Gary N Smith.net

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) introduced the measure that expands the Neighborhood Stabilization Plan, and would offer $15 billion in grants for fixing up residential and commercial properties left vacant following foreclosure. It would also increase support for land banks, which work with communities to buy, hold and redevelop distressed properties as part of a long-term redevelopment strategy.

Podcast by ASHI – Inspect that foreclosure!

Ah the American dream. The hope that some saved investment money will yield more for you when your dreams become reality. You’ve spent hours watching the so called “Flip shows” on the DIY network and your burning desire is to be the next great guru of homes. The paint! The pretty fixtures! Everyone else is doing it so it can’t be that hard! When all the dust has settled along comes the Home Inspector ready to essentially score your pet project.

We spend more time indoors during the winter months. That’s why it makes sense to keep your heating and cooling system’s air filter changed. Here are a few details to consider. Air filters are manufactured with a rating called the MERV or minimum efficiency reporting value.  That’s a number from 1 to 16 that’s relative to [...]

Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities. Follow these basic Laptop safety tips to improve your experience: √ If you use your laptop on the couch : • Make more frequent breaks because it is the best posture for the back. • Try to have [...]

I’ve lost count of the number of homes I have inspected that folding disappearing stairs built into their ceilings. More often than not the folding legs are not trimmed to the correct length or properly secured to the framing and thereby creating a fall hazard. The energy loss factor is the most convincing reason to [...]