Blog
How Our Dallas Home Inspections Work
Whether you are buying, selling, or maintaining a home, understanding the inspection process can help you feel more confident and prepared. At Stonebriar Property Inspections, we believe informed clients make better decisions. That is why we explain every step of our...
What Heavy Rain Reveals About a Home (That Dry Days Don’t)
Heavy rain provides one of the most accurate ways to evaluate how a home truly performs. While a property may appear in excellent condition during dry weather, rainfall exposes how water moves around and through the structure. From drainage issues near the foundation...
What is Not Included in a Home Inspection? You Should Know.
By Keith Boggs Posted December 15, 2020, at 7:00 am CT Updated April 13, 2026 “What is included in a home inspection?” This is a question we get all the time. And we’ve written before going into a lot of detail (perhaps too much detail!) to help buyers and sellers...
Texas Bugs Are Back Early: What Homeowners Need to Know
If you’ve lived in Texas for more than five minutes, you already know… we don’t really have four seasons. We have “not hot yet,” “hot,” “still hot,” and “why are there bugs in my house again?” Typically, we’d save a blog about bugs for the middle of summer. You know,...
What Home Buyers in DFW and North Texas Actually Care About in 2026
If you have been watching the DFW real estate market lately, you have probably noticed something. Buyers are different than they were a few years ago. They are not rushing. They are not overlooking condition. And they are thinking carefully before making an offer....
Stonebriar Property Inspections Now Offering Professional Sewer Scoping Services
After more than 21 years in the field and over 10,000 completed inspections, Stonebriar Property Inspections is proud to announce the addition of professional sewer scope inspections to our services. This wasn’t a rushed decision or a trend-following move. It was a...
Cold-Weather Issues Every North Texas Homebuyer Should Watch for During a Winter Inspection
Winter inspections in North Texas reveal things no other season can. January may not bring a deep freeze every year, but even moderate cold puts real stress on homes across Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Dallas, and the surrounding areas. Heating systems work harder, soil...
What a Home Inspector Can (and Can’t) Tell You About a Home’s HVAC System
Talk with any builder, home contractor, or home inspector for long and you’ll likely hear the term HVAC come up. HVAC is an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC system is the integrated ecosystem of a home’s heating and air conditioning...
How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in 2026?
By Keith Boggs Updated January 7, 2026. Did you know that it costs nearly $700,000 to buy a home in Frisco Texas in September 2025, which is trending down -2.1% year over year? The media listing home price per square foot is $256. Without a doubt, homes are the...
5 Steps to Optimize Your Home Buyer’s Option Period
The Good News About Option Periods You’ve found what you believe could be your dream home. The location feels right. The layout works. The price makes sense. After what may have been weeks or months of searching, you’re finally ready to move forward and submit an...
Foundation Cracks in North Texas: What’s Normal and What’s a Red Flag
In North Texas, foundation movement is not an exception — it’s the rule. From Dallas to Frisco, Plano to McKinney, most homes are built on expansive clay soils. These soils expand when wet and shrink when dry, creating ongoing stress on foundations. As a result,...
The 5 Home-Buying Steps Everyone Should Know
Buying a home is one of life’s big moments, and knowing the steps ahead of time can make everything feel far more manageable. While every transaction is a little different, most buyers move through the same core stages: Get pre-approved for a mortgage Work with a real...
How Long Does a Home Inspection in Texas Take?
When you’re buying or selling a home, one of the first questions that comes up is: “How long does a home inspection take?” It’s a fair question — and an important one. Between closing deadlines, option periods, and moving logistics, knowing what to expect makes the...
New Construction Home Inspection Checklist: Essential Guide for Buyers
Summarize this with ChatGPT Buying a newly built home is exciting. For many families, it represents a dream come true—the chance to move into a house that has never been lived in before, complete with brand-new finishes, modern designs, and the latest building...
New Home? Don’t Let Your Builder’s Warranty Run Out Without Doing This
If you’ve recently built or bought a new home in Texas, your builder’s one-year warranty is one of the most valuable protections you have—and it’s ticking away. An 11-month inspection, also called a 1-year builder warranty inspection, is your last chance to document...
What Is a Zip Level Foundation Inspection and Why It Matters in Texas
If you’re buying or selling a home in North Texas, understanding foundation health is essential. With the region's infamous clay-rich soils that expand and contract with moisture, foundation movement is not just possible—it’s expected. That's where a Zip Level...
Are Your Door Locks Really Keeping You Safe?
A recent viral TikTok has homeowners across the country double-checking their front doors—and for good reason. Home inspector and realtor Scott Lubik posted a now widely shared video claiming that many locks sold at big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s may not be...
What Home Buyers Need to Know About Purchasing a Home With Unpermitted Work
Thinking about buying a home with a recent garage conversion or sunroom addition? Make sure it’s not hiding something that could cost you later. Un-permitted work is more common than many buyers realize. That doesn’t mean you should run, but it does mean you should...
Navigating New Construction Inspections: What to Expect and Why They’re Essential in 2025
Updated September 18 2025 When it comes to purchasing a newly built home, many buyers assume that everything will be perfect, considering the property is brand new. However, new construction inspections are a critical step in ensuring the quality and safety of a new...
The True Cost of a Cheap Home Inspection: What You Need to Know
Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will ever make. A professional home inspection plays a crucial role in that process by providing a detailed assessment of the property's condition. It helps buyers avoid costly surprises...
You Got the Home Inspection Report—Now What? Smart Steps for Buyers & Agents
Receiving your home inspection report is a major milestone in the home buying process—but it’s not the end. It’s the beginning of your due diligence. At Stonebriar Property Inspections, we provide detailed inspection reports throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area,...
Would You Buy This Home? The Hidden Damage This Seller Didn’t Want You to See
Selling a home can be an exciting yet stressful experience, especially when unexpected issues arise. Some homeowners may be tempted to cover up problems rather than address them, but this approach can backfire in significant ways. A recent inspection by Stonebriar...
How to Prepare for a Home Inspection: A Complete Seller’s Guide
A smooth home inspection can help you sell your home faster while avoiding last-minute surprises. By preparing in advance, you can ensure that your property is in the best possible condition, reducing the likelihood of buyers requesting repairs or price reductions....
Inspection Process When Buying a House in Texas
In the thriving real estate market of Texas, economic factors such as employment growth and competitive housing prices have made properties in the Lone Star State a coveted asset. As these economic drivers push demand higher, a surge in home sales has made the market...
How Long Does a Home Inspection Take in 2025?
By Keith Boggs As of December 31, 2024, mortgage rates have experienced a notable increase compared to the historically low levels observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The average rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage is approximately 6.72%, while the 15-year fixed...
Common Mistakes First-Time Home Buyers Should Avoid
Buying a first home is an exciting yet challenging milestone, filled with decisions that can significantly impact financial stability and long-term satisfaction. Avoiding common mistakes can make the difference between a smooth, rewarding purchase and a costly,...
The Importance of Pre-Listing Home Inspections: Maximizing Your Home’s Value
When preparing to sell your home, it's crucial to present it in the best possible light to attract potential buyers and maximize its value. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through a pre-listing inspection. This proactive step can provide a...
The Role of Home Inspections in Negotiating Real Estate Deals
Home inspections play a crucial role in the process of buying and selling real estate. They provide vital information about a property's condition, which can significantly influence negotiations between buyers and sellers. Understanding how to leverage home inspection...
How to Keep Your House Cool in Hot Weather
As North Texas braces for another scorching summer with temperatures soaring into the 100s, homeowners can employ various strategies to keep their homes cool and comfortable. Utilizing ceiling fans and portable fans to enhance air circulation can significantly improve...
Can You Fail a Home Inspection? Understanding the Outcomes
When it comes to buying a home, the home inspection process can often feel like a crucial exam that the property must pass for the sale to proceed. However, the idea of "passing" or "failing" a home inspection is a common misconception that needs clarification. Unlike...
Do I Need to Be Present for the Home Inspection? Engaging in Your Future Home’s Assessment
For many home buyers, the process of purchasing a home is fraught with questions and decisions, one of which includes whether to be present during the home inspection. While your attendance is not a requirement, the benefits of being on-site during this crucial phase...
Navigating the Home Inspection Process: A Comprehensive Guide for Buyers
The path to home ownership is a journey of anticipation and, quite often, a learning curve for many. Among the numerous steps that buyers must navigate, the home inspection stands out as a critical milestone—one that can significantly sway the decision-making process....
Winter Home Maintenance Tips for Texas: Keeping Your Space Cozy and Efficient
While Texas is not known for its harsh winters compared to some northern states, it's still essential to prepare your home for the colder months. Winter in Texas can bring chilly temperatures, occasional frost, and even the rare snowfall, which can impact the comfort...
Why You Should Inspect Your Newly Built Home
The question "Should I inspect my newly built home?" is easily answered: Yes, you should have an inspection before closing the deal. Here's why: Varied Skill Levels Among Workers During construction, anywhere from 60 to 100 professionals may enter the home to perform...
The Long, Hot Texas Summer: Unexpected Costs for Homeowners
Summers in Texas are infamous for their relentless heat. While many are familiar with the challenges of keeping cool, few realize the hidden costs this scorching season can bring to homeowners, particularly concerning their home’s foundation. Ignoring the implications...
Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
When searching for a home to buy, what you see isn't exactly what you get. You will see freshly painted walls, colorful flowers, gleaming hardwood floors, granite countertops, and other high-quality touches. However, what you won't see is the unreliable plumbing...
The Importance of Home Inspection: How to Avoid Costly Property Issues and Make the Right Investment
Buying a property is a significant investment, and ensuring it's in good condition is crucial. This is where a home inspection comes into play. A home inspection is a comprehensive examination of a property's structural and maintenance conditions. In this article, we...
10 Ways You Should Prepare Your Home for Winter Now
Winter is fast approaching, and ensuring your home is adequately prepared is crucial for both safety and comfort. Here's an in-depth guide with expanded information on each of the ten ways to get your home ready for the colder months: Heating System Maintenance:...
7 Major Defects Found in a Home Inspection
By Keith Boggs, September 28, 2022. A home inspection is vital when buying or selling a house. It is a top-to-bottom evaluation of a house done by a licensed home inspector. In most cases, buyers pay for home inspections before purchasing the house. This is done to...
What Fixes Are Mandatory After a Home Inspection?
By Keith Boggs Updated May 9, 2022 at 10:00am CST As a prospective home buyer, you know that no home is going to be perfect. A home inspector will uncover defects, regardless of how well the property looks on the surface. So, what happens after you find out what those...
Why You Should Get a Home Inspection on a New Home
New-build homes are often thought to be perfect, free from defects. Unfortunately, that is not true. While new homes offer modern designs and ease of purchase due to lack of onward chain, they could come with costly weatherproofing or structural problems you might not...
Home Inspection: Mistakes People Make When Buying a Home
For most people, buying a home is a big decision and could be the most important one they will ever make. Therefore, when buying a home, you may ask questions such as what is the price range of the house you want? What is your preferred location? And perhaps, most...
What Do Home Inspectors Look For?
A home inspection is one of the crucial elements of real estate. During a home inspection, the inspectors look for anything that could be problematic in a house and can affect the normal operations of a potential buyer. Through home inspection, both sellers and buyers...
Inspecting and Cleaning Your Fireplace Before the Winter Cold
With the temperatures falling and the winter season fast approaching, most of us are already preparing our fireplace for the cold season. If you enjoy the heat and the crackling sound of burning firewood on your fireplace and you have not yet cleaned it recently, you...
Why You Should Consider a Pre-Sale Home Inspection
As the home-buying season approaches, usually in spring, prospective sellers shift their focus on whether their homes are ready for the market. To answer their question, many opt for a home inspection. A home inspection is part of the home purchase process. While it...
What Does It Mean When a House Is Contingent?
If you are house hunting, you can agree that the experience is both exciting and stressful. While you are looking forward to settling in your dream home, you may be uncertain of some terms and processes when it comes to owning a property. In real estate, a house is...
What Constitutes an Annual Home Inspection in Dallas?
Just like you would visit the doctor annually for routine checkups and not necessarily for ill health, your home needs an annual inspection. Even if you are a vigilant homeowner who performs repairs and seasonal maintenance from time to time, it is worth scheduling...
For Homebuyers: What Happens Before, During, and After a Home Inspection
By Keith Boggs Posted September 13, 2018 at 17:51 CST. Many of our clients are first-time buyers. Others may not have had a home inspection in so long, they can't recall how the process unfolds. If you're in one of these groups, you’re probably wondering what happens...
Home Inspection 101: What to Expect When You’re Inspecting
By Keith Boggs. Posted August 20, 2019 at 11:15am. It's hard to believe that we've been performing Dallas home inspections for more than 10 years now! And we've learned from experience that a lot of people don't know what to expect when a home inspector walks through...
A Simplified Home Inspection Checklist for Buyers
By Keith Boggs Posted January 15, 2020 at 10:00am CT So, you’ve made an offer on a house and have entered the “option period” — those critical five to ten days during which you must assess the home's condition, identify issues, negotiate for repairs on certain items,...
A Simplified Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers
By Keith Boggs Posted February 15, 2020 at 10:00am CT Your home is on the market and there’s an offer on the table. Congratulations! Now it’s time to get ready for the buyer’s home inspection — an event that can make or break the deal. But don’t be too concerned. By...
Five Tips for Getting the Most Value from Your Home Inspection
By Keith Boggs Posted March 15, 2020 at 10:00am CT Buying a home is one of the biggest investments you will likely make in your lifetime. It can also be scary. What if it turns out to be a lemon? What if it becomes a money pit? This is why the home inspection is one...
What Does a Home Inspector Do?
Many first-time homebuyers are unfamiliar with the processes that take them from house-hunting to moving day. Who’s involved? And what happens when? In fact, we see that even buyers who have been through the real estate process several times before often need a...
The Most Important Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
By Keith Boggs Posted September 18, 2020, at 7:00 am CT Are you about to make an offer on what you think will be your next home? If so, don’t underestimate the importance of the home inspection! It will give you the information you need to: Fully understand the...
How to Choose a Home Inspector? These are Our Top 5 Tips.
By Keith Boggs Posted October 15, 2020, at 7:00 am CT On our blog, we provide a lot of advice on how to choose a home inspector. Because, unlike finding people to provide other home services — for example, landscaping, appliance repair, or fixing a garage door — there...
Tips To Speed Up Your Home Inspection
A home inspection assesses the physical conditions and systems of a house for a potential buyer or seller. The house inspector will thereafter submit pictures, a detailed analysis, and recommendations to the respective persons typically within a week for further...
In this Hot Real Estate Market, Don’t Waive the Home Inspection
With the housing market becoming increasingly hot by the day, inventory of new homes and existing inventory are low and options periods are becoming shorter and shorter. This poses a challenge for buyers as realtors and builders are encouraging buyers to waive the...
5 Plumbing Leaks To Look Out For
A typical household in the United States loses up to 20,000 gallons of water annually from plumbing leaks. Therefore, if you want to sell or buy a house, you need to pay close attention to your plumbing system. Regardless of the age of your home, a plumbing leak can...
5 Ways to Dispose of Paint and Hazardous Waste in the Dallas Fort Worth Area
Look into any home's garage and you're likely to see a collection of paint cans — some old, some not-so-old — but most of which are likely to sit unused for years. Why do we hang on to them? Because figuring out how and where to get rid of them safely — without...
Moving to Texas? You’ll Need a Home Inspector—Here’s How to Find One
Everything really is bigger in Texas—including our population growth. In the past year, the Lone Star State added more residents than any other state in the U.S., and those numbers just keep growing. And if you’re one of the thousands of people making Texas your new...






















































