Spring Into Action: Home Maintenance

Spring has sprung! Even more important than buds, birds, and bees, spring brings buyers! When buyers are looking for a place to nest, they would really rather not see problems. As it turns out, nearly every home inspected has problems or imperfections of some sort or size. Most issues are very minor and simple to correct. Almost all are a result of deferred maintenance.

Most of these simple deferred maintenance problems, when discovered during the home inspection, cause the majority of the headaches when trying to bring a contract to close. With the five quick checks described below it is probable that 90% or more of the minor maintained items typically discovered in the home inspection could be eliminated, and with them a great portion of the time and stress associated with their correction:

• Dirty Filter and Coils in the Heat Pump. The clean and efficient flow of conditioned air as well as the longevity of this very expensive system is dependant on proper airflow. A professional cleaning is most always well under $100. Routine filter replacement can be done by a homeowner for about a dollar.
• Poor Caulking of Ceramic Tile in the Tub and Shower Area. The cost to repair or replace a rotted shower wall often exceeds thousands of dollars. This is an avoidable event! A homeowner can accomplish caulking of tiled areas easily for under $20. If a crack in the caulk or grout is visible, you can believe it's large enough for water to pass!

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) not Properly Functioning. GFCI's are the electrical outlets that have the "press" and "test" buttons. These devices are critically important in reducing the chance for electrocution. The homeowner can test the devices by pushing the "test" button. The cost of a new GFCI is less than $10. They can be installed in less than 10 minutes.

• Amateur Workmanship. When something looks like an amateur did it, that means an amateur did it, even if the perpetrator was paid for his work! When amateurs do things, the materials are often improper for the intended purpose or of poor quality. Many times they are both. Seldom are proper permits pulled or inspections performed when work is performed by amateurs. Amateur work is also difficult to maintain. Amateur work and the people who perform it always complicate a closing.
• Wood Rot. Closing contracts sure would be simpler without wood rot. It sure would be nice to see a home listed that said "clear WDO on file". Consider doing the WDO inspection at the time of listing to greatly reduce the greatest challenge in Florida real estate.

The act of selling real estate can be made simpler, more enjoyable, and more profitable by educating buyers and sellers about preventative maintenance. Spring is a time of renewal - renew your interest in home care and take a few simple steps to keep safe, comfortable, and ready for some summer sun!

Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has been featured regularly on HGTV's "House Detective". Wally has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!

---

3 Great Reasons to Shop for Home Lighting Online

If you are a consumer who knows just what brand or style of lighting fixtures you are looking to buy, the internet can save you money. Conversely,... Read More

Buying The Right Comforter For Your Bed

Putting the right comforter on your bed can make the whole bedroom look fabulous. Comforters are the most visible of all the bedding pieces, so when you... Read More

Duvet Covers Are Easy to Make Yourself

Duvet covers are rather versatile when you think about it. If you want something that is really different for your bedroom, you may find expense is an... Read More

Tips on Ladder Safety

PLACEMENT?Ladders should be placed so each side rail is on level and firm footing so the ladder is rigid, stable and secure. ?Boxes, loose bricks, or... Read More

The Benefits Of Wooden Flooring

They're affordable and come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They're easy to install and maintain. They add value to your home, and maintain their... Read More

Feng Shui Tips For Your Home Office

Did you know that over 50% of women now run their own home business or work from home? Get your compass out and find the following directions... Read More

Are You In or Out of Balance?

CLUTTER: When clutter starts to accumulate in an environment, imbalance in our personal, professional and social lives always follows. This can range from health and financial challenges... Read More

Mommy, Mommy, Theres a Caterpillar on my Bed

Chenille has been used for bedspreads since Catherine Evans revived the craft in the 1890's. She applied raised tufts of yarn to cotton sheeting and these spreads... Read More

The Art of Power Washing Siding

Some of the most common mistakes to avoid made by homeowners and contractors are:Trying to remove the powdery coating called oxidation on aluminum siding. Removing this coating... Read More

Colour Your World With Art

When you buy art, you may think you not consciously choosing a colour scheme so much as buying something which appeals to your eye. You may prefer... Read More

Buyers Guide To Heavy-Built Mailboxes

If you are tired of replacing your mailbox every few months due to vandals or just poor quality construction, you need a heavy-built mailbox. Some of the... Read More

The Wireless Home

It was only a few years ago that Real Estate agents and Builders were promoting the "Wired" feature as a must have when buying a new home.... Read More

How to Choose a Freezer for Home

The average household freezer is a silent slave. It operates year in and year out, requiring nothing other than a constant supply of electricity. Eventually, though it... Read More

Contractor Referral

"As a contractor with 16 years of experience and speaking on behalf of professional contractors. I want people to be aware of the warning signs that they... Read More

Outdoor Bars - Essential For Summer Entertaining

The trend for enhancing your patio is to create an outdoor kitchen area. Cooking and eating aren't the only things favored by these new ideas in outdoor... Read More

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Every one lives in a house but every house is not a home. A house is a shelter made of bricks, wood or any other material. When... Read More

The Truth About Honda Pressure Washers

"What they don't tell you about Honda Pressure Washers"I recently received the following e-mail regarding honda pressure washers:"I was unaware Honda made pressure washers. I can get... Read More

How To Completely Rehab Your Home In 10 Days!

This report is about taking a house and restoring it to an aesthetically pleasing dwelling that has reclaimed it's functional utility. In effect, it is the anti-aging... Read More

Save Money On Home Improvement Projects

Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their expense. Granted if you are contemplating a "second-story" addition to your home, or the construction of a... Read More

Can You Buy Luxury Home Brands Online and Save - Worry Free?

Are you frustrated with the high prices you've been quoted for luxury home decor?What if you could safely take advantage of the great selection and value of... Read More

Interior Design Simply Means Personalizing Your Interior Environment

Interior Design today is all about customizing your built environment with conceptual planning, aesthetic sense and technical solutions applied to achieve the desired result. It goes beyond... Read More

Persian Carpets - Popular Styles

There are numerous styles of Persian carpets. In fact there are over 300 different variations. The following is a summary of some of the most popular ones:1.... Read More

What is Design Psychology and How Will it Help Me?

In this article, we'll be taking a look at the most basic aspects of Design Psychology, first asking a question, and then addressing the various concepts, in... Read More

Marble Information

Marble is any limestone or dolomite that can take a high polish and still be usable. Marble is generally formed from limestone undergoing metamorphism. When exposed to... Read More

What Two Words Will Double the Space in Your Home?

Just two words and a bit of explanation about them will help you to double, maybe even triple, the space in your home now. Those two words... Read More

Make Your Home Secure

The following list offers some inexpensive ways to make your home secure:* Do not leave a ladder outside of your home. A thief could easily, and they... Read More