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Buyers today are more educated and demanding than they were in the past.
It should not be surprising to a seller that a buyer would ask for a home
inspection before signing a hefty purchase agreement. Therefore, it would
be wise for homeowners to look at the areas where most home inspections
fail. Start by fixing those areas up in advance, before you're ready to
place your house on the market.
The most frequently found problem area is water in the crawl space or
basement. Poor drainage can result in water damage that will be more than
apparent to an inspector. This can be an expensive problem to fix.
Start by re-grading the soil around the foundation of the home where water
seems to be entering, or investing in waterproofing. It's also a good
idea to invest in a dehumidifier to remove moisture on an ongoing basis.
There are some areas that are more prone to water in the basement than
others. Most buyers know if a little water is to be expected or not.
If you're unsure how prevalent the problem is in your area, feel free to call
me anytime for advice.
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The second most common problem found by inspectors is poor
wiring. The wiring in your home needs to be up to code, and has to have
sufficient overload protection.
Sometimes the best way to be sure the wiring in your home is in
good shape is to hire a home inspector, or electrical contractor to check it out
for you. Even if you're not selling your home right now, you would want
to make sure your family is living in a house that is safe from fire hazards.
Another major problem found in certain areas, is termite
damage. If you begin to suspect at any time that your home may have
termites, it's urgent that you call a pest control service right away.
This particular problem needs to be taken care of quickly.
Other areas that should be looked as as potential problems are
the heating systems of your home, structural damage, such as extensive cracks in
the walls or ceiling, or leaky roofs.
When deciding what is important to fix, put yourself in the
place of the buyer. If you were considering buying the home you live in
now, what would you consider important that the seller fix?
Handle problems in condition or construction with estimates and
repair by a reputable contractor. Sooner is better than later, especially
when the demands of moving and evaluation of the buyer run high. Do it
now!
Anything you can do to make your home more saleable in advance
may mean more money and less hassle when you're actually ready to sell.
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Whether you decide to hire a neighbourhood teenager, a local company or a
national firm, there are certain requirements that you should look for when
hiring a lawn contractor.
First you should decide what your lawn care needs are. If you only
want the grass mowed and nothing more, then a teenager would be perfect.
If you're hoping to have the most beautiful lawn on the block, then chances are
a professional company would suit your needs better. Most professional
lawn care companies offer services such as mowing, edging, fertilizing,
pesticide spraying, tree trimming, weed control, and shrub maintenance.
Before hiring a contractor, set some goals for your lawn, and communicate
them in writing. Also ask for written bids from the companies you are
considering, and check out their reputation with the Better Business Bureau in
your city or province.
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Ask the company to provide you with proof that they are properly insured.
If one of their workers falls out of your tree during a trimming, you'll want
to know the company is insured.
On a final note, make sure the company will be easy to reach and quick to
respond to problems. Lawn care is a competitive business so you can
expect, and should get, a high level of service.
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