Practical guidance for your home. Local insight for your life in Vermont.

The Parts That Fail First

The ridgeline, flashing, and attic sheathing show up on Vermont inspection reports again and again. Here's what buyers and homeowners should know about the parts that fail first — and what inspectors are actually looking for.

Know Your Roof: A Vermont Homeowner's Guide to the Most Common Roof Types

What type of roof do you have — and what does it mean for maintenance, lifespan, and cost? A Vermont home inspector's plain-language guide to the most common roof types.

The First Thing I Look At When I Walk Into a Home

A clean house signals care to buyers. After 20-plus years of walking through homes, it's the first thing I look at and the first thing I tell my sellers to address before listing.

What a Well-Maintained Deck Does for Your Home's Value

A worn deck raises buyer doubt. A cared-for deck builds confidence. Here's how deck condition quietly shapes negotiations, inspections, and what your home sells for.

Deck Hardware, Fasteners and Flashing: The Unglamorous Stuff That Actually Matters

Hardware and fasteners aren't glamorous — but in Vermont's freeze-thaw climate, they're what keep a deck standing. Know what to look for before it becomes a problem.

The Ledger Board: The Most Important Part of Your Deck That You Never Think About

The ledger board connects your deck to your house — and when it fails, it doesn't warn you. Learn what to look for, why it gets missed, and why it matters most in Vermont.

Deck Boards and Surface Wear: Refinish, Repair, or Replace?

At a glance, most decks just look weathered. Up close, they tell you exactly what they need — if you know how to read the difference between surface wear and something more serious.

Your Yard Is Doing More Than You Think: Spring Drainage and Grading Basics

Your yard isn't just decoration — it's either moving water away from your house or toward it. Learn how to check grading, downspouts, and drainage this spring before small problems become expensive foundation issues.

The Details Nobody Notices Until It Is Too Late

Vermont homes show wear after winter. Here's what to check this spring — gutters, fascia, steps, and the small exterior details that matter most.

Cooling in Vermont: Why Many Older Homes Don't Have AC and What Your Options Are

Many older Vermont homes were built without air conditioning. Here's why, how warmer summers have changed the equation, and what your best cooling options are today.

The Bones vs. The Details: What Is Cosmetic and What Actually Matters in Vermont Homes

Not everything on your property walk is cause for alarm. Some is surface. Some is telling you something deeper. Here's how Vermont homeowners can tell the difference.

Heating System Inspections: What Every Vermont Homeowner Should Know

Vermont winters are unforgiving. Learn what annual heating system inspections cover — boilers, furnaces, heat pumps — why they matter for safety and efficiency, and what home buyers should ask before closing.