Don't let a confusing inspection report derail your dream home! On this episode of the Keys & Gears Podcast, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner break down the crucial process of choosing a home inspector. We explain why your inspector is like a general practitioner—qualified to find issues, but not the deep-dive expert for every solution—and why finding one who speaks your language is non-negotiable. Learn where to look (and where to avoid looking!), the characteristics of a top-tier inspector with real-world experience, and why even new homes need a trusted inspection. This is the essential guide to ensuring you fully understand what you're buying.

In this episode Mark Liesner and Bess Dickson solve the mystery of high utility bills. For a modern buyer, the true cost of a home (the Cost of Ownership) is the only metric that matters for long-term financial health. This definitive Real Estate Library entry exposes the invisible drain on your budget:

• The Culprits: Learn why poor HVAC efficiency, old windows, and bad insulation are the real reasons your electric bill is so high.
• The Buyer's Secret Weapon: the one non-negotiable step every buyer must take.
• Investment ROI: Discover which energy-efficient upgrades offer the best Insulation ROI and protect your home's value against rising costs.

It’s not one-and-done when you buy a house. Owning a home is a living, breathing relationship and it takes care to make it last. In this episode, Bess Dickson and Mark Liesner talk about why your home needs its own savings account, how to plan for maintenance before it becomes a crisis, and why the fastest fix is always the cheapest one. Think of it as “happily ever after” with a little bit of planning.