Home inspections are an important part of the home buying process.  The purpose of a home inspection is to provide buyers with an overview of the property’s condition and identify any potential problems or safety issues that may need to be addressed.   I always recommend that buyers have a professional home inspection conducted.  While each inspection is unique and findings can vary depending on the age, condition, and location of the home, following are some items that I typically see.

Electrical Issues:  Open ground outlets or missing GFCI outlets in wet locations.  Codes have changed over the years, and these are typical to find in older homes.  Homes built from the mid-60’s to mid 70″s may have aluminum wiring.   Homes built from the 50’s, 60’s, any 70’s may have “cloth” wiring.  Aluminum and cloth wiring can drive up insurance costs or potentially prevent a new owner from obtaining insurance.

Plumbing problems: Dripping faucets or shower heads pop up often on reports.  Slow running drains will often be called out.  Inspectors will typically notate the age of the hot water heater as well.  Insurance companies like to see newer hot water heaters that are preferably located in the garage.

Wood Rot:  This is important for the Emerald Coast.  Termites and other wood destroying organisms love rotted wood.  Typical places to find wood rot are at the bottom of exterior doors and door frames.  This includes garage door frames.  You will also find wood rot on decks and fences.  If there have been past roof or shower leaks, there could be wood rot in the attic or behind shower walls.

Lighting:  I am often surprised how many times lighting is called out.  If a light bulb is missing or burned out the inspector cannot verify that the light fixture is working properly.  It is in the seller’s best interest to replace all missing or burnt-out lights prior to putting their home up for sale.

Moisture damage:  If you have ever had a water leak of any type there will usually be signs of water damage.  After repairing the leak, it is best to repair the damage and all signs of it.  Water staining on ceilings tend to cause concern as to whether there is an active leak or possible hidden damage.

While there many other items that may be discovered by a home inspection, those are some of the most common items I see found.

Buyers Should Attend the Home Inspection

Sellers can help themselves out by doing a thorough inspection prior to listing their home.  They may even want to have a professional inspection conducted.  When sellers take care of known issues ahead of time the home will generally show better.  Not to mention, once you are under contract everything has to be completed on a set timeline.

What about new construction?  You might be surprised what a home inspector may find on brand new construction.  I’ve got some good stories – ask me.

For some additional information on types of inspections, click here.

If at all possible, I also recommend that buyers attend the home inspection.  They may gain value information on their new home from the inspector.  Don’t skip the home inspection – home inspections are important!      For more information, contact me.

Zillow

So, you are thinking about installing solar panels.  Here are things you sold know before installing solar panels.  Solar panels typically cost between $15 – 30K.  On average, solar panels save 10- 30K over the lifetime of the system.

Installing solar panels is a great way to generate clean and renewable energy for your home or business. Before you decide to install solar panels, there are several important things you should consider:

Your energy usage: The first step in determining whether solar panels are right for you is to understand your energy usage. You should review your electricity bills to determine how much energy you use and when you use it. This information will help you determine the size of the solar system you need to install.

Your roof: Your roof should be in good condition and should have a suitable orientation and tilt for solar panels. Ideally, your roof should face south and have a pitch of between 15 and 40 degrees. You should also make sure that your roof is structurally sound and can support the weight of the solar panels.

Local regulations: Before you install solar panels, you should check your local regulations to ensure that you are allowed to do so. Some areas have zoning laws, building codes, and homeowner association rules that may restrict or regulate solar panel installations.

Incentives and financing options: There are various incentives and financing options available to help offset the cost of solar panel installation. You should research and compare these options to determine what works best for you.

Maintenance: Solar panels require little maintenance, but you should still consider the cost of routine inspections and cleaning. You should also check your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure that your solar panels are covered.

Insurance:  You should also check with your homeowner’s insurance to find out if installation of solar panels will increase your premium.

Installation and warranty: It’s important to choose a reputable solar panel installer who can ensure that your system is installed correctly and meets all safety standards. You should also ask about the warranty and what is covered, including the panels, inverter, and installation.

By considering these factors before installing solar panels, you can make an informed decision about whether solar energy is right for you and what type of system will work best for your needs.

You can compare solar quotes on Energysage.com or sunrun.com.

When prepping your home for selling, start with your front entrance.  This is the first thing buyers will see.  Power-wash the exterior. A fresh coat of paint on your front door can go a long way.  Practice thorough yard maintenance – Trim bushes & trees and add some fresh mulch. Reseal cracks in concrete areas. Clean and align gutters and downspouts. Sweep walks and driveway.  Wash windows.

Next, thoroughly clean the interior.  Repair damage to all indoor surfaces.  Repair drippy faucets and showerheads.  Unclog slow drains and make sure all sink stoppers are functioning.  Shampoo carpets, scrub and wax wood floors.  Clean out the fireplace.  Mend torn screens & clean out window tracks.  Replace burned-out light bulbs.  Re-nail creaking boards or stairs; lubricate squeaking doors.  Clean all appliances.   Wash all light switches, handrails and doorknobs.  Repair wobbling ceiling fans.  Clean AC intakes and vents.  Clean walls and baseboards or give a fresh coat of paint.

Declutter:  If you don’t plan to move it, remove it.  Pack away items you will move but don’t need over the next few months.  Empty the floor of closets if possible.