All Posts

Thermal imaging can reveal temperature differences in attic areas that may warrant closer investigation. When purchasing a home, many important conditions are not immediately obvious during a standard visual inspection. Water intrusion may not yet have produced visible staining. Insulation may be missing behind finished walls. Electrical components may be operating at abnormal temperatures. Air leakage may also be occurring around windows, doors, ceilings, or other areas of t

A HUD Permanent Foundation Certification, on the other hand, is an engineering certification that determines whether the home's foundation complies with the HUD Permanent Foundations Guide for Manufactured Housing.

When you're buying or selling a home, understanding the costs involved in a home inspection is crucial. A home inspection can reveal important details about the condition of a property, helping you make informed decisions. But how much should you expect to pay? This guide breaks down the costs of home inspection pricing, so you know exactly what to expect and why it matters.

Cousins Family Father's Day can mean different things to different people. For some, it's a day spent celebrating a father who was always there. For others, it's a reminder of someone they've lost. And for some of us, it's a reminder of someone we never really had. Growing up without a father leaves questions that don't always have answers. You wonder what it would have been like to have someone teach you how to throw a ball, fix a car, tie a tie, or simply be there when li

Buying or selling a home is a big deal. You want to make sure the property is in good shape before you commit. That’s where a home inspection comes in. A thorough inspection can save you from costly surprises later. But how do you find the best local home inspector? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make a smart choice. Why Local Home Inspection Tips Matter Choosing a local home inspector has many advantages. Local inspectors know the area’s clim

What Iowa Homeowners Need to Watch For Every Winter Iowa winters aren’t just cold — they’re harsh, wet, and unpredictable , creating the perfect conditions for exterior home damage. Between freezing temperatures, heavy snow loads, ice storms, and constant freeze–thaw cycles, homes here take a beating year after year. Whether you’re a homeowner, buyer, or seller, knowing these common issues can help you spot early warning signs before they become expensive repairs. 1. Ice Dam

When you walk into a home for the first time, it’s easy to be impressed by what you see —fresh paint, new flooring, modern fixtures, and trendy finishes. A house can look beautiful and still have serious issues hiding beneath the surface. As a professional home inspector, one of the most important things I help buyers understand is this simple truth: A nice-looking house is not always a well-built house. Understanding the difference can save you thousands of dollars—and a lot

If you’ve never had a home inspection before, you might imagine the report either coming back spotless or full of terrifying red flags. The truth? Most homes fall somewhere in the middle — and almost every home, even new ones, has something that shows up during an inspection. So how many issues does the average home inspection uncover? Let’s break it down using industry data — and real-world experience from inspecting homes across all 99 Iowa counties. The Average Home Insp

Buying a home in Iowa? Here’s what an inspection actually covers — in plain English. 1. The Roof We look for missing shingles, leaks, bad flashing, damaged gutters, and anything that could let water in. 2. The Exterior Siding, grading, foundation walls, decks, steps, drainage… all the things that keep weather OUT and structure safe. 3. The Foundation & Structure Cracks, movement, moisture, support posts, beams — basically, we make sure your house is standing the way it should

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,