Oak Forest, IL

First, let me acknowledge that this blog will be viewed by some as being controversial. In my opinion, I think it is educational. I want to be clear that I am not accusing ALL real estate agents and home inspectors of wrong doing. But, with any group of people there is going to be those bad apples.

Most home buyers know that a home inspection is a good idea, they just do not know which home inspector to choose. There are a few resources that can be used to find a good home inspector. Some resources are real estate agents, friends, family, lawyers, mortgage brokers, and the internet. This is not an all inclusive list, but gives you a general idea of the resources available.

Home buyers have a lot to do when trying to purchase a home, sometimes it can be overwhelming. The real estate agent many times offers a few names of home inspectors or home inspection companies to the buyer. This can appear to be a beneficial service for the buyer. The problem with this is that the agent and others involved in the home buying process have a vested interest in the buyer purchasing the home, this presents a conflict of interest in my opinion. Why is the agent referring a certain home inspector(s)? Some agents refer certain inspectors because they feel that the inspector will not "kill the deal".

The derogatory phrase "Deal Killer" is used by real estate agents to describe those home inspectors who are objective and provide the buyer with an inspection report which may cause the buyer to renegotiate or cancel the purchase of a property. Many real estate agents believe that the home inspector "Kills the Deal", when in fact, it is the condition(s) of the house that kills the deal. It is the classic "kill the messenger" mentality. Real estate agents believe this hurts their ability to earn income. Real estate agents will use a number of tactics to control which inspector that you select. Be wary of the agent who objects to your desire to use an inspector that they have not referred. Their objection is your clue that your desire to use a different home inspector is the right thing to do.

Some home inspectors are willing to minimize issues that are found with a house so as to not "kill the deal" in order to gain more referrals from the agent. The agents learn which inspectors are willing to minimize issues and will continue to refer them. Some home inspectors are related to or married to the agent, and do not disclose this to the buyers.

Home inspectors are the only service providers involved in the home buying process that do not benefit when a buyer purchases the home. We benefit before the purchase is complete. My job is to inform and educate you on the condition of the home, then you decide what you want to do.

My advice is to search for a home inspector before, or at least, at the same time you begin to search for the other services needed to purchase a home. Talk to family and friends, co-workers, search the internet and interview potential inspectors. Remember, you have the right and responsibility to choose your home inspector.

There are 11 real estate listings (as of 04/05/09), in Oak Terrace, Oak Forest IL ranging in price from $88,900 to $575,000. Visit Oak Forest real estate site and view all real estate listings in Oak Forest, Illinois including residential and commercial real estate in Oak Forest, Illinois.

Oak Forest IL Real Estate

Many home inspectors advertise that they preform re-inspections. This service seems to generate several questions from both real estate agents and clients; What is a re-inspection? Why have a re-inspection? Why do you offer free re-inspections? I will try to offer my opinion on how the industry answers these questions and how I answer them.

A re-inspection is when you have a home inspector come back and inspect a property that the home inspector has already inspected for a fee. This is an inspection that can range from component(s) to the whole house, to identify whether defects or issues have been corrected, or just to re-evaluate the property. Any inspection services that were not performed during the original inspection usually are not included, but may be added for a fee at the clients request. Now, the important part of this is that you have the SAME home inspector perform the re-inspection, as performed the original home inspection. If you were to call a home inspector to perform a re-inspection on a property that they did not perform a home inspection on previously, you will not be getting a re-inspection but a home inspection. This of course will cost extra dollars.

Whether you are the buyer or the seller, re-inspections are a great way to determine if an issue that was cited in the original home inspection has had the appropriate corrections. The service is usually limited to the services or components from the original inspection. Some inspectors will only re-inspect the noted defected items. Any additional services would be available for a fee. Some home inspectors offer free re-inspections, some charge a fee. Some home inspection companies may offer "free re-inspections" that may not be free. The inspection part is free, but they will charge a mileage fee, or a fee for weekends, or a fee for after hours. These fees can range from $25 to $150. To be clear, I am not saying that home inspectors that charge these fees are doing anything wrong, it is perfectly legitimate to charge such fees. I am only suggesting that when you are inquiring about hiring a home inspector; that this question be considered along with all the other questions you will ask.

I offer free re-inspections for one year from the date of the original home inspection.The free re-inspection not only covers any issues that were corrected, but it includes any future home inspections during that year that you may want. This is especially helpful if you have a warranty on your house that will expire within the one year free re-inspection time frame; call me at about the tenth or eleventh month of the warranty and I can help you identify any issues. This saves you money because home inspectors, as do I, charge for home warranty inspections as a separate service. I do not charge a mileage fee, after hour fee, weekend fee or any other fee.

I offer free re-inspections for several reasons.

1) You have already paid me to inspect the property, and had an issue(s) corrected based on my opinion.

2) If I were to charge you for the re-inspection, it would create what I believe to be a conflict of interest. What I mean is this; I remove the possibility that I told you that there was an issue so that I could come back and do a re-inspection and charge you a fee.

3) Many questions and issues will only become apparent after living in a home for a period of time. I will already be familiar with your home, and will be able to offer a more educated opinion based on my previous knowledge of your home.

4) Not providing free re-inspections would be like doing only half the job.

All major appliances require some regular maintenance in order to operate efficiently. Failure to properly maintain appliances increases their chances of breaking down, or causes them to labor or work harder to perform their task. This leads to increased energy bills and a chance of an appliance repair or replacement bill. When dryer vent cleaning and maintenance is neglected, there is yet another danger; a clothes dryer fire.

Here are some items you should know about clothes dryers and dryer vent systems:

•· The lint trap should be pulled and cleaned after each load of laundry

•· Residue can build up on the lint screen over time; it should be washed with soap and water about once a month

•· Avoid putting rags soaked with oil, gasoline or other combustible substances into the dryer, even if they have been washed

•· All flammable materials and liquids should be stored well away from the clothes dryer

•· Order professional dryer vent cleaning and maintenance at least once a year

•· Have your dryer duct and vent system inspected to be sure it is up to UL Safety Standards

•· Do not use vinyl or plastic material for your dryer ducts; use only semi-rigid or solid metal

•· Keep the outside vent clean and check it often for blockage, damage or freezing

Proper maintenance of your dryer vent system will keep you safe from a fire, save money on energy bills, and reduce the risk of appliance malfunction or break-down. The small service fee for a dryer vent cleaning and inspection is little compared to the savings it offers in preventing a fire and prolonging the life of your dryer.

This article was written by Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Chicago, Il. Most consumers are unaware that annual dryer and dryer vent maintenance is required to keep the dryer running properly and to prevent dryer fires. Additionally, annual maintenance can save energy. Dryer Vent Wizard specializes in dryer vent cleaning, repair and installation.

Dryer Vent Wizard of Chicago services residential and commercial buildings in Cook County, Arlington Heights, Chicago, Glenview, Evanston, Elmhurst, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Schaumburg, Wilmette, and neighboring cities and communities.

Phone: 773-484-3509

Web: http://www.dryerventwizard.com

Email: mmatias@dryerventwizard.com

Thankfully, no one was injured and damages were minimal due to the homeowner recently installing additional smoke detectors

Chicago, IL -- A recent dryer fire, reported in Oak Forest, Ill, located about 24 miles southwest of Downtown Chicago, could have easily been prevented with proper dryer vent maintenance. As the woman looked at the charred remains of her home, she was thankful for one thing; she had taken the precaution to have additional smoke detectors installed in her home. She did this a few months before, when a neighbor was killed in a tragic house fire.

The woman was home alone, doing laundry, when she heard the smoke alarm in the basement. She went to check it out, didn't see flames, but the room was full of smoke. She quickly called 911 as she got her dogs out of the home.

Within minutes, Oak Forest firefighters battled thick smoke and put out the fire. The smoke was so thick they had to break out a window to let it out so they could see. This occurred within minutes.

The fire destroyed the dryer, damaged the washer, and did additional damage to the laundry room; all will be taken care of by her homeowner's insurance.

The fire fighters told the woman that she was smart to install the additional smoke detectors; without them, she would not have been aware of the fire soon enough to avoid further damage and the possibility of losing her home. Credit is also owed to the quick response of the fire fighters.

When Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard, heard the news, he was naturally upset. In a recent interview, Mory said, "Though I'm glad no one was hurt and damages were minimal, this tragedy could have been prevented altogether with proper dryer vent cleaning and maintenance. Yes, smoke detectors are very important, but so is proper appliance maintenance, and fire safety and prevention awareness in all areas of the home."

According to Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard of Northshore Chicago, most consumers are unaware that annual dryer and dryer vent maintenance is required to keep the dryer running properly and to prevent dryer fires. Additionally, proper maintenance saves on energy and other associated costs. Learn more at http://dryerventcleaningchicago.blogspot.com/

Contact:

Dryer Vent Wizard of Northshore Chicago

Mory Matias

Phone: 773-484-3509

Email: mmatias@dryerventwizard.com

Website: http://www.dryerventwizard.com