Home Inspection Expert Tips

Monday, July 31, 2006

Bound Brook, NJ - First-time homebuyers tend to be web-savvy and self-educated about market trends, and are quickly becoming a major part of the current real estate boom, according to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors. Yet buying a home remains one of the biggest investments of a lifetime, and can be overwhelming to even the most seasoned buyer.

Kathleen Kuhn, president and CEO of HouseMaster® Home Inspection, the oldest and most experienced name in home inspections, offers sound advice to help new homebuyers reduce their stress and make educated real estate decisions.

"Buying a home is a daunting experience. Not only can it be financially overwhelming, but first-time homebuyers may not be prepared for the extensive maintenance issues that come along with buying a home," says Kuhn.

Location, location, condition: There are many considerations to be taken into account when determining where to buy a home. Kuhn says homebuyers are wise to think about a potential home in terms of "location, location, condition." Proximity to employment and the quality of the schools are common factors in determining whether a location is suitable, and many communities now have Web sites that are chock full of information to review when selecting a future home location. Once a search is narrowed down to a few towns or communities, homebuyers should then contact local real estate professionals to learn more about real estate in that area.

Kuhn recommends spending some time in the towns under consideration to get a better sense of the area. "Have a meal at a local restaurant, do some shopping, visit the library, or even subscribe to a local newspaper to get a feel for the community. And be sure to visit the area during the day and at night, and weekdays as well as weekends."

In addition to location, the condition of a home is a significant factor to include in the home purchase equation. All homes require constant care that will cost money. Many homebuyers take into consideration what the cost of paying the home's mortgage, taxes and utilities will be, but fail to factor in home repairs and maintenance. Kuhn estimates that to adequately maintain a home in today's economy, homeowners need to spend between 1 to 3 percent of the cost of the home each year on maintenance.

Maintenance: "The responsibility of taking care of your own home shouldn't put any new home owner into shock," says Kuhn. Some common sense, routine checks, and basic "how-to" advice can go a long way in helping to keep a house in shape. Kuhn suggests neophyte homeowners follow a few simple maintenance guidelines that may ease their transition into any resale home.

Exterior items: Look for decay, especially on wooden surfaces subject to frequent or constant moisture exposure; a telltale sign of chronic moisture invasion is blistering paint, discoloration, or other surface irregularities. Carefully probe suspected areas with a screwdriver, checking for wood that is spongy or crumbly. In addition to repairing, replacing or repainting these areas, make sure you correct the condition that caused the deterioration in the first place, says Kuhn.

Destructive Insects: Termites and carpenter ants are two of the most common pests to watch out for. Termites tend to live in moist soil adjoining prospective feeding grounds (wooden porches or other accessible lumber, for example), so keep all wood away from the soil and the foundation areas of your home well-drained. Periodically look at the outside of the foundation and any porches or decks above the soil for 9termite tunnels. Carpenter ants usually establish nests in damp wood, and become apparent as they forage through the house for food. If a home is in a termite prone area or infestation is suspected, an inspection by a pest control expert is advisable.

Trees and plants: Check to make sure bushes don't provide an insect bridge to the house or trap moisture around the house. Tree branches should be trimmed before they grow to the point where they can contact the roofing or siding, or scrape screens. With some trees and shrubs, regular pruning may be needed to prevent damage and ensure healthy growth.

Foundation: Look down and check the slope of the ground adjacent to the home's foundation; it is best to have a slight slope so that water will drain away from the walls. Fill in any low spots around the foundation and make sure gutters and downspouts are in working order and piped away from the foundation.

Roof: A roof should be checked annually for cracked, loose or damaged roofing, which can safely be done by using binoculars. Carefully check every spot on the roof where it is penetrated by a chimney, vent, dormer, skylight or any other protrusion. On the inside, check the attic and living areas for telltale stains that may indicate leaks around the chimney, plumbing vents or through the roofing itself. Often the culprit is a damaged flashing, which generally can be resealed or repaired.

Heating/Cooling: Though Kuhn suggests calling an expert for regular servicing or for any problems with these systems, routine maintenance procedures are important and can be handled by most homeowners. Clean all registers and duct openings with warm-air systems. If you have a hot water system, you may need to bleed each baseboard or radiator by opening each air vent a quarter turn while the system is hot, and leaving it open until air flow (and hissing sound) stops and a tiny stream of water sprays out. For a humidifier, make sure the water compartment is cleaned annually and mineral deposits removed. Keep air filters in all air conditioning units clean; monthly cleaning or replacement may be required.

Electricity: Homeowners should know where the main power line enters their home, whether the cable drops power from a utility transmission line on a pole or from an underground cable, and where the main panel is located. If a fuse panel is still present, keep a spare supply of appropriately sized fuses nearby. Inspect visible wiring and make sure it is properly insulated, and never use frayed wiring for any purpose. Extension cords are only intended for temporary use, and if long-term use is planned, an electrician should be called in to provide a permanent connection or nearby receptacle.

Finally, Kuhn strongly suggests first-time homebuyers hire a professional home inspector to look at all of these items before purchasing a home. A qualified home inspector will encourage a customer to follow along during an inspection. "This enables the homebuyers to ask questions and hear valuable maintenance tips that will help once they own the home. And by having the inspector explain his findings as he goes along, buyers are better able to determine what issues may need to be addressed as part of the home purchase or negotiating process."

About HouseMaster: Headquartered in Bound Brook, N.J., HouseMaster is the oldest and one of the largest home inspection franchisors in North America. With more than 370 franchised areas throughout the U.S. and Canada, HouseMaster is the most respected name in home inspections. For over 30 years, HouseMaster has built upon a foundation of solid leadership and innovation with a continued focus on delivering the highest quality service experience to their customers and providing HouseMaster franchisees the tools and support necessary to do so. Each HouseMaster franchise is an independently owned and operated business. HouseMaster is a registered trademark of DBR Franchising, LLC.

For more information please visit www.housemaster.com or call 800-526-3939.

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