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.
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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.
Walk the Property: What to Look for After a Vermont Winter
After a Vermont winter, walk your property before problems grow. This guide covers what to look for at ground level and up top — drainage, frost heave, fascia, and more.
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Why Home Inspections Matter Even When You're Not Selling
Home inspections aren't just for buyers and sellers. Vermont homeowners benefit from routine checks on furnaces, septic systems, and chimneys to stay ahead of costly repairs year-round.
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Sump Pumps in Vermont: What to Expect and What to Know
Sump pumps are common in Vermont homes — not a red flag, just smart water management. Here's what to know when buying or owning a home with one.
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After the Inspection: Why a Credit Often Makes More Sense Than Repairs
After a home inspection, asking for a closing credit instead of repairs gives buyers control over who does the work, how it's done, and when — often leading to better long-term results.
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Private Wells in Vermont: What Buyers and Homeowners Need to Know
What Vermont home buyers need to know about private wells, shared wells, water testing, and treatment systems before closing on a rural property.
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How to Read a Home Inspection Report (Without Panicking)
Your 72-page inspection report just arrived. Here's how to read it without panicking, what findings actually matter, and how to use it long after closing day.
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What Vermont Sellers Can Do Before the Inspection (That Makes Everything Easier)
Smart Vermont sellers are prepping before the inspection, fixing what they can, disclosing the rest, and removing variables that could derail a deal.
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Is Your Basement Moisture Normal or a Red Flag
Some basement moisture is normal in Vermont. Knowing the difference between seasonal dampness and a real warning sign is what matters. Here's what to watch for.
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Foundation Types in Vermont: What You're Actually Standing On
Fieldstone, concrete block, or poured concrete. Vermont homes sit on very different foundations. Learn what each type means for buyers, maintenance, and moisture.
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What Lies Beneath: A Basement Story Every Homeowner Should Hear
When a pipe burst and no one was home, three feet of water changed everything. Here's what Vermont homeowners should watch for below the surface.
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What Buyers Should Check in a Home's Heating System
Vermont winters demand a reliable heating system. Here's what buyers should check — age, fuel source, service history, and key questions to ask during inspections.
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Your Home's Oil Tank: What Vermont Law Requires and Why It Matters
If your Vermont home heats with oil, the tank isn't just a metal container. It's regulated infrastructure with real inspection requirements and environmental liability. Here's what the law requires and why it matters whether you're buying, selling, or simply staying compliant.
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Do Heat Pumps Work in Vermont Winters? Maintenance and What Homeowners Should Know
Heat pumps and mini splits are showing up in more Vermont homes than ever, but do they actually work when temperatures drop? Nancy Warren shares what homeowners need to know about cold climate performance, annual maintenance, and why it matters at resale.