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All the Reasons Why You Need a Home Inspector

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Why Should You Have A Pre Listing Home Inspection?

Recently we were hired to inspect a home that was under contract for purchase. The buyers were first time home owners and came to use through a referral. After discussing what they needed and setting a day and time, we met at the home for their inspection. When I arrived I realized the home had a sea wall because it sat on a canal. While the new buyers told us the home was on a canal, they did not mention they had a sea wall. How could they? They didn’t even know! I explained to them the importance of having the sea wall inspected, even though there was a small additional cost. They agreed and the inspection ensued.

Upon inspection of this sea wall we found some major foundation cracks. These are the kind of issues you don’t want to find out about after you’ve purchased a home. This kind of repair has a heft price tag associated with it. We walked the new buyers through the inspection, explained everything as we always do, and gave them the details on everything about the home.

Since the home owner chose not to have a pre-listing home inspection done, they also did not know there were existing issues with the sea wall. The new buyers now had to re-negotiate the sale of the house based on this finding.

I know what you’re thinking. “This is why I don’t want a home inspection. A home inspector could kill the dream of buying our dream home! It could kill the dream of selling my house!”. If that is what you are thinking, you couldn’t be more wrong. Our goal is most certainly not to “kill” any home purchasing deal. However, if we hadn’t found the issues then the new home owners could have very quickly found themselves is a financially difficult situation. And while having to re-negotiate the sale of the home, it certainly doesn’t mean the deal is dead. On that same note, had the owner done a pre-listing inspection on the home they would have known about the issue and could have accounted for it before putting their home on the market for sale.

This story is only one of many that we experience every week. New home owners move into a home without having it inspected only to find they’ve walked into expensive necessary repairs. We have no authority to enforce standards but rather to merely point out conditions as they exist and make recommendations.

We would recommend repair to minor grouting in the shower stall just as we would for a leaking roof. Our goal is to help our clients distinguish between the significant needs of the home and those that are more commonplace. Click here to schedule your home inspection today!
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Top 4 Mistakes Buyers and Sellers Make with Home Inspections

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We have been in the home inspection business for a long time. After a while we’ve been able to develop a list of the top 4 mistakes we’ve noticed many home buyers and sellers make with home inspections. Some of these mistakes can be costly. All it takes is a few strategic questions to avoid them. Take a look at our top 4 below.

Research your Inspector

Great online reviews are a good start but you can take your research a step further. There are a few key questions you need to ask any inspector before hiring them:

  • How long have you been inspection homes? Or how long has your business been operating in this area?
  • How many inspections have you done?
  • Do you have any certifications or formal training? What about ongoing education?

The answers to these questions will tell you a lot about the inspector you are interviewing and can also help set your expectations for their work.

Attend the Inspection

An inspection will take a minimum two hours. Even longer depending on the size of the home. While the inspector might say attending is optional, you should be there. The reality is, if you don’t see it, you don’t understand it. Most things are much easier to explain in person. More importantly, you have an opportunity to ask questions about any concerns or issues you have with the findings. A good inspector can give you an estimate of how much money you’ll need to put into necessary repairs.

Prep your Home

This advice is particularly for the home seller. A home inspection will take longer, and be more frustrating for your inspector, if you do not prepare your home. If you have a lock on your attic access or sheds, the home inspector will need access. Highly cluttered areas can also be an issue, in front of an access point for example. A home inspection may “feel invasive” to the owner but a repeat inspection would be more inconvenient.

Make proper repairs

Last but not least is tackling repairs. Many times a home owner will try to DY repairs themselves or get them done cheap. Also known as “the handyman special”. This will show up in the inspection repeat and could create the need for a re-inspection. Save yourself the hassle and get any major (or minor) repairs professionally fixed.

Remember that a home inspector is aiming to help both the seller and buyer. We want to make both parties aware of any minor or major issues about a home before completing the sale. We’re also happy to make recommendations to vendors we trust. Give us a call today!

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It’s Spring Home Maintenance Time

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Spring is in the air! The weather is insisting you get outside, so why not? The Spring time is the perfect time to do some much-needed repairs and home maintenance. In this blog we will highlight 5 of the best maintenance tips you can take advantage of before the rainy season sets in.

Take a look at your roof

Winter can be the toughest season on a roof. Between hurricane season that leads into winter, hard rains, and the cold – your roof might need some attention. Before the rainy season sets in and creates an even bigger problem, get up on that roof and take a good look around. Look for loose tiles, missing tiles, or gaps. You can also give your roof a good cleaning, just don’t pressure wash it.

Check your gutters

Since you’re up there anyways, take a look at the gutters. You’ve already got the ladder out so make sure to clean them out. Your gutters are your life-savers during the harsh and heavy rains but they can’t do their job if they are already bogged up. After you’ve cleaned them out you can run a hose through them to check for leaks and patch as needed. Don’t forget to check your downspouts.

Your Fireplace

If you have a fireplace this is the right time to clean up. Now that winter is over and it is unlikely you’ll be using it anytime soon, it’s the perfect time. Hiring a professional chimney sweep is really your best option unless you are familiar with the cleaning process. Check your fireplace setting for any loose bricks, cracks, or corrosion.

Landscape is a given

Landscaping in Florida is almost all year-round. Especially if Florida experienced a mild winter. Spring is the season to get your garden ready. Prune your shrubs, prepare your soil for planting, or get your garden ready for new growth. You should also check your trees for any over-grown branches. Heavy branches are a certain hazard if they hang over your roof.

Take a look at your fence

Heavy rains mean heavy winds that could jeopardize your fences. Especially if they are already in questionable shape. Now is the time to address any fence panels that need replacing, breaks in the fence, gaps, etc. You will also find stores like Home Depot and Lowes will Spring-related items on sale, making it the perfect time to buy these materials!

Don’t forget to contact Divinity Inspections if you need a pre-listing home inspection. You can also schedule a home inspection with us directly online through our website!

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Get Ready for the Home Buying Season

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Few markets are as hot as the Tampa real estate market! If you are thinking of making some home purchases this season, then it’s time to get ready for the home buying season. First, we will determine how and when to know it’s time to buy. Then we’ll give you some great tips on how to make those purchases. Whether you are an investor, flipper, or simply looking for a new home – this is for you.

Is it time to buy?

They say Spring blooms “For Sale” signs! So you might notice them popping up all over Tampa. First, let us determine the buying and selling seasons. From late January to early March many homeowners are selling during these months. Parents don’t want to interrupt their children’s school schedule so they want to move early in the year. Other’s sell early in the year for tax purposes. This time period has excellent selections for homes for purchase. Between March through the summer months, many people are moving. The homeowners that have just sold their home are now on the market to purchase a home. Everyone else is on summer vacation. As a result homes tend to take a little longer to sell during the summer months which makes this a bargain shopper’s market. If you’re not in a rush and are looking for a good deal, this is your best season.

We won’t go into too much detail for the Fall and Winter season. These are definitely the slower months for the housing market. There is very little activity, for both buying and selling, the closer you get to the holiday season. Families are too busy buying gifts and traveling to focus on moving. Don’t plan to buy or sell a home during these months unless you are prepared for a longer wait time to complete the process.

Getting ready to buy a home

If you’re on the spectrum of purchasing then there are a few steps you can take to prepare. The more prepared you are, the more likely the chance you will be able to make the purchase faster.

  1. Check your credit
  2. Start saving
  3. Start looking at neighborhoods
  4. Attend a seminar or take classes on buying a home if this is your first purchase
  5. Determine your budget
  6. Visit open houses
  7. Interview realtors

 

Don’t underestimate your credit

Your credit score is important, but that’s only on piece of the credit pie. You need to know your credit score and determine your debt-to-income ratio. You can also pull your credit reports so you can see if there is anything you need to clean up before you apply for a mortgage. You also want to give yourself the opportunity to dispute any errors on your credit reports. You will need some time to work through these, so the sooner you start the better.

You may also want to consider researching and participating in loan programs. These programs can be very helpful with down payment assistance. You also need to be familiar with the various loan programs available so you can choose the right one for your needs. Research rates and know what current rates are being offered so you be prepared upon approval.

We are always looking for ways to help our customers so feel free to call us with questions! If we don’t know the answer, we can at least point you in the right direction to find the right answer. You should always consider a pre-listing inspection before putting your home on the market for sale. Also, don’t ever make a purchase without having the home inspected first. Call us now to schedule your inspection!

Sources:
https://www.newhouserealty.com/tosell&buy.htm
https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/ten-things-now-get-ready-buy-a-home/
https://www.redfin.com/blog/2017/02/50-ways-house-hunters-can-get-ready-for-homebuying-season.html

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The 5 Best Home Updates

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You’re looking around your home and wondering, “What should I update?”. Better yet – what do you need to update? Maybe it feels like everything or maybe it feels like nothing, either way we’ve got a simple guide of the some of the best home updates. These are especially effective if your goal is to increase your home’s value. Whether you plan to put your home into this current seller’s market or potentially sell your home down the road, these updates will only be beneficial.

Minor Bathroom Remodel

Not every remodel has to be a complete gut and replace. In fact, very minor but effective touches can make all the difference in the world! Update your fixtures such as the hardware. A new toilet seat can go a very long way. If you want to do something a little bigger, add a window. Bathrooms with windows are significantly more appealing to buyers. Re-caulking your bathtub is also an easy DIY project that can put a finishing touch on an old bathroom.

Landscaping

If you watch Flip or Flop on HGTV you will notice how they always talk about the importance of good landscaping. Women, it’s like putting on lipstick. It’s a finishing touch but one that is most noticeable. Men, it’s like getting the right TV stand or mount. It’s just necessary to support an already valuable piece of property. Landscaping has a 100% return at resale every single time.

New Paint

Oh what a fresh coat of paint will do! Do not use the pain to hide any major repairs, such a water leaks. They will be discovered during inspection anyways and trying to make it look like a cover-up will only reflect poorly on you. However, a fresh coat of paint can make any room feel updated almost instantly. Consider painting the exterior of the home as well to increase the curb-appeal.

Replacement Windows

If eyes are the windows to the soul then the same goes for your home. Windows do so much for a house! Sunlight, especially in Tampa bay where we have plenty of sunlight, can make your home look bigger and feel more inviting. The warmth of the sunlight adds a warmth to the home. So make sure the next time you leave your home so your agent can do a showing, open up all the shades. Updating your windows can be expensive but the investment will yield a return during resale.

Updating Perception

Selling a home has a lot to do with perception. When a person steps into a house they start imaging what it would look like for them if they lived there. This is very hard to do if the house is already filled with what it looks like while you live there. In other words, you need to de-clutter and organize. Pack some of your belongings away and clear some of the space around the home.

Don’t forget you also have the option to do a pre-listing inspection. Our pre-listing inspections will inform you of any issues about your home before you list it and also shows home-buyers that you are serious about selling. Call us today to schedule one!