Inspections Plus

08/15/2026

Older Massachusetts homes often hide clues in the attic. Our latest post explains board roof sheathing — what it is, its pros and cons, and why proper attic ventilation and drying matter when reroofing. A must-read for homeowners, roofers, and inspectors. Read more: https://wix.to/zMfaO6u

A field-informed guide to durable old board roof decks, drying potential, attic ventilation, inspection limits, and reroofing decisions.

08/05/2026

Buying a townhouse in Massachusetts? Remember: you’re buying more than just the unit. Shared roofs, walls, drainage and utilities mean inspections should include building systems, exterior elements, and common maintenance responsibilities. Read our guide to know what to verify before closing and avoid surprises. https://wix.to/6BAcd67

A townhouse may feel like a separate home while sharing roofs, walls, drainage, utilities, and maintenance responsibility. Learn what buyers should inspect and verify before closing.

08/03/2026

Fieldstone foundations are charming — and common in older Massachusetts homes — but they also come with unique inspection considerations. In our latest blog, we explain how inspectors tell the difference between normal historic construction and signs of movement, moisture, failing mortar, or issues that need further investigation.

A must-read for buyers and real estate pros.

Read more: https://wix.to/STDLOFI

Fieldstone foundations are common in older Massachusetts homes. Learn how inspectors distinguish normal historic construction from movement, moisture, failing mortar, and conditions requiring further investigation.

08/01/2026

This is my son, Malcolm. He's the youngest inspector I have embarked on apprenticeship training with. He is 7.

07/28/2026

Boston’s century-old triple-decker porches are more than architectural character—they are interconnected structural systems supporting three occupied levels.

The upper porches depend on everything below them: joists, beams, connections, columns, bearing points and footings. As these systems age, deterioration, settlement or a poorly executed repair at one location can affect the performance of the entire assembly.

Proper long-term maintenance means looking beyond paint and evaluating:

• Columns, beams and framing
• Structural connections and bearing points
• Footings and foundation support
• Stairs, railings and guards
• Water drainage and wood deterioration
• Movement and previous repairs

These porch systems were built to last—but after roughly 100 years, continued performance depends on informed inspection, coordinated repairs and thoughtful maintenance.

Old construction deserves respect. Age, however, is not a maintenance plan.

Inspections Plus
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07/26/2026

Selling a home in Massachusetts? Most sellers do not learn what a buyer’s inspector may uncover until the house is already under agreement—and the clock is running.

A pre-listing home inspection changes that.

It gives sellers and listing agents time to identify meaningful concerns, investigate expensive unknowns, gather documentation and decide what should be addressed before listing—and what can reasonably be left alone.

The goal is not to create a massive repair list or make an older house perfect. It is to understand the property early, prioritize the findings properly and reduce the surprises, anxiety and rushed negotiations that can disrupt a sale.

I’ve put together a complete seller’s guide explaining what a pre-listing inspection covers, how I prioritize findings and why this can make the entire transaction easier for sellers and their agents.

Clients who hire me for a pre-listing inspection also receive a credit equal to 50% of that inspection fee toward their next buyer’s inspection.

Read the complete guide: https://wix.to/DPiL3lh

A pre-listing home inspection gives Massachusetts sellers time to identify important concerns, investigate expensive unknowns and prepare for a smoother, more controlled home sale.

07/24/2026

Buying a Massachusetts home with a private well? Clear water does not necessarily mean safe water—and strong pressure at the faucet does not prove the well can reliably support the household.

Water quality, visible well equipment and available water supply are three separate questions. Each deserves proper evaluation before closing.

Our new buyer’s guide explains:

• What well-water testing covers
• Which contaminants may warrant testing
• Why local requirements vary by municipality
• The difference between water-quality and well-flow testing
• What buyers should investigate when results identify a concern

Before buying a home with a private well, understand both what is in the water and whether the system can reliably deliver it.

Read the complete guide: https://wix.to/k9ErbaM

Buying a Massachusetts home with a private well? Learn what well-water testing covers, which contaminants may warrant testing, how local requirements vary, and why water quality and well performance must be evaluated separately.

07/23/2026

Buying a home in Massachusetts? The inspection should do more than produce a long list of defects.

It should help you understand the house, identify the expensive unknowns and separate meaningful concerns from the ordinary maintenance every home requires.

I’ve put together a comprehensive buyer’s guide explaining the Massachusetts home inspection process—from accepted offer through inspection day, reporting and closing. It also covers what inspectors evaluate, what remains outside the scope, Massachusetts buyer protections and how to choose the right inspector.

After 17 years in the industry, my advice is simple: don’t look for a perfect house. Get the information and professional perspective you need to make a well-informed decision.

Read the full guide: https://wix.to/64UlJd3

What actually happens after an offer is accepted? This practical Massachusetts home inspection guide explains the inspection, report, buyer protections, common limitations and next decisions from an experienced inspector and builder.

07/21/2026

Take a breath. You just breathed some radon. So did I.

Radon is everywhere. The question is whether too much is building up inside your home.

I put together a practical guide explaining what a 48- to 96-hour real-estate test actually tells us, what the numbers mean, how mitigation works and why a full-year test gives homeowners a better picture of long-term exposure.

No fear tactics, just a clear explanation of what Massachusetts buyers and homeowners should understand.

Link in bio!

07/20/2026

Take a breath. You just breathed some radon. So did I.

Radon is everywhere. The question is whether too much is building up inside your home.

I put together a practical guide explaining what a 48- to 96-hour real-estate test actually tells us, what the numbers mean, how mitigation works and why a full-year test gives homeowners a better picture of long-term exposure.

No fear tactics, just a clear explanation of what Massachusetts buyers and homeowners should understand. https://wix.to/egSDw9p

Every home contains some radon. Stephen Gaspar explains what a 48- to 96-hour real-estate test actually measures, how to interpret the result and why long-term testing provides better context.