John Martino's (looksmart) Blog

When most people think about a chimney, they picture a chimney sweep on the roof with special tools, checking every brick and every inch of the flue. A home inspection is not that. I do not evaluate a chimney to the level that a chimney sweep does. I look at the chimney the way a home inspector i...

Most people walk past the laundry room and do not think much about it. I slow down here because this is one of the areas that can cause the most damage in a home. You have water supply lines under pressure. You have a drain system that can overflow. You have a dryer that creates heat and lint. Th...

I inspect a lot of detached garages in New Jersey. Some are older and some are newer, but most of them tell a story about how the property has been maintained. A detached garage is part of the home and buyers should know its true condition. Many people overlook these buildings and assume they are...

When I walk into a kitchen during a NJ home inspection I usually slow myself down because there is a lot happening in a fairly small space. People often think a kitchen is simple with cabinets, appliances, and a sink, but in reality it is one of the most complex areas in the whole home. You have ...

Bathrooms are packed with plumbing, moisture, ventilation, electrical, and safety concerns. Because so much water is used in one room, there is a lot that can go wrong. During a NJ home inspection, I look closely at bathrooms because even small defects can lead to water damage and hidden problems...

Mold is something many homebuyers worry about. I understand why. Mold is a sign that moisture is present. It can damage the home. It can affect your comfort and possibly your health. And in New Jersey we have a lot of basements. We have crawlspaces. We have humid summers and cold winters. All of ...

When I inspect older homes in New Jersey, one of the most common things buyers ask me about is uneven temperatures. Some rooms feel cold. Some feel drafty. Some feel like the heat never gets there at all. This happens in older homes every single week and it is usually a combination of air leakage...

When people buy a home in New Jersey, one thing that always grabs their attention is any sign of water in the basement. It might be a small stain on the floor or a damp area on a wall. Sometimes it is a little more than that. Buyers will turn to me right away and ask if this is a deal breaker. I ...

Over the years I have seen countless basements flood because the main sump pump stopped working when it was needed most. In New Jersey, this is not rare. Between heavy spring rains, remnants of hurricanes, and power outages, sump pumps get a real workout. When a pump fails, it usually happens wit...

After more than twenty years inspecting homes across New Jersey, I have seen just about every kind of seller cover up you can imagine. Most sellers are not trying to fool anyone, but when it is time to sell a home there is always a temptation to make things look better than they really are. A lit...