Looking Glass Homes; Inspection & Design

12/22/2021

I love this article by Chelsea Goodwood at Apartment Therapy. I especially love this quote, "Kessler’s advice to potential buyers of flipped homes? 'It’s important to be informed,' she says, regarding quality workmanship, how to spot it, and how much it costs." This is exactly how we feel at Looking Glass Homes; it is all about knowledge.

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/buying-a-flipped-house-36904066

I love this article by Chelsea Goodwood at Apartment Therapy. I especially love this quote, "Kessler’s advice to potential buyers of flipped homes? 'It’s important to be informed,' she says, regarding quality workmanship, how to spot it, and how much it costs." This is exactly how we feel at Loo...

11/30/2021

Along with Black Friday shopping deals, everyone was probably digging around the attic for their Holiday decorations this weekend. What if I told you that you can save some major cash if you look for something different while you're in your attic.

The Department of Energy estimates that 90% of homes have inadequate insulation. If you live in an older house, the chances are that the amount of insulation is no longer up to the best construction practices. How boring right? Heres the catch, loose-fill attic insulation is one of the most valuable improvements you can make at a 107.7% return rate. It’s one of those grown-up purchases that isn’t exactly fun, because you don’t get to see it every day and gaze upon it with joy. It may not compare to a newly remodeled bathroom, or a freshly tiled backsplash in the kitchen in your eyes, but, it does lower bills in the short term (yay for you) and means money in the pockets of future buyers as well. So, it’s an attractive proposition.

Along with Black Friday shopping deals, everyone was probably digging around the attic for their Holiday decorations this weekend. What if I told you that you can save some major cash if you look for something different while you're in your attic. The Department of Energy estimates that 90% of homes...

11/10/2021

https://www.lookingglasshomes.com/post/our-most-popular-service-pre-sale-home-inspections

The results of a home inspection in a sales contract can empower a buyer to request repairs, reopen price negotiations, or abandon the deal without forfeiting any money. It might come as a surprise that our most popular service actually represent sellers. Here are three big reasons why you should get a pre-sale home inspection.

1. The current real estate market moves quickly. A pre-sale home inspection gives sellers the ability to fix any problems ahead of time and eliminates any surprise issues that might come up in a buyer's home inspection.

2. Are you selling a second property or settling an estate? The more you know about the property you're selling the better. This was our personal home buying experience. Our seller moved from New York to Massachusetts to be with her daughter. In our buyer's home inspection we noticed that the septic system was completely compromised. A septic system needs to pass inspection prior to selling and thus the seller needed to replace the entire system while she was in Massachusetts.

3. Something that sets a Looking Glass Homes pre-sale inspection apart is our unique ability to help obtain any certificates-of-occupancy or permits needed. We can help avoid that surprise from the building department with a lean against your house. This happens A LOT. Over the course of ownership it is common to do some work on your basement or even build a shed. Building code changes from town to town and it can get very overwhelming trying to close permits during escrow.

These circumstances are extremely common but you are not alone; call in the Residential Specialists. We are your best teammates for the buying & selling journey.

The results of a home inspection in a sales contract can empower a buyer to request repairs, reopen price negotiations, or abandon the deal without forfeiting any money. It might come as a surprise that our most popular service actually represent sellers. Here are three big reasons why you should ge...

10/27/2021

Why Work with a Husband & Wife Team?

When COVID hit, (I think everyone has their own Day #1) every couple saw their partner in a new light; their partner as a co-worker." Opinions of working with your partner aside, why should you hire a husband & wife team?

I'm going to rephrase the question, "why should you hire the husband & wife team that is Looking Glass Homes? We are discussing Kevin & Christina personally.

Communication. Kevin & I discuss our projects everyday...all day. We brainstorm ideas over dinner and discuss fresh opinions during our morning routine. This allows us to work a lot faster...for you! Kevin & I are big talkers especially with each other and so it is natural & fun to discuss projects together.
Authenticity. It is easy to hide specifics about yourself from co-workers in an office. Businesses spend thousands on team building events. Kevin & I will always be husband & wife before co-workers. All those qualities that make up a good marriage are qualities we bring to the table when you hire us.
Ying & Yang. Kevin & I are teammates. With Kevin's architecture background, he is very functional & safety driven. As a mom, I am empathize with the desire to create and build a home not just a house. Those different perspectives work for you.

Read More:

What's the real reason why couples host so many HGTV programs? We gained major insight into why couples host so many of these shows — and what HGTV execs want.

10/25/2021

We love this article written by Robin L. Flanigan for AARP.
We offer an unique service at Looking Glass Homes, we can tour homes with you. We work with Real Estate agents to help find that perfect fixer upper or in extreme markets like we are in today, where buyers are waiving the home inspection.

Should You Waive a Home Inspection in a Hot Real Estate Market?

It’s a competitive housing market, leaving prospective home buyers faced with a difficult decision. Learn the pros and cons of waiving a home inspection. ​

10/23/2021

There's a limited number of weekends where the weather will be nice enough to do some outside prep for winter. While you are gathering sticks for your bon fire, do a yard inspection. Dealing with fallen branches after a snowstorm isn't fun and usually a lot more expensive in the winter. Take some notes and get in touch with your local professional before it's too late.

There's a limited number of weekends where the weather will be nice enough to do some outside prep for winter. While you are gathering sticks for your bon fire, do a yard inspection. Dealing with fallen branches after a snowstorm isn't fun and usually a lot more expensive in the winter. Take some no...

10/21/2021

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-tell-if-your-home-is-haunted-according-to-an-expert-36990307

Not all hauntings are bad!

10/21/2021

It was this time of year, 2 years ago, when Kiera turned to me and said, "Who is that scary guy in the corner, Mom?" It was 7:30 AM and I was still in bed definitely not expecting visitors into my house. After some back and forth asking extremely specific questions, I decided to ignore the whole thing and start our day. Fast forward to two nights later, Kiera said the scary man was back and this time he brought her flowers. The following day I smoked everyone out of the house, literally. I grabbed my sage, smoked all corners and set some intentions. In my best Mom Voice, I spoke aloud "I appreciate the flowers for Kiera. We need to clarify some things first. If you have any evil intentions, that sh*t has got to go but if you have no ill will, you are more than welcome to share our space." Kiera has never spoke of him again but I swear I woke up in the middle of the night with a man standing in our bedroom door frame.
I would love to hear your home ghost stories!

It was this time of year, 2 years ago, when Kiera turned to me and said, "Who is that scary guy in the corner, Mom?" It was 7:30 AM and I was still in bed definitely not expecting visitors into my house. After some back and forth asking extremely specific questions, I decided to ignore the whole thi...

06/02/2021

Looking Glass, Home Inspection & Design | Home Inspections & Design proudly serving the Hudson Valley

05/20/2021

Buying a Fixer-Upper: Everything You Need to Know

A fixer-upper may have less buyer competition and come at a lower price, but you should calculate the total costs before you buy.

05/20/2021

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/waiving-home-inspection-36919074?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Category/Channel:+main

We love it when Home Inspectors & Real Estate Agents team up to educate buyers.🥰

If you’re financing a home (translation: you’re not an all-cash buyer!), your lender will require you to get an appraisal to make sure the home is worth the price you’re paying for it. An appraisal is different from a home inspection, which is an examination of the condition of a home. And ult...