Posts by Ivan
8 Tips for Staging Your House Prior to Sale
The real estate market in the greater Montreal, Laval and South Shore region is heating up. A strong job market and a thriving economy are increasing demand. Inventory is relatively low with 16% fewer properties for sale than this time last year, which increases competition and drives up prices. In this article we will give…
Read MoreTop 10 Home Home Inspection Myths
After visiting several homes on the West-Island, in Anjou, the South Shore and even Mont St-Bruno, you and your better half have finally decided on the perfect place to settle down in Montreal. You survived the search and the financing is all approved, now all you have to do is sign, right? What about the…
Read MoreTop 10 Home Defects – How to Spot and Deal with Them – Part 2
For nearly 15 years, Mose Home Inspection Services (MHIS) has been working to make home owners and prospective buyers more knowledgeable. The goal is to help them be better prepared to make an informed decision when buying, selling or renovating a home. Michael Winkel, one of our home inspectors, has done some research and prepared…
Read More10 Spring Cleaning Tasks Diligent Homeowners Always Do
Spring is here! The flowers are bursting out from autumn-buried bulbs and the bees are buzzing into action. Have you got your spring cleaning checklist in order? Likely, you’ve got the basics on the list; you may already have dusted off the barbecue and given the patio furniture a good spring cleaning… — But you might…
Read MoreThe #1 Reason Montréal Roofs Leak in Winter
By Michael Winkel, Certified Building Inspector Have you ever been sitting back on your sofa, seeing no evil, thinking no evil, when suddenly, you hear a dripping sound? Alarmed, you investigate and discover water dripping from a single point in the ceiling. The drywall and carpeting are soaking wet. How can this be? Is there…
Read MoreThe Bidet: Everything you ever wanted to know (and more!)
Common in much of Europe and Asia, bidets are toilet-like plumbing fixtures designed to promote posterior hygiene. Although bidet prevalence in certain regions represents a humorous cultural distinction from American-style paper wiping, bidets do sport considerable convenience and comfort advantages. Bidets are becoming increasingly common in North America and it is important that first-timers and…
Read MoreWinter Preparation: Let’s Go Nuts!
All the squirrels and chipmunks are running around, busy collecting nuts, making sure their homes are well stocked… and you? What exactly are you doing to get ready for winter? Before settling into hibernation mode, it’s a good idea to do a thorough walk around your home and see what may benefit from a little…
Read MoreMost Important Thing to Do About Asbestos? Don’t Panic!
From studies of people who were exposed to asbestos in factories and shipyards, we know that breathing high levels of asbestos fibers can lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in the forms of mesothelioma, which is a cancer of the lining of the chest and the abdominal cavity, and asbestosis, in which the…
Read More10 Ways You Can Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
Drastic reductions in heating, cooling and electricity costs can be accomplished through very simple changes, most of which homeowners can do themselves. Why make your home more energy efficient? Here are a few good reasons: Federal, state, utility and local jurisdictions’ financial incentives, such as tax breaks, are very advantageous for homeowners in most parts of…
Read MoreDo You Like Exposed Brick? It can be Deadly
by Ivan Mose A couple of weeks after last Christmas I received a phone call from a young man who told me he had a terrible smell in his apartment and could I come over as soon as possible and take a look. I am a building inspector so smells usually mean drains, mouldy basements…
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