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!


MORE RESOURCES:

An Evaluation of Consumer Trust in the Major Home Improvement Service Directories
Seattle Post Intelligencer
The research initiative was undertaken to better understand consumer habits and perspectives with regard to hiring home improvement contractors. Part 2 of the initiative asked consumers to rank the major home improvement service directories in terms of ...

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Leading Global Home Improvement and Gardening Supplies Retailers - Company ...
MarketWatch (press release)
The report compares the performance of leading global home improvement and gardening supplies retailers with that of the global channel average. Why was the report written? This report compares the strength of the leading global home improvement and ...

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Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)

Home improvement loans of up to $20k available for Camden residents
Philadelphia Inquirer (blog)
St. Joseph's Carpenter Society in Camden will administer the fourth phase of the Camden Home Improvement Program, which will provide $3.5 million in forgivable loans for home improvements, state and city officials announced Monday.
Camden homeowners can benefit from loansCherry Hill Courier Post

all 2 news articles »


Has a home improvement scammer ever solicited you?
The Hour
2 Don't Threaten or Abuse. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. AND PLEASE TURN OFF CAPS LOCK. 3 Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. 4 Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to ...
Save time and energy with tips for smart home improvementClarksdale Press Register

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Check contractors for workers' comp coverage
San Francisco Chronicle
Now that the home improvement season is upon us, the Contractor's State Licensing Board is warning about another danger to homeowners: lack of workers' compensation insurance. I've noticed advertisements for many licensed home improvement contractors, ...



Adweek

Home Improvement
Adweek
Haven't you always dreamed of owning a Hamptons weekend getaway “inspired” by the Lazienki Palace in Warsaw and the Château de Groussay outside Paris, like the mega-crib featured in this month's Veranda? Or perhaps you'd prefer a “small castle” in the ...



Will Lowe's Save Home Improvement's Earnings Season?
Investor's Business Daily
By JAMES DETAR, INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY Posted 05/19/2012 08:02 AM ET Home improvement retail chain Lowe's (LOW) will report first-quarter results before the market opens Monday, and the Street is looking for cues whether consumers are spending to ...
Net Payout Yield Protection From Lowe'sSeeking Alpha

all 3 news articles »


Network Move Sees EAS Windows Launch New Website
PR Web (press release)
Leicestershire and Northamptonshire home improvement company EAS Windows has unveiled a new-look lead generation website to mark its new affiliation with Conservatory Outlet, having recently decided to join the fabricator's Network of Dealers.

and more »


Ratos: Inwido sells Home Improvement business area
Reuters
Ratos's subsidiary Inwido has signed agreement to sell the business area Inwido Home Improvement AB to private equity fund Priveq Investment Fund IV for a purchase price of SEK 195m (enterprise value). The sale, which is subject to approval from the ...

and more »


Home improvement agency wins national 'excellence' award
Harrow Observer
HARROW Council's home improvement agency beat competition from across the UK to win an award. Harrow Home Improvement Agency beat other short listed UK organisations to win the 'Excellence in delivering major adaptations' at the Home Improvement Agency ...

and more »

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