February Home Maintenance To-Do List

When most people think of home inspections, they do so from the position of the buyer. However, seller inspections are also available, and they can be a valuable asset to anyone who wants top dollar for their home. If you are wondering what they provide, here’s a look at the benefits of seller inspections. Home Condition Overview A property’s condition has a major impact on its value. The issue is, most homeowners have unrealistic views of the home, usually because they are emotionally invested in the property. This could make them idealistic when it comes time to set a sales price, leading them to choose a figure that’s too high. Then, their house sits on the market. With a seller inspection, you can get an accurate assessment of your home’s condition. The inspector isn’t emotionally invested, so they will use an objective eye when reviewing the property. Once complete, the seller gets a report that gives them insight into their home’s actual condition, making it easier to assess its value. Problem Identification Many homeowners are only mildly to moderately aware of their home’s issues. Unless they have an issue that needs addressing, most property owners don’t examine their appliances, systems, and structure closely. Then, if they go to sell and the buyer schedules an inspection, the results catch the seller off-guard. Additionally, they get bombarded with repair requests or price reductions from the buyer based on the newly discovered problems. In the worst-case scenario, the buyer may even back out of the deal, leaving the seller to start again from square one. With a seller inspection, these difficulties become avoidable. An inspector will assess the property, noting any issues, and providing the current owner with a report. Then, you can take action, handling any repairs or issues in advance. When you get a seller inspection, you significantly decrease the odds that a buyer’s inspection will reveal a hidden issue. As a result, the deal is more likely to go through. Advertising Point If you get a seller inspection, you can add that detail to your home’s listing. When you do, there’s a chance your property will stand out from others in your area, especially if seller inspections aren’t overly common. When a buyer sees that the seller completed an inspection, it gives them peace of mind. They’ll know that an expert examined the property already, which may make them more comfortable. Additionally, if you pursued repairs and note they were addressed, the buyer is aware that you’ve handled problems proactively, increasing the sense of trust and making them feel safer about potentially buying your home. Process Acceleration When you get a seller inspection, you may be accelerating the purchase process. In some cases, if your seller inspector was highly reputable, the buyer may be willing to use those results in lieu of getting their own inspection. By going that route, the buyer saves time and doesn’t have to spend their own money on an inspector, making it an attractive choice. If that occurs, they could knock days or weeks off of the entire process, and that benefits you both. Ultimately, a seller inspection is a valuable tool. If you want to make sure your home is ready to list, consider making a seller inspection your first step.

Home inspections are a critical part of the buying and selling process. With an inspection, homebuyers gain valuable insights into a properties condition, a situation that could give them extra confidence, spur to repair requests, or lead them to back out of the deal. Since so much rides on the result of the inspection, sellers need to be diligent, ensuring their property is ready for the process. If a home inspection is on the horizon, here’s what you need to do to prepare. Make Everything Accessible During the inspection process, the inspector is going to examine every inch of your home. Ideally, you want to make sure their journey is unimpeded, ensuring the inspector can easily reach critical areas and systems. Begin by unlocking any gates or doors that aren’t accessible via a lockbox or other means. Additionally, any crawlspace access points need to be clear, including those located on the exterior and interior of your home. The same goes for attic access, which not only needs to be easy to open but simple to get inside. If the door has an attached ladder, make sure it can open fully. If a step ladder will be necessary, make sure there’s enough room for one to sit under the opening. Manage the Perimeter A home inspector doesn’t just look around inside your house; they also examine the exterior. You want to make sure that the perimeter is easy to look at, so it’s wise to clear away anything that could impede the inspector. For example, move garbage cans, barbecue grills, and patio furniture away from the walls. Additionally, clear away or cut back any plants that may be in the way. Address the Roof and Gutters If you haven’t examined your home’s roof or gutters recently, now is the time to do it. Grab a ladder, safely climb up, and look for issues you can address. For instance, if you see moss or debris, remove it. Clean out your gutters and check downspout positions. Examine your shingles for damage and, if needed, schedule repairs before the inspection. Clean the Interior While dirt doesn’t equal damage, that doesn’t mean cleanliness doesn’t matter during a home inspection. If an inspector sees grim or has to navigate a ton of clutter, the inspector’s mindset might skew negative. They might assume that, since your house isn’t clean, you don’t care for it properly. As a result, they may spend more time looking for issues or assume that some exist when they might not. Replace Bulbs, Batteries, and Filters Burned out light bulbs and dead smoke detector batteries won’t help you during a home inspection. Since the inspector won’t look into why the light is out or the smoke detector isn’t working, they may assume that an electrical, fixture, or device issue is to blame. By replacing your lightbulbs and batteries before the inspection, you can sidestep this potential problem entirely. Additionally, it’s wise to take a moment and replace your furnace filter. When a fresh one is in place, the inspector is more likely to believe that you maintain your home, increasing the odds that they’ll view the property in a positive light. Plan to Leave Early, and Take Your Pets As a seller, you won’t be present during the inspection. Make sure you are ready to go at least an hour before the appointment. If you have pets, then bring them with you, too. That way, they aren’t in the inspector’s way and won’t incidentally influence the process.

A home is a major investment, and a pre-purchase inspection is a critical part of the buying process. Think of it this way; when you become a homeowner, you aren’t just securing shelter and getting a place for your stuff. Instead, you are selecting a property for the long-term, a place where you may raise a family, gather with loved ones, and celebrate special occasions. Over time, a home becomes filled with memories. Preferably, more good memories than bad. With a pre-purchase inspection, you may come face-to-face with some less than ideal situations, including some that could leave you stressed and regretting your investment. Comparatively, by getting a pre-purchase inspection, you are ensuring you have an opportunity to spot problems and have them addressed. Then, you can move forward with your purchase with confidence. If you are wondering what the benefits of pre-purchase inspections are, here’s what you need to know. Spotting Issues You Won’t Notice When you prepare to buy a home, it’s normal to view a property through rose-colored glasses. You may adore the layout or the architecture, causing you to overlook subtle things that could indicate big trouble. Additionally, unless you work in the construction field or a similar niche, you might not know an issue when you see one. A lack of expertise makes identifying problems tricky, if not downright impossible. With a pre-purchase inspection, an expert will come in to examine the property. They aren’t emotionally invested in the process, so their opinion won’t be skewed. Additionally, they are trained to identify problems, including subtle issues or warning signs that indicate trouble is on the horizon. Getting Needed Repairs or Discounts Once the pre-purchase inspection is complete, you’ll receive a report from the inspector. The document outlines precisely what the inspector discovered, including any potential hazards, structural problems, water leaks, appliance issues, or other defects and concerns. With the report in hand, the buyer has the ability to address the seller regarding the results. In some cases, the prospective buyer can request repairs based on what’s in the document, ensuring the seller addresses any issues before the purchase proceeds. Alternatively, if the prospective buyer is willing to shoulder the responsibility of the repairs themselves (and the issues wouldn’t prevent a loan or insurance from going through), they could request a lower sale price. With this approach, the buyer accepts the property in its current state but uses repair cost estimates to justify a lower offer, offsetting what they’ll need to spend on the fixes. Essentially, a home inspection can act as a bargaining chip. With the report, the buyer can make requests to alter their original offer, including repair conditions or price changes. Planning for the Future Planning for the Future At times, a home inspection will reveal wear-and-tear that isn’t bad enough to justify an immediate repair or replacement. When this occurs, it gives buyers helpful information that can make it easier to plan for the future. For example, a detailed pre-purchase inspection includes estimated “life expectancy” for appliances and systems. It lets the buyer know approximately when those items will need replacing, empowering them to prepare for the associated costs. Ultimately, pre-purchase home inspections are valuable tools. Without one, buyers may be caught by an unexpected issue. With one, they can have peace of mind and, with homes being such a major investment, that alone makes getting an inspection worthwhile.

Here you can find links to some of this Fall’s best events local to the Sacramento community: Bel Air Carmichael Succulent & Pumpkin Party – https://business.facebook.com/events/471230853367382/ Join us for our first Fall Floral workshop! You’ll create your own beautiful Harvest centerpiece using succulents, pumpkins and Fall-floral accents. Danielle, our Floral Team Leader will be your […] The post October Spooktacular Events appeared first on .

Keep In Mind Mold spores are all around us, but the growth of mold can be prevented. Mold needs moisture, warmth and food in order to grow in your home. When you deprive mold of moisture, warmth and food, you will stop it from growing, but you won’t kill the mold that is already there. The […] The post Preventing Mold Growth During Winter appeared first on .

Easy Tips To Winterize Your Home Like raking leaves and planting bulbs, installing storm windows and cleaning gutters are telltale fall rituals. But what else can you do to prepare your home for sweater weather? Which steps can you take now to make this winter safe, comfortable, and healthy? To prepare your property for snow, […] The post Prepare Your Home For Winter appeared first on .

We are excited to share with you the official launch of our pest inspection service, Defender Termite & Construction. The post Golden State Inspection Services Launches Termite Control Company! appeared first on .

Golden State Inspection Services inspects every kind of property for mold.   Whether you’re a home buyer looking at a property or a business owner concerned about your employee’s well-being, a mold inspection ensures your safety and health. Catching mold before it spreads means you save more money on repairs or save yourself from making […] The post Do You Need A Mold Inspection? #MoldInspection #PropertyInspections #HomeInspection appeared first on .

A commercial inspection can help your business’s structure stay in top shape.   Regular inspections enhance the durability of the roof. Roofs are exposed to the harshest weather conditions and will degrade in quality over time.   A regular check on your roof’s condition will extend its longevity. Contact Golden State Inspection Services today to […] The post Why You Need A Commercial Inspection appeared first on .