Reading Your Home Inspection Report

Name: West Coast Home Inspection LLC
Address: 3019 NW 17th PL, Cape Coral, FL, 33993, US
Telephone: (239) 464-3386
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Buying a home is an exhausting process. You spent a lot of time and energy searching for your ideal neighborhood, determining what you can afford, and touring an untold number of homes. Finally, you found the one. But, when the home inspector lays the massive home inspection report on the table, your pulse quickens.

A report can be up to 70 pages long and contains the intimate details of everything that could be wrong with your potential home. Deciphering this document is a crucial step in the home buying process, and it’s something you can’t afford to take lightly.

Fortunately, these reports are relatively straightforward and easy to read if you know what you need to look for.

What is an Inspection Report?
The report is an exhaustive list that details everything about the house and its major systems. These kinds of reports go into extreme detail about every component of the home. Inspectors will not only note incredibly important faults like damage to the foundation, but also minor details like superficial damage to things like closet doors.

It’s very easy to get lost in all the details in the report. Don’t despair at the length of the report, either. Inspectors do a thorough investigation and need to include every minor detail. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be doing their jobs properly.

Inspection Report Breakdown
Most inspection reports follow the same simple formula. This makes it much easier for a buyer to digest.

Home Details: Reports begin by stating the facts about the home. It lists the address, square footage, and the date it was built.

Table of Contents: Inspection reports always include a table of contents to make it easier to refer to specific pages.

Summary Pages: These are the most critical pages for you to read. They detail the home’s major failings, laying out every issue in broad terms. It will include a page number where you can find additional details.

In this section, the inspector will also include recommendations for repairs. You and your agent will likely refer to this if you plan to negotiate repairs into the price of the house.

This is also where you’ll find notes on potentially hazardous situations. For instance, if the wiring poses a fire hazard, it will be noted here.

In-Depth Observations: This section comprises the majority of the report. Here, the inspector carefully notes every detail about the property.

What Kind of Observations Does an Inspector Make?

It’s not enough to just know that the inspector is checking out the home and its major systems. You should be aware of what that entails as well as what sort of things a regular inspection doesn’t cover.

Interior
On the inside of the home, the inspector will note everything they see relating to walls, floors, doors, windows, and stairs. They’ll note if the stairs have handrails and make a determination on the general safety of the interior.

Exterior
The inspector also walks around the outside of the home observing the condition of the siding, driveway, walkway, deck, and roof.

The roof is one of the most critical areas of a home inspection. The inspector notes the age of the roof and any damage to the shingles. They’re looking for cracks, deterioration, and patch jobs that could hide major issues.

Problems with the roof mean there’s a potential for leaks, which lead to water damage throughout the home.

Insulation and Ventilation
A proper inspection wouldn’t be complete without checking on the insulation and ventilation of the home. The inspector will go into the basement, crawl space, and attic to make sure everything is properly insulated and ventilated.

Structure and Foundation
The inspector is typically looking for signs of water damage and cracks in the foundation, but they’ll certainly note any potential structural issue.

Issues with the foundation don’t necessarily mean the home is unsafe to live in, but they could lead to secondary problems like uneven floors and cracked walls. Diagnosing these issues early saves a lot of money in the long run.

HVAC
The inspector will ensure the home’s heating and cooling systems are in working order.

Due to the importance of these systems, the inspector examines them thoroughly.

Plumbing
This is one of the most exhaustive sections in the entire report. The inspector pays special attention to the house’s water systems.

The inspector is on the lookout for blocked or damaged pipes, ensures that the sewer system drains properly and that the water supply is not contaminated in any way.

Pests
An inspector will note signs of damage from pests, particularly termites. Those insects pose a serious risk to the home’s wooden frame.

Electrical
Finally, the inspector notes any issues with the home’s electrical systems like circuits, wiring, and outlets.

These systems are incredibly important to the modern home, and any problems with them could prove disastrous.

A typical inspection doesn’t cover things like mold, asbestos, septic systems, and swimming pools. You’ll usually need to have another inspection done to identify these issues.

Identify Key Repairs
Now that you know a little about what the report is composed of and where to find the inspector’s most important recommendations (the summary section), you should be able to determine what home repairs are absolutely necessary.

These will usually include major health and safety risks, like faulty wiring, cracks in the foundation, and issues with the roof. It’s typically quite costly to have these repairs made.

Old and dilapidated roofing is the most common issue found during home inspections. A normal asphalt shingle roof only lasts about 20 years before it needs to be replaced. Fixing an old roof will put a significant dent in your budget.

Cracks in the foundation are another potential problem that could lead to headaches down the road. While filling in the cracks themselves is relatively easy to do, their presence hints at more significant damage. It can cost well over $10,000 to repair structural issues.

Proceeding After the Report is Issued
The report is one of the most valuable tools available to a home buyer. You can even work with your real estate agent to negotiate the cost of repairs into the price of the home. In many cases, it makes financial sense for both parties.

Don’t get bogged down by the details of your inspection report. Flip right to the summary pages to find the most important issues plaguing your potential home and heed your inspector’s advice about how to remedy them.

Of course, you should still do your due diligence and read the entire report thoroughly so you aren’t caught by surprise by any issues that could crop up in the near future.

Think Twice Before You Buy!

4 Major issues that should make any potential home buyer in Florida think twice about proceeding with their decision to buy.

1. Mold is a fact of life in Florida:
Due to the warm humid climate of Florida moisture can build up and slowly infiltrate a home, causing mold to grow which can affect the health of the occupants. Mold can also cause structural issues if it is not addresses and has a long time to help rot away any wooden framework. Mold can be caused by something as simple as improper ventilation in smaller, more confined spaces like bathrooms. DO NOT PURCHASE a home or property where mold is pervasive because it is a sign of long-term moisture issues, possible drainage issues, and foundation or structural issues. Our Certified Home Inspectors are trained to spot mold issues and we will inform you regarding the best course of action for mitigation. Don’t trust your eyes or those attempting to sell you a home or property and rely on a professional home inspector to help detect mold and the extent of the damage that may be lurking underneath.

2. Poor Water Drainage:
Improper water drainage can lead to extensive wood rot throughout your home, or your potential future dream home. Drainage issues can be caused by missing, improperly installed, or damaged gutters and downspouts. Improper grading or the lack of grading away from the home can lead to water standing or seeping into the home and the home’s foundations. Florida homes are prone to water damage due to high annual rainfall and flash flooding caused by super cell thunderstorms or the occasional hurricane. Mold growth, pest invasion, wood rot and many other issues are a direct result of water damage taking place around our homes. Make sure you have a plan in place to deal with water and flooding and double check all your drainage inside and outside the home. If you looking to buy a home and any kind of water damage is evident, make sure that you hire a licensed home inspector to do a thorough inspection before you purchase the home.

3. Wood Destroying Insects or Organisms:
If you fall in love with a house make sure that termites haven’t moved in before you and made a meal out of any wooden structures inside the home. If the home you have your eye on does have termites, it is imperative that you immediately develop a plan to remove these pests or forego your purchase of the home. There are a few other wood-devouring pests, such as powder-post beetles and both the termites and beetles leave telltale signs that can be recognized by a trained home inspector. It is possible to overlook this type of pest and structurally compromising infestation because it can be contained within the walls of the home, tucked away from the untrained eye. It’s imperative that you chose a home inspector that can recognize the warning signs left by these pests.

4. A Strong Foundation:
If you notice a cracked or crumbling foundation while you are out looking for a potential home or property make sure to make a note of this because foundation problems can potentially cost thousands and even tens of thousands of dollars to fix. If you don’t see any foundations issues and you find a home that you like, you can rest assured that our trained and certified home inspector will catch the little details that can be missed by the untrained eye. We will let you know if the property has any major foundation issues or if there are some potential issues that might occur due to poor drainage or other factors. Water seeping into the home, wood destroying organisms, structural integrity and potential high utility expenses are directly related to a faulty foundation.

Home Inspectors and Realtors: Compatibility or Conflict of Interest?

With so many decisions to make when buying a home, receiving a recommendation from a professional can seem to be just one less thing that needs to be taken care of. But is it really helpful or can it be a nightmare in the making? In the case of a home inspector, you might want to carefully consider your decision to use a realtor recommended home inspector in lieu of researching and using an inspector of your choosing.

Code of Ethics for Home Inspectors

As with most professions, home inspectors have a code of ethics that’s spelled out in the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors, or NACHI, membership guidelines and standards of conduct. An excerpt from the NACHI code of ethics states that:
“The NACHI member will have no undisclosed conflict of interest with the client, nor … accept or offer any undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits or other benefit, nor … accept or offer any disclosed or undisclosed commissions, rebates, profits or other benefit from real estate agents, brokers or any third parties having financial interest in the sale of the property nor …provide any disclosed or undisclosed financial compensation … for referrals or for inclusion on lists of preferred and/or affiliated inspectors or inspection companies.”

The purpose of a home inspector is to provide a prospective home buyer with an objective evaluation of the condition of a property. There should be no pecuniary interest in the outcome of an inspection because that might engender a biased report to the home buyer. Even if a home inspector is a sole proprietor, he or she is licensed and regulated by the state and should be a member of NACHI, ASHI, or a similar professional home inspection organization. If your prospective home inspector isn’t a member of one of these, you might want to look for another home inspector. Although many home inspectors are members of IHINA, or Independent Home Inspectors of North America, and sign a pledge that they will not actively solicit real estate agents, many haven’t signed the pledge. If a home inspection company has brochures in a realtor’s office or is on their preferred provider list, they may provide you with a more positive report on your home than it warrants.

State regulation exists in order to protect the consumer; it provides consistency and credibility, ensures competence and professionalism, and maintains a code of ethics that must be adhered to in order to remain licensed. A home inspector can make or break a sale so he or she should have the highest integrity and skill level. Many home inspectors feel that the practice of using a realtor recommended home inspector threatens the integrity of the home inspection profession and lowers its integrity. The most successful inspectors are often those who use referrals from real estate agents which lends credibility to the conflict of interest of this relationship.

Code of Ethics for Real Estate Agents

Like home inspectors, real estate agents have a code of ethics to which they should adhere, whether they’re members of the National Association of Realtors, National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents, or any other realtor-centered, professional organization. A common theme in any realtor code of ethics is to conduct the sale in a professional manner that is dedicated to the best interests of the client and free of practices that would bring discredit to the profession. A good real estate agent should always recommend that their clients obtain home inspections; it’s a good way to ensure that a building is sound and without issues that can become costly in the future.

However, a good real estate agent shouldn’t recommend a specific home inspector or endeavor to steer the client toward a specific home inspector. If the agent uses phrases such as “We’ve always had good reports from him” or “We do a lot of business with him” then you may not receive the objective and unbiased report that you’re paying for. If a realtor tries to steer you away from using a specific inspector with phrases such as “We always have a problem with that inspector” or “He takes too long or costs too much” then it may be that the inspector is very conscientious. He may provide reports that are less positive and more realistic than the realtor wants. If your agent uses the phrase “deal killer” in reference to a home inspector, it may be the result of the inspector providing accurate, unbiased information in his report. Negative information, even though it’s accurate, may reveal issues with a home that can cause the buyer to cancel the sale. A realtor should be motivated by professionalism and altruism rather than avarice but sometimes this isn’t the case. If your realtor says a specific inspector is a deal breaker, ask for details before accepting the realtor’s statement at face value.

Sometimes, real estate agents who are less than completely scrupulous may engage in kickbacks, referral bonuses, and other types of incentives in order to close a sale. Although this is unethical and illegal, it sometimes happens even though laws have been enacted that prohibit real estate agents from directly recommending any specific inspector and inspectors from accepting unethical referrals.

Sometimes, a realtor will attempt to negotiate with a home inspector by referring more business to the home inspector in exchange for positive results on the inspection. This is patently unscrupulous and is in the best interests of neither the inspector nor the home buyer. An inspector who certifies a building as sound can incur a future liability should the report neglect to include existing problems with the building.

Who Controls Selection of a Home Inspector

Ultimately, the buyer is in charge of selecting a home inspector but the real estate agent can either encourage or discourage the selection of a specific home inspector. If your agent is strongly urging your selection of a home inspector, you should probably use another one. You should meet with the inspector beforehand and if you don’t feel comfortable with him or her, then find another inspector.

Often, your nagging feeling that something isn’t just right is accurate. It’s your home and your financial future. If your inspector provides a glowing report on your prospective home when, in fact, there’s a cracked slab and water damage for example, you’re the one who will be stuck with the repair bills.

If you need a home inspector, ask for a recommendation from any contractor friends or acquaintances who have no financial interest in your home. Check with the state licensing board and the Better Business Bureau to determine whether complaints have been lodged against a particular inspector. Your home inspector works for you not your real estate agent and you are the one who’s paying his or her fee.

Using the skill and expertise of a home inspector is one of the wisest choices you can make when buying a home. Selecting a home inspector who will provide an accurate, unbiased report is as essential as having the inspection done.

Can a Home Inspections Affect Property Value?

Buying a new home in Florida may be a top goal for you to accomplish in the near future. In fact, you may have already started looking at homes, and the important factor of property condition may have caught your attention with several homes. Regardless of the age of the property, a pre-existing home may be in poor condition if it has not been well-maintained by the owner. On the other hand, even older homes may be in amazing condition and could have recently been remodeled to make them like-new. It is difficult to determine a property’s true condition by looking at the surface alone.

Some home buyers intentionally look for outdated homes in poor condition with the hopes of creating value through improvements. Others prefer to buy a property that is well-maintained and in move-in condition. Obtaining a property inspection is not a required part of the real estate purchase process in Florida, but it is a step that many buyers choose to take. You may be wondering how a home inspection impacts a property’s appraised value or if it plays a role in valuation at all. With an improved understanding of what these two reports are, you can better understand their impact on your buying decision.

Understanding the Components of an Appraiser’s Valuation

In a typical real estate appraisal, the appraiser reviews the property’s value from three different perspectives. At his or her discretion, the final value may be determined through a reconciliation of all three methods or only through one or two of the methods. These methods include a review of sales comps, the property’s replacement value and the income capitalization approach. In many cases, the latter method is used for investment or income-producing real estate. The sales comp approach requires the appraiser to review several comparable properties that are located very close to the subject property and that have recently sold. The price per square foot of these properties is analyzed by the appraiser. Keep in mind that the appraiser may make adjustments based on key selling features in the homes and other notable differences while reconciling the data and analysis. The replacement value approach takes into account the estimated cost of building a similar home from the ground up, such as if the property was completely destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. It is based on construction costs in the area at the time as well as on the general type of finish-out in the home.

Learning About a Property Inspection Report

Many Florida buyers request a home inspection to be completed on a property that they are interested in so that they can learn more about the true condition of the home. Many potential repair issues may go undetected by an untrained eye. Some issues may require in-depth review by a skilled inspector and even special equipment or tools to uncover. A property inspector will usually review all major components of the home, such as the foundation, the roof, the major appliances, the electrical system, the plumbing system and more. While he or she is not licensed in each of these areas usually, he or she can provide insight on areas of concern that should be inspected by a licensed specialist.

Repair items that are identified by a property inspector are typically categorized based on their severity. For example, some cosmetic issues may be noted, such as cracked tile. Other issues, such as an exposed electrical wire or loose stair railing, may be classified as urgent life and safety issues.

Examining the Impact of a Property Inspection on Property Valuation

Be aware that an appraiser is not always provided with a copy of a property inspection report. In some cases, the two professionals walk the property on the same day and complete their reports at roughly the same time. If the timing of your purchase plans permits, it may be wise to obtain a property inspection before paying for an appraisal. In some cases, the condition of a property may be so dismal that a buyer decides to walk away from the transaction altogether. In this case, delaying the appraisal order can save the buyer money. In many cases, some areas of concern that have been outlined by the property inspector may impact the appraiser’s valuation. The appraiser’s attention may be brought to areas of concern after reviewing the inspection report.

The two primary valuation methods that an appraiser may use for an owner-occupied or non-investor property are related to the property’s condition. These are the sales comparable approach and the replacement value approach. Remember that the appraiser will adjust the price per square foot based on key selling points as well as negative factors, such as a cracked foundation. Likewise, the appraiser will discount the replacement valuation by any significant repair costs.

Exploring Why a Buyer Would Walk Away From a Property

You may think that all buyers would want to walk away from a property that has many smaller repair issues or at least one serious issue, but this is not the case. Some buyers will use this information as a basis for negotiating a better deal on the sales price. Others will ask the seller to fix the problem areas before closing. If the seller agrees to one of these two options, the closing may take place under the revised contract terms.

There are, however, many instances when a buyer will walk away from a home. For example, if the seller is not willing to negotiate on the sales price or is not willing to repair the damage before closing, the buyer could decide not to move forward with the purchase. For some buyers, the specific type of damage or the severity of the damage may be a deal-breaker. For example, if it is determined that black mold is growing in the home, the buyer may not feel comfortable living in the home even if professional mold remediation is completed. This is a matter of preference based on his or her comfort level.

Keep in mind that some buyers also do not want to inherit a laundry list of repair issues from the seller. They prefer to buy a property that has been well-maintained. Regardless of any discounts or concessions that the seller may be agreeable to, the buyer may simply not want to deal with making those repairs on his or her own.

Now that you understand more about how an appraisal and property inspection could be related, it makes sense to consider ordering a property inspection and reviewing the inspection report closely before ordering the appraisal.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

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How You Can Protect Your Home from the Elements During Florida’s Rainy Season

Florida is called the “Sunshine State” for a good reason. It is gorgeous and warm about 95 percent of the time. However, the other five percent of the time, it is rainy and hurricane seasons. Home owners who live in Florida need to take the proper precautions every year to make sure that their homes are in good shape, enough to withstand the elements. Making necessary updates to your house now, before the storms hit, will in turn save you thousands of dollars rather than pouring out thousands of dollars to repair and replace damaged property. Here are some tips on keeping your house protected from Mother Nature during Florida’s rainy and hurricane season.

Do You Have Proper Home Insurance Coverage?

Double check your home owners’ insurance has the proper coverage on your policy. For example, your home is depreciating in value every year, meaning that the cost to insure it will be higher. It is important to check the amount of coverage that you’ll need every couple of years. You may want to get a second opinion on your current insurance if your coverage amount seems. Your Home Owner’s policy will not cover flooding, however, there is still an option on how to get flood insurance coverage for your home. You can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. This service would be a necessity for people living in high-risk flooding areas of Florida. If you think that you are in a high-risk flooding area of Florida, and you want to get flood insurance, do not hesitate – do it now! There is a 30-day grace period before your insurance policy goes into effect.

Check and Protect Your Roof!

Checking and protecting your roof can save you thousands of dollars in the long run during rainy season and hurricane season. It is important to note that you should inspect your roof after every storm to look for missing shingles and for water damage, not just before the storm. You should hire a roof inspector to properly inspect the roof before the rainy season or hurricane season begins. Roof inspectors can give you a more in-depth look at the problems of your roof (if there’s any at all). If there are weak areas on the roof, the roof inspector should secure them with hurricane straps so the roof will stay intact during a natural disaster. Replacing a roof is expensive, so it’s best for you to take care of your roof to help it last for years to come!

Inspect the Exterior Inspection of Your Home Regularly

It is important that when we are talking about home inspections, we cannot overlook the Foundation. The home owner should walk about the foundation of the home and carefully inspect all areas. Check for any sign of water damage around the outside of the home. Any loose soil? That could also be a sign of water damage that needs to be repaired. On the outside of the home, if there are bubbles in the exterior paint that means that moisture and water are getting through to the inside of the house. Also, it is important to inspect all downspouts around your home. Make sure that they are directed away from your home. This can cause water to drain in excess near your foundation and water will then be getting inside under your foundation. The homeowner also should install weather-stripping around the doors and windows. This helps the doors and winds can withstand high gusts of wind and rain.

Inspect the Interior of Your Home

When performing an interior home inspection, it is important to check and make sure that all your electrical outlets are about 3 inches above the floor. This will help ensure that your appliances will survive the flood without an electrical power surge. You also need to look for any cracks or breaks in the walls where water could collect in the event of a flood and potentially form mold. You may want to consider dry-proofing your home by painting with wall sealants to keep water out and adding foundation vents to let water flow through your home instead of collecting in one big pool of water.

Protect Your Home from Mold

During the Florida Rainy Season, it is imperative that you check your home routinely for small leaks and any sign of water damage around your exterior or interior of your home. Mold is a fungus that likes to grow in moist areas and it can begin growing just 24 hours after a flood happens. In certain cases, mold can also occur through a small leak that was not attended to in time and it got progressively worse before the homeowner noticed. As far as insurance goes, most insurance policies have stipulations that the coverage will only cover mold caused by natural disasters. Check your policy again to be sure if mold from water damage is covered when the water damage was not caused by a natural disaster. To try to minimize the chance that your home will mold, you can do these precautionary steps:
• Have air conditioning in your home.
• Use a dehumidifier occasionally.
• Have tile in your bathroom instead of carpet.
• Always use a cleaner that has bleach when cleaning in moist areas.
• Check all seals around sinks, bathtubs, anywhere water will be present.

Prepare Your Home for Hurricane Season

As we are talking about inspecting your home for water damage for the upcoming Rainy Season, let us not forget about Hurricane Season, which can be tough for many Floridian home owners. When hurricane season begins, it is important to do an inventory of your belongings, meaning, take a few photos of your possessions so that in the event your home was destroyed by a hurricane, it would make filing insurance claims a little bit easier. It is also important to inspect your garage door and make sure it is reinforced. Many people do not think about the garage door, but if it is not reinforced, powerful winds gusts get can inside of your home, causing severe damage to the interior windows, doors, and the interior of your roof.
When inspecting your home to make it hurricane proof, remember to check your windows and doors for cracks and make sure they close properly. In the event of a hurricane, high wind gusts could rip your door off of its hinges if the door is not properly closed. Broken windows will let rain inside of your home causing water damage. In the event of a hurricane, use storm shutters on your doors and windows or literally board them up with plywood.

Protecting your home is a huge priority during Florida’s Rainy Season and Hurricane Season. If you commit to taking preventative measure now, before something happens to your home, it pays off in the long run. For example, if you ever want to sell your home, it will sell much faster if there’s never been any kind of water damage or damage from a natural disasters. Taking care of your home now, will definitely help your home to stand up to the elements during Mother Nature’s favorite time of the year.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

Improve Curb Appeal and Sell Your Home Faster!

We have all heard it – “You never have a second chance to make a good first impression.” Truer words have never been spoken, especially if you are in the market to sell your home. If your house needs painting, the trees, bushes, grass and plants are over-grown, or obvious repairs are needed on the outside, this is the best way to scare away a buyer. Don’t expect a potential buyer to look any further if your home’s curb appeal doesn’t say “Welcome – Come on in!”

If the outside of your house stops buyers at the curb from coming inside your home for a closer look, then it’s time to change this picture, and get them inside. There are several low cost or even no-cost improvements you can make to spruce up the outside, get buyers out of the car, and through your front door. According to experts, here are some of the best ways to improve curb appeal and help your house sell faster. According to DIY Network, some of these fixes can be done for less than $100. To improve your home and make sure it passes the curb appeal test, here are quick fixes you can easily make during a weekend or even in a day. If your home needs any of these improvements, make them and let’s get your home sold! Some of these simple fixes will also make it easier on a home inspector when they come to do their job and thoroughly inspect your property during the sales process.

A little paint goes a long way. If the paint on the trim, shutters, or exterior is peeling or chipped and you don’t want the expense of painting the entire house, an easy solution is to match your homes existing paint and then paint only those unsightly areas. With paint costing about $30 per gallon and professional painters charging through the roof, this is a great cost-saving solution. Don’t underestimate the focal point of your home, the front door. Make a statement by painting the front door a bold color to leave a memorable impression on prospective buyers and improve curb appeal. Revamp your garage door with a fresh coat of paint or varnish to help it blend into the house and not create a distraction from the rest of the house.

Time to do some cleaning. Spend an afternoon picking up clutter, racking leaves, trimming and cutting the grass, and pulling any unsightly weeds from your garden. Keeping the outside of your home clutter-free, and neatly landscaped is a sure sign to prospective buyers that if you take that much pride in keeping the outside, your pride probably extends to the inside of your home as well. Here are few tips from DIY Network to help you spruce up the outside of your home, improve curb appeal, and sell faster.

What’s the address again? Don’t underestimate the little touches that might impress a buyer. Replacing your existing numbers with modern, curved, or large decal-ed numbers can make an impression. This is easy fix, will cost you just pennies, and little time to complete.

Make it pretty with some flowers. With the right instructions, window boxes can be easy to install. But, if you don’t have time or want the expense, there is a cheaper option that is just as effective in improving curb appeal. Purchase container plants or flowers from any nursery and place them at the front steps or porch to add a punch of color to your home.

Add a few lights and warm it up. Most showings are during the daytime. But, depending on the time of year, for instance the winter months when it gets dark earlier, prospective buyers may drive by after work hours. To get a feel for the neighborhood’s activity when most families are at home, buyers may drive by in the evening. Better Homes and Gardens has some excellent tips on how illuminating your home can make it stand out among the other houses on the block.

You’ve got mail. Another easy fix. With replacement of a new mail box starting around $20 for the box, and it takes less than an hour or so to mount it on your house. If your mailbox is post-mounted, with the extra material costs of the post, it may be slightly more expensive and take more effort to install. Remember, when installing the new mail box make sure you follow the regulations set forth by your city codes for proper installation.

Don’t have them run the gauntlet. Crumbling pathways and sidewalks are a definite eyesore and can also be a safety hazard. Be sure to fix any cracks or uneven sections of your walkway by filling them in with fresh concrete, stones, or bricks.

Drainage isn’t always a bad thing. Repair and clean the leaves and debris from the gutters and downspouts on your home. Replacing gutters and downspouts are among the many expenses that prospective buyers to not want the spend money on. So, before placing your house on the market, make sure gutters and downspouts are in good condition.

Time to upgrade some fixtures. If you don’t have the budget to buy new fixtures, you can always spray paint the metal lamp frames, door knockers, and door knobs a glossy gold, black, or brown. Replace any old lamp fixtures with attractive decorative ones. Install low-voltage lighting fixtures to illuminate pathways and provide security. This will boost your home’s curb appeal and can make a huge impact on selling your home.

If you wash it they will come. A good power wash of your driveway and walkway may be all it needs to turn on the shine. If the house doesn’t need to be painted, a quick power wash on the outside of the house will do wonders. You can easily rent a power washer and clean the outside like the professionals. By doing-it-yourself you keep money in your pocket, improve your home’s curb appeal, and help the home to sell.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

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Home Inspection Fort Myers

Home Inspection – The Devil is in the Details

During my service in the United States Coast Guard, I learned a lot of valuable lessons that I have been able to carry over into my civilian life. Through my training and experiences, I became adept at attention to detail, keeping my head during pressure situations and reporting on situations completely and honestly. These same values have permeated my life since then, and I bring these same values to my business. As I am doing a home inspection, my main goals are to pay attention and document every pertinent detail. I do this to protect you from making the kind of mistake that can turn what may be your largest purchase into your largest nightmare.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

Our Helpful Home Maintenance Checklist

This Will Help Keep You on Track All Year

Home maintenance is a task that you might think you’re taking care of efficiently, but it’s more than just sweeping the front porch once a week or removing seasonal decorations when the celebration is over. There are many important exterior household maintenance jobs that you have possibly overlooked. A seasonal home maintenance checklist can help remind you of the necessary tasks around your home that need to be done regularly.

Southwest Florida’s climate can most accurately be divided into two seasons: the very hot, wet and humid season that corresponds to spring and summer, and the somewhat cooler and drier season that could be called fall and winter. Certain preventative maintenance jobs are best performed during one of these two seasons.

Preparing for the hot and humid season

HVAC maintenance: A home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) is often ignored until it stops working properly, usually during a heat wave. Keeping the outdoor air conditioning unit in good working order means that you won’t suffer and sweat through hot and humid days and nights because your air conditioner stopped running.

The air conditioning system’s exterior unit needs to be checked carefully. It’s important to make sure there are no leaves, tree limbs or other debris around the unit left over from storms and wind that occurred during the cooler months. These debris should be removed so that air can move around the unit unimpeded. The unit’s coils and vents should be cleaned as well, and have the proper amount of freon checked by a qualified HVAC contractor. These tasks might better be handled by a qualified HVAC technician. Living in Florida also means living with all manner or creature that might find its way into parts of your HVAC system. Every year we find at least one frog that get stuck below the fan and never made it back out. When the air conditioner kicks on in the heat of summer we are hit with the very distinctive odor caused by the dead frog.

Exterior foundation: Your home’s foundation, siding and other exterior components might have suffered damage from storms or simply from aging. Taking a look at your home’s exterior is an important part of a cool-season check-up. Peeling or chipping paint, damaged siding and holes or cracks in the foundation should be repaired to improve stability as well as appearance. A home inspection company can help you determine how to handle needed repairs.

Roof and gutters: Your roof and gutters shouldn’t be ignored either. Take a look at the shingles on your roof or have a professional do it for you. Shingles should not be curled, broken or missing altogether. Any of these signs means that your roof will start leaking sooner rather than later. Keeping your gutters clean also helps protect your roof. Removing debris that is clogging gutters will help better direct water flow. This will help prevent the water from backing up under your roof shingles or draining so close to the foundation that it collects in your basement or crawl space.

Trees and perennials: Your trees, shrubs and perennial plants may have experienced some damage from cold temperatures or high winds during the cooler months, or may just be getting older. In either case, you’ll need to trim back the dead, dying or diseased sections. This will help the plants last longer and look better. Some trees, shrubs or perennial plants might have grown into cracks around your foundation, causing the cracks to enlarge. Pruning will help eliminate this problem.

Swimming pool: Your swimming pool is an essential and enjoyable part of your family’s home life, so it needs to be consistently maintained. If you haven’t used the pool for several months, it will need to be cleaned, particularly if it wasn’t covered. Leaves and other debris will need to be removed, then the water will need to be topped off. You’ll want to make sure the chemicals are properly balanced, a task that is often handled by a professional pool service. Once the chemicals are balanced and the pool is clean, maintaining the filtration system and keeping debris out of the pool will be a weekly or even daily task.

Getting ready for the cooler season

Doing regular home maintenance to prepare for the cooler, drier season is a bit different for Southwestern Florida homeowners than it is for those in colder climates, but it’s still important. Overlooking these tasks can lead to more serious problems later.

HVAC system: Your HVAC system, which has so efficiently kept you cool and comfortable during the hot, humid months, now needs to be readied for the cooler and drier season. Filters and coils that worked hard during the hot months should be cleaned so that they can warm your home efficiently when the temperature drops. Make sure and have the proper amount of freon checked by a qualified HVAC contractor If you don’t have the time or knowledge to do this yourself. A qualified technician can always handle these maintenance tasks quickly and inexpensively.

Trees and flower beds: Get your trees, flower beds and shrubs ready for the cooler weather as well. Flower beds can be mulched before cooler weather sets in to help protect them. Shrubs that show signs of damage or disease can be treated as well. If you have any tree limbs that are located too close to power lines, it’s a good idea to trim them back. You’ll be glad you did when your electricity stays on during a wind storm.

Swimming pool: You’ll need to prepare your pool as well for the cooler months when it isn’t being used. The most important thing you need to remember is to keep some water in your pool during the cooler months to help protect it. The chemical levels should be checked and adjusted if necessary, and the filter should be cleaned. When these chores are done, it’s essential to cover your pool for the cooler season so that debris won’t cause additional harm your pool.

Taking these preventative maintenance steps requires a bit of planning and some of your time, but they pay big dividends in helping to lower costs and prevent headaches later on. You’ll be glad that you don’t have to make big repairs or replace components that weren’t maintained properly. You’ll instead have time to enjoy your home.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

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Experienced Safety Home Inspector

As a firefighter and paramedic in Naples, I learned a lot of things throughout my career. One of the things that I learned was that some of the tragedies that I have witnessed could have been avoided by inspecting your property for hazards on a regular basis. Attention to detail and knowledge of safety issues are paramount in doing your best to keep yourself and your home safe. As a firefighter, safety inspections were part of the job, as well as making a detailed and thorough report on what I found. Also, punctuality is very important to me, as to not waste your time or mine.

After I retired, I transferred these same skills into my home inspection business. I have the experience, understanding, and motivation to do the best job possible to protect your lives and assets. Don’t let your dream home become a nightmare! Call us today to put your mind at ease.

To hire the best Home Inspector in Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero and Bonita Springs, Florida – Please call West Coast Home Inspection Today! (239) 464-3386

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