Sump Pump Selection: What Size, Type & Backup System Do You Need?

If you’re considering selling your house, chances are you’ve also considered making some updates to make it more appealing to potential buyers. If you’re working with a realtor, you may have asked him or her for advice on what types of upgrades are most worthwhile, or you may have spent a good amount of time researching what updates will yield the best return on your own.

The common mantra for quite some time has been, “Kitchens and baths sell homes.” And, in reality, this is probably true much of the time. But neglecting the basics while prioritizing the kitchen and baths can prove to be a not-so-wise approach.

Even if your kitchen and bathrooms are newly remodeled, major defects can still hinder your chances of selling your home for the amount you seek. The most immaculate kitchen won’t outweigh an active roof leak or major structural defect in the minds of most buyers. It’s for this reason that I recommend an approach of focusing on the basics above kitchens and baths alone.

But what, exactly, are the “basics?” Well, I would define the basics as any systems or components of the home that relate to everyday safety, function and structural integrity. Cosmetics aren’t as big of a factor here, although they certainly DO play a major role in attracting would-be buyers. Think of the basics as factors that impact the house’s ability to remain stable and safe. If your home has a major water problem in the basement but also has an outdated bathroom, take care of the water in the basement before revamping the bathroom. If you have a leaking roof and also have an unappealing kitchen, be sure to take care of the leak before tackling the kitchen remodel.

This advice may seem obvious, but many people who desire to sell their home may easily overlook the “basics” and prioritize the aspects of the home that they feel will help it to sell more quickly. This is understandable, but it’s not a very smart practice in most cases.

As a home inspector, I’ve seen homes with amazing, high-tech features and gorgeous kitchens and bathrooms that still have a myriad of other defects. Likewise, I’ve also seen plenty of homes that aren’t very visually appealing but have very few defects and will likely hold up and function very well for whomever is wise enough to purchase them. You can’t judge a book by its cover, and you can’t judge a house by a couple of rooms.

You should certainly consider the look and setup of important rooms like kitchens and bathrooms, but you should not let their appeal outweigh severe defects that exist elsewhere in the house. Review your home inspection report thoroughly and take into account the home’s structural integrity, safety and other important factors, despite how new and appealing a couple of rooms may be. Hopefully, a house with updated rooms will also contain other updates, making it all the more appealing.

Whether you’re selling or buying, focusing on the basics is a wise strategy and one that will ultimately prove more rewarding than prioritizing less essential items on your checklist. In the end, you’ll get the biggest “bang for your buck” by getting the essentials in order first.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

The topic of this article is one that all real estate agents can relate to but that even we inspectors often witness. Often times, home buyers who are searching for a new home want to see the home in the exact condition they wish it to be in prior to moving in. Every detail, down to the paint colors, furniture arrangement, and organization of dishware in cabinets must be exactly as the potential buyer envisions it for them to view the home as potentially “theirs.”

Needless to say, this is not the best method for determining if a home is the “right” home for you. These types of details are all cosmetic and are easily changed. If you like the layout and features of a house but don’t care for the paint colors, understand that new paint is very inexpensive and easy to change. In most cases, the furniture isn’t even staying at the property so you will have a blank state to work with once you’ve moved in.

Buyers are often concerned with cosmetic issues, but a home inspection is not concerned with cosmetics for the simple fact that they have no bearing on the property’s safety, structural integrity, habitability, and other important considerations.

That being said, if you are selling your home it is wise to prepare it to be as appealing as possible to potential buyers. As the title of this article suggests, there are certain factors that are more or less timeless when it comes to appeal. For example, neutral colors (beiges, grays, whites, light tones, and so forth) are typically appealing to most people. On the contrary, bold colors like red, purple, and other dark colors are either loved or hated by most people. Neutral is generally safe, whereas bold is usually risky. To give yourself the best chance of success, consider preparing your home so that it is generally appealing to most people rather than very appealing to only a handful of people and completely unappealing to others.

Now, if you are searching for a home, don’t allow aesthetics and the easily changeable features of a home to dissuade you from considering it. Consider the location, layout, systems, condition, and other important factors that really impact the house’s livability, and realize that cosmetic details are easily changed.

Certain elements of real estate are more or less timeless, and sellers and buyers should keep that in mind when embarking on a real estate transaction. If selling, make your home as generally appealing as possible; and if buying, don’t discount a house for easily altered cosmetic reasons.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

Many clients I provide services to – especially first-time home buyers – are often confused about home appraisals versus home inspections. Buying a home is a very complex and stressful process, and the many processes that take place along the way are easily confused. I’d like to take a moment to provide some clarity on what appraisals and inspections are, their purpose, and how they are different.

The purpose of a home inspection is to provide the potential home buyer with an objective overview of the home’s general condition prior to closing. Home inspectors, like myself, thoroughly inspect a home and point out any observed defects that may negatively affect the home’s safety, structural integrity, etc. While extremely important and a true “must” for anyone buying a home, a home inspection is actually never required by mortgage lenders, insurance companies, or other parties (although you should certainly consider it a requirement for yourself).

On the contrary, a home appraisal IS always required when a home is being purchased with a loan. Like a home inspector, an appraiser evaluates properties, but the difference is that the primary purpose of an appraisal is to determine the value of a home to ensure that the bank isn’t paying more money for a home than it is worth. This is why appraisals are always required. An appraiser does not inspect a home with a fine toothed comb the way an inspector does, but does look for any factors that may effect the home’s value.

Since home inspections are not required, they are never a “pass” or “fail” of the home. In fact, the home inspection report is owned solely by the client (typically the home buyer) and doesn’t even have to be shown to lenders, insurance agents, or anyone else. An appraisal, on the other hand, will be seen and evaluated by multiple parties related to the property transaction – primarily the lending institution. It’s easiest to understand the difference by viewing the appraisal as a benefit primarily for the lender (although it benefits the home buyer as well) and a home inspection as a benefit primarily for the home buyer.

Simply put, home inspections and appraisals are both very important but share some similarities and differences that are important to distinguish. Home inspections exist to identify defects in the home and educate home buyers on the condition of their potential investment, while appraisals exist to determine the value of a home and ensure the lending institution isn’t paying too much money for the property. A home appraisal can cause a lender to halt a real estate transaction, while a home inspection enables the home buyer to proceed with the purchase, negotiate for repairs or walk away, regardless of the appraisal result. In this sense, an appraisal can “fail” if the value of the property is determined to be less than the agreed upon purchase price, but a property can never “fail” under a home inspection.

Hopefully this post has provided some clarification on the differences between home inspections and appraisals. If you’re in the process of purchasing a home with a loan, know that while an appraisal will definitely happen it is also very important to have a home inspection performed. Both are very much in your best interest.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

As a home inspector, the verbage I use at the end of nearly every defect listed in an inspection report advises further evaluation and/or repair by a qualified contractor. If it’s an electrical defect, the report will likely say, “Recommend repair by a qualified electrician.” If a roof shows some advanced wear, the report may state, “Recommend further evaluation by a qualified roofing contractor.” As inspectors, our guidance generally must point clients to qualified professionals as they are the ones most qualified and (hopefully) capable of fixing the problem correctly.

In reality, though, there are some things most homeowners are perfectly capable of doing on their own. In fact, with all the responsibility that comes along with homeownership, it’s in the best interest of every homeowner to become as “handy” as possible in order to properly maintain their home and save money. Of course, knowing what to do and how to do it is extremely important, and no one should ever tackle a job they aren’t fully capable of doing on their own.

So what are some things most homeowners can likely “DIY?” One relatively simple thing is painting. In most cases, painting is not as much a “repair” as it is a cosmetic upgrade. Sometimes, though, painting is a necessary maintenance task and one you can likely do just fine on your own. Decks, for example, are often painted and need repainted periodically to hold up against the elements. By painting the deck yourself, you’ll enjoy a sense of accomplishment as well as a major savings.

Caulking is another relatively simple DIY project. As caulking deteriorates over time it needs replaced, and applying caulk is something nearly anyone can do (although it can be somewhat of a messy job). To apply caulk, simply remove the old caulk completely, thoroughly clean the area of any debris and residue, and apply a new bead of caulk using your finger to smooth out the bead. Of course, be sure you choose a caulk that is designed for the specific application and follow the instructions to observe adequate dry times.

Several outdoor maintenance jobs are easy for most homeowners. Keeping vegetation at least six inches from the house only requires a few standard tools and a bit of time and effort. Cleaning out gutters – provided they aren’t too high and you are safe on a ladder – is also not difficult.

If you possess some basic carpentry knowledge, you are likely able to do many things to improve your home’s safety, function and aesthetics while reducing costs. Installing handrails, prehung doors, and even laminate flooring are all relatively easy tasks for homeowners with a little know-how.

Often times, calling a professional is simply the only viable option and one of the costs of owning a home that will inevitably need repairs over time. But by educating yourself and honing some basic skills as you gain experience, you may find that some tasks that once seemed impossible to do on your own are suddenly quick and simple afternoon jobs.

So to recap, every homeowner should take the time to learn some basics regarding home repair and maintenance in order to keep up with smaller jobs and save money whenever possible. But know your limitations, and always call in a professional for any bigger jobs or repairs you aren’t 100% comfortable and capable doing on your own.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com

This article hits home for me in a very real and personal way. A couple short years ago, a friend of mine died as the result of a gas leak in his home. This friend was the older brother of a very good, life-long friend of mine. He was a bright and very funny guy who had many friends and was loved by many family members and others who knew him. Like me, he served in the military, and (unlike me) he met his wife while deployed overseas. They started a family, had children, and settled down once his tour of duty concluded.

While doing laundry in his basement one day, a gas leak that had developed slowly and gone undetected was ignited by a spark from a system in the basement. This caused an explosion that immediately knocked my friend unconscious. Some time later he woke up and realized he was on fire, and he ran frantically outside into his backyard. His neighbors, hearing his screams and seeing the blaze, rushed to get over his fence to help, but by the time they got to him he was burnt beyond recognition. He spent the next couple days in the ICU, unconscious, and passed away, leaving his wife and small children behind. Needless to say, I carry this tragic story with me every time I perform an inspection where gas is present.

At every inspection, I carry a state-of-the-art carbon monoxide detector on my belt the entire time I am performing the inspection. The detector vibrates and emits a loud alarm if the level is 35 parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide or more, and I frequently check the detector’s digital screen even if the alarm does not go off. Carbon monoxide is most common when combustion sources (furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, vehicles, etc.) are in operation, but it can still be present in higher than expected levels, even in homes with few sources of combustion.

Another tool in my tool bag that is frequently used is a combustible gas leak detector. This tool is used to check for gas leaks along gas pipes – primarily with furnaces and gas fireplaces.

The main purpose of this article is two-fold: to clarify the effects of carbon monoxide and gas leaks on people at varying levels, and to stress the importance of hiring a home inspector who uses advanced tools to check for gas and CO leaks that could cause great harm, if not death, like in the case of my friend.

The effects of carbon monoxide are as follows: 35 ppm – maximum allowed exposure for a one hour period; 200 ppm – headache, fatigue, dizziness and nausea after 1-2 hours; 400 ppm – headache in 1-2 hours, and possible death after 3 hours; 800 ppm – dizziness, nausea and convulsions, and possible death within two hours; 1,600 ppm – headache, dizziness and nausea within 20 minutes and possible death within one hour; 12,800 ppm – death within 1-3 minutes.

Since carbon monoxide can not be seen, smelled or tasted, it is impossible to determine the levels without a detector. If your home inspector doesn’t use a high quality CO detector and existing detectors in the house are far from the source or not working properly, you are at a great disadvantage and may be purchasing a home with an existing and potentially life threatening problem.

Likewise, if your inspector does not check for gas leaks you may be unaware of leaks that are small but increasing over time and could even find yourself or a family member in a position similar to my friend who lost his life from a gas leak explosion. Natural gas is highly flammable (which is why it’s used for combustion), and an ignited leak can cause an instant and potentially fatal explosion.

Please be sure to ask any inspector you are considering hiring if he or she checks for gas/CO leaks during the inspection, and ask for those results at the end of the inspection. Most homes I inspect average between 1 and 5 parts per million for carbon monoxide, and most often there are no natural gas or propane leaks detected. Still, it only takes that one time for an injury or even death to occur, and every good inspector should be checking gas levels at every general home inspection to verify safety and provide their client with this important information.

*To visit our main website, go to http://www.hillinspections.com