent video, Mike emphasizes the importance of GFCI outlets, also known as Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters, commonly encountered during home inspections. These outlets play a crucial role in ensuring electrical safety, particularly in areas prone to moisture. According to Mike, GFCI outlets are a staple requirement in specific locations within homes. They are mandated in spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms, exteriors, garages, and unfinished areas—essentially, any place with potential exposure to water. But why the emphasis on unfinished…
Cleveland Flipped Home Inspection: Water Temperature Issues
Plumbing issues are one of those things you do not want to uncover in your newly purchased home. Honestly, no homebuyer wants to uncover any issues at all after purchasing a new home. Flipped homes specifically may call for greater attention to the details. How can you avoid the headaches of costly plumbing repairs or repairs of any kind that requires hiring a specialized contractor? Choose a highly qualified home inspector, who goes through your prospective new home with a “fine tooth comb”. Tri County Inspectors give attention and detail from top to bottom and inside and out. When our…
Cleveland Home Inspection Reveals Galvanized Pipe Problem
A Home Inspection can be an invaluable tool when buying a new home. That is especially true when your “new home” is an “old home.” Most buyers are not equipped with the knowledge about what “red flags” to look for in older homes. That’s where you should leave it to the professionals. Mike at Tri-County Inspections is an experienced and licensed home inspector serving all ten counties in the greater Cleveland area. As the owner and lead inspector he has completed over 1,000 home inspections. He genuinely loves to help buyers in their journey to owning a new home and…
When a Flipped Home Inspection Finds Missing Water Meter
Have you found yourself wanting to buy a freshly flipped and renovated home? While the “newness” and upgrades of the home may be very appealing, don’t get caught overlooking possible major mistakes. When a home is flipped or renovated to sell there is usually an aggressive timeline to finish it and get it sold. But, you don’t have to be on the receiving end of important details overlooked. That is an undeniable reason a thorough and detailed home inspection is so important. At Tri-County Inspections we only offer the most qualified inspector who will complete the most comprehensive inspection of…
Prelisting Inspection Reveals Rotting Trim and Mold in Attic
A prelisting home inspection from Tri County Home Inspections offers sellers invaluable insight into the condition of their property before it hits the market. These sellers, by engaging the expertise of a qualified home inspector, gained a comprehensive understanding of any underlying issues or potential concerns within their home. As it turns out, their home has no big issues that would lengthen the buying process. We found some rotting trim and a minor attic ventilation issue that can easily be addressed before listing the house for sale. This proactive approach allows sellers to address repairs or updates in advance, ultimately…
It’s Important: Home Inspection For New Construction
In this circumstance, a home inspector has the opportunity to see inside your walls as well as the finished product. Before the drywall is installed, it would be very beneficial to have the progress inspected in addition to a final inspection when the house is complete. This may seem like an unnecessary expense, however in the long run this could save you troubles and money. According to ReMax Realty there are Four major reasons you need to have your new build inspected. A home inspection is different from the final walk-through with the builder. Unlike during a walk-through, a professional home…
Do I Need a Home Inspection on a New Construction Home?
Yes. It is worth every penny to get a home inspection on your new construction home. No doubt. As we posted a few years ago in “Do I Need a Home Inspection for a New Construction Home?” and as Realtor.com published in Should You Hire a Home Inspector for a New House? you do not want to rely on the builder to tell you if the house is built to code or has defects. According to Realtor.com, a real estate publication that does not profit from home inspections: In fact, if you’re buying a home under construction, you should hire…
Will Pushmatic Electrical Panel Pass a Home Inspection?
The Pushmatic electric panel with the Bulldog brand can be found in homes today and dates back to the 1950’s through the 1960’s. There has never been an actual recall of the Pushmatic, however it is known that over time they can become very stiff and difficult to operate or reset. This results in the on/off flag sticking in either position, giving you a false indication of the condition of the circuit. Some people today would tell you that there is significant shock hazard and should be replaced. With this information some people wonder if their home will “pass” a…
Can I Clean a Rusty Electrical Panel?
No. Many new home buyers may see a rusty electrical panel and think the house is “about to blow”. It is not. And as home inspectors we spend extra time explaining to new home owners that every house has issues. Our job is to figure out which issues you want to take care of immediately and which ones you add to your list for later. In many cases a little rust in the electrical panel can be caused by damp air and handled with limited maintenance. With minor rust in an electrical panel you can remove the rust, prime and…
Never Cancel a Home Inspection for Rain
If you’re buying a home from a private seller you could be subject to any litany of strange dealings, and canceling a home inspection is a HUGE red flag. Why would anyone cancel a home inspection? At the time of this blog post the market in Cleveland is considered a “sellers market” with 64% of homes sold under 30 days and 57% at asking price or over asking price. Many times these conditions lead sellers to (mistakenly) assume they should cut out a Realtor all together and sell their home privately, or For Sale By Owner. If you’re buying from…
How Much Is a Drone Roof Inspection? Free with a Tri-County Home Inspection.
According to Forbes Home, a drone roof inspection can cost between $150-400. So why does Tri-County Inspections include a free drone roof inspection with your standard home inspection? During our general home inspection Mike and his team inspect more than 400 items and provide 200+ color photos across several categories including, but not limited to: • Exterior Home Components: Driveway, Walkway, Stairs, Doors, Siding, Trim, Electrical Meter, Gas Meter, Outlets, Fixtures, Outside Faucets, Fencing, Retaining Walls, Outlets, Lot Condition, Trees, Bushes and Shrubs • Electrical Systems: All outlets, GFCI’s, Electrical Panels (main and sub) • Overhead Service: Roof, Gutters, Flashing, Skylights, Chimney…
Is a Sewer Scope Inspection Worth It?
You’re buying a house and getting hit up for all kinds of inspections – a home inspection, a radon inspection, a pest inspection and now a sewer scope inspection?!? So how do you figure out if a sewer scope is worth it? In this video Mike Vakos shows us a sewer scope inspection that reveals roots starting to penetrate the lines twenty-one feet in. This is information that can help negotiate with the seller, avoid buying the house or start saving up for a sewer line repair. Is a Sewer Scope Inspection Worth the $250? In order to decide whether…
Why Add a Sewer Scope Inspection to Your Home Inspection?
In this video Mike Vakos shows us what a sewer scope inspection is and why you might want one. When you’re buying a home and deciding what to add on to your home inspection, what you add on is definitely a personal choice. Just like a radon test, mold testing and other inspection services, how a customer weighs the costs and benefits is unique to their situation. With every home inspection we test the toilets and the sinks and make sure water is running and flowing in the right direction. However, we can not see what’s going on in the…
Home Inspector Does “Gross”
Do you have a property in poor condition? Are you looking at a property that is a total mess? Many home inspectors will turn down an inspection of a home with areas that could be toxic with mold, biohazards, animal waste, ect. Do not bypass an inspection because it is difficult to find an inspector; Tri-County Inspections is not afraid to take on gross. At Tri-County we have the equipment to keep our inspectors safe so that they can prepare a proper inspection of a house in unsanitary conditions. As an owner of rental properties in Cleveland himself, Mike Vakos…
