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Oak Forest, IL Real Estate News

By Joe Kenny, Better Than Your Average Joe
(Realty Executive Midwest)
Nope, it's not a zip code, pin number or the access code to a lock box, it is the number that can be seen on the front of American Idol contestant, Chris Madina's shirt.  Chris is from Oakforest, IL a suburb about twenty-five miles southwest of Chicago. He was featured on Fox's 10th Season of American Idol last night, which I missed due to my little business trip to Peoria. Why am I'm writing about this you may ask?  It's simple, Chris is a hero in my eyes and I think the world should know it.  He has been dating his fianace, Julianna for eight years and engaged for three.  Julianna was involved in a car accident in 2009 and suffered brain damage.  It could be real easy for a twenty six year old to move on but Chris is hanging in there demonstrating what love and commitment truly is.   
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By Michael Merino, Orland Park Ill Home Inspector
(Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.)
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 agen...
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By Michael Merino, Orland Park Ill Home Inspector
(Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.)
  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 cl...
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By Mory Matias
(Dryer Vent Wizard of Northshore Chicago)
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 ...
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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...
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By Michael Merino, Orland Park Ill Home Inspector
(Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.)
The EPA has designated January as "Radon Action Month". This of course is to help raise awarenss of the effrects of Radon. For more information from the EPA click here http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/. Radon is a Radioactive Gas Radon-222 is the decay product of radium-226. Radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous in the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock and all soil and water. Radon is a radioactive element that is part of the radioactive decay chain of naturally occurring uranium in soil. You can't see radon. You can't smell radon and you can't taste radon. Unlike carbon monoxide and many other home pollutants, radon's adverse health effect, lung cancer, is usually...
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By Michael Merino, Orland Park Ill Home Inspector
(Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.)
There are some older brass gas connectors (lines) that can cause injury or death. The connectors have not been made for at least 20 years, but some are still in use. The way the tubing was joined to the end pieces has a flaw that may cause gas leaks, fires, or explosions. You will recognize the the flawed brass connector because it is all brass in color (tubing and end pieces). If you are not sure if you have the connector in question, replace it anyway. They should be replaced IMMEDIATELY with a new plastic coated brass or stainless steel connector. 
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By Michael Merino, Orland Park Ill Home Inspector
(Merino's Home Inspection & Education Inc.)
Since I am new here, I need a little help about posting blogs. I am familiar with forums, but not blogs. Seems they may be similar? My main question is about submitting. There is a visibility option, what is best to use? Same question for the post options. I am actually confused by some of the options for posting. I appreciate any help that can be provided.    
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