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How To Protect Your Home From Summer Flooding

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The summer rains are on their way. And if you remember last year, then you know it would be a good idea to get ahead of the preparations to prevent summer flooding. If you protect your home now, then you will have nothing to worry about all through summer and hurricane season.

Clean out your gutters while the sun is out

You don’t want to find out your gutters are clogged when your driveway starts flooding. Get up on that ladder and clean out those gutters to make a clear path for the rain waters.

Check your ground gutters and drains as well

Many homes in Florida also have ground gutters. These can be close to the home or close to the road. Many times the ground gutters get overlooked but they can easily get clogged with debris, leaves, and other things.

Landscaping can help soil erosion

It’s planting season and if there were ever a time to address your landscape it’s now. Planting certain plants and vegetation can minimize soil erosion.

The best way to be sure you don’t have any leaks or potential roof damage is to get a property inspection. Many people think they only need to hire a property inspector if they are selling or buying a home. The truth is, many homeowners can benefit from having their home inspected every three to five years. A qualified home inspector is trained to look for and discover issues that even you as the home buyer may not notice.

We also offer pre-listing inspections. Scheduling a pre-listing inspection gives you a leg up from waiting on a buyer to have the home inspected. If you are made aware of any major issues you can address them before listing the home for sale. Even if you do get an inspection done, you are under no obligation to share that inspection report with anyone. Schedule your home inspection now with us.

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How To Protect Your Home Against Bugs

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The weather sure warmed up quickly here in Tampa, and the bugs have started to come out. Spiders are in full movement, soon you may see snakes, not to mention the mosquitoes and gnats. But there are some things you can do to protect your home against bugs.

The Natural Option

Many people opt for natural options. Especially if you have pets or kids, the natural option may be exactly what you prefer. One way to keep bugs, especially spiders, outside your home is to use peppermint essential oil. You can mix it with water, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it around your home.

You can also add a few drops of peppermint essential oil directly to your a/c filter. Don’t use too much or it will be too strong. You whole house will smell wonderfully of peppermint oil and it will deter those pests.

Chemical options

You might opt to hire a pest control service. They will spray your home, usually both outside and inside, for pests. They also have natural options so the chemicals they spray won’t affect your pets or your family.

Some people may not realize, but after pest control sprays your home, the bugs may just come running out! This doesn’t mean the spraying didn’t work. If anything, it’s proof that it did work! The bugs want to get away or they will die, either way they are leaving your home.

This is Florida, so you can only do so much to keep the bugs out. Screens on your windows, sliding doors, and around your pool is extremely helpful. If you open your home to the outdoors, expect some of it to come in.

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Best Updates That Will Sell Your Home

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Right now we’re in a sellers market. If you think this is the right time to sell your home, you may want to consider some of the best updates that will sell your home faster and for a higher price point. However, some updates are more valuable than others.

Update your kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home. That being said, the kitchen is also one of the more expensive updates you can undertake. This also means it is one of the best payouts. If you are willing to invest your money into a brand new kitchen update, you will add value to your home and are likely to sell it faster.

Update your bathrooms

Bathrooms are the second best update that most homebuyers are looking at as a priority. In fact, many statistics claim updated bathrooms will sell a home even if nothing else is updated. This investment can cost less than a kitchen, depending on how many bathroom you want to take on. Remember to ask your agent for their advice as well when it comes to what you should be updating in your home.

New paint goes a long way

New paint can give an old home a fresh new look. Instead of going for neutral colors on the walls, go for what’s trending. Trending colors tend to attract current homebuyers. New paint is easy to manage yourself, costs less if you hire the project out, and doesn’t require as big an investment in time or money.

Landscaping is a big one

If you watch enough HGTV shows, you know landscaping is always on the list for home improvements. The outside of the home is the first impression. If you want to make a great first impression on potential homebuyers, then invest in proper landscaping. This could include new sod, plants, a new front door, or even new lights.

While you have many options, the best updates that will sell your home should be on the top of your list. If you don’t have a budget big enough to tackle one of these, then simply do what you can. Sometimes even new hardware can give an old room a new look. Make sure you also ask your agent what current homebuyers in your region are looking for. And don’t forget to call us for your home inspection!

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Can I Trust My Home Inspector?

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Why is a home inspection so nerve wracking? Could it be party due to a lack of trust between you and your home inspector? Here’s what you need to know to build a relationship and also identify a home inspector you can feel confident using.

Ask for references and use them

You are more likely to trust a home inspector that has been referred to you by someone you know. Undoubtedly, we like to work with people we know, like, and trust. Even if it’s someone else you know that knows and trusts the home inspector. Having that connection helps. So ask for references.

Do a proper interview

Yes, you read that right. You should “interview” anyone before you hire them. Especially a job as important as inspecting a home you want to purchase. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. And if you don’t know what to ask, start with “what questions should I be asking you?”. It’s not about pricing when you hire a home inspector. I understand the price is a part of the decision, but that shouldn’t be the only factor.

Be present at the inspection

In fact, we recommend that the buyers, seller, and both agents are present at the home inspection. This is an opportunity to learn about your home and address any immediate questions or concerns. You never know what might be discovered during an inspection. How easy is it to be able to ask the seller about a concern while the inspector is there? Even better! So make sure you attend.

We know these tips might seem basic, but we find many people skip these little steps. We want you to feel confident and comfortable when you hire Divinity Inspection Services. We invite you to call us and ask us anything you want. We will offer our guidance and knowledge, and hope that you feel you can trust us by the end of the phone call.

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How To Keep The Allergies Outside The House

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Allergy season is upon us, and according to the national weather service, we’re in for a big one! Thankfully, there are some things you can do to keep the allergies outside the house, making it a safe haven for you and your family.

Don’t leave the house open

It seems like a good idea to air out the house. You open all the windows, sliding doors, and let the breeze run through. However, what you’re really doing is letting the allergens in. Opt to close up instead, and focus on cleaning around the home.

Get rid of that dust

You might be waiting for Spring cleaning to do all the dusting. Instead, get ahead and dust before the allergy season hits. Get rid of the dust in all the small creases and cracks of the home to reduce your reaction.

Clean the sheets

It’s time to do a big cleaning. Clean all the sheets, blankets, and pillow cases in your home. Cleaning the sheets help to get rid of any lingering allergens or bacteria that might be hanging around.

Steam clean your carpets

A lot of people overlook their carpets. But carpets tend to soak in and keep allergens and bacteria. Vacuuming will only go so far. Instead, rent a machine or hire professionals to steam clean your carpet. This could significantly reduce allergens around your home.

We hope these tips help you survive this allergy season! Don’t forget to keep us in mind for your home inspection needs.