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Is the termite inspection really necessary?

admin — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

As a retired 15 year mortgage and financial consultant for a major California company, let me break the “sorry you missed the memo” news to you about becoming a homeowner whether it’s a new home or not. In most every state having a pre-termite inspection is not only a requirement; it’s just common sense smart. Most real estate agents and brokers insert that clause in all purchase contracts. Also, your lender, if he or she is on the ball, will make a termite inspection a must, as well.
Usually, the seller will bear the burden of paying for the inspection. Never mind that it brings peace of mind to the buyer, you probably won’t be able to close the deal without it. So happy seller, grin and bear it and have the inspection. The average cost is usually less than 350 bucks which is a small price to pay unless you enjoy having half of your wood patio fall off while you’re entertaining your boss for dinner.

A termite also know as a pest inspection will encompass treatment of all wood and other objects and places termites love to lay in wait and plan their attack. Wood is their meal of choice and if you see one, there will be more. In some areas where termites are more prevalent they’re like ants on a wet log which is a scary thought. The good news is most homes do not have a termite problem but they are cowards and usually go out in force to eat when nobody is around. These flying scavengers are the arch enemy of houses; especially those made of wood and most are. If you’re planning on buying a new or existing home make sure the seller pays for a termite inspection and gives you a copy.

Looking for a Realtor?

admin — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Maybe you’re dreaming about the day when you can unpack boxes and visit HomeSECURITYSystem.com but for now you’re still on the home search. If you’re in need of a realtor there are a lot of options – here are a few things to look for when choosing a representative:
Good Rapport: Your realtor should be someone you actually LIKEyou’re going to be spending lots of time with them and someone likeable to you is probably likeable in the reality community. This can mean ins and discounts based on personality – not exactly legal but a fact of the business, nonetheless.
Dependability: If you email a realtor about a date or ask them a question they should get back to your right away, likewise for a phone message. You shouldn’t tolerate a realtor being late or unprepared – there are too many options out there to choose from.
Preparation: Speaking of being prepared, if you’re visiting a house and it’s the first time the realtor’s seen it, too, you should think twice. Their job is to do homework so you don’t have to – they should know more than you.

The best inspections to have performed on your home.

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Preventive maintenance can save homeowners money. Homeowners should periodically check for problems and fix them before they become costly problems. Many maintenance problems can be solved quickly and less expensive when caught early. Some issues require professional inspections to discover. Whether individuals are buying or currently own a home, proper inspections can save money on repairs.

Termite Inspections

Termites cause billions of dollars to homes every year. Pest control professionals can determine the level of infestation. Termites can destroy a house in a remarkably short period.

Foundations

Inspecting and repairing foundation problems can prevent a disaster. Cracked or crumbling foundations will cause serious structural integrity. The house could literally fall apart, or as in some cases slide off the foundation. Settling of the foundation will cause the structure to bend and buckle.

Roofs

New roofs are a costly expenditure, buying a home with a leaking roof will cost the buyer money. Having the roof inspected before buying will save trouble down the road. Current homeowner should have the roof inspected to prevent costly leak damage repairs.

Heating and Air Conditioning Unit

Heating and cooling a home is close to 30 percent of the energy bill every month. Having an inspection, every year, or prior to buying can prevent breakdowns and maintain efficiency. The air conditioner never breaks down in the wintertime.

Hot water tanks, electrical systems and plumbing systems should all have regular checks. Leaking plumbing can add up to significant dollars every month.

How to improve your credit score for a loan.

admin — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Improving your credit score can be a real hassle, but here are a few quick tips to help you on your way. Consider watching your score, challenging errors and building positive credit.

First, you can-t improve your score if you don-t know what-s on your credit report. When you are denied for a credit application, you often get a letter telling you why. However, that letter also tells you how to get in contact with the credit bureau, and lets you get a free report. Try to get a copy of your credit report every 6 months.You can find a quick rundown here

Once you have your report, look through it closely. Look for things that you can fix or don-t remember. Follow the procedure to challenge any records that you don-t remember. The credit bureau must verify it or remove it. Also look for small amounts that are due. Call the creditor and offer a payoff of around half what is owed provided they remove or update the report. Most are willing to negotiate with you.

Finally, try and build good credit. Save what you can, be in several hundred to a few thousand dollars for a purchase you need. Put the money away and don-t use it for anything else. After making sure the store will report your credit (ask a manager) buy it on credit with a large down payment. Make payments early for six months and then pay it all off. Do this several times to build good credit.

The best time to fill out a loan application.

admin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Filing out a loan application is a big deal. You are borrowing massive amounts of money that you are going to have to pay back over time. If you do not plan out carefully how you are going to make this happen, it is easy to see how things could go very wrong. Fortunately, there are things that you can do in order to plan out how you are going to go about this loan application.

The first thing to consider is when to take out your loan. Should you take it out during a period of time when a lot of other people are taking out loans? Or when there are few taking out loans? These are the kind of questions you need to be asking.

The truth of the matter is that it is usually better to try to take out loans when there are plenty of other people doing the same. When credit is flowing this easily, the loan is likely to have a lower interest rate than when the banks are being tighter with their lending practices. At the same time, you are more likely to be accepted for a loan when money is looser. Unfortunately, that is not the current situation. You are really going to have to work to find lenders that will offer you loans at fair rates if you absolutely need your loan as soon as possible. If you can wait for a while for it, then that is probably the best thing to do.

Top five areas of concern when selling your home.

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:00:00 +0000

When it comes to real estate there can be a lot of ups and downs. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, there are a couple key factors that can either make or break the deal.

There are some areas of concern that can help sell your house or keep it on the market for days on end. What are those areas of concern? Continue reading to find out.

Foundation: The foundation of the home, as well as the age of the home can really affect whether or not it will sell. This will usually get a good look by the inspector and can determine a lot.

Electrical: The electrical can be another crucial thought. Most inspectors will test every single outlet all the way to the light switches and appliances.

Plumbing: What good is a home if there are problems with the plumbing? Poor plumbing could lead to flooding, as well as mold and mildew, which could turn into thousands of dollars in damage.

Above and below: You want to make sure the attic, crawl space/basement are free of distruction or problems.

Yard: A yard that has too high or low of elevation could result to problems. Also, make sure the yard has enough of a gap from the house so that the foundation doesn’t result in cracking.

Making sure these areas of your home are well taken care of can really help sell your home, as well as make an ideal candidate for a home you’re interested in.Still bored? Click to continue: Featured Florida 55 Lifestyle Community in Port St. Lucie