WATCH THE MAINTENANCE

When buying a home, know your home's repair pitfalls.  The little details are what make your house a home. And when it comes to repair, those little details make all the difference. Pay attention to maintenance needs on any home you're considering buying.

High-maintenance home is no free ride
A home at a bargain price may be no bargain at all if the maintenance costs are prohibitive. Find out when the house was last painted and re-roofed. Ask the seller to provide you with copies of monthly water, sewer and electricity bills so you can accurately budget ongoing cost of your home purchase.

If the house has a large yard, trees, a swimming pool or spa, and you don't have the time or expertise for pool or yard work, find out what the current owner pays to maintain those amenities.

That warm, fuzzy feeling
If every other roof has snow on it while the home you are considering is clear, it may indicate inadequate insulation, meaning that heat is escaping and causing snow to melt.

Warm hearth, cold pipes
More than a quarter-million U.S. households suffer damage every winter from water pipes, which can freeze and break if not insulated.

It's not just homes in the snow belt that are the worst risks for pipe damage. Homes in warmer climates, where pipes often run through un-insulated attics or crawl spaces, are also vulnerable. So, don't forget to wrap any exposed pipes in insulation, seal any leaks, disconnect garden hoses and drain water from pipes if necessary. For homeowners in especially cold climates, let hot and cold faucets drip overnight.

Cold feet are better than wet feet
Many home maintenance or structural problems are caused by water. Running water can erode gullies, saturate soils and trigger landslides or mudslides. Water also causes clays in expansive soils to swell, damaging foundations. Don't panic; pull on your boots and look for the source of the problem. Likely candidates are plumbing or sprinkler system leaks, inadequate drainage control or subsurface water or springs. Once you find the problem, fix it as soon as possible.

Plugging into a good deal
Typically a home should have at least 100-amp electrical service. The amperage of the service is determined by the main circuit breakers and is usually less than the sum of the individual circuit breakers.

Be a utility player
When the chill is in the air, consider what makes that monthly heating bill go off the charts. Once you do move into the house, here are five hints for keeping the bill utility bill down:

·        Lower the thermostat; you can save 2 to 3 percent in fuel for each degree.

·        Keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.

·        Close off unoccupied space such as closets and bathrooms.

·        Close your drapes at night to help keep in heat and seal window drafts.

·        Be sure the air registers or radiators aren't blocked by drapes or furniture.

·        Wrap your water heater with insulating blankets.

Copyright © 2003-2005 Schultz Property Inspection All Rights Reserved

[Home] [Services] [Articles] [When Buying] [Underinsured] [Fire Safety] [Hidden Dangers] [Treated Lumber] [Lighting Considerations] [FAQ'S] [Check List] [News Letter] [Contact Us]