1.       Confirm that water, electric and gas service are on, with gas pilot lights burning.

2.     Ensure pets won’t hinder the inspection. They should be removed from premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.

3.     Replace burned out bulbs to avoid an “inoperable” report that may suggest an electrical problem.

4.     Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.

5.     Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.

6.     Remove stored items, debris and wood from foundation. These may be cited as “conducive conditions” for termites.

7.     Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electric service panels, water heaters, attics and crawl spaces.

8.     Unlock areas the inspector must access such as attic doors or hatches, electric service panels, closets, fence gates and crawl spaces.

9.     Trim tree limbs to 10′ from the roof and shrubs from the house to allow access.

10.  Attend to broken or missing items like doorknobs, locks and latches; window panes, screens and locks; gutters, downspouts and chimney caps.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Quick fixes before selling a home always pay off, but which repairs bring the biggest return? Specific answers to this often-asked question largely depend on a variety of factors such as:

·                    Time of year

·                    Location of the home

·                    Market temperature

·                    Competing inventory

Here are some suggested home repairs that can add to your profit margin when selling your home. 

Flooring Fixes

·                    Hardwood Floors
If your home has hardwood floors, that’s what buyers want, and it would pay to have the carpeting removed and the floors refinished.

·                    Carpeting
If your sub-floor is plywood, then replace the carpeting with light tan. Neutral carpeting is your best bet for resale.

·                    Ceramic
Replace chipped or cracked tiles. Clean or replace the grout. But don’t install ceramic (it’s too expensive) unless it’s for aesthetic reasons in an entry way.

Paint Ceilings & Walls

Buyers spend more time than you would think staring at ceilings. They are looking for signs of a leaky roof, but what you don’t want them to see are stains from grease or smoke and ceiling cracks. Ditto for walls. Nothing says freshness like new paint, and it’s the most cost effective improvement. Use fiberglass tape on large cracks, cover with joint compound and sand. Paint a neutral color such as light tan - think of coffee with cream.

·                    Wallpaper
It’s not that all buyers hate wallpaper. They hate your wallpaper - because it’s your personal choice, not theirs. And they hate all dated wallpaper. Get rid of it. The easiest way is to steam it off by using an inexpensive wallpaper remover steamer.

·                    Wood paneling
Even if your wood paneling is not real wood but composite, you can paint it. Dated paneling must go. Older wood paneling such as walnut, mahogany, cedar and pine, it’s all gone out of style. Paint it a neutral and soft color after priming it.

·                    Textured ceilings
Older popcorn ceilings with the “sparkles” often contain asbestos and if disturbed are health hazards. Say goodbye to it. But even recently sprayed ceilings turn off buyers. It’s not expensive but it is time consuming to remove. Lay down drop cloths and scrape it off. You will need to repaint.

Kitchen Improvements

Appliances and cabinets are typically the most expensive items to replace in a kitchen. If you don’t have to replace them, you’ll save a ton of money. However, if your cabinets are dated and beat-up, your house might not sell if the cabinets aren’t replaced.

·                    Cabinets
Resurfacing is your best option. This involves attaching a thin veneer to the surface of the cabinets and replacing the doors and hardware. If your cabinets are painted, add a fresh coat of paint and new hardware.

·                    Counter tops, sinks & faucets
Granite counters are not necessary. Simple laminates, newer faucets and sparkling sinks sell. Buyers don’t want leaky faucets or stained sinks.

Bathrooms

New floors, fixtures and lights payoff.

Roofs & Exterior

If your home needs a new roof, bite the bullet and do it. Even though most roofing tear-off jobs take one to two days, buyers shy away from buying a home if the roof needs to be replaced.

·                    Patch cement cracks in sidewalks

·                    Resurface asphalt driveways

·                    Plant flowers

·                    Caulk windows and doors

·                    Replace doorknobs and locks

·                    Fix or paint fences

Conclusion

Overall, buyers want to buy a home that has no deferred maintenance, newer appliances, updated plumbing, electrical and heating (including a/c), modern conveniences and is ready to occupy.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

Selling your home and not sure what steps you should take to present it to potential buyers? Here are some suggestions:

1.       Make Obvious Minor Repairs.

·       Replace cracked tiles on floor or counter.

·       Patch holes in walls.

·       Fix leaky faucets.

·       Fix doors that don’t close properly and kitchen drawers that jam.

·       Consider painting your walls neutral colors, especially if you have grown accustomed to exotically colored walls.
(Don’t give buyers any reason to remember your home as “the house with the pink bathroom.”)

·       Replace burned-out light bulbs.

·       If you’ve considered replacing a worn bedspread, do so now!

2.       Clean House.

·       Wash windows both inside and out.

·       Rent a pressure washer and spray down exterior of the home.

·       Clean out cobwebs.

·       Re-caulk tubs, showers and sinks.

·       Polish chrome faucets and mirrors.

·       Clean out the refrigerator.

·       Vacuum daily.

·       Wax floors.

·       Dust furniture, ceiling fan blades and light fixtures.

·       Replace worn rugs.

·       Clean and air out any musty smelling areas.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details or any information on our home inspection  services.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/

Home inspection for the home buyer can make your dream home a worry-free reality. This is our mission statement at West Coast Home Inspections.

The housing sales slump continues. From Los Angeles to Detroit to Atlanta, housing sales have taken a dive. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) predicts that a soft market for existing home sales will continue through the first half of the year.

Although home sales remain weak, some homeowners are willing — or are compelled — to roll the dice and plant the “for sale” sign on the front lawn. Whether you’re selling now or decide to settle in while waiting for the housing market downturn to end, a few interior updates can do much to enhance your home’s appeal in either situation.

If you’re planning to put your house on the market, some sprucing up can make your house stand out from the other homes for sale in the neighborhood. By spending a minimal amount on a few easy-to-do updates, your house can take on a new, refreshed look and have greater appeal. Or, if you’ve decided to wait out the housing slump storm, these simple home makeovers can make your current home far more habitable.

New Style at Your Feet

Nothing dates a house more than old, cracking linoleum or an outdated floor pattern. Starting from the ground up, a new floor can lend fresh vitality to a room. With so many choices in flooring available today — from authentic looking wood-grained laminates to nature-inspired vinyl styles such as stone and tile — a homeowner can turn any room into an attractive and comfortable oasis.

There are new flooring options being offered today, which can make a floor not only look good, but it can offer added comfort for your feet. Today’s flooring offers high performance while being stylish at the same time. If you’re looking to make an easy update while adding value to your home, a new floor can be a quick and affordable option.

Less expensive than ceramic tile, vinyl — also known as “resilient” flooring — offers an attractive option for a high-end appearance. The newest vinyl styles and patterns feature a wide array of colors, designs and textures while providing added beauty to any room. In addition to good looks, vinyl’s durability makes it a smart flooring choice.

Other Quick and Easy Updates to Give Your Home Added Appeal

Freshen up with a coat of paint — Once the old flooring has gone, removing that faded wall paper or covering up marred walls is important to make that great first-impression. Consider painting every room in the house to infuse a new freshness into your home’s interior, but first and foremost, be sure to paint the kitchen. A high-traffic area, the kitchen is the one room where the walls usually take an added beating. Use a good quality paint that will cover with one coat and stand up to fingerprints and the occasional food splatters.

Don’t get sunk by the old sink — Old-fashioned kitchen and bath fixtures can attach an expensive price-tag to your house — giving the potential buyer thoughts of impending pricey remodeling jobs. Adding a new sink and faucet to a kitchen or bath can be a do-it-yourself weekend project or a simple and fairly inexpensive half-day job for the local plumber.

Facelift for your cabinets — Re-facing existing cabinets or simply repainting them with a high gloss finish will give your kitchen a sleek new appearance. Add new knobs and drawer pulls and you have an entirely new look overall.

Whether you decide to stay or go, it’s easy to update your current home so it can become an attractive and comfortable dwelling that you come to love and potential buyers just can’t resist.

Call me at 818-266-2267 or check our website link below for further details.

Shawn Blaney,

President,

West Coast Home Inspections

http://www.westcoast-inspections.com/