inspections: 10 Tips to know about the Minneapolis Truth in Housing Report - 02/12/19 08:12 AM
What is a Truth in Housing report, and why is it important? TIH is designed for the safety of ‘other people,’ and focuses on code items. Most home owners know that all single family and duplexes are required to provide a TIH report to buyers to review. Condos and triplexes, 4plexes are exempt.
I sat down with Luis Alcaraz of Inspectucasa who is a 15+ year veteran inspector of city required inspections in Minneapolis, St Paul, and most other surrounding suburbs. Here’s Luis’ heads up for homeowners on what inspectors look for, and homeowners overlook.
Smoke and carbon detectors have to be … (0 comments)

inspections: Total Rehab in NE Minneapolis/It Gets Worse Before it Gets Better - 12/08/17 10:31 AM
Surprise is usually a bad word in real estate. Before any investor buys a home, they do a thorough inspection to plan the project and estimate expenses. The budget will have a little wiggle room for surprises that no one anticipates. 
The first phase depends on the time of year. In Minnesota, the weather is a major consideration. Winter comes every year, we just never know when. Exterior work needs to be done when weather permits, 50 degrees or above. The 6th St house that closed in early October rushed to have the stucco painted and window wells dug before the first … (4 comments)

inspections: Is an Inspection Really Necessary? - 10/19/17 08:57 AM
Well, what could possibly go wrong with new construction? It’s new right? So it should be perfect. Everyone wants a new home to be as perfect as possible. There are bumps that can happen along the way.
 
The builder hires contractors to work under him. That would be the plumber, electrician, HVAC, carpenters, sheet rockers, roofers, window installers, siding installers, cement work, painters, tile installers, carpet installers, wood flooring installers, and more. It does take a village to build your new home. The builder’s job is schedule all the trades’ people to work in tandem according on a preset schedule, and supervise … (0 comments)

inspections: Mommy to Mommy-Everyone Else’s Opinion - 09/12/16 12:14 AM
It’s really exciting when we decide to buy a new house. Especially when we get the green light from the bank, it’s GO time. Hubby and I were kids again. It was like choosing really cool toys in the biggest toy store EVER!
It means so much more though, it’s a huge milestone to reach this level of adulthood. The new chapter begins. Curb your enthusiasm, not everyone share’s your excitement. You’ll still have to face your tribe. The same people who were there for your wedding, first baby, that baby who is now old enough to have an opinion, are waiting … (0 comments)