I had my home inspected by our preferred home inspector a couple of years ago. I never had it inspected after it was built nearly twenty years ago. The inspection was thorough and was followed by a long, detailed report that I have since been using as a checklist of things I need to upgrade, repair, replace, etc. Because the report is categorized by how critical the findings are, I have been able to know what to prioritize, and have simply been scheduling work to be done as I have extra time and/or funds. Routine maintenance is absolutely necessary to get the most life out of virtually everything that makes up your home, both inside and out, and to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Jon Nichols, owner of House Detectives, has been our preferred home inspector for more than a decade. He has a list of credentials a mile long, including serving as President of the Oregon Association of Home Inspectors for many years now. Jon is as well-known for his aphorisms as he is for his expertise in all things home maintenance. He often says, “Pay me a little now or pay me a lot later,” in reference to small actions that can be taken by homeowners that will save thousands of dollars down the road. For example, servicing your furnace and AC is typically only a few hundred dollars combined and should be done annually. Regular servicing on these systems means that their lifespan could be upwards of 25 to 30 years, versus units that only get serviced when there is an issue that arises that will likely need to be replaced after 12 or 15 years if you are lucky.

The list goes on.

Ensuring proper attic ventilation can save you from major mold issues, as well as potential health issues for you and your family. Exterior maintenance like paint ensures that no moisture is getting into the siding creating dry rot and other major issues. Keeping trees trimmed and away from your roof and gutters will prevent unnecessary (and costly) damage to your home. Cleaning out your dryer vent on a regular basis. Did you know dryer vents are the second-leading cause of house fires?

Clean your vents! It could literally save your life. The number one leading cause of house fires is electrical panels. Having an electrician out to ensure everything is as it should be is pennies on the dollar compared to what could happen if an electrical issue goes unnoticed.

Because we are so passionate about this, we are offering to pay $100 toward your home inspection with House Detectives through the month of September and October so that you can stop worrying about the things that could go wrong with your home and start focusing on what really matters: truly enjoying your home with the ones you love.