Gil Strachan's Blog

Confirming accessibility requirements. Dear Homeowner,Crawl spaces, attics, furnaces, electric panels... these are a few of the many places where a conscientious home inspector needs to venture, in order to perform a complete and accurate assessment of your house.Please have your stairwell tidy a...

Mobile homes are usually mounted on grade-level wooden or concrete blocks, with the trailer wheels removed. They are typically skirted with vinyl or aluminum siding, or painted plywood sheathing. Mobile homes are sometimes installed on concrete block foundations, and it can be difficult to determ...

Let's take a moment to consider the merits of WETT Inspections - and highlight an easier approach Sellers can take when it comes to wood stoves and fireplaces.“WETT Inspection” refers to the inspection of any wood-burning system in a home. A WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) certified profes...

Q: What is a WETT Inspection? What’s involved?A: WETT (Wood Energy Technology Transfer) Inspection relates to the inspection of any wood-burning system in a home. A WETT Certified Professional assesses different components of the system in question, to determine whether or not it meets the minimu...

If there had been a pre-list inspection, he'd still have them in a row. Don't let vermiculite, or anything else turn your ducks around.The overall condition of a property didn't always have such a big impact upon a deal however in recent years, especially in major centres across Canada today Real...

Split-system air conditioners for homes without air ducts    Many newer systems also function as heat pumps, providing primary heating as well as cooling.Video: Mitsubishi Electric Mr. Slim: How It Works  4:41 Advantages Easier installation than central systems Air ducts not required Zone control...

What Realtors need to know about Retrofit Section 9.In addition to granny, a granny flat can contain some dire pitfalls for a new owner and anyone involved in the sale of such a unit. It’s one more thing for real estate professionals to be concerned about, because the consequences of having an ap...

Guidelines for well owners; important facts for RealtorsOntarians deserve access to clean, safe water. This means keeping water free of pollutants and contaminants that could harm the environment and human health.Over three million Ontarians rely on groundwater for their drinking water. There are...

Why does condensation occur on interior surfaces?Condensation can occur on any surface that is below the "dew point" of the air with which it is in contact. The "dew point" is the temperature at which condensation will occur for a given humidity level. Inside many homes in winter, the inside of t...

Many buyers are unaware of what to expect from an inspection or what to do with the results. To separate fact from fiction, here are five major misconceptions about home inspections:Myth 1:  All home inspectors and inspections are pretty much the same.The Truth:  Only three provinces – BC, Albert...