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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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The 3 Top Kitchen Design Trends for 2019

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If you are ready to give your old kitchen an update, be sure to check out the top five kitchen design trends for 2019. While you don’t want to choose an look so trendy that it actually becomes outdated within a few years, these timeless designs are winners from the start.

Two-Toned Colors

Two-toned designs have been on trend for a few years now, but really coming into their own in 2019. Most opt to keep all the upper cabinets the same color and all the lower cabinets a different color. Others will make only the island a different color from the rest of the cabinets. Whichever combination you choose this trend will dress your kitchen to impress.

Herringbone Tile With Bright Grout Lines

Everyone is finding new ways to get creative the with the herringbone pattern. Dark colored tile with a bright grout line is a great way to get creative. Especially as a kitchen backsplash with matching colored cabinets. Let the lines pop while everything else brings a rich tone to the mix.

Bold Backsplash

Speaking of the kitchen backsplash, a bold kitchen backsplash is back! For a few years we were all in love with the all-white kitchen. White cabinets with a white backsplash or a very subtle-colored backsplash. Not anymore. Now we want something bold with rich, deep colors and creative patterns. Even with white cabinets these are sure to pop!

If you are doing the kitchen remodel yourself be sure to pull all the right permits if needed. If you plan to hire someone to remodel your kitchen be sure to do your due diligence with research and interviews. Don’t forget this will make a big difference if you decide late to sell your home.

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Prepare For Flood Disasters & Emergencies

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Flood disasters and emergencies happen specifically during our rainy season here in Tampa Bay. As most natives already know, there are some areas in Tampa that are especially prone to flooding. Are you prepared to handle a flood disaster or emergency? We hope this article can help.

Keep emergency information on hand

The last thing you want to be doing during an emergency is looking for emergency information. Do you know your evacuation route? Do you live on an evacuation route? Here is a good resource to find the emergency contact information you need for your area: https://www.floridadisaster.org/index.asp.

Keep important documents in an easy to reach place

Keeping important documents together and easy to find can make all the difference in an emergency situation. If you have to go looking for your passport or birth certificate, you could really effect your response time. Many emergent sources recommend keeping copies of important documents in your home and the originals in a safe place outside your home.

Review your flood insurance policies

Understanding your flood insurance policy is very important. Ask your representative a lot of questions until you feel confident you understand your policy and make sure you have the proper level of protection.

Understand the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning

A flood watch means there is potential for flooding. A flood warning means flooding has already occurred or will occur soon. Knowing the difference can help you prepare for efficiently.

In conclusion, if there is an emergency situation, you won’t have a lot of time. If you are prepared, it won’t matter. During our home inspection, we are able to tell you if there has been any flood damage to the home or if you are potentially in an area that floods often. We also recommend driving by the home during a rainy day to see for yourself if there is any flooding in the neighborhood or in the house.