All gardening and gardeners know that there are a few things that can spice up their garden and upgrade their garden looks, some of these features are expensive and very hard to get, like complicated water fountains and iron structures and some are pretty easy to buy and install, this article talks about one thing that is not that easy to install but certainly will add a lot of class to your garden and upgrade you from a gardener to a landscape expert.

A garden pond is the things these days, it is relatively easy to understand and not complicated to maintain throughout the year, and owning a pond holds in it wonderful possibilities and prospects, for some gardeners to have a pond in their own backyard is a rare opportunity to further exploring the power of their gardens, to others it is beginning of a love affair with nature as they start to grow their ponds into living habitats for fishes and plants.

The real purpose of a pond, some say, is to present a living environment by itself, regardless of the garden in which it is placed, because a successful pond will have its own plants and fish in it and even birds that will visit it during the different seasons. This is the reason that so many of the garden lovers that try and place a pond in their garden discover that they are quickly amazed and interested in a whole different thing then gardening, learning about fish and algae and water plants.

The other more natural benefit for gardeners and home owners is that a pond will completely change the way the garden looks, it is one of the best ways to making a garden look younger and fresh and maybe even add some basic design changes to the landscape as a whole. Some gardens and landscape designers use a pond as the central place in the garden and investing in all the area adjacent to the pond, the other sides of the garden remain very basic and uniform, as a silent background to the pond and the main attraction. A garden pond can also be used as a side feature, setting a corner in the garden f or relaxing or reading, maybe even add a garden bench or some other kind of garden furniture by the pond, set a few high bushes or existing trees to set this part of the garden apart of all other parts and you will have a magnificent and privet sitting corner in your own garden.

There is much more to be said about the garden ponds, its almost endless possibilities of fish and plants, its contribution to any garden and the peace and serenity it brings with it. If you are interested in getting your own garden pond you should start looking for the real thing, try and find out what kinds of ponds you like and only after you have seen a few start researching for price and possibilities, simply because you can sometimes change one pond to fit a different idea you do not have to commit to a certain type right away.

About the Author

Daniel Roshard is an interior designer fascinated by outdoor architecture, he is currently studying public parks and outdoor design. Daniel is writing articles about home improvement and landscaping issues. Read his latest work on Garden Ponds.

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'm happy to share this information.             Check out this article on making your home energy efficient

                                                 Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy!

If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further.   Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search.  Aiken SC offers something for everyone!   

Equestrian, Golf & Gated Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown Cottages, Polo properties....all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina. 

Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside?  A popular gated community in Aiken.  No matter what your dream...homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments.....you can find it right here in Aiken, South Carolina.    Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today.   Thank you for visiting my website,  Carolina Horse Real Estate .com.    Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate.  

Search the entire Aiken MLS right here!  Find your Aiken realty today.  

Gene Mock, Realtor.  Gene is a proud member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

                                            Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy! 

Many homeowners think that selling home alone without the help of a Realtor will help simplify the process and will save them money in the end. The fact of the matter is that selling your home on your own isn't easy work. In fact, you may actually lose a substantial amount of money when you try to sell your home alone because you aren't well spoken in the language and business of real estate. A Realtor can not only save you money, they can save you time and stress so that you can make the transition from one house to the other as smoothly as possible.

Putting Your Home on the Market

Putting your home on the market requires more than a for sale by owner sign in your front yard. While this is a start, there is a lot more to it. Many homeowners learn about multiple listing services, which is basically an index of homes that are on the market and then pay about $750 to have their home listed. When calls don't start flooding in inquiring about the home many sellers wonder what the problem is. The problem is that it takes more than a listing to get Realtors to visit your home with their clients. Realtors are loyal to other Realtors--that's just the way it works. Also, when you work with a Realtor he or she may be able to network with others to be sure that your home is getting as much exposure as possible, all for the price of the sales commission. A Realtor will also have other avenues to explore with listing your home on the Internet and locally.

If you want to sell your home on your own you will have to not only keep your home in show condition, you will also have to be accessible for appointments when convenient for potential buyers. Showing your home can be exhausting and you may do the home an injustice if you cannot downplay the negative aspects of the home and accentuate the positive features.

The Value of Your Home

Many sellers lose money when they attempt to sell their home on their own because they do not know the market value of their home. A Realtor knows all of the current market values, whether they are rising and falling and can help you get the most for your home no matter what the market situation is. Many sellers unintentionally under price their home because they do not have a professional helping them, or overprice it, which keeps all of the serious buyers away! A Realtor can help you price your home so that it not only sells, but so you can make a profit.

Reputation

Most people that are in the market for a home go with a Realtor; in fact 80% of buyers work with a Realtor because the Realtor has a good reputation and they need help maneuvering the real estate market. If you put a sign in your yard, in the newspaper, or on bulletin boards in various areas buyers have no idea who they are dealing with. Though a buyer may be able to get a good deal on a home that is for sale by owner, they are leery of working with someone that they don't know and may or may not have real estate experience.

Final Thought

As you can see, there is a lot of reason to work with a Realtor instead of trying to sell your home on your own. While a Realtor may take as much as 6% of the selling price, this is peanuts for all of the work and stress that they are saving you from. Legal paper work, home inspections, showing your home, and marketing with other Realtors to sell your home as quickly as possible for a reasonable price is what a Realtor does. When you try to take on all of these responsibilities on your own, unfortunately you have a good chance of failing or losing money.

Selling your home is difficult enough when you think about packing up and moving, but it doesn't have to be overly stressful. A Realtor can do all of the dirty work associated with selling your home so that you can go about your every day life, and still sell your home in record time. Knowing the market, knowing the real estate business, and having connections in local real estate makes all of the difference, and these are not things that your average homeowner possesses, but a Realtor does.

About the Author

Andrew owns a website that provides useful strategies on Selling Your Own Home. You can visit his website at: http://www.buy-and-sell-house-fast.com/

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'm happy to share this information.               Install A Rain Gutter And Protect Your Home From Expensive Damage           

                                                                                        Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy!


If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search.

Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Equestrian, Golf & Gated Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown cottages, Polo properties... all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina.

Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside? A popular gated community in Aiken. No matter what your dream….homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments… you can find it, right here, in Aiken South Carolina. Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today. Thank you for visiting my website, Carolina Horse Real Estate .com. Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate.

Search the entire Aiken MLS right here! Find your Aiken realty today.

Gene Mock, Realtor. Gene is a member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

                                                                           Gene Mock ~ Making it Easy!

This is Chicago�. Built on sheer force of will � first on the marsh land of Lake Michigan�s western shore and then from the ashes of the Great Fire � Chicago is the hub of a region of unsurpassed business, cultural and educational opportunities. The Chicagoland region (extending from the Wisconsin border across the Indiana border and 40 miles west from the lakefront) continues to grow and prosper, allowing opportunities to evolve. With a metropolitan population that could reach 10 million by the end of the decade, Chicago is the heart of the Midwest. Pulsing with energy, its veins take the form of railways, highways, rivers, and airstreams. Chicago is an indispensable location for national and international transport of both passengers and tons of commercial freight.

Chicagoland generates a vast supply of products and services that benefit the local, national and international markets. Long known for its meatpacking and food processing industries, Chicago has built upon its blue-collar industry while pushing the envelope in high-tech industries. The region�s economic success is built, in large measure, on the creativity and hard work of its entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Special emphasis is being given to education quality and accountability, and the fairness of taxation and regulations that are needed to keep our region growing and to generate well-paying jobs for future generations. The Mayor, his staff, the local political fathers and business leaders work hand in hand to address the issues and opportunities faced in this fast changing, competitive environment. Together, they, with the cooperation and help of the proud residents of Chicago work to continue making progress at positioning Chicago as one of the best places to live and work in America!

Rising globalization has exposed urban economies to both greater risk and reward. Chicago is a true success story in the global derby. Much of Chicago�s revival stems from its function as a business center with highly developed infrastructure. Chicago is looking globally to benchmark its performance to worldwide standards, and continues to rise to meet these benchmarks. As global competition raises the bar, Chicago will continue to reach new heights of performance in quality and production in all industries. Business services and finance has become Chicago's primary function.

In no small part, service growth was boosted by the development of world-class air travel and business meeting facilities and from a revival in the attraction of the central city as a place to live. With home ownership levels at an all time high in the United States and interest rates continuing at historic lows, there is every indication that the residential real estate market is poised for solid growth well into the foreseeable future.

Truly, Chicago is on the cutting edge on everything and every subject involving global competition and economic success that brings a new sense of pride of living and working in The City of Chicago.

About the Author

Chicago Northside Real Estate

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'm happy to share this information.                               Tax Benefits Of Homeownership

                                                                                        Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy!


If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search.

Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Equestrian, Golf & Gated Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown cottages, Polo properties... all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina.

Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside? A popular gated community in Aiken. No matter what your dream….homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments… you can find it, right here, in Aiken South Carolina. Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today. Thank you for visiting my website, Carolina Horse Real Estate .com. Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate.

Search the entire Aiken MLS right here! Find your Aiken realty today.

Gene Mock, Realtor. Gene is a member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

                                                                           Gene Mock ~ Making it Easy!

Fees associated with buying and selling a home documented in a sales contract are called closing costs. They are split between the buyer and the seller and may often involve negotiation. Buyers apply for a loan and receive a "good faith estimate" that may not include all of the closing costs.

Buyer's closing costs include: the actual down payment, loan fees, points, appreciation and credit report, along with any pre-paid interest, inspection fees, appraisal, mortgage insurance, title insurance, and documentary stamps or note. Escrow fees, homeowners insurance, and legal fees can be included. These fees vary depending on the lender and the details of the sales agreement.

It is advisable to carefully review the estimated costs presented by the lender. If there are any questions before the actual closing, have the loan or title company officer clarify anything before making a final decision. As Americans borrow more than $110 billion a year to buy homes, these added costs and charges can add significantly to the purchase price of the home.

Sellers' costs as part of the closing include: the broker's commission, tax transfers, documentary stamp on deeds, and insurance and property taxes. Before the sale closes, the escrow officer will verify with the lender to ensure sure the existing balance for the loan has been paid. If the proceeds from the loan do not completely pay for the seller will need to pay for the remaining balance. Any additional deductions for the sale of the home (including buyer credits and concessions) are subtracted before the seller receives their share of the sale proceeds.

Negotiations for deductions can occur with minor or major costs. Property taxes are often prorated. They are usually paid at the end of the tax year. If the buyer has questions regarding some structural aspect of the home, including the plumbing, windows or electrical work, the buyer may request the owner to credit for the repairs. At this stage, even the price of the house could even become negotiable. A buyer could offer to pay the full asking price or more for a house in exchange for the owner covering the closing costs. The seller may offer to �carry paper� or finance a portion of the sale for the buyer to ensure that the sale goes through. There is really no restriction for what can be covered by the buyer or seller, just as long as both parties involved are happy with the eventual outcome and the terms of the deal is written down.

It is a good idea to carefully review the good faith estimate well in advance of your closing date. You'll be better prepared to protect yourself from padded, "inflated" or "abusive" costs. If questions are raised during the earliest stage of escrow, you'll have ample opportunity to speak with the preparer about your concerns and have them explained.

Make sure that you are aware of basic closing terms. Loan origination fees are fees that cover the lender's processing fees for the loan, a percentage of the loan that varies from lender to lender. Points. A point is a one time charge for a lower interest rate. A point usually costs one percent of the amount loaned. A buyer can save money over the life of the loan by paying down one or more of these points, and the points may be tax-deductible.

Property Appraisal: A property appraisal is done for the lender to determine fair market value of the home. Inspection fees: are charged for homes under construction. A lender requires routine inspection for construction and release of funds as work progresses and concludes. Buyers are also responsible for prepaid interest that covers the mortgage from the first day of the loan until the due date of the first monthly payment. Hazard and flood insurance are paid a year in advance to cover the home and lender from natural disaster: fire, loss, windstorm and flooding.

Miscellaneous mortgage fees can include more inspections and an assumption costs. Inspection fees are generally handled before the closing date and can include an inspection of the home, radon tests, and pest or other specialized inspection fees. Assumption costs are for transferring the owner's mortgage into the hands of the new buyer. This is where reviewing closing costs are important because they can vary from state to state. Charges for home warranties are common. An attorney can handle a title search, apply for title insurance for you and a lender and complete the closing in some states. In other states "specialty companies" handle title work and closings are completed elsewhere. As this process can be cumbersome, it is important that you work with your REALTOR�, title officer and/or legal professional to handle ensure that all aspects of the closing are handled with the utmost of care.

Current technology has allowed the closing process to become easier, quicker. There are a plethora of fees a lender may charge depending on your location and the technology employed in the process. Notary and record fees would apply to have documents notarized and filed with public records. Overnight fees would result to send or receive documents and transfer fees for wiring incoming and outgoing funds.

Regardless of where and when you are buying a home you're closing costs will take a significant jump before they're finalized. The awareness you've gained from familiarizing yourself with the process and establishing a relationship with your lending officer, REALTOR�, and closing agent will better prepare you for a predictable rise in closing costs and enough knowledge to point out inflated costs or at least ask questions to determine exactly where you stand.

About the Author

Alex Peterson writes for ZipRealty. ZipRealty provides home buyers and sellers with an innovative real estate solution. By using the efficiencies of the Internet, ZipRealty has streamlined the real estate process and

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'm happy to share this information.             Check out this article on making your home energy efficient

                                                 Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy!

If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further.   Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search.  Aiken SC offers something for everyone!   

Equestrian, Golf & Gated Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown Cottages, Polo properties....all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina. 

Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside?  A popular gated community in Aiken.  No matter what your dream...homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments.....you can find it right here in Aiken, South Carolina.    Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today.   Thank you for visiting my website,  Carolina Horse Real Estate .com.    Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate.  

Search the entire Aiken MLS right here!  Find your Aiken realty today.  

Gene Mock, Realtor.  Gene is a proud member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

                                            Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy! 

Government statistics report that conserving energy costs in the home can save a household several hundred, even several thousand, dollars per year on their utility bills. Replacing your older appliances and elements of your home�s structure, such as older windows and doors, with more energy-efficient alternatives, such as products that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines, is an important step to maximizing the amount of money you can save.

ENERGY STAR is a government program that identifies products � including appliances, home electronics, and home improvement products � that meet energy efficiency guidelines that exceed the minimum federal standards, as determined by the U.S. Department of Energy. You can identify a product that meets the organization�s guidelines by looking for the signature blue ENERGY STAR logo.

The ENERGY STAR program began as a voluntary labeling tool to "identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions." It started with the labeling of computers and monitors and more than a decade later, has expanded to identify all types of products used in homes and offices that conserve energy. The result: Consumers and businesses have saved billions of dollars since the program began � $12 billion in 2005 alone.

Energy-efficient appliances � such as refrigerators and freezers, clothing washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers and window air conditioning units � can cut consumer utility bills in half when compared with standard models. And home improvement products with an ENERGY STAR rating � such as vinyl replacement windows, doors, skylights and siding � help to better maintain your home�s temperature control, cutting heating and cooling costs anywhere from $20 to $400 per year.

If you�ve been searching for a product in any one of the more than 40 categories rated by ENERGY STAR, you may have come across the organization�s blue logo. That seal of approval indicates that the item can perform as well as, or better than, comparable products, but save you more money than if you purchased a less energy-efficient option.

A refrigerator meeting ENERGY STAR�s energy conservation guidelines today: Uses 40% less energy than models sold in 2001, saves its owner 15% in energy costs when compared with other models (freezers save 10%) and compact models, with volumes less than 7.75 square feet, save 20%. A washing machine that meets ENERGY STAR guidelines: Saves its owner up to $110 per year, requires 50% less energy than standard washing machines, uses up to 50% less water and has more efficient spinning cycles to reduce drying time.

Energy-efficient appliances provide an obvious cost savings for a household�s energy expenses. And other products that meet ENERGY STAR standards, such as vinyl replacement windows, doors, skylights and siding, make a significant contribution to keeping those costs down as well. Replacing your existing windows and siding with newer, better designed vinyl replacement windows and insulated siding can quadruple the insulation value of your home and save an average of 30% on your utility bills.

In addition to saving money, vinyl replacement windows with this rating create a more comfortable living environment by eliminating drafts, blocking heat, Offering protection from sun damage and reducing interior condensation on windows. In the winter, energy-efficient vinyl replacement windows keep the interior glass warmer for better temperature control. And the warmer the window, the less interior condensation that, over time, can damage your window sill and paint job, and encourage mold growth.

In the summer, these windows also block 45 to 70% of the sun�s heat and provide "sunscreen" to your home by blocking ultraviolet light that can reduce fading up to 75% without compromising visible light.

Whether you are looking to add to the beauty of your home and lower your energy bills by installing vinyl replacement windows, or you want to make a smart decision when choosing your next dishwasher or window air conditioning unit, products that meet ENERGY STAR guidelines offer an economical alternative that leaves more money in your pocket.

About the Author

Michael Clem is Operations Manager of Creative Energy of Richmond, Virginia. The company's ENERGY STAR-compliant vinyl replacement windows and doors conserve energy. www.creativeenergyexteriors.com/windows.htm

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'M HAPPY TO SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH YOU.                 3 BEDROOM COTTAGE WITH LOADS OF POTENTIAL!!


                                                                       Gene Mock - Making it Easy!

If you are looking for horse property in Aiken or Aiken County give me a call!  Although equestrian property might be our specialty, I can help you with any property type.   Call me for all of your Aiken SC Real Estate needs. 

Land - Estates - Residential - Condos - Townhomes - Investment - Commercial - Polo properties - Development - Historic - Equestrian - Luxury.....

No matter what your dream...you can find it in Aiken!    

Start searching for your Aiken Land for sale, etc.....

If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further. Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search. Aiken SC offers something for everyone! Equestrian & Golf Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown cottages, Polo properties... all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina. No matter what your dream….homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments… you can find it, right here, in Aiken South Carolina. Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today. Thank you for visiting my website, Carolina Horse Real Estate .com. Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate. Search the entire Aiken MLS right here! Find your Aiken realty today.

Looking for a Realtor in Aiken, SC?   Look no further!!    Gene Mock, Realtor.

Also a member of Leading Real Estate Companies of The World - - -see me first!

So you�ve decided to buy some outdoor wicker patio furniture for your outdoor sanctuary. There are many brands to choose from of varying quality and construction. Depending on what you are looking for, there are a number of things that you should pay close attention to before making your purchase.

Tightness of the Weave

One of the main things that you need to pay attention to when purchasing outdoor wicker patio furniture is the tightness of the weave. As you most likely already know, one of the attractive characteristics of this type of furniture is its ability to bend and form to the body of the person. However, if the weave of the outdoor wicker patio furniture is too loose, the natural bending of the material can lead to a broken wicker chair. So the trick is to choose a piece of outside wicker patio furniture that has a tight enough weave to withstand the heaviest person.

Quality of the Reeds

Individual reeds that make up the piece of outdoor wicker patio furniture are another aspect that any good consumer should inspect before purchasing. The individual reeds should be pliable and somewhat shiny, with no breaks or tears. Damage to the individual reeds on a piece of outdoor wicker furniture can lead to major discomfort on the part of your guests.

Paint Job

Another thing to consider when purchasing outdoor wicker patio furniture is the quality of the paint or staining that is on the furniture. The paint or staining should not have any discoloration, and the coat should be dry and smooth to the touch. In addition, outdoor wicker patio furniture should not have any paint or stain odor associated with it.

Weatherproofing Treatments

Just like your outdoor patio, your wicker furniture needs regular upkeep and protection. One of the easiest ways to protect your newly bought patio furniture is to treat it with a weatherproofing solution specifically designed for your patio furniture. The best choice can probably be recommended by your sales professional.

Of course, sooner or later your outdoor wicker patio furniture will need to be cleaned. Many people try to accomplish this by washing it with soap and water and later squirting the furniture with a garden hose. This might be an effective way to get the dirt off the outdoor wicker patio furniture, but it is also a very effective way to encourage mold growth. Instead, the easiest, and perhaps safest, way is to use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth to dry off the outdoor wicker patio furniture.

About the Author

Masni Rizal Mansor provide tips and review on wicker patio furniture, wood patio furniture and deck patio furniture.

Source: Free Blog Articles

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I'm happy to share this information.             SELLER DISCLOSURES WHEN SELLING A HOME AS IS.

                                                 Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy!

If you are looking for homes for sale in Aiken, South Carolina - look no further.   Carolina Horse Real Estate .com is an excellent tool to help with your Aiken area property search.  Aiken SC offers something for everyone!   

Equestrian, Golf & Gated Communities with houses and building lots for sale, Condos & Townhouses, Patio Homes, Commercial Properties, Development Land, Horse Property, Historic & Luxury Estates, Downtown Cottages, Polo properties....all this and more are for sale in Aiken County, South Carolina. 

Have you heard about Woodside Plantation and The Reserve at Woodside?  A popular gated community in Aiken.  No matter what your dream...homes, condos, town homes, cottages, horse farms, golf property, lots, land, investments.....you can find it right here in Aiken, South Carolina.    Start searching for your next Aiken SC properties today.   Thank you for visiting my website,  Carolina Horse Real Estate .com.    Your one stop place for Aiken County Real Estate.  

Search the entire Aiken MLS right here!  Find your Aiken realty today.  

Gene Mock, Realtor.  Gene is a proud member of The National Association of Realtors, South Carolina Association of Realtors, and Aiken Board of Realtors.

                                            Gene Mock ~ Making It Easy! 

Choosing the Right Home, A Home Inspector's Perspective

By Bruce Lunsford, RPI, ASHI, FABI

As a veteran home inspector of over 16 years I'm still surprised by how often people make preventable and costly mistakes when choosing a potential home to buy. Here we'll attempt to give potential homebuyers some ideas and guidelines to evaluate potential homes from a layman's perspective. Hopefully we can prevent some unpleasant surprises after you've signed a purchase agreement.

This in no way will replace a professional home inspection, but choosing the correct home from the start can save a lot of time, money and aggravation. Too many times I've inspected homes with major defects that could have been visible to even the untrained eye. What we'll do here is cover some of the basics of evaluating the home from a structural and mechanical perspective. I want to stress again that this will NOT replace a professional home inspection, but may prevent you from entering into a purchase agreement on the wrong home.

Now I am not saying that a home that is less than perfect (aren't they all?) cannot remain a candidate. It can, but having all the information you can gather up front can help you in your home buying decision. For example, let's say you've narrowed it down to 2 homes. They are the same price, size, quality, age and neighborhood. Both homes are 18 years old. One has a new air conditioner, roof and water heater. The other has original everything. Which one is the best buy? I know the answer is obvious here on paper, but you'd be surprised how often home buyers never look at it from that perspective. We'll attempt to change that here.

After you've chosen the potential school districts and neighborhoods, it's time to start narrowing down the homes. This is a layman's version of the process a good home inspector uses. It should help you narrow your decision down.

First we want to walk around the exterior twice. Once up close, then the second time farther away. The first walk around we will be looking for things like wood rot, unusual cracks in the exterior or anything out of the ordinary. Look closely at the windows and doors, roof overhang, gutters, etc. Look for water stains and damage on the soffit overhang. This often indicates roof leakage, especially with tile roofs.

On the second trip around the exterior we want to be far enough away to get a good look at the big picture. Does the home sit up high, or down low? Homes that sit high are ALWAYS preferable and the ground should slope away from the home. (I once did a home that was literally in the bottom of a deep bowl that extended a mile in every direction. All water drained towards it which caused major water issues that were not practically correctable. The buyer had no choice but to walk away from the deal.) Look at the home's roof line. Look for framing sags, look for shingles that curl or look worn. Look at the walls and make sure they are plumb and square. Take in the entire home scanning left to right, top to bottom. Look at the condition of the wall cladding and the entire exterior.

Next we'll look at the mechanicals.

We're not going to get too technical here, we just want to look at the general age and condition. The HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system is one of the biggest concerns here. We'll start with the air conditioner. They can usually be dated by looking at the serial number. This can usually be found on a metal plate fastened somewhere on the AC unit. They are usually easy to find, but on some Bryant/Carrier and other models you may have to get down on your hands and knees. Generally speaking the 3rd and 4th (sometimes the 2nd and 3rd) digits of the serial number are the year manufactured. With American Standard and Trane they have a place in the upper right corner of the rating plate that says "manufacture date". It would be nice if all manufactures were like this. The information plates some manufacturers use are a typed label and they only last a year or two. If that's the case, you won't get any information off of it.

Air conditioners generally have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. I know opinions vary widely on this, but I feel that's a pretty accurate consensus. I've personally seen them last well over 25 years, but this is not the norm. You will want to turn on the AC and hear it run. Listen for any unusual noises. On the inside, just check for cool air coming from all registers. Your Home Inspector should do a more thorough check later. For now just note its age and condition. You should be aware that new efficiency standards came into effect January 2006 so the cost of replacement AC units will be going up significantly.

Now let's look at the furnace/air handler. I recommend you observe it without opening anything on it. Leave that up to your home inspector. Look at its general condition and try to judge the age. Electric furnaces are commonly called air handlers, especially in warmer climates like Florida. Again, don't open it, just look it over and judge its general appearance. Does it appear neglected, or well maintained?

Water heaters You can generally date water heaters the same way you date AC units. Look at the serial number on the rating plate and determine its age. With most brands it's pretty easy to figure out, the major exception being the Bradford-White brand. Depending on a number of factors such as water hardness, water heaters will generally last from 8 to 12 years. Sometimes longer, but that's a pretty accurate range. Fortunately a water heater will not break the bank when you need to replace it.

Kitchen The kitchen is fairly easy. Give a good look at the appliances and cabinets. Operate all doors and drawers, just be careful in case a door comes off in your hand. (Hey, it happens.) Operate the disposal and run water in the sink. Note the age and condition of the appliances. Your home inspector should to a more thorough inspection later.

Plumbing Run water in all the drains, flush the toilets with the seat lid open so you can observe the water flow. If there is a septic system you may want to run water for several minutes then check over the septic field for backup or a foul smell. Either could indicate a serious problem with the septic system. A serious note of caution here! Always watch drains closely when running water! I've never personally had a drain overflow, but I know of plenty of home inspectors that have.

Interiors Nothing complicated here. Operate doors and windows, look over walls and floors. If tile floors are present, look for cracked tiles and grout. Minor cracking is usually acceptable, major cracking or offset cracks will need further evaluation. Look over the ceilings for water stains. An important hint: Bring a flashlight and look at closet ceilings. Homeowners often forget to cover up water stains in closets.

Electrical Don't get in over your head here. We simply want to operate all lights, and look at the main panel NEVER remove the cover, simply open the door on its front. (Some still call the main panel a "fuse box".) What size is the main breaker/disconnect? (It is often not inside the main panel, but near the electrical meter.) The most common sizes are 100, 150 and 200 amps. This will be printed on the main disconnect itself and tells you the size of your electrical service. I still see some older homes with 60 amp fuse boxes. If that is the case we need to budget about $2,000 for an upgrade.

Following these instructions will increase your odds of writing an offer on a home without major disappointments. After the offer is accepted by both sides, now you have to find a good home inspector.

A word to the wise on choosing a home inspector. As most any expert will tell you, check out a home inspector's credentials closely. In many states (including Florida, my home state) home inspectors are not licensed or regulated in any meaningful way. MOST home inspector "certifications" out there are questionable, if not outright scams. They line the pockets of the certification mills and mislead consumers into a false sense of a home inspector's competency. It�s truly very sad and one of these organizations is rather large.

Most attorneys and real estate experts will advise you to only hire an inspector that is a member of ASHI (ashi.org). There are also some state organizations that are very reputable. In Florida there's FABI (fabi.org) in California there's CREIA (creia.org) and Texas there's TAREI (tarei.org). One other national organization worth noting is NAHI (nahi.org). Although their membership requirements are somewhat looser than ASHI's it still is a quality organization worthy of consideration. Although there are more, those are the major organizations that are legitimate.

When shopping for a home inspector, I strongly advise you accept nothing less than one of the best. Never take an inspector's word on their membership claims. False claims of ASHI membership are extremely common. Always check it out on the organization's web site listed above. Always hire a home inspector based on qualifications, not cost. The cheapest home inspectors often end up costing you far more than you saved.

Bruce Lunsford is a Home Inspector based in the Naples, Fort Myers area of Florida. He has an engineering degree and has been a full time home inspector for over 16 years.
He is a past statewide ASHI Chapter president and a member of both ASHI and FABI.
Able Home Inspection of Naples, Fort Myers

Copyright 2007, Bruce Lunsford. This article must be used in its entirety without modifications. Author must receive proper credit for authorship and at least one link back.

About the Author

Bruce Lunsford is a home inspector with over 27 years experience and has personally performed over 8,000 inspections. Bruce is a Certified member of ASHI and FABI. You can reach Bruce at www.ableinspector.com or by following this link Home Inspections Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres Florida

Source: Free Blog Articles

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What do you feel and think about driveway maintenance? Most available websites online present the topic of driveway maintenance with the mere objective of selling whatever product they claim to be good for your asphalt. Of course, you need to do more to truly know aboutmaintaining your own driveway.

1. You and driveway maintenance

If you do it right, knowing how to do driveway maintenance can improve your life. But lets face it, that whole process of driveway maintenance may seem to be a tad bit too complicated for us to grasp. Fret not! Heres the essentials of driveway maintenance information made simple just for you.

2. Essentials of driveway maintenance:

Maintaining a driveway begins with a matter of good perspective. You will not be able to drag your butt to clean up that mess if you do not at least have envisioned your driveway to be squeaky clean. 2. I know keeping up with the Joneses may be a bad habit, but in maintaining your driveway, finding a good example of a well-maintained driveway may be a good source of your own motivation to clean yours. 3. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cracks and chuckholes. Consistent daily inspection may be your best ally against the dark forces of erosion. The best battles in any form are won when you are well-prepared. Likewise, in maintaining your driveway, you better be vigilant for potential disasters hiding within the driveway. Everyday observation is the key.

3. Other driveway maintenance tips:

Replace anything that needs to be replaced. Any rotten object that appears in your driveway is not only ugly, but detrimental to the entire safety of your driveway. Wood objects are the most common culprits. Choose to replace these rotten objects. If you cannot find an exact replacement, be flexible enough to find alternatives.

4. Read on your material

Do your homework. Research on particular properties of your asphalt. For one thing, they get stressed easily by slabs of wood, so be careful in placing them. I know this is another one of those things you might want to forego, but if you really want to maximize your use of equipment and products in asphalt maintenance a mere superhero attitude towards working out your driveway is not going to be enough.

5. Watch for signs and symptoms

If your driveway shows some marks from your tires after being parked overnight, or if you notice major changes during weathe