<span class="hide-blog-title">The Inspector</span>By NPI, Inc.https://www.npiweb.com/Blog/PostsHow to Have a Very Merry Christmas (and Other Holiday Home Safety Tips)https://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1566/how-to-have-a-very-merry-christmas-and-other-holiday-home-safety-tipsHoliday,Home Maintenance,Just for Fun,SafetyMon, 25 Dec 2023 19:19:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS (AND OTHER HOLIDAY HOME SAFETY TIPS)</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 25, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=holiday">Holiday</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/winter">winter</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/electrical">electrical</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kitchen">kitchen</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/pets">pets</a></p> <p>Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all who celebrate!</p> <p>The holiday season is a great opportunity to take some time off from work and enjoy friends and family. While these breaks can certainly have its joyful moments, there’s something about meeting up with friends and family that can lead to an air of chaos. If you’re expecting guests who have a tendency of getting caught in hairy situations, it just might be smart to take a few safety precautions along the way.</p> <p>To ensure a very merry Christmas break, here are a few home safety tips homeowners should keep in mind while weathering the holidays.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Monitor Ice and Snow</span><br /> If you’re expecting a degree of icy or snowy weather throughout the holidays, it may be wise to make some extra efforts to keep your driveway and sidewalks cleared. You may have family members in town who aren’t used to dealing with frosty conditions. Take precautions that no one gets hurt from slipping on unattended patches of ice. With that said, those that may have the impulse of piling on the sidewalk salt or other ice melt solutions should wait and rethink their options.</p> <p>While effective at melting ice, rock salt can also damage shoes and clothing, and its corrosive effects can even damage vehicles as well as your home’s masonry. According to the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.epa.gov/snep/winter-coming-and-it-tons-salt-our-roads" target="_blank">EPA</a>, salt causes roughly five billion dollars worth of damage on an annual basis, and ice melt products can have long-reaching effects on your lawn, extending cracks in the cement and expediting erosion. Take the time to hunt for environmentally-friendly options and then use it sparingly only after shoveling for the best experience.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Anticipate Electrical Overload</span><br /> With more guests in the home than usual, it’s reasonable to expect a bit more power demand. Often, homeowners don’t realize that they’re running near their limitations of single circuit power usage until someone new comes along and plugs in an extra heater, hairdryer, or laptop charger. Rather than deal with the ensuing panic from an outage, realize that overloads are easily correctable with some reconfiguration.</p> <p>Usually outages occur when a single circuit is overloaded, so homeowners can work to utilize their circuits that are under less use by moving new devices into these other parts of the house. If you don’t already have access to your home’s circuit map, it may be useful to create your own and then make a rough calculation to determine where you may be close to exceeding a circuit’s limitation (for more information on how to create a circuit map, check out this guide from experts at the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/preventing-electrical-overloads/" target="_blank">Family Handyman</a>).</p> <p>One final point regarding electrical concerns: keep in mind that if guests bring their pets along for the trip, extra precautions may be needed to tuck cords and Christmas lights away from easy access. Cats and dogs are notorious for letting their curiosity get the better of them. In this case, it may be better to help them avoid a shocking life lesson.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Cook with Ambition (and Prepare a Backup)</span><br /> Family reunions tend to be accompanied by an anticipated feast, and as the host, it’s not out of the ordinary to try new things. Broadening your cooking horizons is a great idea! But for those that are particularly inexperienced in the kitchen, take some time to review a few basic cooking safety tips before diving head first into that new recipe.</p> <p>Start off by confirming that your emergency equipment is working properly (meaning your smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, and first aid kit). Then, make sure you are appropriately attired for the job - that means no dangling necklaces or loose-fitting clothing that could get tangled up in the activity. Finally, most kitchen fires occur simply due to leaving food unattended. Limit distractions and maybe recruit a cooking partner, then have at it (and review some extra cooking safety tips per the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.redcross.org/local/dc-va-md-de/about-us/news-and-events/press-releases/10-Holiday-Cooking-Safety-Tips-from-Red-Cross.html" target="_blank">Red Cross</a>)!</p> <p>As a final note, although fumbling a new recipe and having to pivot to a tried-and-true backup can be disappointing, remember that the main point of the holidays is to enjoy each other’s company. Best of luck!</p> <p><em>From everyone here at National Property Inspections, we wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Happy New Year!</em></p> 1566What to Expect: How Long Does a Typical Home Inspection Take?https://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1565/what-to-expect-how-long-does-a-typical-home-inspection-takeHome InspectionMon, 18 Dec 2023 19:14:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">WHAT TO EXPECT: HOW LONG DOES A TYPICAL HOME INSPECTION TAKE?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 18, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/landscaping">landscaping</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/windows">windows</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/roof">roof</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/attic">attic</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/mold">mold</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/radon">radon</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/HVAC">HVAC</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/plumbing">plumbing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/electrical">electrical</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/insulation">insulation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/ventilation">ventilation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/first-time-homeowner">first-time homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/real-estate">real estate</a></p> <p>Purchasing a home can be one of the most simultaneously exciting and stressful processes anyone will go through. Considering the sizable investment and the long-reaching impact that a closing negotiation can have on both the buyer and the seller, it is completely understandable to lose a couple winks of sleep while worrying about each odd detail of a home’s sale. In these instances, buyers (especially first-time homebuyers) who learn about the need of a home inspection can get a bit antsy through the process, viewing the inspection as a roadblock to their homeownership.</p> <p>This is where a frequently answered question comes into play: <em> How long does a home inspection take?</em></p> <p>While there may be a typical range of time to expect for a general home inspection, there are a wide array of factors that make this question tough to answer point blank. However, in the interest of easing any concerns, we will take some time today to discuss how long a home inspection takes, what can extend or shorten the process, and why a <em>good</em> home inspector needs this time. To begin, let’s review what a home inspection is and why it is a necessary part of every home’s sale.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What is a Home Inspection?</span><br /> A home inspection is a non-invasive, visual examination of a residential property with the intent to determine the condition of a home on a specified date (see InterNACHI’s <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.nachi.org/sop.htm" target="_blank">Standards of Practice</a> for more information). To put it another way, a home inspection is when a professional home inspector tours the grounds, takes pictures, and uses what they find to develop a home inspection report. This inspection report can then be taken as a summary of a house’s condition, a starting point for needed repairs, and a potential tool to help a buyer negotiate with their seller while closing the sale.</p> <p>Without an inspection report, a homebuyer is walking into their new house blind to its potential issues and unaware of actionable steps that could avert costly breakdowns in the future. So, when buyers ask how long their home inspection will take, we’d like to start by pointing back to the whole idea of the inspection. The report is there to save them time in the future, money if the home is in need of repairs, and unneeded stress if a key system is out of working order suddenly.</p> <p>Some of the features that a home inspector examines include (but are not limited to):</p> <ul> <li>The roof</li> <li>The home’s exterior (including stairs, porches, balconies, siding, and landscape)</li> <li>The basement & foundation</li> <li>Heating & cooling systems</li> <li>Plumbing</li> <li>Electrical systems</li> <li>The attic</li> <li>Insulation & ventilation</li> <li>Doors, windows, & other interior features</li> </ul> <p>On top of these features, a home inspector can also perform additional services to add further value to their report. Some of these additional services may include:</p> <ul> <li>Radon testing (because <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.cdc.gov/radon/radon-facts.html#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20known%20safe,air%20(pCi%2FL)." target="_blank">according to the CDC</a>, there is no safe level of radon)</li> <li>Mold inspections and testing</li> <li>Infrared inspections (learn more about energy audits <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/what-an-energy-audit-can-do-for-you">here</a>)</li> <li>Sewer and septic system inspections</li> <li>Wood destroying organism inspections (WDO/WDI for pests like termites or carpenter ants)</li> <li>Indoor air quality testing</li> </ul> <p>For an inspector to thoroughly examine all of these features, buyers should be checking to ensure the professional they hired is spending enough time on-site, rather than anticipating speedy completion. A good home inspector is an unbiased, third-party expert that takes the appropriate time needed to produce a report that fulfills the agreed upon scale and scope of the job. Just as every home has its own unique features and quirks, every home inspection will vary. Still, to set some appropriate expectations, let’s discuss how much time you should pencil in for your own home inspection.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How Long is a Home Inspection?</span><br /> The duration of a home inspection will vary from property to property and from inspector to inspector. For the average property, buyers should expect an inspector to spend anywhere from <strong>two to four hours on-site</strong>, then plan to receive their report between <strong>one and three business days</strong> later. Of course, the best way to get an idea of how long an inspector will take to deliver an inspection report is to ask them.</p> <p>Licensed property inspectors are trained to understand a wide array of home features and defects, and an experienced inspector will be able to accurately estimate the time required to fulfill a job after gathering key facts, such as:</p> <ul> <li>The size of the home (its square footage, number of floors, and number of complex systems–larger homes can have more than one HVAC system, for example)</li> <li>The age of the home (older homes tend to have more issues or quirks that need to be pointed out within the report)</li> <li>The condition of the home (neglected homes will also have more features that need to be further examined and described within the report, which will take more time)</li> </ul> <p>A property inspection is a complex, important job, but an experienced and well-trained inspector may have unique knowledge with certain types of homes or certain specific builders prevalent in an area. A great inspector fit for the job can cut down on time due to their comfort with the process, or an inspector may be able to dive deeper on a unique home feature depending on their specialized background. This all means that just as no two homes are the same, no two home inspections are the same either.</p> <p>At the end of the day, your own home inspection is whatever you make of it! You can order any number of add-on services to expand on what you know about your home, and you can use your inspector as a go-to advisor for any number of questions along the way. To get started, you can <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">contact your local NPI inspector</a> to discuss availability today!</p> <p><em>Interested in learning more about home inspections? <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Resource-Center">Visit our resource center</a>!</em></p> 1565How to be a Good Host During the Holidayshttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1564/how-to-be-a-good-host-during-the-holidaysCleaning Tips,Holiday,Home Decor,Home Inspection,Home Maintenance,Just for Fun,SafetyMon, 11 Dec 2023 19:09:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO BE A GOOD HOST DURING THE HOLIDAYS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 11, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-decor">Home Decor</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=holiday">Holiday</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just For Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/winter">winter</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/living-room">living room</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/roof">roof</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/organization">organization</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entertaining">entertaining</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kids">kids</a></p> <p>Hosting family and friends over the holidays can be a tough task. On one hand, it’s wonderful to reconnect with loved ones, especially those that live far away. On the other hand, getting a busy home in order can feel like an intimidating task after a year of balancing a demanding work schedule along with messy pets, and maybe kids with their own affinity for chaos. In preparation for the holidays, here are a few extra things that you can do to go above and beyond making your out-of-town guests feel welcome!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Check On Your Roof’s Stability</span><br /> One pet peeve that is so common for guests is lack of decent parking. Whatever system that’s worked for your family throughout the rest of the year likely will have to change at least a bit once a new vehicle is introduced. So, unless you’re blessed with a larger-than-average parking situation, consider thinking ahead for some alternatives that allow extra room for guests.</p> <p>The common holiday struggle of juggling cars in the driveway is exactly why some considerate guests may take it upon themselves to use some sorely underutilized parking areas - such as the space on top of your roof. What many fail to realize is roofs are left tragically unused by the majority of homeowners. Their surface area is easily large enough to house the family vehicle, whether you drive a GMC Yukon or a sleigh with eight to nine tiny reindeer.</p> <p>Of course, the one issue with this parking space is that homeowners can be neglectful of their roofs. Between loose shingles and the build up of moss and algae due to moisture, roofs can commonly see their lifespans shortened if certain issues are left unaddressed. This leaves more room for water intrusion and increasingly unstable footholds for roof pedestrians. According to home maintenance professionals over at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.thisoldhouse.com/foundations/reviews/water-damage-statistics" target="_blank">This Old House</a>, water damage due to a leaky roof is actually one of the most costly issues homeowners face.</p> <p>Checking up on your roof’s condition through <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">a home maintenance inspection</a> with a residential inspection professional, or even conducting a few <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/tips-to-prolong-the-life-of-your-roof-and-your-home">DIY roof maintenance activities</a> on your own may be wise in preparation for your holiday guests.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Ensure Easy Chimney Access</span><br /> When it comes to welcoming your guests into your home, it’s also wise to start off with a good first impression. Entryways and mudrooms have a tendency to gather clutter over time with coats, boots, and bags all vying for their own convenient resting places. Because of this, it’s understandable that these spaces can become blindspots for home organization efforts - but this common issue doesn’t have to become a hurdle during the holiday season!</p> <p>Try to set some time aside to reorganize all of your entryways, find new <em>permanent</em> homes for any clutter or stray items, and consider developing a new system to keep these areas that way in the meantime. We’ve previously discussed the benefits of doing this <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/home-organization-tips-for-back-to-school-season">before the school year</a>, but these concepts can come in handy any time of the year if your home is in need of a bit of a reset!</p> <p>On the subject of cluttered entryways, one route that is almost universally ignored is, of course, the chimney! Climbing down the flue at late hours of the night (while often battling slippery rooftop snow and ice) is tough enough on its own <em>before</em> encountering the dust, soot, and sometimes other obstructions like twigs, bird’s nests, or even living animals. Did you know that neglected chimneys naturally fill up with flammable materials, and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that chimneys be inspected every year (check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyMZU1FlxWM" target="_blank">their informational video on this subject</a>)?</p> <p>Before the holidays, take some time to clean up all of your entryways and order a chimney inspection! For more information on the importance of chimney maintenance, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/4-things-that-can-go-wrong-with-your-chimney">here are a few things</a> that can go wrong when left ignored for too long.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Consider Some New Home Decor</span><br /> Finally, nothing makes a guest feel welcome quite like some nice, nostalgic, cozy holiday decor. Take some time to hang stockings by the chimney, add lights to your front doorway, and wrap garland around your banister. Or go all out with the holiday decorating traditions your family enjoys! Celebrating the holidays with your guests can look very different from household to household, but those that make the effort to clearly switch things up will have a lot more luck ushering in some yuletide glee.</p> <p>Now concerning snacks, it is safe to assume that your guests will get a little peckish when you’re not around. Allowing them free reign to rummage through your cupboards can feel invasive. Instead, leave out a plate at night (preferably near the chimney) and add your choice of midnight treats (maybe a few sugar cookies and a cup of milk, for example). Ultimately, there’s no exact formula for creating a festive home. But if you’re looking for more ideas and inspiration, here are <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/10-easy-ways-to-create-a-festive-home">a few more options</a> to ensure a very Merry Christmas.</p> <p><em>Still wondering if your home is ready for the rigor of your upcoming winter shindig? <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">Contact your local NPI Inspector</a> to see how they can help prep your home for the holidays!</em></p> 1564Will Your Next Home Be Printed?https://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1563/will-your-next-home-be-printedHome Maintenance,Just for FunMon, 04 Dec 2023 19:04:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">WILL YOUR NEXT HOME BE PRINTED?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> December 4, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/walls">walls</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/plumbing">plumbing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/electrical">electrical</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/real-estate">real estate</a></p> <p>A more recent technology that’s been making its rounds by disrupting and inspiring innovations across industries is 3D printing. Glasses, shoes, car parts, prosthetics, and movie props are all being 3D-printed today, and the speculation of how this technology might change people’s everyday lives seems to be at an all-time high. With the speed and ease that common items can be printed, some have started to think even <em>bigger</em>.</p> <p>Enter businesses like Texas-based <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.iconbuild.com/" target="_blank">ICON</a>, Denmark's <a class="color-secondary" href="https://cobod.com/" target="_blank">COBOD</a>, and Shanghai's <a class="color-secondary" href="http://www.winsun3d.com/En/" target="_blank">Winsun</a>, who all believe that 3D printing is the future of home manufacturing. Citing shockingly quick construction times, cheaper costs, and little required human oversight, many believe that 3D-printed homes becoming the norm is less of an “if,” and more of a “when.” So, if you’re curious to find out what your future home will look like, let’s discuss the process of 3D-printed homes!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Are 3D-Printed Homes?</span><br /> 3D printing homes is actually quite similar to the process used when 3D printing other mundane items. Also known as “additive manufacturing,” 3D printing involves a machine printer containing a robotic arm dispenser, a chosen material to use in the item creation (usually plastic for most things unrelated to building construction), and a blueprint design that directs the machine’s intricate motions. Printing homes works largely the same way - just <em>bigger</em>.</p> <p>In-home 3D printers are usually around the size of a standard office printer. However, the devices used to construct residential buildings consist of a meters-long frame due to the fact that any 3D printer needs to be larger than whatever it creates. This “macro-printer” squeezes out a paste (usually cement, but sometimes plastic, metal, sand, or clay) which solidifies as walls are slowly built line-by-line and layer-by-layer. The resulting structure is made up of gray, horizontal ridges before specialists then add “second-fix installments,” like plumbing, electrical wiring, doors, and windows.</p> <p>Today, 3D-printed homes are still quite rare, but many believe that these homes could start popping up around the world in no time. Dubai, for instance, has made the most committed plan, working toward 25% of new buildings 3D-printed by 2030 (read more from journalists over at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://3dprint.com/131629/uae-3d-printed-homes/" target="_blank">3DPrint</a>). Is 3D printing a passing fad, or a realistic answer to today’s housing problems? Let’s review some of the technology’s pros and cons to decide!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Are The Benefits Of 3D-Printed Homes?</span><br /> When going to one of the prominent 3D home printing company’s websites, you’ll find plenty of impressive benefits to this new technology, starting with its speed. While traditionally constructed homes can be built in under seven months, 3D printing cuts this time span to under two - with some claiming a print time of a day, or even a few hours! Printers don’t require the same amount of human oversight or the number of laborers and there is less wasted materials during 3D printing, so the prices of constructing these homes also drop.</p> <p>Quick construction times with affordability? Rightly, many have looked towards the advancements in 3D printing as a possible answer to the housing crisis not just in the United States and Canada, but across the globe. Unfortunately, as can be expected, things are rarely as perfect as they first appear.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Are The Concerns?</span><br /> The first clear limitation with 3D homes are their printers. The printers are costly, and there aren’t a lot of them available. On top of this, even the larger 3D home printers aren’t large enough to construct multi-family homes or many commercial buildings. In a world where skyscrapers are so common, this seriously reduces the current usefulness of these tools as a practical construction option. The fact is that most 3D buildings that have been shown off to date are modestly sized, modern structures with admittedly eye-catching curvilinear designs.</p> <p>On top of this, construction-scale 3D printing companies have a negative reputation of poor transparency on their projects. While they might advertise full construction in a single day, closer inspection reveals that they’re really just referring to printing the walled structure without including the time to add interior and exterior finishes, the foundation, the roof, windows, doors, and other key home systems like plumbing and electricity. Additionally, these structures are usually printed <em>off-site</em>, meaning they need to be transported and reassembled in the home’s final location later on.</p> <p>Other benefits may also be negative attributes as well, like the elimination of laborer jobs. While this technique might add new jobs managing the equipment, 3D printing seems to take away more on-site jobs than it adds. Since this technology and process is so new, learning how well these homes hold up over time is also up for debate. As many argue today (such as Jack Morley, former architect, on <a class="color-secondary" href="https://architizer.com/blog/practice/details/3d-printed-buildings-future-or-gimmick/" target="_blank">Archtizer</a>), 3D-printed buildings might be more sizzle than substance at the moment.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Is The Outlook For 3D Home-Printing?</span><br /> To answer the question posed in the title: no. Your next home likely will not be 3D-printed. However, the technology does offer a number of benefits that may be added to the overall toolkit of home construction over the next few decades. Further innovations like the ability to use wood and other bioplastics can also improve 3D printing’s ecological footprint, making it even more of a draw.</p> <p>In all likelihood, 3D-printed homes will likely continue to be an occasional oddity best used when the conditions are just right, or traditional construction options are limited. For instance, per <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.nasa.gov/technology/manufacturing-materials-3-d-printing/nasa-looks-to-advance-3d-printing-construction-systems-for-the-moon-and-mars/" target="_blank">NASA</a>, there could be future bases on the Moon and Mars created with 3D printing construction.</p> <p><em>We, at NPI, love to keep up with all of the latest trends and innovations in home construction, maintenance, and design! To make sure your home is up to snuff in every weather, remember to <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">schedule</a> your <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Inspection-Services/Specialty-Services">annual home maintenance inspection</a> today!</em></p> 1563Setting the Stage for Your Home Sale: DIY Home-Staging Tipshttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1562/setting-the-stage-for-your-home-sale-diy-home-staging-tipsCleaning Tips,DIY,Home MaintenanceMon, 27 Nov 2023 18:53:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">SETTING THE STAGE FOR YOUR HOME SALE: DIY HOME-STAGING TIPS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 27, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kitchen">kitchen</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/living-room">living room</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/bedroom">bedroom</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/bathroom">bathroom</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/windows">windows</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/floors">floors</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/painting">painting</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-seller">home seller</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/real-estate">real estate</a></p> <p>When putting your home on the market, you obviously want to get as much out of the sale as you can. And ideally, you’d like the process to run quickly. Throughout the years, agents, interior designers, and other real estate professionals have searched for the best strategies to make residential transactions move as smoothly as possible, and what they’ve discovered is the fine art of <em>home staging</em>.</p> <p>Home staging is the act of redecorating, cleaning, and designing a home so that buyers can more easily imagine themselves living there. Real estate agents are professionals at accentuating the strengths of a home while bringing any flaws into perspective, and home staging is there to reinforce these efforts through what potential buyers actually see and experience during a tour.</p> <p>According to a National Association of REALTORS (NAR) Research Group’s <a class="color-secondary" href="https://cdn.nar.realtor//sites/default/files/documents/2023-profile-of-home-staging-03-30-2023.pdf" target="_blank">2023 Study</a>, 81% of buyers’ agents said that home staging made it easier to visualize the property as their future home. Despite this, many home sellers skip this step in order to save on costs. Since the largest investment most people will make is their home, home staging is well worth the cost and time commitment.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">3 Options for Home-Staging</span><br /> Home sellers can go in a few different directions when planning to stage their homes, and each has their own strengths and weaknesses:</p> <ul> <li><strong>The Do-It-Yourself Option</strong><br /> By far the most cost-effective, albeit demanding option is going the DIY route. There are tons of things that can be done to stage a home better which sellers can easily implement quickly and at a low cost, However, due to limited experience in real estate, it is possible that these quick changes can do more harm than good without expert advice. Still, depending on comfort and home maintenance experience, sellers should always look at doing some DIY home staging.</li> <li><strong>Ask Your Agent</strong><br /> Real Estate Agents know what buyers are looking for and what might turn them away from a purchase. For staging a home, sellers should draw from their agents as much as they can and lean on their perspectives when possible. Some agents may even offer up things like alternative furniture to borrow, welcoming artwork, and other resources to help present the home in its best light.</li> <li><strong>Hire a Professional Home Stager</strong><br /> Finally, for the most hands-off approach, sellers should look into hiring a professional home stager that works in their area. Minor repairs, temporary decorations, and new interior furniture orientation all designed to ensure selling a home at its highest possible value can all be expected when working with these servicers at reasonable rates.</li> </ul> <p>All of these options will improve a seller's experience while their house is on the market, but let’s tackle some of the most effective DIY home staging tips for those looking to maximize their ROI!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Target the High Impact Areas</span><br /> The first thing to keep in mind when thinking about staging a home for sale is that you don’t have to fix every single problem you have with your property. The best thing that a homeowner can do is to focus on the “high impact” areas of their house, in other words, the places that most influence a buyer’s decision on whether to make an offer. Within the home, this means the living room, the kitchen, the master bedroom, and (to a lesser extent) the dining room. If these areas are all attractive and inviting, offers are bound to come quickly!</p> <p>In general, one change that may be worth making throughout these areas is to switch from carpet to hardwood flooring wherever possible. Carpets can get worn and stained, and it’s often replaced or removed when new homeowners move in anyway. Hardwood floors, on the other hand, have widespread appeal, and that’s what home staging is really all about. Remove aspects of the home that might turn buyers away, and replace them with neutral or commonly preferred alternatives.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Make Your Available Space Look Usable</span><br /> Next, sellers should always look to accentuate the strengths of their homes, and one way that they often miss out on this is by masking their homes' true size. Large or clunky furniture that fills up a room too much can make a home feel cramped and small. Additionally, rooms that serve more than one purpose (like a laundry room / exercise room) can make a house feel like it’s limited. Switch out that huge couch for one that shows off the floor space, and have each room focus on one purpose in particular to make it clear that potential buyers won’t struggle for breathing room.</p> <p>Next, homeowners need a lot of storage, but junk rooms do little to impress during open houses. Clear out any finished areas (including attics and basements!) and transform them into temporary offices or reading nooks to emphasize the possibilities. Even if that’s not how these spaces were used, the point of staging is to get the buyer’s mind thinking about what they could do with the home. Storage areas, unfortunately, don’t provide much inspiration.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">De-Personalize and Remove Controversy</span><br /> The best homes become a reflection of the people that live within them, but the fact is that whoever moves in next will have their own style preferences. This means that, although you might have loved your lime green wallpaper, it might be wise to take that down and repaint your living room with some neutral colors. A well-staged home should be like a blank canvas, not a finished work of art where buyers struggle to imagine different options.</p> <p>It’s for this same reason that agents recommend removing family photos, hobbyist equipment, and toys before showings. All of these are fabulous reflections of whoever lives in the house, but buyers don’t want to see someone else’s home - they want to see their potential home. Features that are distinct and remind buyers of what a home is distracts them from what the home could be in the future.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Clean! Clean! Clean!</span><br /> Finally - and this might be the most important advice to apply if you weren’t already planning on it - sellers should focus primarily on making their home as clean and fresh as possible! Bathrooms tend to become neglected overtime, windows need to be washed to let light in, and odd lingering odors should be addressed during the home staging process.</p> <p>For the exterior of the home, consider using a power washer as a quick way to vastly improve curb appeal without investing in a fresh coat of paint. Additionally, it can be a smart investment to purchase a new welcome mat and prioritize the front pathway. A successfully staged home will be fresh, inviting, and full of possibilities. Sellers who opt not to skip on the easy steps like home staging will see this small investment pay dividends after they close.</p> <p><em>If you’re looking to sell, have you considered ordering a Pre-Listing Inspection? Buyers who know a property’s condition upfront tend to reach agreements much quicker! <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">Contact your local NPI home inspector</a> for a quote today.</em></p> 1562Homeownership Is A Journey. But Are Container Homes the Answer?https://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1557/homeownership-is-a-journey-but-are-container-homes-the-answerDIY,SafetyMon, 20 Nov 2023 15:24:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOMEOWNERSHIP IS A JOURNEY. BUT ARE CONTAINER HOMES THE ANSWER?</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 20, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/real-estate">real estate</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/windows">windows</a></p> <p>The modern home comes in many strange and striking varieties. From the staple Mid-Century Modern to classical Queen Anne homes, the residential market never stops innovating to fit new tastes. One new trend that’s been turning heads and appealing heavily to DIYers everywhere is known as the <em>container home</em>. In other words, homes constructed fully out of shipping containers. That’s right! Although it may sound strange to those unfamiliar with the concept, many homeowners are using those same steel-based boxes used to transport goods across the ocean as bases for their own prefabricated house, or the start of an ambitious DIY project.</p> <p>So, are container homes just a quirky, trendy home alternative that’ll fade away in a few years, or can these lego houses make a practical impact that lasts? To try and answer that question, let’s take a deeper dive into what makes these homes tick.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What is a Container Home?</span><br /> Container homes are a newer trend of homebuilding that seems to be cut from the same cloth as <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/tiny-homes-a-forgotten-fad-or-a-major-movement">tiny homes</a>, appealing to individuals and families who would like to cut down on unnecessary space, while having an incredible amount of input on the construction of their homes. One way that container homes might differ from tiny homes, however, is in their creation.</p> <p>Shipping containers are designed to be extremely durable and weather-resistant to protect the materials within from the wear and tear of oceanic travels. However, due to the costs of shipping an empty container back across the ocean, most companies opt to sell their shipping containers on arrival. The result? Many large, steel containers are available across the United States for fairly low costs (in comparison to the price of a new, traditionally built home).</p> <p>Either privately or through a company that specializes in working with shipping containers, homeowners have been using either one, or multiple shipping containers stacking upon each other to create affordable, unique residential properties after a few adjustments (adding insulation, plumbing systems, doors, windows, etc.).</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Why are People Choosing to Live in Shipping Containers?</span><br /> As mentioned, container homes seem, in part, to appeal to the same sort of people interested in tiny homes. For some, having a more direct involvement in the construction of their home gives them a stronger sense of ownership and satisfaction over their property. For others, the low costs and quick construction are enough of a draw for them to opt into this style.</p> <p>Due to the high availability of shipping containers, some even believe that these homes are a natural answer to the housing crisis that much of the States are facing today (see more on the subject in <a class="color-secondary" href="https://renovated.com/can-shipping-container-homes-ease-the-housing-crisis/#:~:text=Shipping%20container%20homes%20could%20ease%20the%20housing%20crisis.,solve%20a%20current%2Dday%20problem." target="_blank">this article</a> from renovated.com). Container homes don’t just have availability going for them, though! Plenty of people love the style of these modular homes, including the modern vibe. With that said, container homes aren’t without their problems.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What are the Concerns for Container Homes?</span><br /> Many container home advocates point out the red tape that can often be a hurdle for owners looking to DIY or purchase their own shipping container house, and some areas pose unique restrictions that limit these types of properties. Detractors of these properties aren’t just against the look–their structural limitations might be hazardous.</p> <p>Obviously, shipping containers weren’t designed for residential occupancy in mind, so when doors and windows are cut into the steel structure of these containers, they become compromised, requiring new and expensive reinforcements as well as renewed sealing to protect from water intrusion. Other problems arise due to the difficulty of installing insulation and basic appliances. Most shipping containers are limited strictly to around eight feet in height, which creates further limitations for adding necessary home systems.</p> <p>On top of all of this, finding help from contractors becomes more difficult since the best professionals on traditional homes simply aren’t familiar with the nuances of container homes. While these homes have their interesting strengths, the inherent problems seem daunting enough to limit widespread popularity.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Are Container Homes Here to Stay - Or a Passing Trend?</span><br /> Problems with container homes might be resolved in time through creative innovations or new technologies but for now, most seem to think these homes will be limited in their popularity in areas where weather varies more widely, or hits extremes. That isn’t to say that Container homes don’t provide an exciting option in emergency scenarios or as temporary residences. Overall, container homes show how the real estate market is constantly evolving and is inhabited by some of the most creative minds out there!</p> <p><em>For more real estate topics and trends, stick <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog">right here</a>! NPI is the nation’s premier network of home inspection experts. To learn more about how your local home inspector can meet your needs, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">call for a quote</a> today!</em></p> 1557Mountain Home Maintenance Advice According to Home Inspectorshttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1556/mountain-home-maintenance-advice-according-to-home-inspectorsHome Inspection,Home Maintenance,SafetyMon, 13 Nov 2023 15:21:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">MOUNTAIN HOME MAINTENANCE ADVICE ACCORDING TO HOME INSPECTORS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 13, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/roof">roof</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/landscaping">landscaping</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/mold">mold</a></p> <p>A home inspector’s job is to know everything about what makes a home safe, comfortable, and habitable. Modern advancements mean that families are able to live in new jaw-droppingly beautiful environments, even despite their unique challenges. As people stretch the limitations of a modern home, home inspectors are still there to ensure necessary systems function as they should.</p> <p>When it comes to living in a mountain home, owners have to adapt to their surroundings. Whether you’re a new homeowner acclimating to life a little higher above sea level, or you’re a long-time mountain dweller looking for some tips to keep your home running smoother (and to keep costs down), here are some primary maintenance concerns worth tracking.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Every Home’s Number One Enemy is Water Intrusion</span><br /> In most climates, water management easily tops the list for property concerns due to the wide range of issues it can cause. Between poor water run-off, water intrusion, pooling and standing water, the development of mold, mildew, is a primary concern. In areas that have to deal with rain and snow throughout the year, water management becomes an even more important focus.</p> <p>Homeowners can start by regularly cleaning out their gutters and keeping their downspouts free of debris. This chore can feel like a pain, but the problems that crop up from leaving this undone leads to some of the most costly home maintenance problems. Due to the extreme levels of moisture common in the mountains, homeowners will likely notice more mold developing on their driveways as well. To keep homes looking sharp and reduce destructive rot, pressure washing mold and mildew away and renewing exterior staining should keep durability up and water out.</p> <p>If water seems to be gathering in certain spots of the property, or run-off tends to push near the home, that means trouble! Consult a landscaping specialist for options on how to improve your property’s water management systems. To learn more about how water damage can cause so many problems in your home, look at InterNACHI's informative <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.nachi.org/waterdamage.htm" target="_blank">article</a> on the topic!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Pests and Wildlife Will Try to Invade</span><br /> Part of the draw to the mountains may be the majestic creatures that you’ll now get to see on a regular basis. From elk, to bighorn sheep, to mountain owls and eagles, the wildlife alone can make a move to these heights worth the effort. With that said, homeowners who appreciate these animals probably don’t want to run a bed and breakfast for them. With colder temperatures, animals will try to find options for warmth, and if there’s a route for them to access your home, they are sure to take advantage of it.</p> <p>Start by regularly walking the grounds and searching for exterior openings. Mice in particular are known to be able to squeeze themselves through shockingly small cracks, and other animals will burrow or hide in any accessible crevice. Keeping vegetation at a fair distance from any structures should be a good start, and regularly caulking access points like windows and doors can help, too. Not only will this help keep animals outside, this should reduce energy waste and make for a more comfortable living experience.</p> <p>When it comes to wood-destroying organisms like carpenter bees, carpenter ants, or termites, clean up food quickly, watch for signs of damage, and keep contact information for a trusted pest control expert on hand. To learn more about dealing with infestations, read on right <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/spiders-silverfish-and-termites-diy-solutions-for-ridding-your-home-of-infestation">here</a>!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">High Altitudes Bring New Challenges</span><br /> Finally, there’s nothing like waking up in the mountains and admiring that unbeatable sunrise. The sights are certainly beautiful, but did you know that gorgeous view can actually mean trouble for your home? Higher altitudes mean a thinner atmosphere and, unfortunately, more UV damage, which can wear away at siding, roofs, and exterior paint over time.</p> <p><em>Keeping up with the environmental strain that mountain homes suffer takes consistent vigilance and regular repairs, but the effort can certainly be worth it! Consider incorporating an annual home maintenance inspection into your schedule with your local NPI property expert. Home inspectors have the knowledge and experience to catch maintenance issues before they become costly problems. <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">Reach out</a> for a quote today!</em></p> 1556How to Start a Little Libraryhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1555/how-to-start-a-little-libraryDIY,Home Decor,Just for FunMon, 06 Nov 2023 15:18:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO START A LITTLE LIBRARY</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> November 6, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-decor">Home Decor</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-exterior">home exterior</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/garden">garden</a></p> <p>One major challenge that can come from moving into a new neighborhood involves transforming your new house into your new home. As we’ve discussed recently, a great way to become comfortable with a new city or a new area is to invest in relationships with your neighbors! Becoming familiar with (and hopefully liking) your neighbors often sounds nice in concept, but breaking through that initial comfortability barrier can be tough. The good news is this: there are many underutilized strategies that new homeowners and long-time homeowners alike can employ to make their neighborhood of strangers feel much more like a community.</p> <p>As homeowners, learning how to be a little more self-sufficient is smart. Challenging yourselves with progressively difficult DIY projects should give you an excuse to spend some more time outside and break the ice while meeting new neighbors. For a beginner-level DIY project that can be as simple or complex as your experience allows, nothing works quite as well as starting a Little Library.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What is a Little Library?</span><br /> Also known as Little Free Libraries, Library Boxes, or just Neighborhood Book Exchanges, Little Libraries have been popping up more and more in coffee shops, apartment buildings, and neighborhoods all around the world in the past few decades. While designs can vary wildly, the main concept remains consistent: small, usually creatively designed boxes displayed in public places which contain books and a simple “take a book, leave a book” policy.</p> <p>Bibliophiles everywhere tend to be big fans of these “Little Libraries” due to their access to a free, cycling source of new books as well as an outlet for their own, unsolicited recommendations, but even the literary-agnostic have found reasons to fawn over these front yard accessories. Since Little Libraries are usually built, designed, and maintained by a single homeowner, some may not immediately see the benefit of going through the effort. But for many, this minor fixture has made a major change in their own neighborhoods.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How Library Boxes Can Enrich a Neighborhood</span><br /> The first and most obvious benefit that Little Libraries offer to a neighborhood is the promotion of literacy. According to a recent <a class="color-secondary" href="https://testprepinsight.com/resources/us-book-reading-statistics/" target="_blank">PEW research poll</a>, only 64% of American adults reported having read a book in the past 12 months (as of the end of 2022). Homeowners are responsible for creating the type of neighborhood that they want to live in, and what Little Libraries can bring is an increased appreciation for books, even if it’s on a smaller scale.</p> <p>It can be smart to pick up a few outdoor hobbies or start a project in the yard when moving into a new home so that neighbors have more opportunities to introduce themselves early on. A Library Box installation just might be the best conversation starter there is, and in an ideal scenario, a neighborhood book exchange has the potential to greatly accelerate the development of community. Is there a better way to get to know somebody than to learn about some of their favorite books first hand?</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Start Your Own Little Library</span><br /> Building a library box isn’t very difficult. Start by deciding your strategy based on your experience and the amount of time you’d like to devote to the project. While a fully DIY library box will result in the most custom feel, there are plenty of simple designs available online for free and even full boxes available for purchase. Check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://littlefreelibrary.org/" target="_blank">Little Free Library's website</a> to explore these options, and get your library box on their official registry!</p> <p>For some general design advice, remember to place your library box far enough away from your home so that you retain your privacy and so that your neighbors don’t feel as though they are invading your space. Library boxes are there for the neighborhood to use after all! Consider placing it strategically at the end of your property to make your open invitation clear.</p> <p>When it comes to filling your little library with boxes, have fun with adding some of your favorites, but remember to consider your audience. If your neighborhood is full of kids, try to incorporate plenty of children’s books or young adult novels. If the area is more diverse, feel free to make the initial collection more eclectic! Then, leave room for others to join in on the fun and leave their own recommendations.</p> <p>The best little libraries tend to take on a life of their own when the neighborhood embraces them. Just remember to check in from time to time, and be sure to attend to minor maintenance needs when necessary. Water intrusion and wood-destroying organisms like termites can spoil the fun if left to their own devices, but these issues can be easily resolved through regular self-inspection. Little libraries are a great way to add curb appeal and make a new house feel like home! Give it a try - you won’t regret it!</p> <p><em>National Property Inspections is dedicated to helping homeowners make wise decisions with what is likely their biggest investment. We also teach you how to keep your home in good working order for the long haul. For residential purchases and any home maintenance concerns, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">call NPI</a> to work with America’s premier home inspection experts!</em></p> 1555How to Survive a Scary Moviehttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1531/how-to-survive-a-scary-movieCleaning Tips,Holiday,Home Maintenance,Just for FunMon, 23 Oct 2023 19:37:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO SURVIVE A SCARY MOVIE</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> October 23, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=holiday">Holiday</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entertaining">entertaining</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/fall">fall</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/organization">organization</a></p> <p>Since we’ve previously discussed how to confirm whether your home is active with the paranormal, we thought it might be valuable to go over some additional Halloween-time survival strategies. When watching a scary movie, it’s easy to become frustrated by the classic mistakes and gaffes that the characters make as they bungle their way into the killer’s hands. Although it’s reasonable to assume that the stress and terror of running for your life can keep you from making practical decisions, choices made by horror movie protagonists can be baffling.</p> <p>In the inevitable case that you end up cornered by a masked, knife-wielding stranger straight out of a slasher movie, you don’t want to fall for the same old slip-ups. To be better prepared, we consulted some of the best minds in home maintenance, organization, and personal fitness for their tips on surviving a scary movie.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How To Tell That You’re In A Scary Movie</span><br /> Naturally, the first step for surviving a scary movie is to confirm that you are, in fact, living in a scary movie yourself. Although it may seem painfully obvious to audience goers that the characters shouldn’t investigate that noise in the attic, or search their creepy, unfinished basement to reset the breakers, remember that these are just homeowners attempting to perform regular home maintenance tasks. </p> <p>Some easy signs that may indicate you’re in a horror film include: </p> <ol> <li>It is a dark and stormy night. </li> <li>You live in a big, old house. </li> <li>Your neighbors are strange. </li> <li>You live by or near a cemetery and/or graveyard. </li> </ol> <p>While each factor is not definitive, studies indicate that one or more of these elements appearing in conjunction exponentially increases the chances that you are, in fact, in a scary movie. For more information on identifying whether your home is haunted, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-tell-if-your-house-is-haunted">check out our previous blog</a>!</p> <p><em>On a dark and stormy night, electrical issues have a knack of popping up, plus heavy rains can lead to leaking and mold if left unaddressed. Ask your local NPI inspector about their <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Inspection-Services/Specialty-Services">thermography</a> and <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Inspection-Services/Specialty-Services">mold inspections</a> to keep your home safe and repair costs down!</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Not To Do While In A Scary Movie </span><br /> Once you’ve confirmed that your cozy night at home will instead be occupied by running from an odd fellow in a hockey mask, there are few things in particular worth avoiding, starting with your cell phone. A natural impulse will always be to call for help, but don’t fall for this trap! Whether your phone is dead, lost, or service is down, simply calling for help never works in a scary movie. In fact, more often not, the time spent searching for a phone is what leads someone to their demise. </p> <p>On the other end of things, every natural impulse in a survival scenario would suggest that there is strength in numbers. Despite this, if you find yourself in a scary movie you will undoubtedly suggest splitting up, or perhaps you’ll encounter a strong desire to run off and investigate that peculiar sound coming from the basement on your own. Resist this! Don’t say, “I’ll be right back.” Don’t be curious. Remember all of those times that you screamed at your television screen watching those cheap horror flicks and choose to stay with the group instead. </p> <p>Avoiding pitfalls isn't all that it takes to survive scary movie scenarios, however. Survival and safety around the home is best accomplished by thinking ahead and taking preventive measures.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Scary Movie Survival Tips</span></p> <ol> <li><strong>Start with Run-Worthy Footwear</strong><br /> While there are many strategies that homeowners can employ to assuage a horror movie scenario, filling a house with Kevin McCallister-caliber traps and tripwires are impractical for anyone wanting to live comfortably. A far more sensible start should be to secure a pair of tennis shoes that are durable enough to handle all sorts of debris and conditions.<br /> <br /> Homeowners are sure to need sensible footwear when performing regular maintenance tasks anyway, whether they are <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/getting-your-gutters-in-shape-for-spring-and-summer">cleaning their gutters</a>, or <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/the-ultimate-guide-to-lawn-care-part-1-tips-for-a-healthy-and-beautiful-yard">spending time in the garden</a>. The benefits are aplenty, so don’t catch yourself stumbling out of your flip flops from a crazed slasher’s pursuit. <br />  </li> <li><strong>Reduce Unnecessary Clutter </strong><br /> By October 31st, the school year is in full swing. Naturally, it can be hard to keep a house clean and organized while balancing work with the kids’ school schedules. With that said, homeowners will regret a cluttered, messy home when they discover that their Halloween night is going to be produced by A24.<br /> <br /> Cut down on the number of dolls in your home (they are prone to possessions), and minimize tripping hazards when maneuvering up and down any staircases. Slips and falls are always dangerous, plus a tidy home and workspace is proven to improve productivity and mental wellness! Learn more about keeping your home organized throughout the school year by exploring <a class="color-secondary" href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HJI42XOZQ7nvSMJkXEbrKIjOY5WAUHWnCRddkh2hHrI/edit">our recent article</a>.<br />  </li> <li><strong>Don’t Forget About Cardio </strong><br /> Finally, any preparation will be for naught if you find yourself huffing and puffing when you should be tracking down a neighbor for help, or throwing a cursed item into the fire. A healthy workout routine will help you create some extra distance during your chases down those long, dark hallways.<br /> <br /> One great way to make your exercise schedule more attainable and convenient is to remodel that spare room into a home gym! To prepare for your next big home project, contact <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">your local NPI home inspector</a> to ensure your house can handle the change, or recommend any fixes before you’re caught by surprise. Home maintenance problems that go unaddressed for too long can turn into additional damage and unwanted repair bills - talk about scary! Stick with National Property Inspections to keep your screams to a minimum this fall.</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">NPI is Celebrating Halloween All October!</span><br /> Every fall, we tour North America and visit some of the most famous haunted locations. Check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/haunted-places-series-winchester-mystery-house">our most recent stop</a>, and have a happy Halloween!</p> 1531Haunted Places Series: Winchester Mystery Househttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1530/haunted-places-series-winchester-mystery-houseHoliday,Just for FunMon, 16 Oct 2023 18:42:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HAUNTED PLACES SERIES: WINCHESTER MYSTERY HOUSE</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> October 16, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=holiday">Holiday</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entertaining">entertaining</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/fall">fall</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/haunted-places-series">Haunted Places Series</a></p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">Location:</span> San Jose, California<br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Architectural Style:</span> Exterior: Queen Anne-Style Victorian; Interior: Aesthetic Movement<br /> <span class="emphasis-primary">Built:</span> 1886 - 1922</p> <p>As we progress through the Halloween season, we thought there was no location more appropriate to visit than one of the most notoriously unusual architectural wonders of North America - and the tale of the woman behind it all. For our next entry, we visit the Winchester Mystery House.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Sarah Pardee</span><br /> Sarah Lockwood Pardee was born in 1839 in New Haven, Connecticut. In her upper-class New England home, Sarah had by all accounts a happy childhood with access to fantastic education, going on to learn four foreign languages (Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian). Pardee studied at Yale College’s associated female scholastic institution and became known for both her extraordinary intelligence and her beauty. Called the “Belle of New Haven,” Sarah had many admirers.</p> <p>In 1862, Sarah married William Wirt Winchester, a brother to one of her classmates and member of a wealthy New Haven family. William was an only son and, therefore, sole heir to his father’s considerable manufacturing company, the Winchester Repeating Arms Company. William and Sarah Winchester were a well-off, idyllic young couple, but early on, tragedy beset the Winchesters.</p> <p>In 1866, Sarah gave birth to a daughter whom she named Annie. Unfortunately, the child did not live long, suffering from marasmus, a disease that causes severe malnutrition. Annie would be Sarah’s only child, and when William died of tuberculosis in 1881, Sarah was a widowed heiress to what had become a massive fortune, inheriting somewhere around $20 million dollars and nearly 50% of the Winchester company’s total stock.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Llanada Villa</span><br /> After being widowed, the line separating the history of Sarah Winchester from the legend blurs, but there are a few things that can be determined for certain. For one reason or another, Sarah Winchester left her lifelong home of Connecticut and moved across the country near what today is San Jose, California. There, she bought a two-story farmhouse where she decided to make her new home.</p> <p>This farmhouse, which she called <em>Llanada Villa</em>, would not remain the simple structure she bought for long, as Sarah herself began to chart and design ambitious additions. Carpenters and laborers were hired full-time and work began officially in 1886 with no end in sight. Ceaseless designs, redesigns, additions, and teardowns were ordered with results that were both beautiful and bizarre.</p> <p>By 1904, the farmhouse had become a monstrous 7-story mansion, undoubtedly a sight to behold. It is hard to say where the expansion would have stopped if an earthquake had not damaged the top three floors and caused considerable damage to the mansion’s exterior. Since then, the building continued, but instead of building up, Winchester built outwards. The estate transformed into a sprawling structure really unlike anything else anyone had seen.</p> <p>Construction continued on, in fact, until Sarah Winchester’s death on September 5, 1922. In her wake, <em>Llanada Villa</em> remained, a mystery house with seemingly endless secrets to be discovered.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Mystery House</span><br /> With Sarah Winchester’s eccentric home finally available for viewing, the public was finally able to fully take in the extravagance and the idiosyncrasies hidden inside. Each room was covered with finery and opulence clearly inspired by the aesthetic movement. In short, art for art’s sake: a co-mingling of visually stimulating design with everyday life, and an emphasis on “beauty” over practicality. The woodwork, the flooring, the wallpaper, almost everything was intricately designed with clear Victorian taste in mind. Then, beyond this design philosophy, the public found the peculiarities that helped make the mansion famous.</p> <p>Stairwells led to nowhere, guided straight to the ceiling. A doorway opened from an upper floor into the building’s exterior, and a 15-foot drop to the hedges below. Secret passageways galore, cupboards opening into entire hidden wings, and skylights built into the floor make the mansion a sort of labyrinth, easily capturing the imagination of anyone who might set foot inside. After a visit from Harry Houdini, the famed magician appropriately dubbed <em>Llanada Villa</em>, “the Mystery House,” a puzzle even he could not solve. Ever since, that was how the Winchester home became known: The Winchester Mystery House.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Folklore</span><br /> Sarah Winchester never kept a journal, and had no manifesto to explain her reasonings for her odd design choices. Due to this, the legend of her and her California home has grown wildly over the years.</p> <p>A common story has been that Sarah Winchester felt haunted by the men who’d died because of her late husband’s Winchester rifle. Advised by a medium, Sarah was convinced to “let the ghosts design her home,” performing regular séances which resulted in the rushed design plans. Others claim the designs were Sarah’s way of hiding from the ghosts, sleeping in a different one of her 40 bedrooms each night.</p> <p>In 2018, the movie <em>Winchester </em>leaned heavily into this version of the story, creating a theatrical setting consisting of malevolent ghosts and a large, haunted house. In reality, the Winchester Mystery House seems to tell the story of a woman who went through a lot.</p> <p>Sarah seemed to love gardening, with greenhouses built into her home. She was innovative, designing a complex communication system for her servants. When a safe was discovered (hidden behind two secure doors and within another larger strongbox) they found that the millionaire widow’s most prized possessions were her husband and daughter’s obituaries, and a lock of her daughter’s hair.</p> <p>The Winchester Mystery House is a uniquely beautiful work of architecture made by an extraordinary figure, and without Sarah to explain her purpose or reasoning for its peculiar features, the home will likely remain a mystery.</p> <p><em>To book your visit, visit the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/" target="_blank">Winchester Mystery House’s website</a>, and for any spooky mansion inspections, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">find a skilled National Property Inspections expert near you</a></em></p> 1530How to Tell if Your House is Hauntedhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1529/how-to-tell-if-your-house-is-hauntedCleaning Tips,Holiday,Home Inspection,Home Maintenance,Just for Fun,SafetyMon, 09 Oct 2023 18:20:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HOUSE IS HAUNTED</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> October 9, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/fall">fall</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/attic">attic</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/basement">basement</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/walls">walls</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/plumbing">plumbing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/electrical">electrical</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/appliances">appliances</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/ventilation">ventilation</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a></p> <p>October has officially arrived and, as we march closer and closer to the spookiest day of the year, it’s natural for our minds to focus in on the strange and obscure. If this was your first year in your new home, you may have noticed some of its more interesting quirks or “features.” Some houses seem to groan when the wind hits them just right, others might creak whenever the mood is right. These are just “house noises” that you’re slowly growing accustomed to…right?</p> <p>Many odd occurrences in the home can be explained away with a little bit of investigation, but when attempts at rationality come up short, it can be difficult to brush off the unexplained. As we all know, the Halloween season is best known as one time each year that the barrier between the material world and the spiritual world is its thinnest. In other words, if you have your suspicions that your house just might be haunted, you better figure it out now.</p> <p>To aid you in your investigation, we’ve placed our best paranormal researchers on the job to identify the surefire evidence that proves your house is haunted. Reader beware: only proceed if you want to know the truth about the noise that is coming from your attic.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Truth About Cold Spots</span><br /> It’s a common sight in movies whenever ghosts are near. A shiver is sent down your spine, or a chill in the air suddenly lets you see your breath. Many paranormal enthusiasts believe that these instances are not just Hollywood run amuck, but real evidence of spirits drawing energy from their former homes. If your homes have extreme fluctuations of temperature or unexplained cold pockets within your home, you just might be dealing with a ghost.</p> <p>On the outside chance that ghosts aren’t involved with your home’s heating issues, there are a few home defects that could also influence this issue. Poor insulation, inadequate sealing around doors and windows, and inconsistent filter cleaning can all cause homes to run colder than expected. Keeping a home properly insulated and ventilated is important for anyone wanting to live comfortably, and getting it right can have a major cost-savings benefit as well!</p> <p><em>Read more about how 90% of US homes are under-insulated according to insulation experts over at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://sealed.com/resources/how-does-insulation-save-energy/" target="_blank">Sealed</a>. For more information on ventilation, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-improve-your-homes-ventilation-and-why-its-important">read on here</a>!</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">When You Smell Something…Fishy</span><br /> The spirits that inhabit your home once had their own lives. They cooked their favorite foods, had their own pets, and they may have had their unique habits such as smoking a cigar, or wearing a particular kind of perfume. When moving into a new home, it may be unnerving to discover that strange odors only attributable to former owners seem to be lingering. In these instances, many supernatural researchers believe the spirits of those that have come before might be reaching out.</p> <p>In situations where phantom smells aren’t a result of spectral activity, there is a chance that lingering smells could be resolved from a deep cleaning of your new home! Carpet, paint, and tile floors are just a few things in homes that can hold onto unwanted scents such as cigarette smoke long after previous owners have moved out. Replacing your carpet, picking a fresh coat of paint, and then tackling any inherited appliances should be a top concern for a clean start.</p> <p><em>Note: Did you know that strange smell could be coming from your water? <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/whats-that-smell-what-different-odors-in-your-water-mean">Here’s how</a> to take care of any odd scents.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Flickering Lights and Failing Electronics</span><br /> Flickering lights are a tell-tale sign of ghoulish encounters, whether it’s a spectral prankster at work or the result of a spirit’s presence drawing from a home’s electrical systems. EMF Meters are a standard tool used by ghost hunters and other paranormal investigators to detect any abnormal electromagnetic activity within an area, and many believe that these tools can be used for direct communication with paranormal presences.</p> <p>If you’re looking for any alternative answers to electrical issues, flickering lights can also be caused by things like wire corrosion or loose/poor connections. Electrical issues can be serious fire hazards and should be addressed by a licensed electrician as soon as possible. To get started, an infrared inspection from a licensed home inspector can uncover overheated and overloaded outlets and appliances with ease.</p> <p><em>Learn more about some of <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Inspection-Services/Specialty-Services">NPI’s specialty inspection services here</a>!</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Creaks, Groans, and Noises in the Night</span><br /> When sharing space with ghosts, homeowners would probably prefer their ghost to be more of a Casper the friendly ghost-type, rather than a Beetlejuice-Beetlejuice-variety. This is why those first few nights in a new home can be particularly unnerving if unexpected noises start coming from the walls, the basement, or the attic. Are those noises just “the house settling,” or did that creak seem a bit too close to a groan for comfort?</p> <p>Outside from ghouls or goblins, there are many other things that can cause a home to make distracting noises. Materials in homes naturally bloat and compress throughout the year as the weather changes, which can all cause harmless creaking and grumbling. Hissing or humming electrical outlets or piping could mean any number of problems, and suspect gas leaks should be addressed as soon as possible.</p> <p><em>If you haven’t located your water and gas shut-off valves yet, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/maintenance-minutes-how-to-locate-your-valve-shutoffs">now is the time to find them</a>. Leaks can cause compiling damage if not resolved quickly, so it’s important for homeowners to familiarize themselves with their home systems before an emergency occurs.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">You Can’t Shake the Feeling You’re Being Watched</span><br /> Finally, if after “debunking” what seemed to be a former mountain of evidence that your home is haunted still leaves you feeling unsettled, don’t discount that feeling of being watched. As we all know, ghosts have this frustrating tendency to remain imperceptible to the naked eye. Due to this fact many people claim to notice shadows or movement out of the corner of their eye on occasion, and in other instances they might experience a pesky, disquieting sensation when looking into the darker corners of their home.</p> <p>The truth is that if you feel like you’re being watched, you probably are! Though, it might not be exactly what you were expecting during the Halloween season. Many homes are haunted by rats, bats, spiders, and termites, which often go unnoticed by homeowners until long after inflicting serious damage to many of a house’s key systems. While there are many strategies that homeowners can employ to keep their homes free from <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-avoid-unwelcome-household-pests-before-they-move-in">unwanted guests</a>, it may be wise to have a trusted pest control professional in mind when things get out of hand.</p> <p> </p> <p><span class="emphasis-primary">Do You Suspect that Your Home Might be Haunted?</span><br /> Rather than contacting your local vicar, consider starting with a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">home inspection</a> to figure out what makes your house tick!</p> 1529Tricky and Easily Overlooked Areas of the Home That You Should Clean Todayhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1537/tricky-and-easily-overlooked-areas-of-the-home-that-you-should-clean-todayCleaning Tips,DIY,Home MaintenanceMon, 25 Sep 2023 21:10:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">TRICKY AND EASILY OVERLOOKED AREAS OF THE HOME THAT YOU SHOULD CLEAN TODAY</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 25, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kitchen">kitchen</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/living-room">living room</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/bathroom">bathroom</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/plumbing">plumbing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/electrical">electrical</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/appliances">appliances</a></p> <p>Managing to keep an entire home clean is no easy task. Between doing the laundry, vacuuming the rugs, cleaning the dishes, and taking out the trash, there are plenty of hours in the day already dedicated to housekeeping. Naturally, things fall through the cracks, and certain items in the home are naturally overlooked. The problem is that certain items that might have been easily cleaned in the past can prove a much more difficult task if neglected for too long. If you are interested in being proactive about keeping your home clean, consider taking another look at these often-ignored home items.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Spend Some Extra Time in the Kitchen</span><br /> Do people spend a lot of time cleaning their kitchen? Of course they do. Do people still overlook a few areas in their kitchen due to inconvenience or lack of awareness? Absolutely! Kitchens can become one of the grimiest, dirtiest areas in a house if homeowners aren’t consistent about their cleaning habits due to the many kinds of messes and spills that are bound to happen while cooking. It’s when only the surface areas are taken care of that problems begin to pile up.</p> <p>Starting with the dishwasher, some may think that this appliance stays clean simply by performing its function. But those who have noticed distracting smells or extra spots on their dishes are probably experiencing the effects of a dirty dishwasher. As a general practice, rinsing off plates and silverware in the sink prior to running a cycle is a great way to limit food buildup, and filters should be cleaned regularly based on how frequently the dishwasher is used. Additionally, running the washer with any dishwasher cleaner according to its instructions around once a month should correct some of those pesky problems with dirty dishes.</p> <p>Regarding other mostly out-of-sight areas of the kitchen, many homeowners tend to completely ignore the spaces beneath their dishwasher and other appliances, the cracks between the stove and the counter, and on top of their fridge. To clean underneath larger items without moving them, simply use something like a ruler or other skinny implement to knock loose any debris, then choose a flat vacuum attachment or broom to take care of the rest. Accumulating dust can cause damage to refrigerator coils over time, which means that incorporating regular cleaning into a proactive home maintenance routine should extend the life of these pricey items.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Treat Your Electronics Well</span><br /> Considering the amount of attention some family TVs and computers get, these items get very little TLC. Smudges on their screens and dust accumulation naturally add up over time and can affect these device’s performance, but cleaning electronics can make many homeowners nervous. To clean screens without causing lasting damage, start by using a dry cloth to dust, then using a screen-safe cleaner. <em>Note: Apply screen cleaners to the cloth rather than to a screen directly to avoid damage.</em></p> <p>To clean a television’s remote control, start by removing any batteries, then use a damp cloth for basic cleaning. It may be necessary to use a cotton swab or a toothpick to address any debris caught between buttons or in any other crevices. Compressed air is also a great option for getting at any vents or other difficult-to-access areas on the body of a television that are bound to gather dust over time.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Take Another Look At Your Faucets</span><br /> Somewhat similar to the reasons why dishwashers can be neglected, faucets and shower heads are mainly involved in cleaning other items, so it might be odd to think about them getting dirty. With that said, these items are some of the items in a home that cause the most shocking reactions once homeowners finally take notice of how bad they’ve gotten. With the build up of mold, mildew, or other debris which can lead to diminished water pressure and distorted streams, shower heads and faucets certainly benefit from regular cleaning.</p> <p>For both items, one common remedy involves using a mixture of vinegar and water to break down the debris that’s built up on faucet and shower head exteriors. Try using a plastic bag to hold the mixture, then wrap it around the faucet or shower head. This solution should be left in place anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on the severity of grime that needs to be broken up. Afterwards, simply run some water for a few minutes to clean out the remaining vinegar, and viola!</p> <p>In addition to these cleaning strategies, regularly unscrewing and rinsing out a faucet’s aerator is a great habit to get into. Sometimes, appliances and systems that aren’t performing up to expectations can be vastly improved in just a few short steps.</p> <p><em>Did you know that, just like proactive cleaning, many of your home’s primary features’ lives can be considerably extended through regularly checking in on their condition? Call your locally owned NPI inspector to learn more about the benefits of a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">home maintenance inspection</a> today!</em></p> 1537How to Get to Know Your New Neighborshttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1536/how-to-get-to-know-your-new-neighborsJust for Fun,SafetyMon, 18 Sep 2023 21:05:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW TO GET TO KNOW YOUR NEW NEIGHBORS</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 18, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just for Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/first-time-homeowner">first-time homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/moving">moving</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kids">kids</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/pets">pets</a></p> <p>The experience of moving into a new home can be like riding a chaotic roller coaster - with all of the anxiety and eventual relief that’s involved with the ordeal. Often, families can be so consumed with making themselves comfortable in their new home that finding comfort in their new neighborhood is an afterthought.</p> <p>Today, many can find it difficult to familiarize themselves with the people that share their block, whether because they might lean toward an introverted personality, or perhaps their hectic lifestyle limits opportunities to invest in new relationships. Regardless of the reasons for these hurdles, new homeowners should realize that their best opportunity to get to know their new environment is when they first move into their homes. If you’re interested in exploring some strategies for making a positive first impression with your new neighbors, you’re in the right place!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">The Benefits of Knowing Your Neighbors</span><br /> Based on some of the latest <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/08/15/facts-about-neighbors-in-u-s/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sendto_newslettertest&stream=top#_ga=2.70495952.172928199.1694622116-849530539.1694622116" target="_blank">Pew research polls</a>, a lack of familiarity with one’s neighbors is trending up. While only 4% of Americans ages 65 and up report not knowing any of their neighbors, this number grows to 7% for ages 50-64, 15% for ages 30-49, and a whopping 23% for Americans ages 18-29. Since all indications point towards this trend picking up rather than slowing down, it seems that people are either having trouble getting to know their neighbors, or people aren’t seeing the value in investing in that relationship.</p> <p>The truth is that homeowners miss out on a great deal by staying distant from their neighbors. Since it can take a very long time to truly feel comfortable and at peace in a new home, building a relationship with the people next door and down the road is an excellent idea for anyone who wants to feel welcome and increase their familiarity with the area. Neighbors can share recommendations on nearby restaurants, interesting activities and businesses, or even just a nice route for a morning walk.</p> <p>Getting to know your neighbors isn’t just a good idea for feeling at home in your space quicker, there are plenty of practical benefits to a tight-knit neighborhood. Homeownership isn’t without its potential for danger or emergency situations. Having the peace of mind that your neighbors are watching out for you and your family in the case of fires or break-ins is priceless, plus (according to <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2015/01/know-thy-neighbor-reduce-gun-violence/384598/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sendto_newslettertest&stream=top#_ga=2.175689570.172928199.1694622116-849530539.1694622116" target="_blank">this article</a> from The Atlantic) communities that invest in social cohesion through increased trust and cooperation drive down gun violence and other violent crimes in their area.</p> <p>For homeowners who are just moving in and looking for advice on how to introduce themselves to their new neighbors, here are some simple strategies to get started!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Tips for Getting to Know Your New Neighbors</span></p> <ol> <li><strong>Spend Time Outside</strong><br /> Priority One for getting to know the people in your neighborhood should always be to look for reasons to be outside. Neighbors will be naturally curious to catch a look at the new family down the road. Although moving in is plenty of work and many are just accustomed to spending a lot of time indoors, moving trucks are an announcement that something new is happening, and people take notice.</li> <li><strong>Take the Initiative (and say, “Hello!”)</strong><br /> While it can be much easier to wait for new neighbors to introduce themselves, sometimes it will be necessary to take the first step. For those who are a bit more introverted than others, building up the courage to break the ice while being sensitive about their personal space can be a difficult hurdle to pass. Some may not realize that taking the initiative doesn’t have to be overly elaborate. Simply finding time to knock on a neighbor’s door to make an introduction goes a long way - it can be as straightforward as that!</li> <li><strong>Don’t Let An Opportunity Pass By</strong><br /> Finally, new homeowners should be intentional about making new relationships with neighbors a priority by jumping on each invitation or interaction that pops up. Moving into a new neighborhood, or city, or state is difficult and time consuming, so it is understandable that many reserve all freetime for relaxation and recuperation. With that said, spontaneous invitations and conversations can be rare, depending on the community.</li> </ol> <p>For the neighbors that are friendly enough to come by, be sure to smile and wave, and be open to enter into a conversation. For the other neighbors that might want to allow for some extra space and time to become acquainted with your new home, work in casual outdoor time. Relax on the porch, take time to improve the yard, and play with the kids or the family dog. Casual outdoor activities will show new neighbors that you aren’t too consumed or stressed out to be approached.</p> <p>Additionally, find a regular routine to take a walk around the neighborhood, learn the area, and make note of everyone else’s habits. Opportunities to launch into a conversation will naturally come up over time, and adding a dog into the picture is an easy conversation starter! Dogs often seem to make friends much easier than people do, and pet owners would be smart to take advantage of that fact!</p> <p><em>Note: As an extra way to bring neighbors to you, consider hosting a yard sale! Again, neighbors will be curious to see who moved in next door, and yard sales are a great way for people to easily get a picture of some family interests or hobbies. A yard sale is an open invitation for anyone to approach, so there shouldn’t be a sense of interrupting or invading your new space.</em></p> <p>Bringing along a batch of cookies or some other gift can also be a nice gesture, but shouldn’t be regarded as an essential. If finding a time when the new neighbors aren’t preoccupied at home becomes too difficult a task, consider joining local activities or organizations in the area such as the HOA or a local book club. Whatever the activity or organization, the point is to find a moment to interact with your new community and find some common interests to get the ball rolling.</p> <p>Ultimately, it doesn’t even matter if you’re particularly interested in the club. Make an appearance and use the occasion as an opportunity to make a dinner invitation or some other private outing. Although it might not always seem to be true, people are very willing to make new friends when the situation presents itself.</p> <p>A mantra that might be helpful to keep in mind is this: Say, “yes.” Maybe a neighbor needs help shoveling their driveway, or maybe they need an extra hand carrying their ladder around back. As long as you aren’t avoiding your neighbors, opportunities will present themselves. A great way to get to know your neighbors is just to be a good neighbor yourself!</p> <p><em>Struggling to find the right way to design your new home’s layout? <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/interior-design-tips-finding-your-homes-feng-shui">Feng shui principles</a> can be a great place to start! Did you <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/did-you-skip-your-buyers-inspection">skip your buyer's home inspection</a>? Don’t worry - it’s not too late! Contact <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">your local NPI inspector</a> today.</em></p> 1536Home Organization Tips for Back To School Seasonhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1535/home-organization-tips-for-back-to-school-seasonCleaning Tips,Home MaintenanceMon, 11 Sep 2023 20:57:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOME ORGANIZATION TIPS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 11, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/organization">organization</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kids">kids</a></p> <p>Regardless of the amount of preparation dedicated in advance, heading back to school tends to come as a shock. For families with more than one kid, systems of organization that worked perfectly fine during the summer can unravel quickly once hectic mornings and packed after-school schedules dominate daylight hours. No one wants their home to feel chaotic, and nothing builds up that feeling like disorganized clutter.</p> <p>The best way to combat the seismic shift that accompanies heading back to school is to discover a new rhythm that works for the entire family. Consistency, ease of use, and setting appropriate expectations that the family can keep up in the long term - accomplishing each of these are the keys to developing an efficient home. To avoid that seemingly inevitable shift that turns your home into a disaster zone through the course of the school year, consider adding these organizational tips to your arsenal!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Establish a Doable Routine</span><br /> In life, some people can find a fondness for spontaneity, taking life by the horns, and pursuing each odd opportunity. For kids, though, this sort of lifestyle will likely create a sense of uncertainty that affects many aspects of their lives. Trying to leave in the morning when one kid has misplaced a shoe, or forgot that they needed to have a permission slip signed? These situations arise because of a complicated lifestyle that isn't ideal, especially for younger kids.</p> <p>If bedtimes and morning rituals became a little more casual during the summer, establishing a more dependable, defined routine for school will help the family better understand what to expect on a daily basis. These standards might seem small, but this is the necessary start to any solid home organization plan. For younger kids, printing out and hanging a specific schedule for their bedtime and morning routines can be useful as parents help them through their order of operations. Over time, these routines will naturally get easier, and morning routines will become smoother.</p> <p><em>As an additional tip: any spare time spent during the previous night to select outfits or pack lunches will contribute to an even smoother routine in the morning. While bedtime routines can be difficult for some, mornings are usually far more frantic for families, as everyone needs to get to school and to work on time.</em></p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Conduct “Zone” Warfare</span><br /> With consistency in mind, a further strategy that can feed on instilling this within the home’s design is <strong>zones</strong>. One way that disorganization can spread through a home is when people don’t have a clear understanding of where an item lives when they aren’t using it. Should their backpack go in their room when done with homework? By the front door? In the closet? On the floor?</p> <p>If items are always in the same place, those frantic instances of last minute searches and misplacing crucial materials disappear. For backpacks, a great aid for organization can start with building a “Drop Zone” in the entryway (or mudroom) of the home. A stylish hanger for backpacks, coats, and keys can line the wall immediately where the family enters and exits the home to remove any guesswork in the mornings, and this area can also house a basket or folder for important documents that the parents need to sign or review. Everything in one tidy, consistent location to eliminate confusion.</p> <p>Another great “zone” to establish might be one dedicated to homework specifically. Pencils, pencil sharpeners, and paper all in one location (ideally separated from areas filled with potential distractions) will eliminate effort from searching for these materials. Items housed in this area are likely to change depending on the student’s age and workload, but developing a working area outside of leisure spaces should instill a more reliable (and hopefully less cluttered) space to support focus.</p> <p>Separating specific zones that hold enough storage for the items related to that dedicated task should at least contain messes to that area, and make cleaning up easier in the future.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Install a Centralized Command Center</span><br /> Finally, larger families in particular will benefit from building a command center, dedicated to sorting the schedules of everyone at a glance. Parents who have accidentally overbooked themselves know the struggle that come with delivering their children to various sports events, dance lessons, and musical performances - all somehow occurring on the same day. Avoiding these instances becomes easier through finding a way to take a step back and view the family’s schedules together.</p> <p>Hang a large calendar in an area that receives plenty of foot traffic (like the kitchen), where each family member has their events posted together. A week-by-week or month-to-month calendar organized in this way, perhaps while color-coding each family member’s events, can allow for quick reminders and a visual sense of how busy a week will be before getting surprised by a packed afternoon on the day.</p> <p>Adding to this calendar might change as the kids get older by giving them the responsibility to add their own events, and giving them their own personal planners will further teach that personal responsibility. A well-organized home comes through cooperation, setting appropriate expectations, and establishing consistency - which can all start right in the center of the home. Feel free to share your best home organization tips for entering the school year with us!</p> <p><em>Does your home still feel chaotic? Check out our tips to boost <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/interior-design-tips-finding-your-homes-feng-shui">your home's Feng Shui</a> for a better flow! To schedule your annual home maintenance inspection, contact your <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/find-an-inspector">local NPI inspector</a> today!</em></p> 1535The Keys to Assembling a Great House Flipping Teamhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1534/the-keys-to-assembling-a-great-house-flipping-teamDIY,Home Inspection,Home MaintenanceMon, 04 Sep 2023 20:53:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">THE KEYS TO ASSEMBLING A GREAT HOUSE FLIPPING TEAM</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> September 4, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/real-estate">real estate</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/home-seller">home-seller</a></p> <p>Some of the best must-see reality television today comes from house-flipping shows: seasoned real estate experts find appealing residential properties or fixer-uppers, then transform them into dream homes for a tidy profit. It’s no mystery why these shows are so popular either, as real estate window-shoppers, amateur handymen, and people with an entrepreneurial spirit are all drawn to the home renovation genre. With that said, the average Joe who might be interested in jumping into the house-flipping world should take pause due to the considerable learning curve involved.</p> <p>Anyone who hosts a show on HGTV is going to have vast experience and a top-notch team behind them that can make house flipping look far easier than it really is. To break into the house-flipping world successfully, a person would either need broad experience in real estate and home improvement or (much more realistically) a great team to lean on. If you’re looking into house flipping for supplemental income or a career shift, here’s some of the essential traits you’ll need on your team.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What is House Flipping?</span><br /> Before jumping into the deep end, let’s review a few important definitions. Namely, what is house flipping anyway? “House flipping” is a term best understood as the act of purchasing a house with the intent purpose of improving and reselling in a short amount of time for profit. This can be done with old or neglected homes that need major TLC, or it can be done with properties that could simply benefit from updating or trend-chasing.</p> <p>While many home improvement shows depict full-time home flippers making consistent investments that lead to impressive profits on resale, real-world flippers recognize the risk-reward nature of these projects. Too many naive, would-be real estate investors might attempt to flip a home, only to discover that they lack the know-how, the capital, and the insight to make the right choices. The good news is that this isn’t the case for everyone, and it doesn’t need to be! Success in this field starts with patience and the right background experience.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Who Do You Need On Your Team?</span></p> <p><span style="color:#00685e;"><strong><em>1. The Practical One</em></strong></span></p> <p>The financial specialist probably isn’t the flashiest or most exciting position on a home renovation crew, but they are the most important. While theory-crafting how to quickly upgrade a home can be exciting, someone has to be able to determine how much the project will cost and whether the anticipated profits warrant the investment.</p> <p>The core principle of house flipping starts with the 70% rule, which dictates that a buyer shouldn’t pay more than 70% of a home’s ARV (or after-repair value). In other words, someone needs to crunch the numbers of how much an expected renovation will cost, how much a home should re-sell for, and factor in things like mortgage payments, property taxes, and other recurring costs until the house can be placed back on the market. On top of all of this, funding can be a concern for those who don’t have a lot of liquid funds. According to real estate data experts at <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.attomdata.com/news/market-trends/flipping/attom-year-end-2022-u-s-home-flipping-report/" target="_blank">ATTOM</a>, nearly two-thirds of all home purchases with the intent to flip were cash-only offers due in part to how reluctant many banks are to provide loans for risky investments like house flipping.</p> <p>Teams that have a good financial expert in the fold can advise on realistic investments based on budget and will know to wait for the right home opportunity, rather than jump at the first interesting listing that could be more trouble than it’s worth. Whether this is a former accountant, or just someone who is great with numbers, an organized bookkeeper is a must for every house-flipping crew.</p> <p><strong><span style="color:#00685e;"><em>2. The Real Estate Market Expert</em></span></strong></p> <p>Next up is the person that is up to date on what sells, where the sought-after homes are located, and what the local market is projected to do during the timeframe of renovations. Ideally, this person would have extensive experience working in the market, coordinating purchases and sales as a real estate agent.</p> <p>Agents tend to have insider knowledge within the area they work, and will more likely have an accurate pulse on a local market to help make determinations on which homes are a smart purchase and which might be a bigger job than anticipated. Additionally, once a project is completed, the task of marketing and selling a renovated home can be extremely difficult without the help of a skilled real estate agent. Since time is always a factor with house flipping, having a reliable agent contact is vital when it comes to closing quickly and securing the best return on investment.</p> <p><span style="color:#00685e;"><strong><em>3. The Home Renovation Extraordinaire</em></strong></span></p> <p>A large portion of house flipping involves the actual renovation portion of the project. Because of this, many flippers have a background in things like contracting, plumbing, electrical work, or carpentry. “Sweat equity” refers to putting actual labor into a project, beyond logistical coordination and negotiation. Without this form of investment done right, a home flip is dead in the water.</p> <p>When hiring for contractors and other skilled laborers, it’s important to find people who can be trusted to do a good job and give informed, reliable advice. In addition, if the renovation work can be accomplished without hiring out, a considerable amount of the overall budget can be recovered immediately. This doesn’t mean that amateur handymen should attempt to renovate a house on their own, however. Jumping into a home flipping project with limited experience is a sure way to make costs rapidly inflate until it may be time to cut your losses altogether.</p> <p><span style="color:#00685e;"><strong><em>4. The Details and Crisis Manager</em></strong></span></p> <p>Speaking of cutting losses. An investor never wants to find a great flipping opportunity, investing time, energy, and funds, only to discover that a major issue means that repairs will be much more expensive than previously calculated. Otherwise exciting projects can be considerably derailed by discovering things like mold, wood-destroying organisms (such as termites or carpenter ants), or <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/home-features-that-ward-off-radon-a-guide-for-homebuyers">a high concentration of radon</a>.</p> <p>The beautiful thing about these home-flipping shows is that viewers get to watch houses get transformed and reach their full potential. This is why discovering a major issue can be so crushing beyond just the financial loss, and the truth is that these experiences could have been avoided with the right experience or assistance.</p> <p>People with a keen eye, and in-depth experience on some of the more costly home defects are important for home flipping because their input is the difference between catching larger repairs and being surprised with them later on. Home flipping is said to be a risky business, but partnering with residential home inspectors, commercial property inspectors, or other people that have a reliable track record of being thorough and detailed will help reduce the uncertainty inherent in these projects.</p> <p><em>NPI’s nation-wide network of professional home inspectors receive world-class training and is backed by decades of experience. To schedule your next home inspection, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">call NPI</a> before you buy.</em></p> 1534How Pets Are Changing The Way We Design Homeshttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1533/how-pets-are-changing-the-way-we-design-homesDIY,Home Decor,Just for FunMon, 28 Aug 2023 20:49:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">HOW PETS ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE DESIGN HOMES</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> October 28, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-decor">Home Decor</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=just-for-fun">Just For Fun</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/pets">pets</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/walls">walls</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/laundry">laundry</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/entertaining">entertaining</a></p> <p>Pets demand so much attention, but homeowners have a tendency to bend over backwards in order to accommodate. Frequently, cats and dogs can seem to rule their homes, and since the pandemic saw over 23 million American homes adopt pets (per the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/01/07/covid-dogs-return-to-work/" target="_blank">Washington Post</a>), the ways in which homeowners are learning to spoil them seem to be spiking.</p> <p>Barkitecture is a term used in reference to the recent trend of remodeling homes with pets specifically in mind, with more permanent and invasive remodeling efforts invested to make family dogs and cats feel more at home. If you’re in the market for a new home, or you’re considering a remodel to make your dog feel more at home, here are a few stylish and subtle home designs you might want to try out.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Starting with the Classics</span></p> <ul> <li><strong>Durable flooring</strong> is always something to consider, depending on your pet. Outdoor pets are notorious for tracking in all sorts of messy stains, and toenails can tear up carpet or many harder flooring materials. To avoid wearing out your floors, consider investing in luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, or other harder, scratch-resistant options like tile or terrazzo to make clean-ups quicker. Additionally, carpet is notorious for collecting hair and holding onto unpleasant odors. As always, the best pet-friendly homes start with the right flooring. <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/why-hardwood-floors-are-awesome-and-how-to-keep-them-that-way">Click here</a> for more information on hardwood flooring for your home!</li> <li><strong>Matching rugs</strong> to your pet’s fur color is a design shortcut that will make your home feel cleaner and sharper right away. Even when opting for durable flooring, homes will seem bare without rugs in key positions. However, as dark-haired dogs and cats shed onto lighter contrasting rugs and flooring, their fur will become a major distraction. Although it shouldn’t be an excuse not to clean, gray cat hair on gray carpeting should allow for some extra wiggle room.</li> </ul> <p>With these more traditional pet accommodations in mind, let’s move onto some of the more unique home Barkitecture trends that are changing home design.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Home Barkitecture Trends</span></p> <ul> <li><strong>Built-in dog washing stations</strong> have been growing in popularity, utilizing extra space in mudrooms, laundry rooms, and garages to reduce unwanted mud and dirt being tracked into the home. While some homeowners have invested their time constructing impressive DIY washing stations, many have opted for more elaborate projects with tile to match their home decor. Depending on how active of a lifestyle a dog leads, they may need to be fully bathed once every two weeks or so (according to <a class="color-secondary" href="https://be.chewy.com/how-often-should-you-bathe-your-dog/" target="_blank">dog experts at BeChewy</a>). Whether for cleaning off dirty paws or for making bath time less of a struggle, built-in washing stations are a great feature for families with dogs.</li> <li><strong>Wall shelves</strong> have traditionally been reserved for books or wall art as homeowners look to utilize unused space to enhance their overall room design. For people whose cats are best known as “tree dwellers,” these spaces have been reclaimed as elevated sleeping nooks and precarious obstacle courses where anything breakable isn’t likely to survive for long. With this in mind, some homeowners have finally dropped the pretext, filling their homes with wall stairs, bridges, and towers fit to entertain while keeping important items safe and protected elsewhere. Some might say that indulging in a cat’s climbing habit in this way might be, but many shelf designs and styles are attractive enough to be wall art on their own, matching a room’s existing decor perfectly.</li> <li><strong>With catios</strong>, homeowners have started to expand their cats’ freedom to a shocking degree, as these extended, open air outdoor spaces allow for fresh air without the dangers of roaming completely free. Catios come in many different shapes and sizes, but most include an easy access cat door onto a cage-enclosed patio attached to the home, but designed only for feline-usage. Again, the level of complexity changes depending on DIY experience and investment, but this feature is another example of homeowners prioritizing their pets’ health and their natural need for exploration, sun, and open air.</li> <li>For the dog-lovers that might think cat owners have lost it with that last home feature, <strong>dog rooms and dog houses</strong> are perhaps the entire reason for the Barkitecture name (and the inspiration for this blog article). Guest rooms being claimed by family dogs as their own bedrooms is a common phenomenon, but some homeowners have taken this idea a step further, designing and decorating spare rooms entirely for their dogs. One common dog room renovation project involves utilizing unused space under staircases, carving out miniature rooms and covering the new walls with dog-themed wallpaper or pictures.</li> </ul> <p>Dog houses, on the other hand, have been around for quite some time. In the past, these structures have been fairly simple, usually consisting of a few walls and a pitched roof. Nowadays, as <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@chipgirlhere/video/7037616069871226118?q=insane%20home%20features%20for%20pets&t=1692634973968" target="_blank">TikToker @chipgirlhere has shown off</a>, dog houses are becoming a bit larger and more luxurious than in the past. Pets have been changing the way homes look for a long time, and these changes seem to be getting bigger and more eye-popping every year.</p> <p><em>For more information on the latest <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/the-latest-interior-design-trends-for-2023">interior design</a> and home trends, stick right here on NPI’s Inspector blog. To schedule your next home inspection, schedule with <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">your locally-owned NPI inspector</a> today!</em></p> 1533Painting Perspectives: How to Pick the Right Shade of White For Your Homehttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1532/painting-perspectives-how-to-pick-the-right-shade-of-white-for-your-homeDIY,Home DecorMon, 21 Aug 2023 20:44:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">PAINTING PERSPECTIVES: HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT SHADE OF WHITE FOR YOUR HOME</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> August 21, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-decor">Home Decor</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/painting">painting</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/lighting">lighting</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/walls">walls</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/ceiling">ceiling</a></p> <p>Moving into a new home or giving a home new life through a renovation is very exciting! Understandably, new homeowners waste little time in finding ways to make their spaces feel like theirs - a visual nod confirming they’ve embarked on a new chapter in life. Over time, homes tend to naturally take on the personality of the people who live in them, but the best way to kick off this identity on the right foot is with a fresh coat of paint.</p> <p>Of all the creative, bold, and eye-catching options out there, some might wonder why people so often end up just going with white. For starters, white has remarkable staying power and versatility! White is closely tied to modern aesthetics, but it also fits well with classic architectural styles. Homeowners who would rather not overly experiment with their paint choices don’t have to worry about their white walls going out of style in a couple years. Plus, (depending on the shade) white can be used to emphasize virtually any furniture layout or interior design concept.</p> <p>Painting your home white is a fantastic choice, but with over 350 different shades of white available on <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.homedepot.com/b/Paint-Ideas/white/00" target="_blank">Home Depot's website</a> today, navigating the right choice for your home can be intimidating. To help you navigate your next home or room makeover, here’s a few tips for selecting the right option!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Wait, There’s More Than One White?</span><br /> That’s right! For those that haven’t attempted to weave through the seemingly endless options of hues and shades of white paint out there yet, there are indeed many different kinds of white paint. White can be warm or it can be cool, and it can be glossy or flat. Different shades work better in different situations, and even those that think they’re color-illiterate will be able to tell very quickly that they’ve entered a room with some clashing shades.</p> <p>The key to understanding the different shades of white paint is to look at undertones and finishes. “Cooler” whites have undertones of cool colors (like blue, purple, or green). Likewise, “warm” whites carry shades of warm colors (such as red, orange, yellow, or pink). A paint’s finish, meanwhile, refers to the level at which it reflects light. Glossy finishes reflect the most light, matte (or flat) finishes reflect the least amount of light, and finishes like eggshell or silk sit somewhere in the middle. In short, different combinations of these features are what leads to so many different shades of white - but it is to the homeowner’s benefit! Depending on taste and context, some whites are much better suited for the situation.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Take Context Into Consideration</span><br /> Ultimately, a white paint might seem nice in concept, but a strong shade that succeeds in one home might not do the job in another. This is all because of that context. Starting with natural light, rooms that lack windows or other access to light will generally not work very well with cooler shades of white. In these areas cooler whites often become too exaggerated, pulling seemingly further towards its blue or green shades than intended, and warm whites in areas with a lot of natural light can start to appear yellow.</p> <p>Regarding finishes, flat and matte finishes can perform better in heavily-trafficked rooms (especially in homes with rowdy kids or pets) since they can be touched up so easily. This doesn’t mean that glossier finishes should be off limits, of course! It’s just best to apply them to areas where they are less prone to scuffs or dings. Your paint will ultimately need to match well with your furniture and the overall feel you’re planning with your home. Again, while these rules work in concept, the best thing to make the right choice is to try your favorite shades in person.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Make Comparisons To A Constant</span><br /> Once it is determined whether a warmer or cooler white is needed, homeowners should grab a sheet of plain white printer paper and head to the store (the paper makes determining shade much easier). No one wants to repaint a room, so grabbing more options to test than necessary is better than grabbing too few.</p> <p>After having your options in hand, test them in the spot where you plan on painting. Hang your swatches, or paint your walls and ceilings then watch how they look in the morning, during the day, and at night. Warm, cool, glossy, flat - if your shade of white doesn’t work for you, then none of that matters in the end. Ultimately, just pick the shade that seems to fit your home the best and, if white isn’t doing the trick, there are other options.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Make Comparisons To A Constant</span><br /> Once it is determined whether a warmer or cooler white is needed, homeowners should grab a sheet of plain white printer paper and head to the store (the paper makes determining shade much easier). No one wants to repaint a room, so grabbing more options to test than necessary is better than grabbing too few.</p> <p>After having your options in hand, test them in the spot where you plan on painting. Hang your swatches, or paint your walls and ceilings then watch how they look in the morning, during the day, and at night. Warm, cool, glossy, flat - if your shade of white doesn’t work for you, then none of that matters in the end. Ultimately, just pick the shade that seems to fit your home the best and, if white isn’t doing the trick, there are other options.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">On Second Thought…Maybe Don’t Pick White</span><br /> One of the biggest reasons why people love white so much is that it can go with anything…until it doesn’t. When white isn’t doing the trick, there are tons of other more neutral shades that make great paint choices. From tan to taupe and gray to greige, there are many colors that can effectively brighten your kitchen, bedroom, or living spaces while featuring your furnishings well. And hey, if paint isn’t doing it for you, <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/wallpaper-sticking-around-home-design-in-2021">wallpaper is coming back</a> into style in a big way! So, what are you waiting for?</p> <p><em>For more tips on interior design trends and home living hacks, stick right here on NPI’s <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog">home blog</a>! To schedule your annual home maintenance inspection, contact <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">your local NPI property expert</a> today.</em></p> 1532Renter-Friendly Interior Design Hacks: How to Make Your Rental Feel Like Homehttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1517/renter-friendly-interior-design-hacks-how-to-make-your-rental-feel-like-homeDIY,Home DecorMon, 14 Aug 2023 18:05:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">RENTER-FRIENDLY INTERIOR DESIGN HACKS: HOW TO MAKE YOUR RENTAL FEEL LIKE HOME</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> August 14, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-decor">Home Decor</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kitchen">kitchen</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/floors">floors</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/walls">walls</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/lighting">lighting</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/painting">painting</a></p> <p>We’ve seen people make their homes in all sorts of unique and strange places. From trendy <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/tiny-homes-a-forgotten-fad-or-a-major-movement">tiny homes</a> to flat-out bizarre <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/passive-aggressive-architecture-the-odd-phenomenon-of-spite-houses">spite houses</a>, homeowners seem to have tons of freedom to personalize their spaces into something that is totally unique to them. Owning a home comes with plenty of work, but this ability to remodel, redesign, and remake is one of the things that makes homeownership such a sought-after goal.</p> <p>With that in mind, it’s easy to see why renting can be frustrating. Too many apartments lack character, and many tenants find themselves living in drab, cookie-cutter flats of uninspired architecture. Finding ways to tailor these spaces into something that feels a little more “homey” without making any permanent changes can be tough. The good news is, creative renters have found ways to have fun with decor, even while keeping to their lease agreements. To make your rental yours, here are some transformative, renter-friendly interior design tips.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Hang Some Temporary Wallpaper</span><br /> The first step to truly transform the overall look and feel of a room is to figure out what to do with the walls. Landlords tend to prefer keeping their walls in shades that are inoffensive to avoid turning away tenants, but this also leads to thousands upon thousands of neutral off-whites to choose between. In units that do not allow painting, removable wallpaper is a fabulous answer for this common issue.</p> <p>There are so many designs and styles of wallpaper available that come designed for easy application (and easy removal for renters). Just remember to clean the walls thoroughly and always hang wallpaper from top to bottom for a smooth application process. You’ll be shocked how much this simple step alone will make your rental feel yours.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Paint When Possible!</span><br /> Alternatively, some landlords can be shockingly amiable when it comes to paint (usually with the caveat that you repaint everything back to its original color when moving out). Painting a room can seem like a big undertaking, but a weekend’s worth of work might be the most impactful change that you can make on your space’s overall appearance. Even re-painting your walls the same color will make your rental feel fresher and cleaner.</p> <p>If painting isn’t listed as an option, try asking about adding just an accent wall. Painting only certain areas can create a sense of separation in rentals where space is limited, and the original wall color is still there for comparison when repainting later on. Check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.thespruce.com/accent-walls-tips-essential-dos-donts-797861" target="_blank">this article</a> from interior design experts at The Spruce to learn more about accent walls! Don’t take a landlord’s allowance for paint for granted.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Invest in Your Own Tile and Backsplash</span><br /> Flooring is one area where renters can feel limited in their options. Again, landlords tend to choose more conservative, muted flooring options to not scare away the average renter. This naturally leads to uninspired, tired floors that can drag down an otherwise satisfying floor plan. What most renters don’t realize is that rugs aren’t their only option.</p> <p>Peel-and-stick tile flooring can be laid right on top of any existing flooring, and there are plenty of more affordable options that add color and style to rental properties. Likewise, temporary backsplashes are an underrated kitchen upgrade worth exploring. When stuck with something that doesn’t quite resonate with your style choices, cover it up with something that does!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">Replace Your Hardware With Something Distinct</span><br /> For this next move, all you need is a screwdriver and a place to store the old fixtures. Doorknobs, cabinet handles, and power outlets can all be easily exchanged for new options of your choice. Even lights and faucets could be switched out with the right know-how (though proceed with caution). Although some of these purchases can get pricey, the great thing is that all of these items can be packed up and reused at your next home.</p> <p>As an extra note, electrical replacements can involve interacting with exposed wiring in some situations. Always err on the side of caution in these situations, and refer to the advice of an experienced electrician when possible. Lamps and adhesive, stick-on lights can do the trick of adding stylish lighting that these more direct replacements might have done.</p> <p><em>Ready to make the move from renter to homeowner? It’s best to be informed before making a big purchase. Always be sure to order a home inspection with every home purchase - <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">call NPI</a> before you buy.</em></p> 1517Spiders, Silverfish, and Termites: DIY Solutions for Ridding Your Home of Infestationhttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1516/spiders-silverfish-and-termites-diy-solutions-for-ridding-your-home-of-infestationCleaning Tips,DIY,Home MaintenanceMon, 07 Aug 2023 18:02:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">SPIDERS, SILVERFISH, & TERMITES: DIY SOLUTIONS FOR RIDDING YOUR HOME OF INFESTATION</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> August 7, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=diy">DIY</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=cleaning-tips">Cleaning Tips</a> | <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/bathroom">bathroom</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/new-homeowner">new homeowner</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/first-time-homeowner">first-time homeowner</a></p> <p>Many are quick to point out the bad wrap that insects tend to get. Bugs are a part of the diverse and fascinating ecology that lies just outside of our homes, after all, and their roles in pollination and sanitation cannot be overstated. Yes, some have found that the prevailing stigma associated with our many-legged friends to be a tad judgmental and unfair, given their thankless efforts. However, others will contend that while these truths are all well and good, bugs can stay outside of my house and far away from me, thank you very much.</p> <p>Homes can become infested by a wide range of the creepy and crawly-variety. For homeowners who would like to deal with their bug problems now rather than later and would rather not pay a hefty pest control bill, here are a few DIY solutions for dealing with bugs.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Annihilate Ants</span><br /> Ants are one of the most common home invaders throughout the United States, and they come in many different varieties, from the common pavement ant to the dreaded carpenter ant. Ants aren’t commonly known to bite people like some other bugs (though they can). However, they are known to contaminate food and carry disease. Carpenter ants are particularly troublesome due to their potential to cause serious damage to homes as they create their nests. If you are seeing a larger than normal number of ants in your home, you might have an ant infestation on your hands. Before calling the exterminator, though, there are some possible DIY solutions worth exploring!</p> <p>Ants tend to be drawn to different kinds of food based on the time of year and type of ant. According to pest experts over at the Family Handyman blog, homeowners can lay out a selection of proteins, sweets, and fatty foods in their home to determine which foods their ants are most drawn to. From there, toxic ant bait that corresponds to these different “diet preferences” can be used to lay waste to any ant colonies that have found their way indoors. For more information on handling ant infestations, check out the rest of the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/how-to-get-rid-of-ants/" target="_blank">Family Handyman's fabulous article</a>.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Clobber Cockroaches</span><br /> If you have never had to deal with roaches, consider yourself lucky. Cockroaches are one of the most common insects known to invade homes around the world, and, interestingly, they seem to be one of the most common insect-related phobias. Despite not commonly carrying diseases, biting, stinging, or sucking blood, cockroaches somehow climb to the top of most people’s insect “ick” lists.</p> <p>Award-winning journalist and fellow bug-despiser Rachel Nuwer writes about this phenomenon in a BBC article saying, “...many people suffer from katsaridaphobia, or cockroach phobia…[though the vast majority] never seek help, primarily because they want to do everything possible to avoid even speaking of those creatures.” For anyone interested in seeing many more pictures of these frequent household visitors, check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20140918-the-reality-about-roaches" target="_blank">Rachel’s article</a>!</p> <p>The best answer to keep cockroaches away is to clean up spills quickly, avoid leaving out food for long periods of time, and take out the garbage in a timely fashion. Cockroaches are known to reproduce extremely quickly, so catching sight of a single one of these critters should trigger homeowners to take action. Chemical bait can be placed under sinks and near trash cans, enticing roaches to bring the toxic food back to their families. This then eliminates the colony.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Terminate Termites</span><br /> For homeowners, the structural damage that termites can cause leads to more nightmares than all of the other insects on this list combined. Knowing the costly harm that can come from termites, this is one infestation where it may be worth contacting the pros rather than relying on DIY remedies. Still, there are options homeowners can take to fight against termites.</p> <p>The most reliable method for terminating termites is through using boric acid, an ingredient in certain insecticides. Drill holes into infected wood and apply this spray to cracks and other access points to eliminate termites where they’ve established themselves. Another option for a DIY termite trap is simply laying two wetted cardboard pieces on top of one another, leaving it near a termite nest, and allowing the insects to become caught in the material. This method isn’t thought to be as effective or consistent as using high-powered poisons and baits, but can be employed as a supplemental option. Remember, when in doubt with this issue, call a local pest control specialist!</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Slay Silverfish</span><br /> Although not the most numerous or harmful insects found in homes, silverfish are nonetheless a common unwanted guest. These insects are incredibly quick and are known to make their homes in moist or humid areas like bathrooms or under sinks (similar to many bugs). Their resilience is also something not to balk at, as scientists trace back their existence to times before even dinosaurs walked the earth. Apparently, humans have been contending with these pests for ages, but modern homeowners may have found a few tricks to help deal with them.</p> <p>Silverfish are drawn to common household items like glue, carpet fibers, and paint. So, a solid DIY way to catch silverfish is to wet a roll of newspaper and lay it out for a few days. Silverfish are likely to crawl inside the paper and can be disposed of easily. Alternatively, pest experts at Good Housekeeping <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/a20706230/how-to-get-rid-silverfish/" target="_blank">recommend making use of diatomaceous earth</a>, a white powdery substance said to be harmful to these insects.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">How to Smash Spiders</span><br /> Lastly, spiders might not be the most common infestation since they are known to be mostly solitary creatures. With that said, spider infestations plague many houses across the US. Even if a homeowner doesn’t necessarily consider themselves an “arachnophobe,” chances are that most would prefer to do without too many of these eight-legged companions in their cribs.</p> <p>To begin a fight against spiders, homeowners should thoroughly vacuum their homes, including under furniture and inside closets. Spiders tend to establish their lairs in seldom-frequented corners of houses, so a committed effort is needed for this step. From there, any pesticides or repellents can work nicely. As a homemade option, essential oils are said to be effective such as lavender, rosemary, and peppermint.</p> <p>In general, homeowners can work to keep pests out of their homes by doing things like trimming back bushes, and sealing openings to the outdoors. For more information on keeping pests away before they find their way in your home, check out <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-avoid-unwelcome-household-pests-before-they-move-in">this quick guide</a>!</p> <p><em>One of the things that make bugs so unnerving is that once found, you wonder how long they were wandering around just out of sight. Home inspectors know exactly where to look to identify the otherwise overlooked issues that lead to major maintenance problems in the home. Schedule a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">home inspection</a> with NPI today to avoid an unwelcome surprise tomorrow.</em></p> 1516The Dangers of Lead: How to Make Your Home’s Drinking Water Safehttps://www.npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/PostId/1515/the-dangers-of-lead-how-to-make-your-homes-drinking-water-safeHome Inspection,Home Maintenance,SafetyMon, 31 Jul 2023 17:59:00 GMT<p><span style="font-size:26px;"><strong><span style="line-height: 1;">THE DANGERS OF LEAD: HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME'S DRINKING WATER SAFE</span></strong></span><br /> <em class="fa fa-calendar"></em> July 31, 2023 | <em class="fa fa-folder-open"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=safety">Safety</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-maintenance">Home Maintenance</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts?Category=home-inspection">Home Inspection</a>| <em class="fa fa-tags"></em> <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/plumbing">Plumbing</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kids">kids</a>, <a href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/Tag/kitchen">kitchen</a></p> <p>When in the market for a new home, there are endless considerations home buyers must think through. Dividing the “must-haves” from the “nice-to-haves” can be difficult, but parents are wise to keep the health of their families a top priority. Buyers can easily feel overwhelmed by the number of dangers and health hazards that demand their attention in purchasing a new home, but one health hazard that both the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-sources-lead#water" target="_blank">EPA</a> and the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/water.htm?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fnceh%2Flead%2Fleadinwater%2Fdefault.htm" target="_blank">CDC</a> have highlighted as a concern in households is lead contamination.</p> <p>Many families and communities are exposed to the harmful effects of lead through their homes’ drinking water, but they may not be aware of this issue until after experiencing health problems. Lead contaminants within drinking water cannot be seen or tasted, so even in regions that aren’t commonly affected by lead, homeowners should be aware of every precaution at their disposal.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What are the Effects of Lead Contamination?</span><br /> Lead has been a major part of industry and various technological advancements in history, but widespread understanding of the harmful effects of lead poisoning didn’t truly occur until the late 1970s. In a <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/get_the_lead_out/pdfs/health/Needleman_1999.pdf" target="_blank">paper</a> produced in coordination with the Center for Biological Diversity, Dr. Herbert Needleman describes some of the findings from early behavioral studies conducted on children who recovered from lead poisoning. Here, pediatricians found 19 out of 20 children were diagnosed with considerable behavioral disorders or intellectual impairments even after recovery.</p> <p>Though studies like these led to transitions away from lead-based paints and other commonly-used lead plumbing, many are still subject to lead contamination to this day. Some of the most vulnerable groups include developing children (particularly under the age of six), and women while going through pregnancy. Of individuals who suffer from extreme lead exposure, health effects include:</p> <ul> <li>For Children: <ul> <li>The development of behavioral disorders</li> <li>Hyperactivity</li> <li>Anemia</li> <li>Lower IQ levels</li> <li>General irritability</li> <li>Weight loss and slowed growth</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <ul> <li>For Adult: <ul> <li>Cardiovascular issues</li> <li>Increased blood pressure</li> <li>Hypertension</li> <li>Anemia</li> <li>Reproductive issues</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>Although the effects of excess lead exposure is more severe to children than they are to adults, couples who are expecting should be particularly wary of their lead intake. During pregnancy, lead can be easily transferred to the embryo throughout development. While these effects may sound alarming, it is important to note that most homes do not deal with meaningful lead contamination. For homes that do have high levels of lead contaminants, there are options to take action.</p> <p><span class="emphasis-secondary">What Actions Can Homeowners Take?</span><br /> Common sources of lead contamination vary based on region and economic situation. Up until 1978, lead-based paint was widely used in homes. Children’s toys, jewelry, and cosmetics all pose lead contamination risks. Though drinking water might seem to be a looming threat in the battle against lead, resolving this potential contaminant source might be the most actionable for homeowners.</p> <ol> <li> <p><strong>Determine Lead Contaminant</strong><br /> Homeowners should start by confirming whether they actually have an issue with lead in their drinking water! A suspicion is just a suspicion, initially. Under the <a class="color-secondary" href="https://www.epa.gov/sdwa" target="_blank">Safe Drinking Water Act</a> (SDWA), local community water systems are required to deliver an annual report on their drinking water quality each year by July 1. Even if a community’s water is clean, a home can be affected by out-of-date piping. Homeowners can order a water quality test to determine the status of their home’s personal water supply. (Contact your local NPI inspector to ask about water quality testing.)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Implement a Filtration Plan</strong><br /> If a home’s drinking water does test highly for lead content, filters can be used to great effect. Filters can be directly applied to faucets as well as shower heads, and there are a wide variety of quality filter pitchers on the market that remove many common contaminants. For the most reliable filters, rely on those certified by the National Science Foundation (NSF).</p> </li> <li> <p><strong>Run Cold Water When Cooking</strong><br /> Finally, it is important to point out that boiling water does not remove lead from water, and should not be relied upon as an option for reduction. In fact, warm and hot water are said to contain higher levels of water overall than cold water. Experts at the CDC recommend running water for a period of time (depending on the presence of a lead service line) prior to drinking to “flush” the home’s water systems.</p> </li> </ol> <p><em>Take additional steps at maintaining a safe and healthy home by learning about <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Blog/Posts/how-to-improve-your-homes-ventilation-and-why-its-important">your home’s ventilation systems</a>. To schedule your annual home maintenance inspection, contact your <a class="color-secondary" href="https://npiweb.com/Find-an-Inspector">locally-owned National Property Inspections team</a> today!</em></p> <p><em> </em></p> 1515