Clean Sweeps of Michigan's Blog

Have the Chimney Inspected Before You Buy or Sell a Home

The process of buying or selling a home can be stressful. Between finding a real estate agent, going to showings, hosting open houses, packing, keeping the house clean, and working with banks and lenders, most homeowners often find themselves overwhelmed with the amount of things that need to be done.

One important step in the buying and selling process for any home is having a chimney inspection. While they should be done annually, chimney inspections are an excellent way for sellers as well as prospective buyers to have a better understanding of the condition of the home’s chimney and fireplace.

Chimney inspections for sellers

Fireplaces are a classic feature that many buyers want to have in their new homes. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 40% of home buyers said they would pay extra for a home that had at least one fireplace. Because of this, having a well maintained and working fireplace can add value to your home and help set it apart from similar listings.

Before you put your home on the market, consider having your chimney swept and inspected. In addition to getting your fireplace system in tip-top shape, a chimney inspection can also let you know of any damage or potential hazards to the chimney. If any problems are identified they can be fixed as soon as possible. Repairing the chimney not only makes buyers feel more comfortable purchasing the home, but also helps prevent the occurrence of any unwelcome “surprises” during the home inspection.

Having a recent report by a certified chimney sweep as to the condition of the chimney is an excellent way to help prospective buyers feel more comfortable about the state of the fireplace system. Likewise, if your chimney has been damaged in any way while you have owned the home (such as a chimney fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster) a chimney inspection may be a requirement. Level 2 chimney inspections, which include an inspection of the interior and exterior fireplace and chimney as well as the use of close circuit cameras, are required before the sale or transfer of a property in the case of chimney damage.

Chimney inspections for Buyers

As a buyer, finding the perfect home for you and your family can be difficult. Even if you think you’ve found “the one,” underlying issues can still cause the sale to fall through. Because of this, many buyers choose to have a chimney inspection in addition to the regular home inspection.

Even if the sellers are providing a report from a chimney sweep, you may want to hire your own company to inspect the chimney independently. This way, you can be assured of the validity of the original report as well as choosing the professionals who do the inspection. In addition, having two sets of eyes inspect a chimney may uncover issues that were not previously seen, especially if the house has been on the market for a long period of time. Issues uncovered in the chimney inspection can then be addressed before the sale is finalized.

Whether you are buying or selling a home, it is important to have your chimney inspected. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan [https://www.cleansweeps.com//contact-us/] today to schedule your chimney inspection.

Improve Your Patio with an Outdoor Gas Fireplace

Regency Plateau®
PTO30IST
Outdoor Gas Firetable

A backyard patio is a great place to relax, unwind, and spend time with family and friends. Unfortunately, the Michigan climate does not always lend itself to large amounts of time spent relaxing outside! If you feel like you aren’t getting the most out of your patio, adding an outdoor gas fireplace may help revamp your outdoor living spaces!

One way to get the most out of your outdoor living space is by adding an outdoor gas fireplace. An outdoor gas fireplace can transform y our patio from a cold and rarely visited part of your home into a warm and inviting space for entertaining!

Benefits of an outdoor gas fireplace:

Many homeowners feel that they underutilize their patios. Whether you want to create an outdoor living space or extend the amount of time you can use your patio, there are a number of benefits to installing an outdoor gas fireplace.

1. Extend how long you can use your patio

Michigan is not known for its warm weather. Even during the summer, temperatures can drop in the evenings and make it just a little too cold to spend time outside. The addition of a gas fireplace to your outdoor space can extend how long you can use your patio by creating a warm and inviting heat source. In addition to keeping the chills away on summer evenings, it can also allow you to spend time outdoors sooner in the spring and later into the fall.

2. Create more space for entertaining

If having friends and family over for parties or informal gatherings is your idea of a good time, an outdoor gas fireplace can create an additional living space perfect for entertaining. An outdoor fireplace can anchor your outside space and create a focal point around which to group tables and seating. Whether it provides a focal point of an outdoor seating area or additional square footage for parties, an outdoor gas fireplace can make entertaining more fun.

3. Set the tone with added ambiance

Nothing helps you relax faster than soft, flickering firelight. An outdoor fireplace can help turn your patio into a relaxing backyard oasis that can be enjoyed any time day or night. Whether you want to unwind with a good book, enjoy an evening with friends, or spend a quiet romantic evening with your significant other an outdoor gas fireplace can set the mood.

4. Add value to your home

Gas fireplaces are beautiful and functional, but installing one can also add additional value to your home. Fireplaces are one of the most highly coveted features that prospective homebuyers look for and most buyers are willing to pay more for homes with a fireplace. Likewise, an outdoor fireplace can help your home stand apart from similar listings in the area.

An outdoor gas fireplace can help transform your home and the way you and your family spend time outside. Contact Clean Sweeps of Michigan today to learn about how your home could benefit from the addition of an outdoor fireplace!