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The Fear Of Being A Homeowner: How to Handle It

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Many people choose not to purchase a home because they have a genuine fear of being a homeowner. This is not irrational. Being a homeowner is a huge responsibility, not to mention one of the biggest financial commitments of your life. Here are three things you can do to overcome that fear and make the leap from renter to owner.

A good home inspection is key to your home buying process

We cannot say this enough – a good home inspection is KEY. The fear of owning a home has to do with the fear of something big “breaking” after purchasing your house. You’ve spent all this money to make the purchase, few people also have a money set aside “in case” something needs repair. And rightfully so because a good home inspection should prepare you for everything you need to know.

Now, there is no such thing as a perfect home. Even new constructions can have issues or unforeseen repairs. But the point of the home inspection is to gain knowledge about each every thing you need to know about your home. The more thorough an inspection, the better off you are going to be. And the more you are able to prepare for upcoming repairs.

You have people in your corner

You have an entire team in your corner when you purchase a home. Your team should include your realtor, loan officer and home inspector. We’re all on your side to help you make a decision that makes you feel comfortable and happy. A good realtor is going to share any and all details about the home that they can find out. Everything else your home inspector (a good one like us) is going to give you even more information about the house. And lastly, your mortgage officer is going to make sure you’re making a good investment – because they want to make sure they get their money back.

With so many people on your side, you can at least feel confident in the process of buying the home. Fear of maintaining the home, which I’ll talk about next, can also be managed fairly easily.

Homeowner due diligence will get you the farthest

Maintaining a home can feel daunting. Especially if you have always rented and are used to being able to call on someone else for repairs and fixes. Now that you are that person, you have a few ways of going about preparing for this.

First, you can save money for emergencies. And let’s admit it, we should all be doing that anyways. With money set aside, you can afford to call on a handyman or whoever you need to make repairs if and when the time comes. Second, you can educate yourself. Many things inside your house can be fixed by you, if you take the time and use the resources you have to learn. Places like Home Depot offer classes and workshops, sometimes for free, for those who want to learn how to do a repair or even remodel something in their home.

So you have options, lots of choices, and people on your side. There really is no reason to fear the idea of home ownership. Instead, enjoy the process and know that you have Divinity Inspection Services in your corner.

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When And How To Landscape Your Home

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Are you ready to make significant improvements to your landscaping? That time of year is quickly approaching. The temperature increases, the sun comes out and your lawn transitions back to the beautiful green color. Many homeowners use this season to make major landscape changes or start a garden. However, there is so much more you should be doing to improve your landscape and the functionality of your home.

Don’t forget to check your gutters

We never seem to remember the gutters until the rain comes down and flooding starts. As it warms up and before the rainy season begins, now is the time to clean out your gutters. Make sure you’ve removed all the leaves that have fallen during winter, any branches or debris and make any repairs that are needed.

Make a landscaping plan first

Now that your gutters are in good shape, it’s time to make a landscaping plan. The blooming flowers might entice you to just buy a bunch of them but you may quickly regret that decision. Before you purchase anything, first plan out your vision. Then, to bring your vision to life, price out the materials you need to create the look. Third, prep your property for the changes. This could mean removing existing plants, trees, etc. or clearing out space. Make your preparations in some cases before you buy anything. Lastly, purchase your landscape materials and plant.

Maintenance will make or break

Your landscape design doesn’t stop with planting. In fact, the hard work comes after you’ve finished making all your changes. Now it is time for the maintenance. Proper maintenance can make or break all the work you’ve just finished. Be sure to check the weather, frequently water ( or not water, depending on your gardens’ needs) and weed as needed.

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What Does Your Home Inspection Report Mean

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Any new first time home buyer who is unfamiliar with the home inspection process will have many questions. Some of the most common questions are about the home inspection report. This is not just about the process but what to do with this long list home inspection details. Here are three things you should absolutely do with your home inspection report.

Use your home inspection report as a negotiation tool

This will not apply to everyone but does apply to most. Very likely you will discover at least one major concern during the home inspection. A concern big enough that you will either want it addressed before you close on the house or you will want to adjust the closing costs to address the problem. Either way, the inspection report is your most important tool in making these negotiations. Your real estate agent will help you navigate these waters, so don’t try to do it on your own. Keep in mind, no matter what the report uncovers you always have the option to back out of the sale or adjust the terms.

Print a copy of your home inspection report

Any good home inspector will tell you the company will keep your inspection report in their records for up to a year. But you would be surprised how quickly a year flies by. Especially when you are busy settling into your new home. As soon as your report is available, print and keep a copy for your records. There will likely come a time when you will need to reference back to the report.

Look at your report after you move into the home

We always tell our clients that their report is like a home to-do list. Some of the findings will need to be addressed immediately. Others you will want to address eventually – so, not quite as pressing but still important. And lastly, some issues you will consider optional. Either you want to address it or you don’t, and either way it’s up to you. No matter what timeline you decide on, make it a point to look at your inspection report within six months after moving into your new home. Most homeowners will completely forget about home inspection findings they deemed important at the time. Use the report to create a home to-do list that you can tackle in your own time.

Divinity Inspection Services takes a slightly different approach to home inspections. Our goal is to educate you on the house you want to purchase in as much detail as possible. Not only do we take the time to complete a thorough inspection of the property, but we also take the time to discuss the inspection with you in detail. This gives you the opportunity to ask for clarification on anything. Be sure you attend the home inspection and be sure you hire the right company.

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Do I Still Need A House Inspection On A Newly Constructed Home?

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Home inspections are a vital part of the house hunting experience. Up to 90% of homeowners say that a home inspection is a necessity when looking for a new-to-you house.

But what about a brand new house? It’s well-known that older homes come with their own fair share of maintenance issues, but new construction homes don’t share those same problems.

That said, do you still need a professional home inspection if you’re potentially moving into a brand new home? Yes, you do.

Why do I need an inspection on a brand new home?

Old homes can have issues with the electrical, plumbing, roofing, and foundation leveling. But new construction homes aren’t necessarily safer because they’ve just been built.

A new home may look flawless because it has up-to-date appliances and kitchen tile that isn’t from the 1950s. But new homes haven’t had anyone live in them yet to see if anything is a problem.

For example, a new phone might have more storage space and might load faster than an older phone, but that phone might still get bad reviews once it goes on the market.

What kind of problems can a new construction home have?

Believe it or not, a new construction home can have all the problems an older home can have. That’s what makes a housing inspection necessary.

The only difference is that the maintenance problems faced with older homes are usually linked to the age of the house. For new construction homes, the problems are linked to the actual construction of the house.

A house that hasn’t been built correctly can have water intrusion points that can make flooding a problem. The plumbing for the dishwasher and the sink can be incorrect. The water pressure can be bad.

The foundation is also an issue. Older homes have had more time to level, so they’re more likely to have uneven floors. But new construction homes can have foundation issues that might not be apparent until cracks start showing up in your walls and ceilings.

That said, a housing inspector is essential whether you’re moving into an old Victorian mansion or a brand new suburban ranch house.

Looking for a building inspector for a new-construction inspection?

Whether you’re moving into an older home or a new construction house, a home inspection is crucial to preventing a financial disaster. In fact, approximately 70% of surveyed homeowners report that their home inspectors helped to avoid potential problems.

If you’re looking for local home inspection services to conduct a new-construction inspection on your next potential real estate investment, the nationally certified master inspectors at Divinity Inspection Services have got your back. To learn more or to schedule your new-construction inspection, contact Divinity Inspection Services today.

Advice for Home Sellers Who Are About to Go Through a Home Inspection

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When people are looking to buy a new home, they usually have a home inspection done before they go through with the sale. This process does not take a lot of time, the average inspection of a home takes between one and two hours, but can be very stressful. Home inspectors look at a lot of things in a house and will inspect all of the different systems that are located in the home. While home inspectors have to look at everything, home buyers are really only interested in a few areas.
Here are a few fixes you can do to help your home pass an inspection:

  1. Take care of any mildew or mold before the home inspector shows up. These substances are huge red flags for anyone working for a home inspection services company. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been able to isolate thousands of kinds of mold. All can be dangerous to human health. It will be hard to sell your home as long as there are many kinds of mold hanging out in your home. In the best case scenario, after mold or mildew is found in your home, you will be required to pay for an expensive mold remediation service to get rid of it. The more likely outcome will be that your house will fail its inspection.
  2. Take care of crawlspaces and basements that may be too damp. Walk around your home and pay attention to what your nose finds. If you are in your basement and you smell mildew, the space is too damp. Mildew and mold love damp places where they can move in and make a home for themselves. If you have overly damp crawlspaces or basements, you need to dry them out to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Once you have dried the area, take steps to keep it dry. Put down plastic and fix any problems with your foundation that may be causing your basement or crawlspace to become damp. There are some other things you can and should do to keep water from collecting in areas where you do not want it.
    • Make sure your gutters are clean and your downspouts are working properly. When gutters become clogged, water can pool around your foundation. When downspouts do not push water away from your home, the same thing can happen.
    • Make sure any pipes or lines under your property are working properly, You can talk to a plumbing company about this process.
    • Deal with any foundation problems. If there are problems, you should have repairs done. If you cannot make the needed repairs, you will have to let interested buyers know about the problems and you may have to lower your asking price.
  3. Check out your chimney and roof. Home inspectors are going to look long and hard at your roof and chimney if you have one. Make sure the roof is in good shape and any shingles that need to replaced have been. If you live in a state that requires home inspectors to do a separate inspection on the home’s roof, this is even more important. If you have a chimney, the flashing should be checked to make sure it is snug and totally waterproof.
  4. Deal with any issues with your plumbing. Leaks should be fixed before a home inspector shows up. They often take a look at the water pressure in a home. One way this is done is by turning on several faucets and then flushing your toilets while the water is running. When they inspect the septic system by placing a dye in the water. They then look at your septic system to see where the dye shows up. If you have any issues with your septic system or the plumbing in your home, you need to have professional plumbers fix them before the house is inspected.
  5. Make sure your electrical system is working well. You need to make sure your circuit breaker and electrical panel need to be sufficient for the power needs of the home.

Building inspectors take at least 500 data points per inspection. Fixing any problems can make your home more appealing to homebuyers.