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When you’re buying a home in Iowa — especially anything built before the 1990s — the electrical panel is one of the most important components your inspector will evaluate. While many older panels are safe and simply outdated, some brands have a proven history of failures, overheating, and fire hazards. If you’re house-hunting in Iowa, here’s what you need to know about dangerous  electrical panels and how One Vision Inspections helps keep your home safe. Why Older Electrical

Smart tips to spot red flags early — from a statewide Iowa home inspector. When you walk into a house for a showing, it’s easy to get distracted by fresh paint, updated kitchens, and that “new home” smell. But beneath the surface, there may be issues that could cost you thousands after closing. As a professional home inspector serving all 99 Iowa counties , here’s what I tell buyers: Your showing is your first inspection. If you know what to look for, you can spot potential

A home inspection isn’t just a checklist. It’s an opportunity to teach buyers how their home actually works —and that education can save thousands of dollars and countless headaches down the road. At One Vision Inspections, serving all 99 Iowa counties, we’ve learned that the strongest inspection isn’t just about finding defects; it’s about helping clients understand them . Here’s why educating clients has become one of the most valuable services we provide. 1. Homebuyers Are

When you buy a home, the condition of the foundation is one of the biggest factors affecting safety, value, and long-term costs. Some states deal with these problems more than others — usually because of soil type, climate, and water conditions. So which state ranks #1 for foundation issues? And how does Iowa  compare? Let’s break it down. Texas: The #1 State for Foundation Problems Across industry studies, soil-analysis maps, and foundation-repair statistics, Texas consiste

Water in the basement is one of the most common issues Iowa homeowners face  — and one of the most misunderstood. Whether it’s a trickle after a storm, a damp corner with efflorescence, or a full-blown musty smell, moisture problems can sneak up fast and get expensive. Here’s why it happens so often  and what homeowners should know. 1. Iowa Weather Is Built for Water Problems Iowa homes see heavy rains, snowmelt, rapid freeze–thaw cycles , and long wet seasons. That combinat

As Thanksgiving arrives here in Iowa, we’re once again reminded that a house is much more than walls, windows, and floors. It’s where families gather, stories are shared, and memories are baked right into the walls like a good pumpkin pie. At One Vision Inspections, we spend our days inside homes across all 99 counties — from older farmhouses with character and creaky floors to brand-new builds that still smell like fresh lumber. And every time we walk through a front door,

Most buyers assume a newly-built home means “problem-free." But here in Iowa, even brand-new construction can hide issues that only a trained inspector will catch. A home may be new — but the materials, subcontractors, timelines, and environmental conditions are not always perfect. Here’s why a new construction inspection is absolutely worth it. 1. Multiple Subcontractors = Multiple Points for Error Electricians, plumbers, HVAC crews, roofers, framers, siders, concrete worker

Selling a home in Iowa has changed. A few years ago, most sellers waited for the buyer to schedule an inspection… and then hoped nothing major popped up. Today? More and more Iowa homeowners are flipping the script and ordering a pre-listing inspection before the home ever hits the market. Here’s why. ✅ 1. Avoiding Last-Minute Surprises Nothing derails a home sale faster than a major issue appearing during the buyer’s inspection. Think: foundation cracks, roof issues, electr

A sewer scope is one of the most overlooked  but most valuable  add-ons in a home inspection — especially in Iowa, where soil movement, tree roots, and older cast-iron lines are extremely common. Skipping one might save you $250–$300 up front… but the surprises that show up later can cost $2,000–$20,000  to repair. Here are the biggest “surprises” Iowa buyers run into when they skip a sewer scope: 1. Tree Roots (The #1 Iowa Sewer Problem) Large trees + older sewer lines = roo

If you’re buying a home in Iowa in 2025, one of the first questions you’ll ask (right after “Did we beat the other offer?”) is: “How much does a home inspection cost in Iowa?” Great question — and the real answer is: Most Iowa home inspections fall between $350 and $600 , with some homes going higher depending on size, age, and extra services. Below is the complete, Iowa-specific breakdown. 🏠 Average Home Inspection Cost in Iowa (2025) Based on 2025 statewide pricing, real

Buying your first home is exciting—right up until the house starts talking back. Whether it’s a mysterious drip, a breaker that trips for no reason, or a window that rattles like a haunted maraca, many first-time buyers miss problems that a trained inspector finds immediately. Here are 10 commonly overlooked issues and how YOU can spot them before they become expensive headaches. 1. Minor Foundation Cracks That Aren’t So Minor Most buyers see a hairline crack and think, “Eh,

Most people think of a home inspection as something you do when buying or selling a house. While that’s true, limiting inspections to real estate transactions overlooks a powerful tool for protecting your property: the annual home inspection . What Is an Annual Home Inspection? An annual inspection is a yearly check-up for your home , much like a physical exam for your health. Instead of waiting until you’re selling, an inspector evaluates the home’s major systems and compone

If there’s one thing that keeps Iowa home inspectors awake at night, it’s not ghosts, squirrels in attics, or uneven staircases. It’s moisture  — the silent destroyer of homes. Moisture doesn’t need permission, it doesn’t care about property lines, and it works 24/7. Once it sneaks into places it shouldn’t be, your home starts aging faster than a dairy product left on the porch in July. Here’s why moisture is your home’s #1 enemy , how it causes hidden damage, and what you ca

Protect your investment. Avoid surprises. See your home clearly—with One Vision. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Whether it’s your first home, your forever home, or an investment property, excitement can make even the most cautious buyer overlook what truly matters: the condition of the home beneath the surface. That’s where a professional home inspection comes in. Below are the top reasons every buyer—yes, every  buyer—need

When it comes to maintaining a home, most people focus on roofs, furnaces, or electrical systems. But one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of a property lies underground: the sewer line. A sewer scope inspection  provides valuable insight into the condition of this critical system. What Is a Sewer Scope? A sewer scope inspection involves sending a specialized camera through the home’s main sewer line. This camera records video footage of the pipe’s interior, a

If you’ve ever had your furnace quit on a January night in Iowa, you already know — winter doesn’t play fair. Before Mother Nature starts throwing snowballs and ice daggers at your gutters, let’s give your home the TLC it deserves. Here’s your no-nonsense, laugh-through-the-cold guide from One Vision Inspections LLC  — where we help you see your investment clearly … even through frost-covered windows. 1. Seal It Up Like Grandma’s Jam Jars Drafty windows? Gaps under doors? Th