Tag Archives: Home Inspections

Curb Appeal and Home Inspections

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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Safety Home Inspection

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

Home Inspection South West Florida

TOP 10 Most Common Problems Found During a Home Inspection

 

A home inspection is an important part of the buying process of any home. Whether you’re the one buying or the one selling, you need to be paying close attention to the recommendations of the home inspector and factor that into the price. Home inspection problems are common for any home that is inspected, whether new or old. While there are a number of problems that can be noted, we’re going to be discussing the top ten most common.

Erroneous Electrical Wiring

A good home inspector will assess the power outlets throughout the home and the fuse box or breaker box. Some common problems that are found in this category include reversed polarity outlets and double taps. Reverse polarity outlets happen when the neutral and hot wires are attached to the opposite terminal. This is corrected by switching the wires to the correct terminals. Double taps happen when two electrical feeds are attached to one breaker. This problem can be remedied by installing a twin breaker. Faulty wiring could lead to major fire hazards that could result in the destruction of the home and surrounding area. This danger is why wiring is a highly essential part of any home inspection.

Heating System Issues

The inspector will remove the cover of the heating system to see if the system is being properly serviced. It’s very common for home inspectors to find heating systems that have not been properly maintained, which is identified by the amount of sot view able. It’s recommended that heating systems get maintenance checks annually to ensure they are cleaned and in working order. The remedy for a failed heating system is to have it properly cleaned and inspected by an HVAC specialist.

Plumbing Leaks

Small leaks are commonly found in areas around sinks and toilets. These leaks are noted by the home inspector. The cause could be a broken seal, incorrect plumbing materials, or corroded plumbing. If this shows up on a home inspection report, it’s vital that you speak with a plumber to have the source of the problem identified and fixed. Leaks are not something that you want to let go as they will only get worse and lead to more damage over time.

External Maintenance Issues

Apart from the inside of the home, the exterior is another essential part of the inspection. Most home inspection problems with the exterior of a home usually have to deal with the fascia. This is an important part of the home that allows for proper ventilation of the roof. A lack of the fascia being properly installed can cause a decreased lifespan of a home’s roof. Another major factor that is examined in the external maintenance inspection is the gutter system. Any lack of a gutter system to remove water from the home can cause issues with mold and water damage in the home.

Faulty Windows

A simple concept that many people buying a home overlook is the use of the windows. Common home inspection problems are faulty windows. This could be anything from the window being painted shut to cracks in the window. It’s important that all windows are operable and do not let air escape in or out when shut. Older homes tend to possess more problems with faulty windows due to the way windows were previously installed.

Structural Problems

The foundation of the home is what all the rest stands on. If there are major problems with the foundation, it can affect the structural integrity of the rest of the home. It’s also important to note that fixing foundation issues can get quite pricey, which is why you want to know any issues ahead of time when buying a home. Common structural problems include cracks in the foundation, floors that slope, and doors that stick.

Roof Problems

Roofs are another very costly expense to replace and repair. This is why a home inspector can be very tedious when accessing the roof of a home you’re thinking about buying. You don’t want to be dealing with a few thousand dollar bill over a problem that the seller should’ve fixed. Common roof problems include missing or broken flashings, curled shingles, leaks, and improper ventilation. These problems can lead to the degradation and premature aging of the roof.

Poor Drainage

Checking basements and crawl spaces for mildew and other signs of water leaks is a must of every home inspector. When these signs are identified in the basement or crawl space, it’s an indication that the home has poor drainage. This typically is due to improper grading around the home that forces water against the home’s foundation instead of away from the home. Grading requires a large expense to bring in soil and, in some cases, requires the removal of porous soil from around the home. You want to ensure this is not a problem that a potential home has that you’re thinking about buying as the costs could be significant.

Water Heater Specifications

Due to new housing requirements, it’s very common for older homes to have water heater inspection problems. These issues typically are dealing with the size of the vent for the heater and the lack of the temperature pressure relief valve, or TPRV. If you’re buying a home that wasn’t recently built, it’s likely you’re going to see the water heater on the list of housing problems.

Poorly Maintained Home

Keeping up with the regular maintenance that a home requires is something that a home inspector will look for. This category encompasses many potential issues that can be noted about both the interior and exterior of the home as well as the property. Some common signs of a poorly maintained property include worn carpeting, cracked driveway, peeling paint, stained flooring, and loose caulking.

A home inspection is meant to give both the buyer and seller necessary insight into the health of a home. As a buyer, you want to ensure that the home is structurally sound and has no major hidden issues that will require a large investment later down the road. As a seller, it’s important to look over these ten common issues and ensure they are fixed so that your home can be sold for the highest value possible.

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