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New Homebuyers Checklist to ID Costly Repairs

Friday, March 13, 2015
by Scott Darling

When you're about to buy a house, it's easy to get excited about its great location, spacious floor plan or beautifully decorated interior. Yet the old saying, "beauty's only skin deep" can apply to any home, especially if you're considering an older, previously owned property. Before signing on the dotted line, use this checklist to help avoid some potentially costly surprises and anticipate repairs or upgrades that may be needed.     

home buyersStart at the top: the roof

Ask when the current roof was installed. Is it the original roof, or has it been replaced, repaired, or covered over with new shingles in certain spots? Are there known leaks, and if so, where are they? Have any of the leaks caused damage to the attic or interior? Also look at the chimney to see if it's properly sealed around the edges and whether the gutters need repair.

Windows and doors

Next, take a look at the windows to see if there is any condensation between the glass panes. If so, it could mean window replacements are in order. Once you get inside the house and close the front door, see if any light is coming through between the edge of the door opening and the wall. This gap is an indicator that the door may need to be replaced since air can escape through it and cause higher energy bills. 

Lighting and electrical

Throughout the interior rooms, many homes are "staged" to appeal to buyers with attractive lighting that shows off the space to its best advantage. You may love the way the lamps look in the bedroom, office or kitchen, but more importantly, check out how many electrical outlets there are and whether they are in convenient locations. Also, make sure you check to see if the lamps are masking the fact that there are no ceiling fixtures in each room. Will you need to rig up extension cords or invest in electrical work in order to support all the lamps, ceiling fixtures, appliances and electronics you wish to use?

Get to the bottom of furnace efficiency

At the basement level, be sure to check out the heating system. If the current furnace is more than 10 years old, it may be operating at a much lower level of efficiency than the latest manufacturing standards require, resulting in higher energy costs. Newer models can operate at nearly 20 percent higher efficiency than the government minimum standard, for the ultimate in energy efficiency.

Know what you can't see: indoor air quality

One thing you can't see is the quality of the home's indoor air. Nearly 72 trillion particles enter a home every day, making the air inside up to five times more polluted than the air outside. (BPT) 

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Realtor Scott Darling.

 

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12 Cold Weather Maintenance Tips For Your Home

Thursday, February 26, 2015
by Scott Darling

We certainly have had our share of winter this year. Here are a few cold weather maintenance tips to make you warm and cozy!

warm feet1. Allow Your Faucets To Drip

This sounds counter intuitive, but if the temperatures are well below freezing outside, your pipes are at risk of bursting. Fixing exploded pipes is a costly and pain-staking procedure, so you'll want to avoid that at all costs. If the temperature drops well below freezing, simply crack your faucets to allow water to steadily drip out. The running water in the pipes will keep your pipes from freezing.

2. Leave Your House Immediately If You Detect The Smell Of Gas

If you use gas to heat your home and smell a strong sulfur-like odor, you need to leave your house and call a professional. Gas leaks do happen and they need to be taken seriously and handled by a professional.

3. Turn Down The Thermostat

Or even better, purchase a programmable one. You can save as much as 2-3% on your energy costs for every degree you lower your thermostat around the clock. If you program the heat to lower while your gone at work or sleeping, you can save as much as 10% on your annual heating bill. That sounds pretty nice!

4. Give Your Furnace A Good Inspection

Look for rust. Check for scaling on the heat exchanger. Ensure proper flame color. Also, listen for odd sounds, and note any odd smells. Lastly, check the condition of venting. If you have any cause for concern, consult a professional.

5. Clean Or Replace Your Furnace Filters

Not only does this help you save on heating costs in the long run, but it's a safety thing as well.

6. Check All Windows For Drafts

Use caulking to seal in anywhere that might be drafty.

7. Examine Windows And Doors For Ice Accumulation

If you find any, make a note to replace or repair in the springtime.

8. Check Your Attic For Frost

If there is excessive frost or staining on the underside of the roof, you'll want to see to that in the spring.

9. Clear Exhaust Vents Around The Outside Of Your House

As snow falls, make sure outside vents are clear from snow cover. Covered vents can force dangerous carbon monoxide back into the house.

10. Ensure Your CO2 And Smoke Detectors Are Working

Cold weather shows a jump in carbon monoxide calls for the fire department. Make sure that all of your detectors are working. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so you'll need a detector to tell if you have a leak.

11. Close Fireplace Dampers When Not Using The Fireplace

If you leave dampers open, it will pull warm air from you house, even if there is no fire. NO sense in paying to heat the outside.

12. Make Sure The Heat Is Actually Getting To You

Vacuum out radiators, baseboard heaters, and furnace duct openings. Also, ensure they are free of obstructions. If you're paying for the heat , you might as well feel it.

Information courtesy of Chester County PA Real Estate Expert Scott Darling.

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Summer Maintenance Checklist for Chester County Home Owners

Wednesday, June 18, 2014
by Scott Darling

With the summer season upon us, we need to tend to a few maintenance tasks before we can settle down in a hammock without a care in the world.  Keeping in mind the adage, “A stitch in time…”, we need to test the garage door opener in our Chester County home, check the air conditioning system, and service the lawn mower to ensure a breakdown-free summer.

  • house toolsWhen was the last time you thought about your garage door or its automatic opener?  Like any mechanical system, the door and opener need some periodic, preventative maintenance. If you live in an area of frequent thunderstorms, a tight, well maintained garage door can also help prevent expensive results of a storm-ruptured door. The Door & Access Systems Manufacturers Association International has a good guide to help you inspect and test your complete garage door system. It's a good idea to make monthly inspection and testing a part of your regular routine.
     
  • Sweltering temperatures may be just around the corner, and your best defense is a central air-conditioning system. If you have one at your Chester County home, there are a few things you can do to make sure that it's tuned up and ready to go when the summer heat arrives.  Before you start tinkering with the system, however, it's important to have a basic understanding of: the condenser, the blower unit, and the ductwork of your system.   Visit the DASMA website for a complete explanation and instructions on how to fine tune it.
     
  • Many small tasks are involved with getting your lawn mower ready for reliable summer use. Check, belts, blades, all bolts and fasteners, tires, and wheels. If you have fuel older than 30 days stored in containers, not use it.  Any idea when you last changed the oil?  Drain it and replace it with oil the manufacturer recommends. Consider, too, replacing the sparkplug—if you do, add a couple drops of engine oil into the hole, and then replace the plug. Check your air and fuel filters and replace if they are dirty or clogged.  Follow the recommendations found at LawnCare.com.

Once you’ve completed these chores, feel free to visit yet another website for more suggestions—simple ones-- on how to maintain your Chester County home during the summer months.  So much for hammock time!

 

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Chester County PA Real Estate Exterior Maintenance Checklist

Tuesday, September 20, 2011
by Scott Darling

The end of summer brings an opportunity for a new home maintenance to-do list. Of particular importance at this time is the checking of the exterior of your Chester County PA real estate while good weather permits close inspection.

One practical suggestion from All Surface Clean Company is that it is wise to begin your inspection from the top of your piece of your house and work your way down to ground level, gravity being what it is. Thus, to avoid the need for re-cleaning, remember to start at the roof and gutters, proceed to windows, siding, decks, and fences; then go on to the pavement/driveway of your Chester County PA real estate.

1. ROOFS AND GUTTERS:

Strong winter winds may well have loosened a shingle or two on your roof, and they certainly have deposited unwanted leaves, twigs, etc., in the gutters. Here is expert advice on how to properly clean out that residue and inspect your roof like a professional.

2. EXTERIOR MATERIALS:

No matter the type of material used on the outside of your Chester County PA real estate, you want to check it carefully to preserve the integrity of the house.

  • Vinyl siding: Look for loose or missing siding, cracks, or breakage; deterioration or fading; mold/mildew; and punctures. It is generally best to replace any damaged piece.
  • Brick: Cracked mortar and/or crumbling or cracked bricks are what you’re looking for.
  • Stucco: Cracks, crumbling, and water damage are three problems for which you’ll want to check.
  • Wood: Be on the lookout for signs of rot, peeling/blistering paint, mold, and termite damage.  While some of these conditions may be minor and can be fixed by you, other more serious problems may require the assistance of a professional

*Note: If you are considering power washing the exterior of your Chester County PA real estate, consult the above-mentioned website for tips on doing that job.

3. WINDOWS:

Make sure your windows (and doors) are tightly sealed to prevent air leakage. Also repair/replace caulk and weather stripping and repaint trim as needed.

4. DECKS:

Secure loose nails/fasteners. If replacing them, use galvanized or stainless steel deck screws. Reinforce loose stairs and railings and check to make certain that the deck has not pulled away from your house. Clean the deck with a biodegradable detergent and a brush to remove debris and stains and apply a preservative if needed.

5. FENCES:

Ascertain that posts are firmly implanted and that no wood is showing signs of rot or termites. Think about treating fence wood with a fresh coat of preservative.

6. DRIVEWAYS AND PAVEMENT:

Check for cracks, crumbling, and erosion and remove moss and debris. Here are excellent tips for cleaning the driveway of your Chester County PA real estate, be it concrete, asphalt, brick, or pavers.

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Displaying blog entries 21-24 of 24

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