Tips for Passing Home Inspection

 

If you are thinking about selling your home, you may want to start thinking about home inspections.

 

As most inspections thoroughly check the home's infrastructure, foundation and roof, most of us real estate agents recommend that you look for problematic issues before putting your home on the market. Though older homes might have more concerns, homes of all ages and types should be given a checkup by homeowners prior to entering the market. We have listed here, some of the most common problems found by home inspectors and we're also offering some tips on how your home can pass its eventual inspection.

 

Plumbing

If you know that you will be selling your home, you should try to repair all plumbing leaks as soon as possible. Besides checking for leaks throughout the home's plumbing system, a home inspector will also check the water pressure by running multiple faucets and flushing toilets. In some cases, an inspection may also include a check of the septic system, in the Redding area that's about $400. If you have experienced drainage problems in your home, you may want to consider contacting a professional to check the septic system prior to the home inspection.

 

Heating and Cooling Systems

As there are many types of heating and cooling systems, there is no standard test for home inspectors. However, regardless of what type of heating and cooling systems your home utilizes, you should try to ensure that everything is working properly prior to the home inspection. You may also want to consider having your heating and cooling units serviced prior to selling your home.

 

Electrical System

A typical home inspection will check the electrical panel and circuit breakers that power your property for problems and test outlets throughout the home. The inspector will also check for ground fault interrupt outlets (GFIs) in the kitchen and bathrooms. Designed to automatically shut off power during a short circuit, these special outlets are an important safety feature for every home. If you live in an older home, you may want to have GFIs installed and have your electrical system checked before an inspection.

 

Roof and Chimney

A home inspection will check for weak or missing shingles and make an assessment regarding the quality of the roof. If any poor shingles are spotted, an inspector might check underneath to see if the building materials are damaged or rotten. To prevent a poor report, you should consider replacing bad shingles and having an expert check the overall quality of the roof.

 

The inspector will also check the chimney to ensure that the base of the chimney is watertight and that all bricks and mortar are in good condition. Prior to the inspection, you may also want to check to make sure the chimney is clear and that the fireplace is working properly.

 

Gutters

An often overlooked area, but we recommend you try to make sure gutters are clean and rainwater is able to flow without spilling over the sides. Also, downspouts should be pointed away from the house, as poor drainage is often the cause of mold and mildew problems.

 

Mold and Mildew

If you have seen mold or mildew anywhere in your home, you should consider contacting a cleanup professional prior to the inspection. Regardless of where mold and mildew are found in the home, it is important to both kill the fungus and fix the cause of the problem.

 

As homebuyers are becoming increasingly aware of the effects mold and mildew can have on a home, you might experience difficulty selling your home if you don't take care of the issue. If you have a basement, take some extra time to check the walls and floors for signs of water damage.

 

After the Initial Inspection

Although it may be tough for some, try not to be discouraged if the inspector finds a few flaws; very few homes are perfect and inspectors are trained to take note of every possible concern. Home inspections are designed to assess the working order of the home's infrastructure and assure the buyer that home's condition matches the details of the contract. In short, if you take care of the most important repair concerns before you try to sell, you will grant yourself a better chance of passing your home inspection. We like to say that it is better to find all the skelletons in the closet before the buyer finds them :-)

 

It's never easy to tell a client that their home just doesn't seem appealing or that it's too clutter, busy and distracting. I have great dvd videos that I leave behind when doing listing presentations to give to my clients and occassionally send them links like the video below so they get the idea. For those of you contemplating a sell in the next few months in Redding, CA allow us to meet with you and give you even more information on how we will market your house so that you can sell it in the least amount of time possible.

 

 

HAPPY VALENTINES from Chris & Maria Jeantet

Here's a quick guide of special places to consider for your Valentines celebration (notice our suggestions are of local establishments, it feels great to support local business owners, join us!):

Vintage Wine Bar & Restaurant featuring singers Allison Scull and Victor Martin (530) 229-9449; 1790 Market St. Redding, CA. This is a great place to hear live music on weekends and enjoy a variety of great dishes at affordable prices. They have a selection of special wines to pair up with your dinner.

Share the LOVE and your TAPAS at Tapas Downtown,Restaurant & Bar located at 1257 Oregon St. in Redding. Featuring Valentines Day Brunch on Sunday, 2/14 from 10am - 2pm and live Classical Jazz by Sylvia Hill. If you'd rather celebrate on Friday or Saturday, Tapas Restaurant will have a Valentines Day special going on both of those nights (and Sunday night also). Dinner specials include Pan Seared Scallops with balsamic fig reduction, pecan wild rise and fresh vegetables or Duck Confit with pomegranate reductions, Israeli couscous and fresh vegetables. If Duck isn't for you, then get the 120oz herbed Rib-eye Steak.

For fresh, seasonal cuisine and a romantic night, take your sweetheart to Moonstone Bistro on 3425 Placer Street. Check out their MENUwhich changes seasonally...a glance at their amazing dishes will cause your taste buds to salivate! They will have a fantastic Sunday Brunch lineup on Valentines Day. One suggestion: Leave room for dessert!  Call for reservations, 530-241-3663.

Rivers Restaurantis also a great place to celebrate, enjoy their Valentines Weekend specials on Saturday & Sunday, 2/13 & 2/14 with live entertainment provided by Bruno Grossi. Voted "Best of the North State 2009" by local residents, this amazing place will sure impress your sweetheart. Take a look at their Special 5-Course Gourmet Valentines Menu.

If Seafood is your thing, you'll love the award winning, Maritime Seafood Grill and their French California-inspired cuisine with a casual-Elegant atmosphere. See their MENU and call for reservations at 530-2269-0700.

 

This is one documentary I have not had a chance to see but definitely looking forward to it. I've ordered the film and for those living in Redding, CA the Shasta-Cascade Farm and Food Coalition is holding an "Expert Panel Discussion" after showing the film.

WHEN: Saturday, February 6, 2010

WHERE: First United Methodist Church on 1825 East St., Redding CA

TIME: 3PM - 6PM

INFO LINK: Food, Inc.

COST: Free to the Public.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Email - info@shastafarmandfood.org

Phone - (530) 604-0804

www.foodincmovie.com

 

If you like quiet, clean streets and homes with great curve appeal but without the high price tag, then you'll love The Vineyard, in Redding California.

The Vineyard's is an age-restricted community for residents 55 and older. Not to be mistaken by Living Assistance, The Vineyard's is better suited for the active adult who desires independence, privacy and tranquility.

This gorgeous gated community of about 208 homes was built in the 1990's and is home to some 350+ residents. The Vineyard attracts retirees for its lake views, charming clean streets, walking trails and location. It is within five minutes to the McConnell Foundation.

To Continue Reading Full Article, please click HERE.

 

 

An old mine-house outside of Whiskeytown, CA.

 

 

 

Winter days by a local bridge, heading East on Hwy. 299.

 

 

Old Barn.

Historic Whiskeytown.

 

 

While it seems like the worse has passed, several companies (according to this Forbes.com article) plan on closing several of their stores this year.  This of course affects our business directly; No jobs equals no home purchases! Worse yet, "job loss" could mean "home loss"...

Here's a quick SLIDESHOW of who's closing in 2010

So we're told that the economy is turning around, is it really?  What's your unemployement rate in your city? If you don't know that number you shoud, much of our business is directly impacted by that number.

 

 

According to Megan McArdle, economics editor for The Atlantic says, it is morally wrong to walk away, because your mortgage represented "a promise to pay." She goes on to say "if everyone entered into a mortgage with a secret plan to walk away if the house value falls, Congress would write new laws allowing mortgage-lenders to go after borrowers' other assets (which already exist in some states). This would make borrowing money harder and more expensive for everyone." Megan concludes that people who walk away are "jerks", ah...excuse me? Does Ms. McArdle realize that some of these people have NO CHOICE? Does she realize that many have tried to negotiate with their banks and failed to get any assistance? Does she have any clue about the unemployement rate in our nation?

Are You Down With The Law?

Here are a few new laws you may want to know about:

• LEAD FREE FAUCETS- as of today, it is illegal to sell faucets, as well as faucet parts which contain more than 0.25% lead (the legal limit up to now was 8%).  This may be a problem when homeowners and landlords want to replace current faucet parts and may end up having to put in a completely new faucet.
• WATER SOFTENER BAN - This new law allows local government to ban residential water softener if regulators fins that the salts discharged into the municipal sewer lines pose a pollution problem.
• HARVEY MILK DAY - This proclaims Harvey Milk's birthday, May 22, as a day of  recognition.  This law also encourages public schools to commemorate this day.
• TEEN VOTING- This law allows permanent California residents to pre-register to vote at the age of 17.
• PAPARAZZI PENALTY - A $5,000 to $50,000 fine for paparazzi who take and sell pictures without permision while in "personal or family activity". These types of activities would include a special outing with kids, for example.
• MORTGAGE FRAUD LAWS - Due to the recent mortgage  crisis, this will require loan officers to register with the state and makes it a crime to provide a mis-statement, misrepresentation, or omision during the application proccess, punishiable by 1 year in prison.  This also ensure banks will provide borrowers with all of their products.
• DRUNK DRIVERS - Now a judge can require a first time drunk driving offender to install a breath testing device on the vehicle they own, requiring the  driver to pass "the test" to start the vehicle each time they drive.
• RESTAURANTS-  The new law requires restaurants to use oils, margarine and shortening with less than half a gram of trans-fat per serving of regular foods.  Next year, this will also apply to deep-fried bakery goods.
• SCHOOLS - The new law here expands the use of digital textbooks in public schools and will direct textbook money to buy electronic viewing devices.

There were dozens of new laws that passed in addition to the ones stated above, including  fines for human trafficking, tougher penalties for watching dogfights, Vehicles impounded in prostitution arrests, technology to bill motorists for  toll roads, making it a misdemeanor to  hang a  noose,  as well as a ban on  shortening cow tails. In my opinion some of these new laws are a must, but unfortunately some are ridiculously unnecessary, but these are our laws.

Happy New Year!