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Home Inspections and Flooding

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Due to the excessive rain we’ve had in Tampa the last few days, we felt the need to share a little information on home inspections and flooding. The down-pouring of rain these last few weeks have made living in Tampa feel more like living in Seattle. While this much rain this often isn’t year-round, it can certainly cause issues for many homes around the Tampa Bay Area. This is especially true for homes located in flood zones, specifically in South Tampa, and along the shoreline. Flood hazards directly effects the buying and selling of a home. As we’ve mentioned in a few of our past blogs, inspecting a home during the rain can actually be a really good thing. In addition, and for any home-buyer, here are a few questions and warning signs to look out for when purchasing a home in South Florida.

The Flood Zone

As always, it is the seller’s responsibility to let you know if the home you are considering purchasing is within a flood zone. Although it is the seller’s duty, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask. especially living in Florida in areas like Tampa, South Tampa, St. Petersburg, Treasure Island, North Tampa, and even Land O’ Lakes areas. All over Tampa are flood zones and there is a good chance your future home is in one. Don’t assume the seller will let you know, go ahead and ask them. Even if the house is not in a flood zone the neighborhood could experience some flooding when there is substantial rain and you’ll want to know about it ahead of time. You can also enter the home address into FEMA’s Flood Map to find out.

What Flooding Can Cost You

Living in Florida means no basements, so you don’t have to worry about your basement flooding if you’re in a flood zone. If you live, or are planning to live, on the coast then you should already be familiar with the mandatory standards for coastal flooding. Living in a flood zone also has some costs associated with the location, such as higher insurance premiums (much higher in fact!), difficult access in and out of your driveway or neighborhood, higher maintenance costs on your home, or even more maintenance on your car if you experience a substantial amount of travel during flooding. Be aware of the extra costs before committing to a home within a flood zone. Of course, during our home inspection if we see any signs of flooding within or around the home we’ll be sure to give you all the information you need.

Deal Breaker or Not?

Should flooding issues be a deal breaker or not? This question is a little tricky because there are so many flood zones all around Tampa that excluding these homes would narrow down your options considerably. That being said, ultimately it is your decision. Flooding issues can vary in intensity and you may find that the flooding issues near or around your home are minor, making a small impact on your decision. The more information you know about your future home, the better!

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What to Expect for the Housing Market in 2017

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As we steadily approach the Fall of 2016, it’s important for you to prepare for the housing market in 2017. According to Time, the housing market is still in the healing process from prior bumps and bruises from the last inventory squeeze. With the 9% less inventory than 2015, the housing market needs to be on their A game.

We’ve accumulated a short list of what to expect in the next year’s housing market to prepare for what’s soon to come.

Lower home prices

The Tampa/St.Petersburg area is predicted to have a 3% home increase which, compared to the whopping 8.7% increase of house prices, is a relief. Chris Flanagan, Bank of America analyst, even predicts in 2017 the price level will decline to 1.7% in 2017, 2.1% in 2018, and 0.8% in 2019.

Housing Construction will be on the move

Home construction has decreased, however it’s expected to see some movement with more renters becoming homeowners. In fact, the Tampa area has already seen an increase in construction and new builds.

Low Mortgage

According to Gord Collins, mortgage rates are expected to stay low with wages and employment increasing.

More housing units to be occupied

According to Forbes, More housing units are being occupied, and that dictates a strengthening market in 2016.

According to Bloomberg, Chris Flanagan predicted in a report on August 1, 2016, that starting in 2017 the U.S. housing market will experience three straight years of “modest” declines in property values. This is great news for both sellers and buyers. Especially considering the past few years we’ve had in the real estate industry. A nice turn-around would be a refreshing change for everyone!

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Multiple Inspections May Be On The Way

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The housing demand is high and the market is low. Multiple inspections are becoming a common phenomenon in the housing market. Sellers are encouraging all out bidding wars and taking to new tactics to ensure they get the most out of their sale. Unfortunately for the buyers, this could mean paying for multiple home inspections.

More Than One

According to real estate broker Kelly Meister, sellers are looking for pre-inspections as an indication of a serious buyer. This means serious buyers are willing to shell out the cash for a pre-inspection before making an offer, and without any guarantee of getting the home. Even with a pre-inspection you are still encouraged to get a home inspection before completing the purchase of the home. This results in hundreds, sometimes thousands, of extra fees that you may be paying for.

Specific Types of Inspections

One way you can save money on pre-inspections is to get a specific type of inspection. An example of this would be a wind mitigation inspection or a structural inspection. Instead of spending $500 on a home inspection you can save a few hundred dollars. With these specific types of home inspections you can feel confident the “big” issues are out of the way and save the full home inspection when your offer on the home has been accepted. At Divinity Inspection Service we offer inspections in all areas of the home.

Don’t Get Too Attached

Home buyers commonly get emotionally attached to a home before purchasing. Unfortunately, this means walking away from the transaction can be very hard. If you are spending tons of money in home inspections it will quickly become an issue as funds run low and options run out. We recommend keeping an open mind and trusting our ability to inspect your home thoroughly.

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5 Surprising Things That Decrease Your Home Value

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For most home buyers, the future home value is not at the top of their priority list. Home value, essentially home equity, should be a key player in the home buying decision. In fact, most home buyers would be surprised at some of the common features that can actually decrease the value of the home.

Swimming Pools

Most homes in Florida do have swimming pools or access to a community pool. While swimming pools are a desired feature in Tampa, especially with the summer heat, a pool can be seen as a nuisance. In ground pools mean constant maintenance and other associated costs which can drive away buyers. Considering Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for retirees, you can imagine how a pool would not be a preferred feature.

Safety is another pool related concern. Many families with young children don’t like the idea and potential hazard a pool can create.

The Garage

This feature is important for both the home seller and buyer. If a home does not have a garage it could be worth the investment to have one added to the home. Most home-buyers not only enjoy having a garage but also need one. A garage serves as protection for a car, extra storage, a workshop, and sometimes all the above at the same time! While turning a garage into a living space may seem like an attractive idea it could make the house much harder to sell.

Expanding a room

You may think expanding a room would only increase a home’s value but that is not always the case. If you get rid of an essential room like a bedroom or bathroom to do so, you may only be decreasing the value of the home. For most home buyers, especially first-time home buyers, bedrooms and bathrooms are essential. Getting rid of an essential room to increase another room’s size may seem like a good idea at the time but could hurt you in the long run.

Your Style

Your home is a place of self-expression – and rightfully so. However, sometimes your style may not appeal to a home buyer. While many changes are simple aesthetics, visuals play a huge role in selling a house. This could mean painting a wall, packing away some decor, or taking down wallpaper. Don’t be afraid to make these changes if it means potentially selling your home faster.

Landscaping

Landscaping are among one of the top three investments that bring the biggest return. In fact, according to HomeGain, an investment of a few hundred dollars on landscaping can bring a return of four times that. If this is the case, you can imagine that not taking care of the surroundings can significantly decrease a home’s value.

When you hire Divinity Inspections we make sure to detail, both in our report and directly to the home buyer or seller, what could potentially decrease or increase the homes’ value.

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Home Inspections on Green Homes

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As the future of “green” homes keep expanding, home inspections on green homes expand along with it. From solar panels, to wind turbines, and more, we will explain how these environmentally friendly products impact a home inspection.

What exactly is a green home?

According to InterNachi, a green home is any type of home that is energy efficient, uses sustainable practices or materials, and promotes human and environmental health. If you are not sure if your home qualifies as a green home, we can make the distinction for you in our home inspection. All of our home inspectors are trained and certified in both residential and commercial property inspections, including home inspections on green homes.

What exactly are sustainable products?

Sustainable products range from many low-energy materials. These materials recycled soil or wood harvested from fast-growing forests where they are replenished at a faster rate. Sustainable products can also be water conserving shower heads and dual flush toilets. A good example of a sustainable product which is currently a requirement in all home are LED light bulbs.

Can home inspectors actually inspect these “green” products in homes?

While most home inspectors won’t get into vivid detail about how solar panel or dual toilets actually work, they will always be able to identify if they are included in the house before you move in. You home inspector can also identify how these products will contribute to your home’s efficiency. If problems occur with these energy-efficient products, the homeowner is typically responsible for those issues. 

What are the two main green home add-ons?

Solar Panels

Solar panels are an amazing asset to the environment, though they may be on the more pricey side of energy-efficient products, they would end up saving you thousands of dollars down the road. Energy Informative claims you not only save thousands, but start saving from the very first day the panels are installed. A fun fact about solar panels: residents in Hawaii save an average of $64,000 dollars the first 20 years! Solar panels can also increase your home value and are a very secure investment because of their fixed energy costs.

Wind Panels

Wind panels are usually associated as home add-ons for the real “tree-huggers” out there, however, this is not necessarily the case. Wind panels support agriculture, promotes price stability, generates free fuel, revitalizes rural communities, conserves water and promotes clean air. To get a wind turbine installed on an average sized home, you may spend about $50,000 dollars. That may seem like a high cost but replacing current energy resources with wind panels will make for an entirely healthier future.

Thinking about moving into a new home with “green” products installed? Divinity can help you identify these products up front!