Inspect to Expect

09/03/2023

Happy Labor Day. Stay safe! And move your grill away from the wall

08/16/2023

Big or small, we inspect them all. Flexible scheduling including weekends. Call or text 708-751-8345

Home and Light Commercial Inspections in the Chicago land area

03/06/2023

Don’t let the electric slide:

Improperly Wired Switches
This is a common problem electricians find when doing an inspection. People who try to do their own wiring or hire somebody who has only rudimentary electrical skills will often use reverse polarity when wiring a switch or an outlet. This happens when hot and neutral wires get “flipped” around, and doing this creates a shock hazard.

Double-Tapped / Lugged Breakers
This is when multiple wires are attached to a single breaker – a dangerous practice. As most circuit breakers are designed for single wires, this can cause loose connections, arcing, and potentially a fire. This is typically corrected by either the addition of additional breakers or in some cases where there are not load concerns, by wire nutting the connections together prior to the breaker panel.

Trees or Bushes Leaning on Exterior Power Lines
Trees and shrubs should never be touching electrical wires! If a tree branch is heavy enough and falls on wires during a wind gust, it could potentially break the power cable or its connection point, creating a shock hazard or fire risk.

Need a licensed home inspector?

Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke- Inspect to Expect
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

02/16/2023

A home appraisal is valuable to know what the value of your home is based on the current market and comparable features.

A home inspection looks deeper to see if there are any problems that are lurking or hidden. It is also a way out of a contract if the inspection report comes back with major issues.

If you’re in the market for a new home or property, use Inspect to Expect home inspection service!

Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke- Inspect to Expect
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

02/08/2023

As ❄️winter❄️melts away, 🌸spring🌸 for a home inspection!

Sandwiched between the frosty winter and the hot, humid summer, the spring season is a great time to check up on your home — whether you’re buying, selling, or looking to make the most of your investment. A professional home inspection is one of the best ways to understand a home’s condition, habitability, and safety. While there’s never a bad time for a home inspection, scheduling this important evaluation during the spring can offer some unique benefits.

Real estate picks up rapidly in the spring.Here in the Chicago area the real estate market is typically quite cyclical, and activity traditionally tends to ramp up in spring — with more buyers getting ready to make their move, and more sellers putting their properties on the market.

Extreme  weather can take a toll on your property. In winter, heavy snow and ice can lead to roof damage, foundation issues, and drainage problems. During the winter months, most of us also tend to push our plumbing and HVAC systems to their limits, which can take a toll on their integrity and longevity. 

When your inspection takes place in the spring, your inspector will be more easily able to access and inspect all of the important areas in your home, including elements that can be trickier during the winter such as the roof, the crawlspaces and attic, the indoor and outdoor HVAC systems, and all of the home’s windows and doors. 

Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke- Inspect to Expect
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

01/16/2023

Has your home had its checkup? Don’t wait for the chaos of an unexpected repair. Home inspections are affordable and practical for selling, buying, and even staying.

Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke- Inspect to Expect
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

01/15/2023

As most of the northern hemisphere enters the colder months of the year, heating systems are being turned on.

12/15/2022

Thinking of selling your home?

Instead of worrying what a buyer’s inspector will uncover—and which could potentially kill the sale—be proactive with a pre-listing inspection. This way, rather than being blindsided, you can then decide whether to make the necessary repairs or to account for that deferred maintenance by reducing the list price.

🔎🏚🔎🏡🔎It minimizes surprises for a buyer, and can give a buyer more confidence in the property👍🏻

Need a professional and licensed home inspector?
Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

🏁Ready🏁Set🏁Sell

12/01/2022

Ways to Prevent Window Seal Failure
Choose windows that come with comprehensive warranties. Having the windows installed by the manufacturer will give you access to stronger warranties.
Check your windows from time to time for signs of seal failure. If you detect any gaps, have them sealed at once. Maintaining the cleanliness of your windows can also help. Never use pressure washers to clean windows because the high-velocity water stream can damage the unit.
Do not use a heat gun to remove paint from window frames. Instead, carefully scrape and sand the surface when repainting windows with insulated glass panels. 

Call/text, or email today!

Mike Wilke
708-751-8345
License450.001824
Inspecttoexpect.com

11/23/2022

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, best time to cozy up next to the fireplace, but REMEMBER these safety tips! 🦃❄️⛄️🎁

11/05/2022

I'll just come out and say it: The home
inspection should be a total non-negotiable for buyers.
Why? Because if anything is found, you are free to back
out of the contract - no strings attached.
The only caveat is if a seller demands you waive the
inspection as a condition of accepting your offer. But as
the market tilts ever-so-slightly away from sellers this fall,
I've got my fingers crossed that all this contingency
waiving is largely a thing of the past.
Keep in mind that an inspection contingency comes with a
deadline of seven to ten days, so you need to be ready to
make some quick decisions once you receive the
inspection report. Red flags that should give you pause
include:
- Foundation issues
Termites
• Water damage
- Roof concerns
When it comes to a less-than-stellar inspection, you have
to weigh how much risk, investment, and seller negotiation
you're comfortable with for a house you love.