Home inspection professionals are trained to spot problems and evaluate a home’s overall condition. Home inspectors will do their best to be ethical and thorough, however, they are also still human, and as a result, sometimes details escape their attention.

If you’re making a major investment in a home, there’s no reason you have to leave 100% of the inspection up to someone else. There are definitely areas you can review for yourself (or hire an outside party to review).

Before you sign off on a house, don’t neglect to review these commonly overlooked areas:

• Roof: Yes, inspectors will consider the roof condition, but they probably won’t be on top of the roof when they do it. This is one area where checking it out yourself or hiring a roofing contractor to take a look can be a major benefit during negotiations.
• Fences: You might not think there’s much to inspect here, but replacing a fence is expensive. What looks sturdy on a sunny day can turn into a giant repair after the first storm of the season. This is especially true of wooden fences.
• Drains: Fill up tubs and sinks and see how long it takes them to drain. If they’re slow, you’ll want to know why. It could be something as simple as a clog, but better safe that sorry.
• Fireplaces: Home inspectors will often give these the once-over, but it is unlikely for them to light a fire. If you can, make sure these operate as expected. Also find out when the chimney was last cleaned, and how often it was maintained. If the owner had burnt wood in the fireplace or wood-burning stove, no matter what kind of wood, the chimney should be cleaned regularly to prevent a chimney fire. Click here for a video tutorial that shows you the signs of when your chimney is ready to be cleaned, as well as gives instructions on how you can easily sweep your chimney.
• Heating/Cooling: The time of year might impact how thorough an inspector is with the heating and cooling system. Even if it is a hot summer day, don’t forget run the heater, and vice versa, even if it is a snowy winter evening, run the A/C. Heating and Cooling units are big ticket items, you will want to be certain it performs as expected.
• Electrical Panel & Outlets: Your inspectors will review the homes electrical, but once again, things may be missed. To be thorough, simply check each rooms outlets by plugging in a phone charger. Along with this, open up the electrical panel. Is it neat and organized, or is a tangled mess with disconnected wires?

Pricing is directly tied to a home’s condition, so don’t overlook the opportunity to protect yourself from repair bills. Along with this, problems found in the inspection process can present you with leverage in negotiations.

Ready to hunt for a home in great shape? Let me help you with your search. There are all kinds of properties available right now, let’s connect today: 928.830.6976!

When you’re about to put your hard-earned money into a home, you want to know everything you can about that home’s history. While there are common questions to ask about a home’s condition, history, and location, there are some questions buyers often overlook.

Don’t rely on sellers to volunteer this information. In some cases, they may not even know the answers for themselves. Protect your potential investment. These questions can help you get to the bottom of potential pitfalls:

1. Have you ever had asbestos removed from the home?Old heating ducts, ceilings, and even certain types of flooring can contain asbestos. If they’ve had asbestos removed, follow-up with how it was removed. Was it their uncle Joe hacking away at it, or did they have professional help?
2. Has there ever been mold remediation in the home?Mold can be a serious issue. For a healthy home, monitoring and eliminating mold is crucial. Mold is sneaky, and it can creep up on you when you least expect it. Spores are known to stay dormant until they have the moisture and  thenutrients they need to bloom. Much like asbestos, find out how it was removed if it’s ever been a problem.
3. Has the home been tested for lead?Homes built before 1978 may be at elevated risk for lead contamination. If the owner hasn’t checked for lead contamination, there are test the sellers or you could do. The Environmental Protection Agency only recognizes two DIY lead paint test kits. These test kits are: LeadCheck and D-Lead. To learn more about these test, check out this article byHouse Logic. Both tests are available for low-cost and produce quick results.
4. Were renovations properly permitted and inspected?If there’s been work done on the home, find out if those renovations are legal and up to code.
5. Is there now or has there ever been an underground oil tank on premises?Heating oil tanks are common in some areas, even if old heating systems have been upgraded. You want to know if a tank is still underground, and if one has been removed.
6. Is the home in a flood zone?Yes, you can research this yourself, but it can be a litmus test question. Do they homeowners know? If they know, do they have flood insurance? Who provided the insurance? Make sure to do your research. Get flood insurance quotes before buying a home to make sure it is an expense you can afford. Note that rates are a national standard, so getting multiple quotes from different insurance companies is not usually beneficial (BePrepared).
7. Have radon levels been tested in the home recently?Indoor air quality is very important, and radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can contribute to lung cancer.

If a seller, or their agent, can’t answer these questions, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hiding something. But asking these questions can save you time, money, or even your life down the line. Due diligence is vital! I have years of experience in asking these questions, give me a call if you need help. Get in touch with me today 928.830.6976!

The quality of schools are a contributing factor for anyone buying a home. In fact, more than half of all homebuyers with children under 18 years of age rate the quality of the local school district as a major factor influencing their choice of a neighborhood.  (Source: “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” from the National Association of Realtors). Even if you don’t have kids yourself, your next buyer might, and they might base their decision to buy on the school district which serves your home.

The Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt areas have numerous award-winning public, private, and charter schools in the area. Each has something unique to offer. The Prescott Unified School District has six primary schools and one high school. Prescott Valley and Dewey-Humboldt has the Humboldt Unified School District with five elementary, two middle schools, and one high school.  Chino Valley Unified School District has two primary schools, one middle school, and one high school. In addition, the Prescott area is full of charter and private school options: Tri-City, BASIS, AAEC, Trinity Christian, and Franklin Phonetic.

With so many options, the challenge is how do you evaluate schools? What’s the best approach for understanding if your local schools will score your property an “A” or have a negative impact on the property?

Resources

Luckily, there are some excellent on-line resources out there for evaluating schools. Here are a few I’ve come across which provide a good place to begin your research:

• Education.com: A major portal site for education everywhere, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the school’s section.  Their website:  Education.com

• Great Schools: A good search engine for researching schools, you can do zip code based searches that will help you learn a ton about the public and private institutions in the area.  Their website:  Greatschools.org

• Project Appleseed: A website dedicated to improving public schools, you can learn a lot here about the crucial elements of what makes a local school an excellent local school.  Their website:  ProjectAppleseed.org

Evaluate Distance

Distance from your new house to the school might be an issue. For example, can the kids walk to school? If not, where’s the bus stop? Are you willing, or are you able, to drive your kids to school every day?  Fortunately, most of the school websites offer bus route information.

Ask Questions

Neighbors may be a good source for first-hand information.  But be cautious, you will want to talk to a few neighbors, as you probably are aware, everyone has different needs when it comes to education.

Here are a handful of questions to ask yourself if you’re doing research:

• How comprehensive is the school’s safety policy?
• What social/support services are available at the school?
• How does the school handle discipline?
• Are people involved in a parent/teacher organization?
• How healthy is the school district’s annual report?

Visit the School

If time permits, a visit to the school will be incredibly helpful in your decision-making process.  Call the school office to set up a time to meet with an administrator and take a tour of the school.

Finally, be sure to ask me for information.  As a realtor in the Prescott area, I know the schools very well and are happy to help any way I can. Get in touch with me today!

You might be tempted to skip the final walk-through when it comes time to buying your home, but as a Realtor, I view a final walk-through an extremely important step in the home buying process. A final walk-through’s primary purpose is to assure you that the property that you are purchasing is in the condition that you agreed upon.

What Final Walk-Throughs are For

Final walk-throughs are not a home inspection, or a time for negotiations. Instead the final walk-through allows us to address common issues such as:

• If the current owner is on schedule to move out
• That the property is in the same condition it was when shown
• That any repairs required have been completed

Vacant Home or Occupied?

Final walk-throughs are vital for both vacant homes or homes that are still occupied.

If the seller has already moved out of their home, and it is now vacant, problems may have risen while the home sat vacant. Leaking faucets causing flooding or other plumbing problems could have occurred, and a final walk-through will help catch the problem before closing.

On the other hand, if the sellers haven’t moved out yet, make sure the seller is present during the final walk-through. This is because the sellers can explain details about the house that the buyer may need to know, especially tricky pool heaters, access to attics, funny light switches, and sprinkler timers.

The final walk-through is also a great time to put together a list of companies who have serviced the house in the past.

I like to schedule final walk-throughs at least 4 – 7 days before closing, as this is often enough time to resolve any outstanding issues before paperwork must be signed. (The walk-through itself may happen within 24 hours of closing.)

Checklist for the Final Walk-Through

• Electrical: Check the homes electrical system by turning on and off every light switch and check the electrical outlets. A great way to check the outlets in your home is to bring a phone charger and plug in your phone to make sure the outlet is functioning properly. Also check to make sure the garage door, security system, and doorbell are in working order.
• Doors and Windows: Open windows and doors to check latches and locks. Make sure your home is secure.
• Plumbing: Flush toilets, run faucets, and check under sinks for leaks. Make sure the bathrooms are free from water damage, and that the sinks and bathtubs drain properly.
• Heating and Air Conditioning: Weather it is freezing or hot outside, make sure to test the heating and air conditioning.
• Appliances: Test the oven, dishwasher, open the fridge & freezer, and don’t forget to turn on the washer & dryer.

I’m dedicated to protecting my clients from the beginning through the end of the home buying experience. If you want to work with someone who pays attention to the details, get in touch with me today!

Resources: TheBalance, Forbes