Preparing Your Home For Winter: Part One
The winter months are quickly approaching. Here in Colorado we will probably see our first snow by the end of this month, if not sooner. I have had several of my realtor clients ask me what they should do to prepare their homes for winter. This is a short list of items that I recommend to most home owners.
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Preparing Your Home For Winter: Part Two
In my last blog I discussed some of the items that you should address to prepare the interior of your home for winter. Today I will talk about some of the items that you should address to prepare the exterior of your home for winter. This is a small list of items that we look at when performing an annual maintenance inspection of our clients homes.
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Why do I like inspecting homes?
I can sum it all up with two simple words. I love to investigate and educate. Performing an inspection on a home is like being a private investigator. While it is never my intention to just point out negatives in a home, it is always fun to investigate and find things that could be improved upon. It is also equally important for buyers to know the positives of a home and to maintain a balance of information. I also truly enjoy educating my clients, whether it be the buyer, or the seller. It is especially thrilling for me to help first time home buyers as this can be one of the most stressful endeavors of their lives. It helps if they have someone that can calm their fears and put the information into perspective.
Qualifications of Home Inspectors Vary - Make sure they are certified
Submitted 2010-03-27 13:31:09
Licensing or Certification
While some states require you to have a license to perform jobs such as home inspection, home remodeling and many of the other building trades some do not. In Texas you must be licensed to be a home inspector while in Colorado you do not have to hold any such license. It is important that you understand the differences, and that when searching for a home inspector, or contractor, you gather some important information and ask the proper questions before hiring someone. Read More...
An Annual Home Maintenance Inspection is a Great Idea
Submitted 2010-03-24 10:28:47
Spring is here, and with that comes the thought of all of the Spring Maintenance projects that we all take on annually. Cleaning the outside of the windows, repainting decks that suffered the winter snow and rains. Re-working, tilling, replanting and mulching the flower beds.
There are numerous items that we have on our list. Most of these items are ones that we perform every year at this same time, but there are also a number of jobs that should be performed annually that most homeowners just don't think about.
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Factors to Consider When Backing Out After a Home Inspection
Most of us have dreamt of owning a home. This is very important for most of us. That is why when we get the chance, we want to get a perfect home. This makes us willing to undergo a complex process. Purchasing a home is unlike ordinary purchase. There are several things that need to be addressed. One has to find the right lender, the right mortgage term and most importantly, the right home. One of the processes you have to go through to ensure you have the right home is the home inspection. Here, an expert will check the property to find out its current state.
The home inspector plays an essential role. He will evaluate the different areas of the property. He will also indicate his comments regarding the structure and other features in the property. He will indicate this in his report.
The seller can use the report. The inspection can take place prior to opening the property to the market. This will help him find out the essential repairs he needs to do. This will also help him get a good value for his property. Aside from the seller, the buyer will find the report most useful. He can use it in various ways. This is the best tool to negotiate the value of the property. He can also use this to demand that the seller conduct essential repairs. Most importantly, he can use this to decide to continue the purchase or back out.
As mentioned earlier, you can back out from the transaction. However, there are factors to consider. First, check your contract. It is best if you have not signed any yet especially if you have not read it thoroughly. Some contracts have clauses that will not refund you any amount you have paid for the property. This will greatly affect your decision to back out.
You may back out if there are severe damages that were not disclosed to you during your discussion with the seller. If there are several problems, you may not be able to move in the house as soon as you want. This can be a problem if you need to find a new home immediately. Surely, you want to be comfortable when you move.
Another reason for backing out is when you and the seller cannot reach an agreement. There are instances when sellers insist on what they believe is the right value for their property. As a buyer, you may think otherwise. If you are not willing to match the value of the property, you might as well look for another house.
The inspection is also a way to make the buyer realize that the property will not suit their needs. After the inspection, they might find out that they will not be able to do the things they want to do with the property. The weak foundation might prevent them from adding a second floor. They may also uncover other issues.
Inspectors will always find imperfections in homes, even if it is new. This is why you have to think carefully before deciding.
Checklist on What to Expect During Home Inspection
In the course of buying or selling a house, there are inevitable and indispensable issues to consider. One of the most needed things to delve into when planning to buy or sell a property is home inspection. It is in fact primarily important that most real estate agents and key figures in the industry recommend not going further into your transactions without conducting an accurate and trustworthy inspection in the subject property.
Read More...Why is Home Inspection Necessary to the Home Buying Process?
When you buy or sell a house, there is always a complicated procedure that you have to undergo. Home inspections are very important to assure buyers and sellers that properties are in their best condition. Unfortunately most of these parties do not seem to see the importance of such procedure. But if you are really a wise consumer, you will allow your prospect property to under go this home inspection so as to secure that everything is perfectly fine before you close the deal.
Generally, home inspections are performed by certified home inspectors.
Read More...Building a Home
MPS Supplementing Model Building Codes
The Minimum Property Standards (MPS) establish certain minimum standards for buildings constructed under HUD housing programs. This includes new single-family homes, multi-family housing and healthcare-type facilities.
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Beware of Toxic Mold in Your Home Search
If you are planning to buy a house, it is important that you consider several factors. It should not only be in a good location. There is more to finding the right home than just enough rooms, nice bathrooms as well as beautiful landscapes. You should also check for molds. There are various types of molds. Some are toxic and some are not. It is the toxic mold that you should watch out for as they can cause a lot of health problems. More and more people are becoming aware of the risks.
Read More...15 Tools That Every Home Owner Should Own
By Nick Gromicko and Rob London

The following items are essential tools but this list is by no means exhaustive. Feel free to ask an InterNACHI inspector during your next inspection about other tools that you might find useful.
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