Every house is different, but there are some common elements every homeowner can include on a regular maintenance list:
- Check the grading and drainage around the foundation
- Seal driveway and walkway cracks
- Check fencing and gates
- Check and trim trees near the house
- Check for deteriorating/damaged siding
- Check for loose, damaged, or missing roofing and flashings
- Clean all gutters and leaders
- Check weather-stripping and seals on all windows and doors
- Insulate water lines that are subject to freezing
- Check condition of the water heater
- Check ventilation openings for blockage
While this list is not comprehensive, it’s a good start to identifying some potential trouble spots in any home. Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.
This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.
Filed under Home Improvement, Home Repairs, Homeowner Ideas by 
When people talk about the state of the environment and what can be done to improve it and actually save it, thy’re not just talking about what businesses are or should be doing. In many cases, helping clean up the environment is something that starts at home!
Here’s a GREAT primer for greening up your Rock Hill SC home:
Filed under Carolina Real Estate, Energy Efficiency, Home Repairs, Homeowner Ideas by
Want to make some improvement to your home, but have a limited budget? Try these 5 tips that come courtesy of HGTV.com and can all be done for less than $100:
- Spend an hour with a pro to get some tips and ideas
While a designer will most likely charge you a consultation fee, it shouldn’t be more than $100 for at least an hours worth of idea sharing. They should be able to give you some great ideas for ways to spruce up your home on a budget.
If you’re not sure you want to pay for the consultation fee, most RealtorsTM will do it gratis. In fact, I’d be more than happy to come take a look at your home and give you some ideas! - Inspect It
Not every update you make is cosmetic. A leaking roof, termite infestations, electrical problems, or other hidden issues can really bring the value of your house down.
Hiring an inspector is a great way to make sure your home is in tip-top shape, or at least check things out so you can know the actual condition and what needs to be done to bring things up to where they need to be. - Paint it
One of the easiest, most cost-effective improvements you can make is to paint! A freshly painted room looks clean and updated and that means increased value.
When selecting paint colors, remember that neutral colors appeal to the greatest number of people, so if you’re thinking about selling anytime soon it will make it much easier.
Plus, if you figure a gallon of paint costs around $25 on average, you’ll have plenty of money left over to buy the rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloths and brushes. So, buy a few gallons and get busy!
- Find Inspiration in Magazines or TV Shows
An alternative to hiring a designer is to search for remodeling and decorating inspiration in design-oriented magazines, books, TV shows and websites. Simply tear out or print off the ideas you want to try and start your to-do list. Just remember to keep it simple.
When you’re on a tight budget, do-it-yourself projects are often the best.
- Cut Energy Costs
The amount of money you spend each month on energy costs may seem like a fixed amount, but many local utility companies provide free energy audits of their customers’ homes. They can show you how to maximize the energy efficiency of your home.
An energy-efficient home will not only save you money right now, but it’s also a more valuable asset in the long run that’s easier to market and sell.
Filed under Home Inspections, Home Repairs by
With all the talk in the news about how screwed up our economy is, and the biggest culprit being the sub-prime mortgages that ran rampant for so many years, it’s no wonder so many people are skittish about trying to sell their home. Well, even though the news media would have you believe the sky is falling, people still have money and they are out buying real estate as well!
The key to success in this real estate market though is knowing the market and avoiding the pit falls. Here’s a FANTASTIC article from House Master that shares some critical things to consider when thinking about buying or selling your home in the current market.
Many news reports point to the sub prime lending mess as the cause for the housing slump. But home sellers should know that plenty of people with good credit are simply cautious buyers, which can keep sales down.
In most areas it’s a buyer’s market, so people can be picky. “Most buyers in this market will try to re-negotiate based on the findings of their home inspection. If the seller is unwilling to make repairs or lower the price, they may walk away because they knew other properties are available,†says Kathleen Kuhn, president and CEO of HouseMaster.
With approximately two million home inspections collectively performed by its franchise offices, HouseMaster is aware of a number of conditions that are more likely to scare buyers away.
But sellers do not have to stand by with their fingers crossed to secure a fair sale.
“More and more home sellers are getting a pre-listing home inspection that helps identify potential deal-breaking issues before the house is listed on the market,†Kuhn says. “This way, sellers can fix problems and worry less about a buyer walking away late in the deal process.â€
According to Kuhn, the following are “The Fearsome Four” when it comes to real estate deals:
- Roofing Concerns: A new homeowner does not want the expense of roof replacement shortly after closing. Many sellers believe that if their roof is not presently leaking it is in acceptable condition. But an astute buyer knows that a worn roof needs to be replaced before it leaks.
- Electrical Problems: Older panels are often undersized and might even pose a fire hazard. Although an upgrade is usually straightforward, the potential fire risk can be scary for prospective buyers.
- Structural Issues: Major structural issues are one of the least common defects found in homes, but when they do occur, they can be costly to repair, and can really stop a buyer in his tracks. Fortunately, there are often repair options that will make the sales process go smoother. But it will often require another inspection by a structural engineer or repair professional, and additional time, to determine what can be done.
- Synthetic Stucco or Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS): Overall EIFS can be effective, economical alternatives to traditional stucco. Unfortunately improper installation can lead to trapped moisture behind the siding. This can cause structural damage and mold, and can cost tens of thousands of dollars to correct.
“Sellers lose some advantage when they are caught off guard by issues, even minor ones. In a market where every edge counts, sellers can use tools like pre-listing home inspections and repair records to show that they are conscientious and have taken appropriate steps to sell responsibly and competitively,” Kuhn says.
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.
This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Neither DBR Franchising, LLC nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances. © Copyright 2008 DBR. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.
This article was reprinted with permission from HouseMaster.com.
Filed under Carolina Real Estate, Home Buyers, Home Inspections, Home Repairs, Home Sellers by
Consumers should remember that maintenance costs need to be considered when purchasing a home. All homes require constant care. General estimates indicate that every home will require between 1 percent and 3 percent of the home’s value in annual maintenance costs, and this figure does not necessarily include major or emergency repairs.
Prevention Saves Time and Money
The ongoing maintenance of a home is a significant contributor to holding or increasing its value. According to Kathleen Kuhn, president and CEO of HouseMaster, “Homeowners should plan a solid preventive maintenance schedule, so problems can be fixed before they become more costly and damaging. Quite often when we inspect homes, many of the damages we find would have been preventable with some routine monitoring and smaller repairs. But left unchecked, minor concerns grew into more significant defects.â€
There are many other benefits for current and potential homeowners when they incorporate preventive maintenance into their annual planning. Preventive maintenance:
- Avoids expensive emergency repairs: Contractor fees rise in proportion to the urgency and the hour of the service call.
- Saves money and aggravation: Repairs planned for completion during off-peak times are less expensive and stressful.
- Minimizes homeowner insurance premiums: Correcting deficiencies before they represent an insurance claim will keep premiums reasonable.
- Eliminates costly consequential damage: When major home components, like a roof, fail, the damage to home interiors and furnishings can be substantial.
- Homes in good condition sell at higher prices than neglected counterparts.
Create a Maintenance Checklist
Every house is different, but there are some common elements every homeowner can include on a regular maintenance list:
- Check the grading and drainage around the foundation
- Seal driveway and walkway cracks
- Check fencing and gates
- Check and trim trees near the house
- Check for deteriorating/damaged siding
- Check for loose, damaged, or missing roofing and flashings
- Clean all gutters and leaders
- Check weather-stripping and seals on all windows and doors
- Insulate water lines that are subject to freezing
- Check condition of the water heater
- Check ventilation openings for nests, blockage
While this list is not comprehensive, it’s a good start to identifying some potential trouble spots in any home.
Do Your Own Research
In order to personalize your home maintenance checklist, it’s important to learn as much about your particular home’s operations. Many Web sites and newsletters contain valuable information and tips, and housemaster.com® contains a wide array of resources for homeowners, homebuyers, and home sellers such as a Home Defect Survey, A Preventive Maintenance Checklist, Common Home Concerns Overview, and Home Inspector selection guidelines.
Even if you are not comfortable making repairs on your own, simply learning more about spotting potential problems can help reduce the extent and cost of contractor repairs. Kuhn adds, “More and more homeowners are calling us to inspect the homes they currently own to help them identify potential problems and develop a plan of action for home maintenance. A home is a major investment. We tend to monitor our financial and investment portfolios quite closely, and it’s equally important to monitor the status of our homes.â€
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at housemaster.com.
This information is provided with permission for general guidance purposes only and as a courtesy of housemaster.com. Neither HMA Franchise Systems, Inc. nor the local HouseMaster® franchise warrants its accuracy and assumes no liability related to its use. Contact the local franchise office and/or qualified specialists for advice pertinent to your specific house or circumstances.
© Copyright 2008 HMA. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of HMA Franchise Systems, Inc.
Filed under Buy Your Dream House, Home Buyers, Home Inspections, Home Repairs by
