Insights into the world of construction, real estate, and home inspections!
We’ve amassed a collection of articles related to all things home inspection-related—honestly, it’s just a bunch of stuff that makes us geek out. Hopefully, you can glean some good information out of these. You can search for specific topics below or use the subheader to filter by category. Feel free to contribute via the comments, but please keep it PG-rated for the kids. Enjoy!
A close-up is only useful when the client can understand it and locate the problem. Joe Boos explains how composition, lighting, white balance, focus, and reference photos make inspection reports clearer.
An inspection should help you understand the house, not feed a repair sales pipeline. Joe Boos explains North Carolina’s repair-solicitation rule, the limits of renamed assessments, and why the actual service matters.
Delivery speed tells buyers little about report quality. Joe Boos explains why Realm Inspections leaves time to review photographs, clarify findings, and proofread before delivering a home inspection report.
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector What does it mean to be built to code? Built to code means a structure meets the minimum legal requirements applicable to the project under the governing jurisdiction. What makes a building “up to code”? The applicable requirements depend on the jurisdiction, permit history, […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector Is open-concept living actually better, or has it just been marketed that way? Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn’t. In many homes, open-concept living layouts introduce problems with noise, privacy, clutter, and function that aren’t obvious in listing photos. After years of walking through […]
Historical credit: the original 2021 article was derived from reporting by contributing editor Ted Cushman. This updated homeowner guide focuses on grade identification and inspection follow-up. An unfamiliar lumber stamp in a new home is a reason to ask for clarification, not enough information to conclude that the framing is defective. The useful question is […]
A close-up is only useful when the client can understand it and locate the problem. Joe Boos explains how composition, lighting, white balance, focus, and reference photos make inspection reports clearer.
An inspection should help you understand the house, not feed a repair sales pipeline. Joe Boos explains North Carolina’s repair-solicitation rule, the limits of renamed assessments, and why the actual service matters.
Delivery speed tells buyers little about report quality. Joe Boos explains why Realm Inspections leaves time to review photographs, clarify findings, and proofread before delivering a home inspection report.
“Dead valleys”, sound ominous, don’t they? A complex roof intersection can concentrate runoff and make drainage more difficult. The name alone does not establish a defect, but visible ponding, debris, damaged roofing or flashing, and evidence of leakage warrant attention. Inspection findings depend on the conditions observed and the areas that can be evaluated. What […]
Encapsulation and conditioning address different parts of crawl space moisture control. A liner limits moisture entry; a drying strategy manages moisture that remains. A successful project considers both, along with drainage, insulation and the equipment serving the space. What encapsulation does “Encapsulation” commonly describes a closed crawl space with a sealed ground vapor barrier, sealed […]
Crawlspace encapsulation combines ground-moisture control and air sealing with a planned drying strategy. A properly designed and maintained system can reduce moisture problems, but sealing alone does not guarantee that mold cannot grow. Before planning a crawlspace conversion Address water entry and existing damage first. A qualified contractor should evaluate insulation, humidity control, combustion safety, […]
A wall receptacle may have its grounding opening above or below the two blade slots, or it may be mounted horizontally. Appearance alone does not tell you whether it is correctly wired, properly grounded or suitable for its location. Follow the product instructions and applicable installation requirements; ask a licensed electrician about a particular installation. […]
Recall reference: This article concerns the June 16, 2022 Square D QO Plug-on-Neutral recall, number 22-159. Check the official CPSC notice and Schneider Electric safety notice for product identification and the recall remedy. Do not remove the panel cover to find internal labels or attempt the repair yourself; contact Schneider Electric to arrange evaluation by […]
All about bootleg grounds The outlets in our homes are a necessary component of modern living. Our culture is dependent on readily available access to power. Ever since we harnessed electricity, we have witnessed the ongoing evolution for safety. Safety, it would seem, does come without a price. And bootleg grounds, unfortunately, are […]
A sewer camera inspection and an insurance policy answer different questions. The inspection documents visible conditions in accessible portions of a drain line. Your insurer determines coverage under your specific policy, endorsements and claim circumstances. A camera inspection does not guarantee coverage or prevent future damage. What is a sewer lateral? A sewer lateral carries […]
A new home can still benefit from a sewer camera inspection. The useful question is what can be observed in the installed line before your purchase or builder-review deadline—not whether a new pipe is guaranteed to be problem-free. What the camera inspection adds A sewer scope examines accessible portions of the lateral line for visible […]
A sewer camera inspection gives you a view inside accessible portions of a property’s wastewater line. It can help identify visible concerns and decide whether plumbing follow-up is needed. It does not certify that every pipe is sound or guarantee that a future blockage will not occur. What is being inspected? Confirm the route and […]
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Encapsulation and conditioning address different parts of crawl space moisture control. A liner limits moisture entry; a drying strategy manages moisture that remains. A successful project considers both, along with drainage, insulation and the equipment serving the space. What encapsulation does “Encapsulation” commonly describes a closed crawl space with a sealed ground vapor barrier, sealed […]
Crawlspace encapsulation combines ground-moisture control and air sealing with a planned drying strategy. A properly designed and maintained system can reduce moisture problems, but sealing alone does not guarantee that mold cannot grow. Before planning a crawlspace conversion Address water entry and existing damage first. A qualified contractor should evaluate insulation, humidity control, combustion safety, […]
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Why Radon Became a Household Concern The 1984 Stanley Watras incident helped bring residential radon to wider public attention. As described in the August 1986 EPA Journal, Watras triggered a radiation monitor while entering work at a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant. Investigators found unusually high radon in his home. Earlier research had already identified radon […]
Radon-Resistant Features Do Not Replace Testing A newly built home can have radon-resistant features and still need testing. EPA recommends testing new homes even when those features are installed. A passive system may need a fan to become an active system, depending on the test results. See EPA’s guidance for buyers of newly built homes. […]
By Joe Boos, Certified Master Inspector® and NC Licensed Home Inspector Is open-concept living actually better, or has it just been marketed that way? Sometimes it works. Often, it doesn’t. In many homes, open-concept living layouts introduce problems with noise, privacy, clutter, and function that aren’t obvious in listing photos. After years of walking through […]
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