May 2016 - albaninspect

Spring home maintenance tips [Video]

Spring is the perfect time to step outdoors and perform a little home maintenance. After all, you don’t want to spend the summer toiling away in the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity. So, get it all out of the way now.

First, check out your gutters and drains to make sure they’re not blocked with debris. Ideally, you want to do this just after heavy rainfall. Next, move up to the roof and scan for damage. Homes in areas that experience heavy winter weather normally require annual roofing work. So, if you live in the Northeast or Midwest, be prepared to make repairs. Also, if you have children, make sure to check common playtime equipment like swing sets.

Once you finish up outdoors, move inside. You’ll want to schedule a service appointment for your air conditioning unit and possibly a duct cleaning. Finish up your springtime home evaluation by taking a trip to your attic to look for leaks.

Thanks for stopping by! And, make sure to swing back through for more home maintenance tips.

Tips for staging your patio [Video]

Selling your home in the summertime? You’ll probably need to spruce up your patio, as this space will appear extra-exposed in the hot sun. Fortunately, making improvements to this exterior area takes little time and requires a tiny budget.

First, take some time to assess your outdoor furniture situation. If your patio features outdated or dilapidated furnishings, consider outfitting the area with new pieces. If you’re an avid do-it-yourself-er on a budget, a new coat of paint or two might suffice. Of course, take care of any clutter while your at it. Old yard junk will definitely detract from your new outdoor dining set.

Next, tackle your ground-level surfaces. If you’re working with a concrete or tile patio, definitely call in a power-washing service. Got a wooden deck? Pick up some deck stain to brighten things a bit.

Thanks for watching! Check back later for more staging and homeselling tips.

Home inspection mistakes to avoid

Home inspections often bookend the property purchasing process. Unfortunately, many buyers fail to give this final step the respect it deserves. As a result, costly structural problems sometimes slip through the cracks.

So, before you start unloading boxes and inviting over guests, call up your local home inspection company and schedule time with a state-certified inspector. Once he or she arrives, pay attention and avoid making some common and costly home inspection faux pas.

Failing to attend
Attending your own home inspection is absolutely essential, Trulia reported. Not only will you learn more about your new home and gain valuable maintenance advice, but you'll also be there to make sure nothing unscrupulous happens. Sometimes, inspectors take advantage of absentee homeowners and pass up hard to reach areas.

"If it's raining, the home inspector may avoid inspecting some exterior areas, such as the deck or crawl spaces," real estate attorney Rob Pellegrini told Trulia.

To prevent such an oversight, attend your inspection and pay attention. In the end, it's worth the time investment.

Not asking questions
During the inspection, don't be afraid to ask questions and seek out understanding. Some homeowners are too afraid to break in with questions or too embarrassed to admit they don't know something. Unless you're an architect or general contractor, you shouldn't be concerned about embarrassing yourself. Instead, focus on learning as much about your new home as possible.

Most inspectors are prepared to answer questions and justify their conclusions, Angie's List reported. So, fire away.

Home inspectors can save you a lot of money.

Having lofty expectations
Sometimes, homeowners expect inspectors to uncover every issue and save them thousands of dollars. Of course, these sort of expectations normally set the stage for major disappointment. So, don't go down this path. Instead, be realistic, NBC News advised. Even the most qualified inspectors overlook things occasionally. And, remember, they can only inspect what they can see.

"We can't see through walls," Frank Lesh, president of the American Society of Home Inspectors, told NBC News. "And we can't tear into walls and look for things."

The only thing you can do is stay even-keeled and set yourself up for success by carefully vetting prospective inspectors. Ask family, neighbors and friends for recommendations and read online reviews. Additionally, ensure that your candidates belong to key professional organizations like ASHI or the National Association of Home Inspectors.

Not respecting the report
Inspectors normally issue reports upon finishing their walkthrough. In some cases, buyers on the cusp of closing disregard these reports. Others play down serious problems and put off repairs. Don't do either of these things. Carefully read your report and focus on key features like the foundation, the roof and the heating and cooling and electrical systems. If your new home shows signs of catastrophic damage in any of these areas, don't be afraid to pull out of the sale.

Score a hot deal with these summer homeselling tips [Video]

Summer is homeselling season. Approximately 60 percent of residential real estate transactions take place with the sun high in the sky and kids roaming free. If you’re interested in entering the market during the warmer months, you’ll have to perform some summertime property prep.

Outdoor spaces should be your first concern, as hiding curb appeal issues will be nearly impossible. So, trim your lawn and call in a landscaper to plant some fresh flowers and shrubs. Of course, be sure to choose seasonal plants that can hold up in the summer heat. Dehydrated foliage is never attractive.

Also, if you’ve got a pool or large patio, play it up. These areas are particularly attractive to summertime home shoppers.

When formulating a plan of attack for your home’s interior, envision how it might feel with no air-conditioning. Are the spaces cluttered and suffocating, or open and breezy? You definitely want the latter. Additionally, see if your A/C unit is working well. If not, buyers will notice – quickly.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check back later for more homeselling tips.

Save the world and money by grilling this summer

Summer is nearly here, which means friends and family will soon fill your patio to chow down on grilled goodies. Of course, for most, such get-togethers only occur once or twice throughout the warmer months. However, if you're serious about improving your home's energy efficiency and helping out the ozone layer, consider making a more substantial commitment to outdoor cooking. You'll see serious financial benefits and feel good about helping your fellow humans.

But, before you stock up on propane and pop a tent in your yard, look over a few energy-efficient, eco-friendly grilling guidelines.

Use charcoal
For grilling novices and part-time hosts, charcoal seems like a major hassle. And, you have to admit, lugging around coals and lighter fluid seems excessive when you can open a propane bottle and get things started with the push of a button. However, from an environmental perspective, charcoal grills are far superior to their gaseous grilling brethren, The New York Times reported. Charcoals are composed of wood and, when burned, release the same amount of carbon as the tree from which they came. In short, by burning wooden coals, your actually returning missing, naturally-occurring carbon to the atmosphere. On the other hand, gas grills send up extra carbon.

However, when you go to purchase charcoal, make sure you get the kind made from wood. Don't go for charcoal briquettes. These are made from coal and, as you can imagine, are terrible for the environment.

Additionally, charcoal grills are superior to ovens when it comes to home energy efficiency. They cook food faster, as direct heat always beats out convection. Charcoal grills also require no gas or electricity to operate.

Vegetable kebabs are an eco-friendly alternative to red meat.

Indulge in vegetables
No matter how you slice it or prep it, red meat will always be harmful to the environment, Vox reported. The work that went into producing the scrumptious T-bone steak you've got resting in your fridge negates any eco-friendly cooking method you might use. Experts project that livestock producers are responsible for around 7 percent of total global carbon emissions, according to The Guardian.

So, expand your palette by grilling up some vegetables instead. Vegetarian kebabs are a nice alternative. Meatier vegetables like onions or green peppers are best paired with fungi and starch.

Speaking of starch, avoid using your stovetop when prepping staple sides like potato salad. Boiling a stock pot of water wastes a huge amount of energy, so roast your potatoes on the grill instead, The Huffington Post suggested. With this method you'll not only save money on your electric or gas bill, but also add flavor.

Load up your cooking surface
Most grill masters love looking out upon nicely-spaced food formations. It makes sense – those diagonal grill marks make food look extra tasty. Of course, this brand of grilling makes little sense when you consider the environmental implications. Why spend more sending extra carbon into the atmosphere when you can cook all of your food in one shot?

Fill your grill with as much food as possible to reduce cooking time and environmental impact. Additionally, apply this thinking to food items you wouldn't normally use your grill to prepare. For example, pre-cooked dishes like baked beans or macaroni and cheese don't have to take up residence in your microwave. Just put them in heat-resistant vessels and set them on your grill grates. This way, you can achieve the ultimate savings trifecta by conserving your cash and time while also helping out the atmosphere.

Want to find more ways to boost your home's energy efficiency? Schedule time for a home energy audit to see other ways you can improve. Also, throw an extra kebab on the grill for your inspector.

Top home energy efficiency tips for spring

Thinking about testing the housing market? Planning a property tune-up? Well, improving your home's energy efficiency might be a good idea. Plus, the weather is perfect for such a project – the temperatures are cool and the kids are still at school.

But before you break out the tool box and take off work, develop an efficiency-focused home improvement plan that includes these steps:

Run a systems check
First, focus on existing fixtures and look for possible improvements. With summer a few months away, your air conditioning unit should a central concern. Start by replacing your unit's filters and cleaning its evaporator coils, U.S. News and World Report recommended. Additionally, check its refrigerant levels – you might need to add more freon. If you're uncomfortable doing these tasks, you can always call an AC technician. Just make sure to maintain your cooling system. Such maintenance can reduce your AC energy consumption levels by as much as 15 percent.

Next, move on to your water heater. Most homeowners use this appliance year round, so your unit may need some tender, loving care. Experts recommend draining 25 percent of the tank to flush out detritus. Also, knock down the temperature setting to make your hot water usage more efficient.

Regular AC maintenance will save you serious money and improve your home's energy efficiency.

Hit the lights
Exterior and interior lighting fixtures with traditional incandescent bulbs consume a lot of energy and burn out quickly. The Department of Energy suggests replacing such bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps or light-emitting diodes, which use 25-30 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last eight to 25 times longer.

If you're prepared to do some minor electrical work, installing dimmer switches for indoor lighting is also another good energy-saving option, Good House Keeping reported. These switches take under an hour to install and double bulb lifetimes. Plus, they only cost around $10 a piece.

Motion sensors quickly cut energy use for outdoor lights. Additionally, if you've got a rarely-used guest room or two, these can come in handy indoors as well.

Add some accessories
Once you've improved your existing situation, consider adding some accessories to maximize your home's energy efficiency. If you want to make a quick, substantial impact, acquire some Energy Star-certified appliances. These add-ons are designed to conserve energy and, since their rise in 1992, have saved users more than $350 billion in utility costs and prevented an estimated 2.5 billion tons of greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere.

Looking for more cost-effective solutions? Install low-flow faucets and toilets or purchase energy-saving home decor like heating blankets. Additionally, put programmable thermostats in high-traffic areas. These automated tools will enable you to maintain a balanced indoor temperature and save you big money on cooling and heating costs. For every degree you lower your thermostat over an eight-hour period, you save 1 percent on your utility bill.

Step away from the stove
As you can imagine, most kitchen appliances – especially ovens, ranges and refrigerators – aren't very energy efficient. So, consider scaling back your current appliances. For instance, getting rid of a second refrigerator or freezer will save you as much as $700 in energy costs. Also, address your cookware. Replacing your old saucepan with a newer model that heats more evenly will reduce your prep-related energy consumption.

Of course, you could take a rest from the kitchen altogether. Grill outside instead or test out new recipes that require little gas- or electric-powered prep. Salads and gazpacho are no-fuss, flavor-rich options, Bon Appetit reported.

After you've planned and executed your spring energy-saving strategy, call in a home inspector to perform an energy audit. You might have room for further improvement.

How trees can help sell your home [Video]

Everyone understands the importance of curb appeal. However, much of the discussion surrounding this homeselling hot topic centers on smaller landscaping features like flowers and shrubs. Little attention is paid to their taller, sturdier counterparts: trees. It’s a shame, because these bark-covered beauties can earn sellers serious cash.

Researchers from the U.S. Forest Service studied more than 2,500 real estate transactions in Portland, Oregon and found that sellers with trees earned over $7,000 more than their tree-less competitors. Plus, their homes sold faster. Another study found that well-landscaped yards with trees increase home values from 7 to 19 percent.

Those looking to replicate such gains should formulate a planting plan and consult with a professional landscape designer. Most buyers prefer mature trees that look nice and provide privacy.

Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check back for more homeselling tips.

How to remodel on a budget

Homeowners looking to net extra profits during the selling process often turn to remodeling. In many cases, this approach works. House hunters normally react well to newly installed hardwoods, kitchen fixtures or other homey bells and whistles.

However, remodels are notoriously risky, especially large-scale, expensive ones. As a result, most home experts advise owners to stick with small projects that comfortably fit into their everyday budgets. Of course, this doesn't mean you have to settle for shoddy, short-term fixes. Profitable, lasting changes are still possible with some sly budgetary maneuvering.

Start with a plan
Remodeling is serious business and requires proper planning. So, before you start calling up local contractors, walk through your home and look for key areas due for upgrades. Once you've pinpointed some trouble spots, consider the possible return on investment. Small and medium fixes like replacing the front door or installing new windows often yield the most value upon sale, the magazine Remodeling reported.

Once you've picked a location, draft an exhaustive materials list. Make sure to include everything, as inadequate planning often leads to inflated costs, HGTV reported.

"One of the factors that sends a budget spiraling out of control is a homeowner picking products during the renovation," Robin Siegerman, chief of design and renovation at Sieguzi Kitchen and Home Inc. in Toronto, told the publication.

Recruit a home improvement partner
Few do-it-yourself remodeling projects turn out well. So, it's in your best interest to hire a certified contractor to oversee your remodel. However, don't dial one up before putting together a scope of work and projected timeline. Do a little research and find how long your project might take. Also, see what labor costs are in your area. Contractors charge based on the area they service, as business tax rates and licensing fees vary depending on the state or city, The Washington Post reported. Most also budget in multiple workers and cushion time.

If you're looking to get extra low labor costs, consider starting your project in the winter or spring, This Old House recommended. Most contractors have busy schedules in the summer and fall and tend to charge more as a result. Plus, material availability falls off, which leads to slower project completion times.

Go for smaller projects instead of grand, time-consuming remodels.

Save on material costs
Most of your budget will go toward materials and related costs. With this in mind, focus on trying to contain these expenditures. In most cases, this doesn't require compromise – just some well-placed elbow grease and a little forward thinking. For instance, hauling your own materials can save you some money on delivery costs.

Leveraging your contractor's connections will also help when it comes time to source. Many work on multiple job sites and can often score otherwise expensive materials for free.

Building-supply auctions are another good option. Most offer scratch-and-dent and overstock for a fraction of the retail price.

Of course, look-a-likes are often good alternatives to more expensive options. Plus, many last for just as long as their budget-busting counterparts. For example, hybrid tongue-and-groove wood flooring often keeps better than costly mahogany planks.

Avoid playing with plumbing
Bathrooms and kitchens are often remodeling hotspots. It makes sense, as these rooms get the most foot traffic. Unfortunately, many homeowners take it too far and try to completely reshuffle such spaces, drafting up grand plans that involve relocating sinks and dishwashers. Most experts advise against moving appliances and key water hookups. These maneuvers often bring about unintended plumbing problems that end up sinking budgets.

Even perfectly executed moves are expensive. Some say it costs, on average, $5,000 to move a single appliance. So, avoid this situation at all costs.

However, if realizing your radical new redesign requires such an operation, build additional space into the budget for new plumbing.