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With Halloween just around the corner I ran across some “scary” information concerning real estate and your home. (1) NAR suggests these home decorations are “horrifying.” (2) Nothing is more wicked than having your home burglarized. Bob Vila offers ideas for home security. (3) Home inspections can become a nightmare; prevent bad reports with a little TLC for your home. (4) (I include an updated “who to call for services” list.)
Get ready to gasp and scream with the Styled, Staged & Sold blog’s
annual countdown of the overdone trends we’re ready to say goodbye
to in the new year. This list is compiled from designer input and
consumer surveys. Some outdated trends include barbiecore; all white bathrooms; alternate stainless steel appliances; super shiny surfaces; mini backsplashes; dining room backless benches, and there is more.
link to full article:
https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/styled-staged-sold/10-horrifying-home-design-trends-2023-edition
36 Easy Ways to Protect Your Home from Break-Ins. How can air conditioners and car keys protect you from being burglarized? Read on for clever tips and tricks to improve your home’s security.
This article suggests shine a light; keep the big ticket purchases a secret; close garage doors; install cameras; replace hollow core exterior doors; install a security system; keep car keys at your fingertips; get a fake dog; reinforce sliding doors; install driveway alarms, motion detectors and much more!
link to full article:
https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/36-easy-ways-to-protect-your-home-from-break-ins-52902
Prevent spooky home inspections reports with routine maintenance chores. Check and replace air conditioning filters; clean dryer vents; test smoke detectors; inspect fire extinguishers; clean the garbage disposal; run water in the unused bathrooms; check house for leaks; inspect grout and caulking for cracks; inspect and clean gutters.
So this week, I’m going to talk a little bit about those home inspections that I’ve had in the last year and the problems that have come based on repair needs found in a home. These repairs usually come back to the homeowner to repair.
Was your home built in the 1980s and 1990s? Check your electrical box- it if it is a “Challenger” electrical box, they will not pass inspection because homeowner’s insurance companies will not approve them. The boxes have proven to be a fire hazard, and the boxes were discontinued-so parts are not available for them. A replacement electrical box is going to cost you $1200-$1800. Info from local Inspector Tony Heitz (Advanced Home Analysis):
http://www.brubakerinc.com/home-services/challenger-electric-panel-fire/
Roof: Many homes in Black Diamond have aging roofs. Insurance companies have raised rates, make sure you have your roof inspected and when necessary follow the POA guidelines (now under review).
Water Heater-If you’ve gotten 14 to 20 years out of your hot water tank and you have not replaced it— you may want to think about doing that before it goes and leaks water all over the place. Water damage is not fun. You can get a high efficiency hot water tank, and this is a plus item for a home sale. You also may have to make sure that the gas heaters are installed properly… back in the 1980s they installed them on the floor but now the ignition source has to be 18″ above floor in garage. You may want to check your hot water heater. Also insurance companies will not issue a home insurance policy to a new owner, if the heater is more than 15 years old.
When was the last time you had your house painted on the outside? The majority of homes being built are concrete block with stucco. The paint protects the stucco. And it was recommended that the outside be painted every eight years. I have a home inspector, who’s also a contractor, says he paints his house every five years to make sure that there’s no water damage happening and look for cracks in the stucco/concrete.
While you’re checking that out, check your facia board, if there’s any rotting facia board, (or chewed area by squirrels) you should have that trimmed out and repainted.
When was the last time you had your gutters cleaned out?
You know clogged gutters can cause a back up of water which can cause roof leaks and foundation damage:
https://t.e2ma.net/webview/bvde1c/9b21429791d121957a9065780a6c42af
When was the last time you had your dryer vent cleared out? It should be cleaned out once a year, otherwise a clogged dryer vent can cause fires. See the article by a home local home inspector Chuck Baker (BPG Inspections)
https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/5022.pdf
How old is your swimming pool? If you had pitting or spots showing up in pool surface, it’s time to have a resurfacing done. That could run anywhere from $3000-$5000.
Do you have a septic tank? Have you had it cleaned out and inspected lately? New septic installs are subject to stricter materials for environmental safety and cost a lot of money! Take care of the one you have!
Does your garage door have an electronic safety eye (reverses the opening and closing)? Older models without them, do not pass inspections. Are the springs on the door safe? Best to have an inspection and repair before someone is injured by a falling door.
There you have the outdated and neglected items that were identified during recent home inspections that caused monster headaches for the seller!
who to call for services:Who to Call for Services
Last, but not least….
We live in scary times…pray for peace!
