Seminars from All About
Homes
We have lots of great seminars available
for real estate professionals. These are tried and true - all have
been realtor tested and approved! If you would like a seminar in
your office, just give us a call. Custom topics are always
available upon request.
Click here to download the latest seminar
information from All About Homes
A Word About Split-Face Block Buildings in
Chicago
If you've looked at condo buildings in the city of Chicago
you've inevitably come across a building with brick on the front
and either rough or smooth concrete block on the sides. The homes
inside the building are often very lovely with high-end finishes
and great layouts. In addition to the great interiors,
the price is usually lower than many other comparable types of
homes. Seems like a great deal? Well, this is definitely one of
those "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is"
situations.
These 'split-faced' or 'smooth-faced' concrete
block buildings are complicated. If they are not properly
built, maintained AND inspected then heart-break and financial ruin
can ensue...no exaggeration. I've lost count of the homeowners I've
worked with through the years AFTER they've learned that their
building is full of mold or structurally compromised. Inevitably
the original home inspector never said a word about possible
problems during the inspection or the home buyer chose to ignore
the advice they were given. I've worked with too many people living
in these buildings who have lost their savings, been unable to
move, been unable to inhabit their homes and had to alter major
life decisions like getting married, divorced or having
children...all because of problems with concrete block buildings. I
am honestly NOT exaggerating. I hope I never get another call from
someone who says, "I need to sell my home but there's water damage
inside, it smells like mold and my association won't spend the
money to fix it. What should I do?"
If you are considering the purchase of a condo,
townhome or single-family home built with concrete block then you
NEED an inspector who is well-versed in this construction and can
help you understand what it means for a home owner. It cannot be
ignored or taken lightly. I have helped countless people make
informed decisions about whether or not to purchase. I've also
helped many people deal with it once they are home owners. I've
consulted with numerous condo associations as they try to
determine the best course of action. There is A
LOT of bad information out there and I can help clear it
up.
I would be honored to help you by performing the
most thorough and informative inspection possible. I am available
to consult with existing home owners and associations who are
either trying to prevent problems or solve existing issues. Please
call me if you need help!
Here is a link to a recent story done by WTTW. I see this stuff
everyday and I still found this disturbing to watch. Sadly, I can
verify everything they say in this story. As disturbing as this
is...it is so much better to know the risks BEFORE you own it!
http://blogs.wttw.com/moreonthestory/2011/04/04/leaky-condos/
Articles and Handouts
Here are some articles and presentations we've put
together. Feel free to use them as you see fit. Just be sure to
give credit (on the front page of the document) to All About Homes.
These are all our original content.
What
To Expect At Your Home Inspection - For Buyers
How
To Prepare Your Home For Sale - For Sellers
Things to Consider
BEFORE the Offer - For Buyer's Agents
Common
Element Inspections - For Condo Associations
Ice
Damming Overview
Tankless Water Heaters
Homeowner Myths
Recommendations and Resources
Contractor Resources
We cannot put enough emphasis on the
fact that a good contractor is worth every penny that you pay. DO
NOT always go with the lowest quote...that strategy rarely pays off
in the long run. We highly recommend obtaining at least THREE
estimates for any major work. Check with the Better Business Bureau
and other resources like Angie's List before hiring. These are just
suggestions; people and companies can change. PLEASE let us know if
you have either good or bad experiences with any of the folks on
this list. We need your feedback!
- Appliance Repair:
Ivan Velez
773-267-9440
aabestappliance@sbcglobal.net
- Architect:
Sam Marts
773-862-0123
- Asbestos
Asbestos Removal
Bill
Brennan, 773-725-8600
Asbestos Testing
GeoCon, 708-535-9981
- Attorneys:
Rick Sora
(847) 568-5625
Tracey Nihem
(847) 866-6137
Peter Marx
(773) 283-8960
- Basement Waterproofing/Foundations/Crack
Repair
PermaSeal 800-421-7325
www.permaseal.net
The Crack Team/Mr. Happy Crack
866-CRACK-TEAM
www.mrhappycrack.com (check out this website - hilarious)
- Bungalows
Chicago Bungalow Association
www.chicagobungalow.org
- Carpet Cleaning
Galaxy's Finest
773-202-1900
Central Rug, Evanston,
847-475-1190,
www.centralrug.com
- Chimney Sweeps/Fireplaces
Ye Olde Chimney Sweeps
773-237-7070
- Cleaning Services
Flor's Cleaning, Talk to Elliot
I tried almost a dozen cleaning services before I found Elliot and
his wonderful staff. As long as I'm in Chicago, no one else will
ever clean my house! Service area is basically The Lake to Kedzie
and Roosevelt to Evanston border.
773-818-3908
- Closets
Custom Closets
Tony
630-235-4690
- Crawl Space Repair/Insulation/Vapor
Barriers
Clean Space
800-421-SEAL
A Better Crawlspace
630-860-2577
- Decks and Porches
Framar Porches and Decks
773-736-8918
Chicago Porch Company
773-283-0888
- Duct Cleaning
Chicago Duct Cleaners
773-506-9244
- Electricians
Ardmore Electric
Frank
773-775-2610
- Fencing Repair and Installation
Advanced Fence & Gate
773-774-6657
- Feng Shui Consultant/Home Staging
Lyn Volare
312-371-7485
www.celestialsurroundings.vpweb.com
Lyn is also an amazing live-in pet sitter in case you ever need
someone you can trust to stay in your home with your
critters.
- Flooring
Advanced Hardwood Flooring
847-486-9663
Mr.Floor
Ask for Igor
847-674-7500 x 11
- Furnaces, Air Conditioning and Boilers
(HVAC)
AA Service
Shawn Mansfield (talk to Shawn for complicated diagnostic stuff,
call the main office for annual service). These folks do the work
on my crazy old house and I can't say enough good things about
them. Shawn fixed one of the most messed up radiant heating systems
I've ever seen - mine!
847-729-7889
John O'Brien (talk to John for complicated diagnostic stuff, call
the main office for annual service)
Four Seasons
708-768-3016
- General Contractors
Granite Pro
Ed Diamond (these are wonderful general contractors despite the
name - they are not just about granite)
773-491-5002
Get Dwell
847-922-3418 (northshore and city, general
contractors/handymen)
Redstone Builders
773-478-2500
- Granite
Poma Marble
www.pomamarble.com
- Handyman/General Contractor
Get Dwell (Be sure you have at least a half-a-day's work before you
call)
847-922-3418
Leo Togneri (Be sure you have at least a half-a-day's work before
you call)
773-704-9340
- Insurance
Tom McWherter
American Family
708-453-9987
- Landscaping and Snow Removal
Eric's Landscaping
847-679-6865
- Lock Smiths
Collier Lock Service (specializes in intercom systems)
773-743-5397
J&R Lock & Save
866-558-6484
Tom's Locksmith
773-427-8224
- Masons
Classic Restoration (If you need a concrete block expert, Jim's
your guy. Talk to Jim and only Jim.)
Jim Mahoney
773-282-4400
- Mold Remediation and Inspection
Bussey Environmental
Brian Bussey
847-492-1465
- Movers
Raffe Movers
847-675-3666
- Painters
David Fitzpatrick
312-388-3514
Kathy Firek
810-623-2515
Dale
Carter
847-309-6348
- Pest Control/Termite Inspections
Tech One
Scott Kauffman
773-538-3241
- Pond Cleaning and Maintenance
Tom's Pond Service
847-830-4140
- Plumbers and Catch Basins/Sewers
Sewer Viewer
William Somerville (Catch Basins and drain line viewing). PLEASE
don't buy a single family home without hiring Bill and Gale to
check out your drain lines! It is worth EVERY penny.
773-298-1825
Tierra - Catch Basin Cleaning
219-398-4000
JR's Plumbing - JR's the guy for all general plumbing needs
312-437-9285
- Roofers (Besides roofs, most roofers also work
with soffits, gutters, ice damming issues and electric gutter
heating coils. Some even work on chimneys.)
Nelson Roofing - talk to Warner - nicest roofer you'll ever
meet!
(773) 736-4600
Hanson Roofing
866-343-9815
- Security Systems
Alert Protective Services
Tony
773-685-8383
- Siding and Windows
Siding 1 Windows 1
773-929-9275
- Structural Engineers
Collins Engineering
708-848-0832
- Waste Removal
Rob - comes and hauls away whatever you've got
(312) 317-2623
- Windows
The Great Window Wizard Company - window repairs and
adjustments
(773) 467-0861
This list is meant as a resource only. All About Homes bears no
responsibility for any work done by these contractors or services
provided or products purchased. All About Homes receives no
compensation for any referrals made to any vendors.
|