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New Blog Post By Austin Property Doctor Vince www.austinpropertydoctors.com Call (512) 762-5912 or Book Inspection at www.austinpropertydoctors.com A home inspector primarily performs a visual, non-invasive examination of the home's major systems and components. They discuss findings with the buyer or seller (and usually their realtor) to help them understand the property's current condition, potential risks, and maintenance needs. This conversation typically occurs during th

The most common issue that prevents a home from selling successfully is overpricing , according to current real estate trends. The second biggest deal killer is typically home inspection and repair issues. In the majority of cases, sellers were unaware of these problems. Many could have been easily resolved with simple repairs or routine maintenance before listing the home. Experts strongly recommend that sellers obtain a pre-listing home inspection. This allows them to ident

Water pulled out of the air can cause structural damage, grow mold and attract insects. When we do mold testing we are also inspecting for traces of water and moisture. I recently inspected a home where a roof leak created a wet environment attracting carpenter ants which infested a very nice home and did damage to walls. Next, did a home inspection and found moisture in the attic condensing on the HVAC Air handler cabinet and the roof sheathing, creating a heavy active mold

There was a time when it was OK to leave your home unlocked and unsecured. That time is past. When we inspect homes, the doors and windows are part of the structural system we evaluate. Many times I find points of access to the home because it is not secure. The home is supposed to protect you from the weather and unwelcome intruders. Most home burglaries are crimes of opportunity—burglars look for easy, quiet targets with quick entry/exit and signs that no one's home. The g

Your Home Inspector, Vince During Home Inspections one of our goals is to identify unsafe conditions. Often we will find issues that if not corrected could lead to a fire. There are also things you can be aware of right now. Preventing house fires is largely about awareness, maintenance, and smart habits—most home fires are avoidable. According to sources like the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) , National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) , and recent statistics, cooking re

🌟 Big News from Austin Property Doctors! 🌟 We're now proudly offering professional Mold Inspections in Austin and Central Texas! Mold Inspections - Visual Inspection combined with Air and surface sampling Water intrusion and mold growth can cause damage to a home but also present health and safety problems. The lab report will detail what is in the air of the home from levels of mold to skin and hair particles. Every aspect of home inspection is done with your safety in min

Posted by your Inspector, Vince. Austin Property Doctors. Home inspections include evaluation of systems and situations that can introduce carbon monoxide into your home. One common source is a door that does not automatically close between an attached garage and the home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fuels like gas, oil, wood, propane, or charcoal. It's often called the "silent killer" because it can build up indoors without warning

Your home inspector, Vince (512) 762-5912 Termites are destructive pests that can cause serious structural damage to homes if not addressed properly. Professionals overwhelmingly recommend these approaches, as they target the entire colony rather than just visible termites. Liquid Soil-Applied Termiticide Barriers This is one of the most common and fastest-acting methods. A licensed professional digs a trench around your home's foundation (and may drill into slabs or concret

Here are practical, effective ways to cut your air conditioning cooling costs  and clean your air conditioner  properly. Warmer Temperatures are with us and Summer is around the corner. During a home inspection we will usually run the HVAC system and report on any issues found. However you can reduce your bills by 10-30% depending on your setup, home, and usage. Ways to Cut Cooling Costs Make your AC run less often and more efficiently by reducing heat gain, improving airflow

I hope this email finds you and your family well. As a Home Inspector I care about safe and healthy living spaces. I wanted to share some important information that could make a real difference for you and your loved ones. Mold is more common in homes than many people realize—especially in areas with humidity, past water leaks, poor ventilation, or even after minor unnoticed issues like a slow plumbing drip or roof leak. While some mold is visible (black spots in bathrooms or

When doing home inspections, I see a number of places where insects can easily enter homes. Make sure you seal cracks and openings, especially where water pipes and other conduits penetrate walls, around the garage door and other exterior doors.. Note: don't close up weep holes or openings that are intended to remain open. To eliminate ants in your home, you will need a combination of prevention, sanitation, and targeted treatment. The most successful approach targets the col

We are more and more dependant on electrical devices. Increasing power service is being planned for Data Centers. Many times during an inspection I spot possible problems in the home. The main threat to the electronics in your home is power surges. Power surges (from lightning, utility grid issues, or internal appliance switching), brownouts/overvoltages, overheating, dust/humidity, and physical damage. There are solutions 1. Install Whole-Home (Whole-House) Surge Protection

Older homes were Drafty and could naturally ventilate themselves. Modern homes are designed to be more air tight and ventilation, heating and cooling are more controlled. Sealing air leaks now makes your home more comfortable and helps reduce heating and cooling costs. Sealing air leaks is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce heating and cooling bills (potentially saving 10-20% on energy costs), eliminate drafts, and enhance indoor comfort

During Home inspections we utilize thermal cameras and often find areas of missing or inadequate insulation. We also look for water intrusion. You can call your utility company and ask about an energy audit. They can recommend an auditor, and some companies will pay all or part of the cost. Improving the insulation of your home reduces energy bills (potentially saving 10-15% on heating and cooling costs, per ENERGY STAR and the U.S. Department of Energy), enhances comfort, an

When inspecting homes I usually several ways people could save money. Your Home inspector, Vince. www.austinpropertydoctors.com Home insurance premiums can add up, but there are several proven strategies to lower costs without skimping on essential coverage. Savings vary by location, insurer, and your home's specifics, but implementing a few can reduce rates by 10-25% or more. You might look into replacing a washing machine hose with a non-burst, steel reinforced hose, some c

Most foundation issues (cracks, settling, heaving, bowing walls) are caused by water  and soil movement . If you control moisture around and under your home, you’ll prevent 90% of future foundation headaches. 1. Control Surface Water (Keep it away from the house) Maintain positive drainage: Final grade should slope away from the foundation at least 6 inches over the first 10 feet (5–6% slope). Extend downspouts and gutters at least 5–10 feet away from the house (longer in cla

Your inspector, Vince. Ask for me at www.austinpropertydoctors.com or call (512)762-5912 In Central Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Hill Country, DFW, etc.), pipes rarely freeze, but when a strong Arctic blast drops temperatures into the teens or single digits for more than a few hours (like Feb 2021 or the Christmas 2022 event), thousands of homes still end up with burst pipes. Here’s the practical, Texas-specific checklist that plumbers and Texas emergency management recommen

Your Home Inspector, Vince. www.austinpropertydoctors.com When working on a home inspection I am looking for leaks and water intrusion. I also keep in mind how water moves in and out of the home. During inspections, I often see many ways the homeowner could use less water, and that is important in central Texas. One thing home inspectors do is to take a look at your water meter, does it move when you have no water on in the house? You can do this and discover running water be

A water softener removes minerals from your water; that means cleaner laundry, a longer life for water-using appliances, less mineral buildup on plumbing fixtures and many other benefits. If taken care of it can provide these benefits for 20 years or more, trouble-free. Home Inspectors do not routinely inspect water softeners but they are an import component of the plumbing system we do inspect. Have someone routinely service your equipment and here are some tips. Austin Prop

Modern appliances don’t seem to hold up like they used to.  As a home inspector when I check the home appliances I often see things that can be done to double or triple how long they last. 1. Your Refrigerator (average life: 13–17 yrs → 20+ yrs) Clean those coils (back or underneath) every 6 months with a vacuum brush. Dusty coils make the compressor work 30 % harder. Make sure there is space for air flow. Don’t overload it, airflow is critical. Leave 1–2 inches around items