Happy laughing african american young man rising up joyful son.There’s nothing like moving — whether it’s across town or across the country — to make you realize just how much stuff you have! When moving, you’re likely to let some things go, but probably also add some new appliances, furniture and other items to your list of possessions. That’s why once you’re settled into your new home, it’s an ideal time to create or update your home inventory. Here are the three components of an effective home inventory:

Photos or video. You can take photos or video, but you’ll want shots of entire rooms and close-ups of items such as electronics, jewelry, collectibles, guns and any individual items of significant value. It’s a good idea if you’re using video to provide narration as you walk through each room, explaining what you are recording. Take your time while taking photos and videos. If you ever have to make an insurance claim, you’ll want as detailed information as possible about what you own. Don’t forget to include items inside closets and in drawers.

Take video outside the home as well, including the interior of any outbuildings or storage.

A written inventory. You’ll also want to prepare a written inventory of your belongings. You can create a Word document on your computer or use a blank sheet of paper. Free apps and worksheets are available, too. Keep your written inventory with receipts for items you’ve purchased. Include as much detail as you can about each item. Rather than ’55-inch television set,’ include the year, manufacturer and model if you can. The more expensive the item, the greater your detail should be.

It’s a good idea to get in the habit of keeping receipts for big-ticket items in a file that can be included as part of your home inventory.

Safe storage. If you have a fireproof safe, keep both your visual and written inventories there or in another safe place. You also may want to keep a copy off-site as well, in a safe deposit box or with a trusted friend or family member. If your written and visual inventory is saved electronically, make sure it’s backed up.

Having a home inventory makes surviving and dealing with a home disaster a lot less stressful. Hopefully, you’ll never need one. But if you do, it can make all the difference in the world. Can you imagine trying to recount every single item in your home that was damaged, destroyed or stolen? With a home inventory, you’re more ready for the unexpected.

48205517_MWhat are you looking for in your next home? A big yard? A top-rated neighborhood school? A great space for a home office? A short commute to work? The National Association of Realtors surveyed home buyers nationwide on the home features that are most important to them and found that home buying needs and preferences often vary by age.

According to the survey, family needs are the biggest factor in prioritizing home amenities for home buyers under the age of 55. For many families with small children, for example, features such as the number of bedrooms, school quality and yard size can be important considerations. Proximity to schools — walking distance being a priority — is another item on most parents’ wish lists. For those 55 years and older, privacy—having a space solely their own such as a home office—is often the main goal. In that age group, the number of bedrooms and lot size are not as important for many home buyers.

Contemporary and colonial homes are the overall preference of Millennials, while ranch-style homes, which typically have a single level and no stairs, are the most popular home style for buyers 55 and older. Many home buyers in that age group are also looking for properties that can accommodate adult children and/or elderly parents. Lastly, while many home buyers age 55+ are moving from other homes, many Millennials are moving from rentals and purchasing or building their first homes.

Some home-buying preferences are the same among all age groups. Among those who work, a reasonable commute is a priority. Most people don’t want to be too close from a grocery store and other shopping options. A safe neighborhood is another top priority. People of all ages love parks and walking trails.

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Thinking about making a move this fall? If you need to sell a home first, you know that there likely will be a smaller group of potential buyers than there was in May, June and July. That doesn’t make the off-season a bad time to sell a home, however. Those purchasing homes in the fall and winter are often more serious, which can more than make up for the smaller pool of home buyers. The fall also provides a unique opportunity to showcase your property.

Before you put your home on the market, make sure your property is clean and tidy. It’s especially important this time of the year. If you have trees that lose their leaves, keep up with the raking. Ideally, there will be no leaves on the ground or dead plants when a prospective buyer comes by. If you have had a summer garden, clear out dead plants and clean it up. If it’s still warm enough to use patio furniture, make sure they are still in good condition and clean. Haul out the fire pit if you have one and set up a nice cool-weather outdoor area. If it’s not yet too cold, consider planting some cool-weather annuals for some added color.

If you have already moved out of your home, make sure to keep your thermostat at a pleasant temperature. No one wants to be too hot or too cold while touring a home. Also, make sure your home has adequate lighting and if your home is shown in the late afternoon or evening that indoor lights are used so your home doesn’t look too dark. Timers are an easy solution.

Lastly, keep seasonal decorations and touches to a minimum. You may love pumpkin spice candles and room spray, but some potential buyers may not. A bit of fall decor here and there is fine, but you may want to avoid having 20 pumpkins by your front door, a Halloween skeleton hanging from the front porch or plastic skulls scattered across your front yard. Some potential buyers may not celebrate Halloween or enjoy that many Halloween or fall decorations.

Simple fall-oriented decorations are a better bet, such as a harvest-style wreath on the front door or over your fireplace. A harvest flower arrangement can also be a nice touch. A clean and comfortable home with some simple and tasteful seasonal decorations can help set the stage for a successful home sale.

Home Inspection FAQ
Home Inspection FAQ

Top 5 Home Inspection FAQ

Home Inspection FAQ

– How much will my home inspection cost? Home inspections are typically based on overall square footage. Our inspections typically range from $400-$450. Price varies based on add-on services.

– How long will my home inspection take? Our inspections are booked for 3 hours. This ensures a focused and thorough inspection. On average about 2.5 hours depending on conditions and accessible areas i.e. crawlspaces, attics and additional structures. An older home with delayed maintenance versus a newer home built on a concrete slab is a good comparison of expected timeframe variations. 

– When should I schedule a home inspection? It is highly recommended you schedule as soon as mutual acceptance is confirmed for buyers. This gives you time to address any findings from the inspection. Sellers should consider a pre-listing inspection to get ahead of repairs and fully disclose issues prior to accepting an offer. Here is a useful link that covers the value of pre-listing inspections for sellers: www.inspectedhouses.com

– Should I be present for my home inspection? We highly recommend buyers attend the inspection and it is best to arrive towards the end. This gives your inspector time to focus and review the home uninterrupted – followed by a final walk through and summary review leaving no surprises for the client. The report will be easier to review once you’ve talked through the items with an experienced professional.

– Why do I need a home inspection? A home inspection is an unbiased documentation of the homes condition. Possibly one of your biggest investments in life and involves the safety of your family. Do not skip this step – a quality home inspection should be a mandatory part of you home buyer journey. 

Additional Resources:

To Learn more about a home inspection and what it covers visit: https://www.intermountaininspections.com/your-inspection/

To book an appointment online and get a quote simply click here! 

You potentially found the perfect home to buy, near the middle of that awesome up-and-coming neighborhood you love so much. You’ve got a good lender  to work with you, and you can already smell the lilacs growing in your new backyard!

Except with the way real estate is typically sold, Buyers are making one of the biggest investments of their life without really knowing a lot about the house. Many buyers are completing the home inspection AFTER they’ve made an offer on the house.  During the Buyer’s home inspection defects and issues are always discovered and sometimes these repairs or recommendations can not be negotiated in time or at all.  A Buyer could, and sometimes do, walk away from the home and potentially have just wasted money on the home inspection, appraisal, well and septic inspection, environmental testing, and so on.  If a deal falls through at this point in the game a buyer could easily lose $2-3K!

So, what do you do?

Below is a list of potential deal-breakers that you should be aware of before considering any house your home. It’s best to be aware of these issues before making an offer on the house. Home inspectors will always find at least some issues with a house for sale, and many you can live with. There are several deal-breakers to be on the look out for, some of which may require renegotiating the asking price, requesting the repairs be made before you buy, or even just walking away from the sale entirely.

1. Bad foundation

Minor hairline cracks found in foundations of older homes are common, however large fractures in concrete or basement are a bigger issue. It means the house is moving from its foundation or settling into the ground due to poor soil conditions or potentially improper drainage. Horizontal cracks with bowing found in walls are concerns which can be easily spotted, but some other things to look out for are cracks in upstairs walls, cracks above windows or doors, and doors and windows that don’t shut properly.  It is also important to look for moisture staining on walls, floors, and trim as those stains can be signs of foundation leaks.

2. Roof issues

A good roof installation can last 25 to 30 years,  and a bad roof might need to be replaced right away. While looking at properties be cautious of a roof that noticeably sags or is covered with moss or algae. Also, keep an eye out for shingles that are curling, cracked, or even missing entirely.

3. Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO’s) i.e. termites

Termites and other WDO’s are responsible for billions of dollars worth of property damage every year. Homeowners insurance rarely covers the cost of these issues and repairs. Most likely you will need to hire a Pest Control Pro to eliminate any infestation, at a cost of several thousand dollars. Sometimes this issue may not be a total deal-breaker, but it should prompt a renegotiation the asking price and or other action prior to closing.

4. Electrical Wiring Issues 

These types of issues will require repairs and in some cases a complete replacement of the entire wiring system or electrical panel. There are many types of wiring and electrical problems that should be addressed before signing on the dotted line. Exposed wiring or older fuse style panels and definitely the presence of aluminum wiring, used widely in homes during 60’s. Aluminum expands and contracts with heat, causing connections to loosen and pose a fire risk. And of course watch for knob-and-tube wiring, which is common in homes built before 1930. Certain electrical panels like, Zinsco or Federal Pacific Panels with Stab-Lok breakers are known to be defective as well.

5. Mold 

Certain types of mold are toxic and do pose a health hazard.  Mold growth occurs when  moisture problems such as foundation leaks, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and increased humidity are present. Look for moisture staining and other areas of staining that could be consistent with mold.  If you suspect mold, then absolutely get it tested and confirm its presence.  Once mold is confirmed we recommend mold remediation services be performed.

6.  Asbestos

Asbestos can be found in types of flooring, insulation and wall coverings. We all know asbestos is bad, however it’s not terribly dangerous and can be easy to fix when it’s contained in the roofing felt or sealant. When to worry? When the home inspector finds crumbling asbestos insulation around pipes. This poses a major health risk and will need to be replaced immediately.

In order to secure better offers on houses Intermountain Inspections’ recommendations for Buyers is listed below:

  1. Look for houses which have been Pre-Inspected.  Seeing a Pre-Listing Inspection Report will help you make an educated offer on a house vs an uneducated offer.

  2. Search for Houses on Inspectedhouses.com to find houses with Pre-Listing Home Inspections.  Sometimes you can google the address of a house you are interested in followed with the word “inspection” and the Pre Inspected house will show up on the search page.

  3. Hire Intermountain Inspections for a “walk and talk” Pre Offer Inspection.  During this type of inspection the home inspector will look at the house with you before you make an offer on the house.  These types of inspections will not come with a report, but they will be educational and help you find major problems before making an offer.

  4. Educate yourself as much as possible about houses and remember to look for those deal breakers mentioned above.