12
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

When Is The Best Time To Do Your Roof Maintenance?

Perform roof maintenance on sunny days when there's less chance of slipping. Blocking off a weekend twice a year gives you plenty of time to complete the items below without rushing or taking unnecessary risks. The beginning of spring and fall present the best opportunities to complete your maintenance before the weather turns too hot or too cold. Loose Debris Removal Remove leaves, branches and accumulated debris before winter sets in. Set up a ladder, preferably with another person holding the ladder steady, and clean off as much debris as possible without risking your safety. General Inspection Start in the…
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07
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

How To Handle Common Homeowner Challenges

It takes hard work to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. Everyday people work to save for a down payment and build a good credit score. When you turn the key to your first home or dream home, the sweat equity feels well worth it. But the hard work of buying a home continues long after hanging family photos and hooking up a big-screen TV. There are challenges that property owners are unprepared to handle. These are three of the more common ones you may want to be ready to manage. Leaking Pipes Plumbing does not last forever and at…
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23
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Complete These Repairs Before You List Your Home

There are several things to do when you prepare to list your home for sale. One of the projects you'll need to do is complete certain repairs. Your home should be in the best possible condition before your real estate agent shows it to potential buyers. While your home doesn't need to be perfect, here is a list of repairs you should strive to get done before you open your home to showings. Front Steps And Deck Issues The front entrance and back deck should be in good shape for curb appeal and safety. Replace or repair wooden steps that…
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15
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

4 House “Flaws” You Can Safely Disregard

When you walk through a house with your real estate agent, you're seeing if you and your family would be happy living there. But you're also probably looking for signs of trouble that might spell big expenses later on. Be careful, though. It's important to see the "bones" of the house rather than focusing on minor issues. Here are four flaws you can safely disregard. 1. Stained Carpet Stained carpet is more an indication of the owner's poor cleaning habits than of any real problems with the house. It's so easy to replace carpeting that it's not worth even paying…
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12
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Why a Buyer Needs An Independent Inspection at Closing

Many sellers hire inspectors and appraisers to value their home prior to placing it on the market. It's important for buyers to hire their own inspector to get an independent opinion. If a buyer orders an inspection before the sale goes through, the seller may have to resolve any issues that arise. If you forego the inspection, you inherit any problems that come with the house. Importance Of Inspections Homes aren't always well cared for and it's relatively easy for an unethical owner to paint over a water stain rather than fix a leaky faucet. Clunky furnaces and loud A/C…
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20
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate, ,

Home Buying: Repair Requests After A Home Inspection

The perfect home has been found, the one in the right neighborhood with the right amount of bedrooms and bathrooms. The home inspection is complete, but a few issues have been found. At this point, a home buyer has decisions to make.  What Repair Requests Can Be Made After a Home Inspection? Structural defects found during a home inspection are the responsibility of the seller and must be fixed. In addition, Realtor.com states that the following must also be repaired by the seller: Water penetration such as mold or wet basement/crawlspace Any code and safety violations like unstable decking or…
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