The COVID-19 pandemic means millions of people are working from home, and for many companies that switch has become permanent. As a result, telecommuting is changing the way many think about where they live and the type of house they live in. Across Illinois and the nation, numerous companies switched from in-office to work-from-home policies in early spring as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, before the pandemic, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found 24% of employees did some or all of their work from home. That number has skyrocketed in 2020. Telecommuting Could Become Permanent W ..read more

If you’re buying a condo, do you need the property inspected? Yes! Condo inspections are a critical part of the condo-buying process. At Detailed Inspection Service, we inspect condos to help keep you safe and protect your investment. HOA Won’t Cover Interior Issues Some buyers may think a condo inspection is unnecessary because they mistakenly believe the Home Owners Association (HOA) will cover issues. This can be an expensive and troublesome assumption.  It’s true a condo generally requires less maintenance than a traditional single-family home. For most condos, the HOA will take care ..read more

For many Americans, homeownership is a priority. June is National Homeownership Month, and at Detailed Inspection Service, we’re proud our home inspections services are a key step toward homeownership for our clients. A home inspection is a key step in your path to homeownership. In Illinois, 65.1% of all households are homeowners. That rate increases to 83% in Will County. According to lender FreddieMac, “Homeownership plays a vital role in helping to build strong, stable communities. In addition to it bolstering your community’s treasury through taxes, research shows the many social benefits ..read more

Your home inspection may reveal a lot about a property – perhaps an aging roof, outdated electrical wiring or leaky plumbing. Does the seller have to fix these issues? A home inspection report is a valuable tool, but it isn’t a mandatory repair list. A home inspection is simply an assessment of a home’s condition. A licensed expert will use their training to examine and evaluate the entire home, before writing his or her findings in a report. Report can be used during sale negotiations With the report in hand, you can negotiate with the seller to either fix issues or ask for a price reduction ..read more

A recent survey revealed buyers want move-in-ready homes that don’t require a lot of work. A home inspection helps buyers understand what they’re getting. In 2020, Better Homes & Gardens surveyed 2,000 recent home buyers and 500 real estate professionals to see what today’s home buyers want. Previously, buyers wanted fixer-upper homes. They wanted outdated kitchens and bathrooms, and they wanted “project houses.” Buyers Avoiding “Project Houses” Today’s buyer, the survey found, wants to shy away from that depth of work. Instead, home buyers are seeking properties which may require cosmeti ..read more

Buying a home is an expensive endeavor. In an attempt to save money, you may find yourself asking “Why can’t I do a home inspection myself?” However, a home inspection isn’t something to attempt on your own. Not only are you emotionally invested in the property, but the State of Illinois requires inspectors to be licensed. Home inspections are a thorough visual inspection of all structural components, appliances, and operating systems in a home.  If you’re planning to purchase a home, it’s certainly in your best interests to carefully consider the property. However, conduct ..read more

Radon develops from the breakdown of naturally-occurring radioactive elements in soils and rocks. January is National Radon Action Month. January is National Radon Action Month and Detailed Inspection Service can inspect Illinois homes to determine radon levels. Because radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined January is the time to “Test, Fix, and Save a Life.” When Buying a Home, Make Sure to Test for Radon If you are buying or selling a home, it is especially important to have the property tested for radon ..read more

You’re in the process of buying a house and are encouraged to have the home inspected. What’s the next step? Before buying a new home, your real estate agent will likely recommend a home inspection. But what does a pre-purchase home inspection mean? What can you expect during the home inspection? Most home buyers aren’t property experts. While they may be able to assess features like square footage, location and number of bedrooms and know if a home will work for them, it’s harder for the average buyer to tell if the electrical wiring is up to code or if the roof is in good shape. A H ..read more

Can a house fail a home inspection? The short answer is no. A home inspection is the opinion of the inspector as to the condition of the home at the time fo the inspection. Houses can’t fail home inspections. An inspection is simply an evaluation of the condition of a home at the time of the inspection. There is no pass/fail grade for a home inspection. Think of a home inspection as a status report. It is simply an evaluation of the condition of a home at the time of the inspection. Home Inspection Describes a Property’s Condition The inspection will describe the property’s physica ..read more

New Lenox, Illinois is a growing community. As residents buy or build homes, Detailed Inspection Service is there to meet all your home inspection needs. Though it was first settled in the late 1820s, it wasn’t until 1946 that the Village of New Lenox was formally incorporated. The Village of New Lenox is a growing community. New Lenox is a Growing Community The 2010 census noted there were 24,394 people living in the community. However, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning forecast the New Lenox population to grow to 68,800 by 2040. With 45.2% of the households having c ..read more