PRYING EYES

Open houses are a great way to show off a home, but they also can open you and your home to privacy concerns. Potential buyers will look through nearly every inch of your home, opening closets and storage areas, to get a sense of the space and where they might store their things. Consider ways to protect your belongings — and your confidential information — with these ideas from About.com.

Go through your drawers and cabinets before others do. Potential buyers have reason to open and pull on them to determine how stable fixtures are, and it’s easy to glimpse personal letters and bills tucked innocuously away in drawers. Remove prescription medication from bathroom cabinets, too.

Your home should read like a clean slate, one that anyone could live in, so be sure to remove diplomas, wedding photos and other personal items from walls and tables. This protects your identity by keeping your name, college or church affiliation undisclosed, and gives buyers a blank canvas.

Shut down your computer. Professional hackers can gain a massive amount of personal information in a short period of time if left alone with a computer, so be proactive. If you still have an answering machine, consider turning it off so that buyers don’t hear personal messages or companies calling the home.

The idea of having strangers in your home is unsettling, so be sure your REALTOR® is always present and alert during open houses. Also consider talking to your agent about the benefits and drawbacks of you being there during the open house.¬

Off the Market During the Holidays?

Should I Take My Home Off the Market During the Holidays?


When you look at your calendar you may find the months already overloaded with seasonal obligations -- shopping, entertaining, children's pageants, charity work, decorating the house, and so much more. If you are also trying to sell your home, you are under extra pressure to keep your home in "showtime" condition. And that could be the last thing you need before the holiday spirit is broken.

It is understandable why you would be tempted to take your home off the market during the holidays. And the list of justifications is long. If you are too busy, buyers may be also, and you may find your efforts unrewarded with not enough showings. And what if you do get an offer? You may be faced with the possibility of packing and moving during the busiest time of the year. Besides, you can give your house a rest, and it will have better momentum after the holidays. Better to just pack it in and start fresh in January, right?

But wait! Most top Realtors agree that taking your home off the market during the Christmas season is a mistake. The house surely isn't going to sell off the market! What is the advantage of that? So you're busy. Let your Realtor do the work. You can leave in the morning, go to work, go shopping, and let your Realtor take care of things.

The holidays are a wonderful selling period. Why? Because most people take off work sometime during the season. The husband and wife are both off and want to see houses. Most agents like the holidays because the buyers have more time, and they can look at homes together.

Before you take your home off the market, consider the following points:


Although buyer activity may appear to slow down, the buyers who are actively looking during the holidays are that much more serious. Agents believe the home market is no more affected at Christmas than during other "busy" periods. If that were so, the market would shut down throughout the year as families concentrate on spring weddings, June graduations, summer vacations, and autumn back-to-school activities.

Many buyers deliberately choose to shop for a home after the busy spring and summer rush. They know that it will be easier to look, and that negotiations will be less stressful. They may not have children, or they may have grown children, so moving to accommodate the school year isn't a consideration. Finding the right home at the right price, however, is.

Relocating families often don't have a choice when they can leave for their new destination. Although 68% of transferring families have children, many families have to transfer during the middle of the school year. These families are that much more motivated to get their families settled in before either the January semester begins, or to arrange for the move during spring break in March. If you sign a contract by New Year's Eve, the timing couldn't be more perfect.

At Christmas time, our culture focuses on family and the home. Preparing for the indoor activities of winter is one of the most enjoyable periods of family life. Allowing buyers to view your home during this most hospitable of seasons lets them better picture their own family life in the attractive environment you have created.

When is your home ever more beautiful and inviting? You have cleaned and decorated, and your home looks like a picture postcard. If the results are good enough for family and friends, they will surely be good enough to impress your buyers. Get the family team on board to do a five-minute blitz pick-up every morning to keep holiday messes to a minimum.

With many motivated buyers in the marketplace, you may find you have more showings than you would if you sold your home during a busier time of the year.

If you do get a contract, you can arrange the terms to suit your needs. If moving during the holidays isn't an option, you can put in the closing date of your choice. Most people can close 30 to 60 days after a contract is written, so there is plenty of time. Possession and closings are very negotiable.


Written by Realty Times Staff

"Deck Your Home with Lots of Safety"

"Deck Your Home with Lots of Safety"

The holiday season has arrived and it's a great time for sharing with family and friends. The holiday season also serves as a time filled with candles, lights, Christmas trees, and lots of cooking. AmeriSpec® consistently delivers professional home inspections, so it's only right that we would want to help protect your clients' homes during the busy holiday season.

By following a few tips and inspecting items around the home, you and your clients can help create a safe and fun atmosphere:

Inspect Your Candles
• Candles should be placed where they will not be blown over or easily knocked down.
• Try to use battery powered candles instead.
Inspect Your Lights
• When you exit the room or go to sleep, remember to turn off any and all lights.
• Evaluate your string of lights and if you notice any imperfections, refrain from using them.
Inspect Your Christmas Tree
• Tree should be placed at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
• Keep your tree hydrated because dry trees are more likely to catch on fire.
Inspect Your Cooking
• Make sure someone is present at all times while food is cooking.
• Keep items that burn easily away from the stove (paper, plastic, dishwasher towels and more).
Help your clients deck their home with lots of safety this holiday season. For more tips and information, contact AmeriSpec today!


"Deck the Halls Safely this Season." www.homesafetycouncil.org. Home Safety Council, n.d.. Web. 4 Nov. 2011

Last Fall's to-do list

Last year's Fall to-do list(see next blog for this year's reminder:
Yard:
• Rake and compost leaves
• Seed and feed your lawn
• Winterize your sprinkler system
• Mulch flowerbeds
• Drain outside faucets and cover them when appropriate
• Drain and store hoses
Roof:
• Trim limbs and vegetation away from roof
• Inspect roof and roof vents for any needed repairs
• Replace any loose or damaged shingles
• Clean gutters and downspouts
Foundation and Exterior Masonry:
• Clean fireplaces and chimneys
• Check chimney mortar for any deterioration
• Make sure downspouts and grading all direct water away from the house
Doors and Windows:
• Inspect caulking and paint for damage and repair as needed
• Oil door hinges and garage door moving parts
• Make sure all storm windows are securely in position
Heating and Cooling:
• Arrange for annual inspection and cleaning of heating systems
• Rinse off A/C compressor/condensing coil unit to remove debris and dirt
• Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat
• Change the furnace filter (when needed)
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
• Check and clean humidifier
Plumbing and Interior:
• Inspect and repair any damaged caulking in tubs, showers, sinks, toilets and backsplashes
• Check pressure relief valves on water heaters
• Inspect refrigerant lines for missing or damaged insulation
• During wet weather, check ceiling and around all doors and windows for unwanted moisture
• Check attic ventilation
• Make sure dryer vent is clean
You might want to advise your clients to seek professional assistance for some of these suggestions. AmeriSpec inspectors are available to help meet your clients home inspection needs, and are trained to meet or exceed the highest home inspection industry standards. To learn more about AmeriSpec, contact your local office today.

DID YOU KNOW?

Vent-free gas logs use less gas than regular vented gas logs. They also produce more heat than traditional fireplaces, because none of the warm air generated escapes through a chimney.
For more information please visit www.amerispec.com


Courtesy of: AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services
50 Post Office Road
Waldorf, MD 20602
301-843-9960
800-834-2700

Have a Warm and Safe Winter

November 2011

Take Action Now for a Warmer and Safe Winter

Question: Is there anything I can do to help prepare my home for the upcoming winter months?

Answer: Yes, the following steps listed below can help prepare your home for winter and help provide the protection and comfort you expect.

Start outside:
• Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and functioning properly.
• Check the roof and flashings around all surface projections (roof penetrations) and sidewalls (joints between roof and vertical services).
• Drain and winterize all outside faucets and the sprinkler system. Empty any water hoses, coil and store.
• Repair any damage to sidewalks, driveways, and steps before ice or snow makes them worse due to the freeze/thaw cycle.
• Make sure your chimney is clear of bird nests and leaves. Consider calling in a professional chimney sweep to remove soot and creosote.
• Check and repair any gaps in weather-stripping or calk around doors and windows. Failure to do so could add up to 10% to your winter heating bill.
• Make sure doors and windows have no missing or loose glazing putty.
• Winterize the lawn mower and clean, sharpen and oil all metal gardening tools before storing. Make sure your snow removal tools are operational and ready to go (if applicable).
Follow this checklist inside your home:
• Consider having a professional inspect and service your furnace. Also, be sure to replace the furnace filters and clean and adjust the humidifier (if applicable).
• Clean heating ducts, grills, and registers.
• Clean lint and any other debris out of dryer vents pipes.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide monitors as well as fire extinguishers.
• Reprogram your thermostat for the winter weather. Keeping your thermostat no higher than 68 degrees when people are home will help control energy costs.
• Unclog slow running drains.
• Make sure bath and shower caulking is intact.
• If your home is not insulated or under-insulated, seriously consider air sealing the air leakage pathways between the home and attic, and installing insulation in your attic to reduce drafts and heating costs.
Not only will it give you a warm feeling now to know your home is in good shape for winter, you'll probably feel cozier all season long.

Compliments of: InspectorSM - asktheinspector@amerispec.com.
301-843-9960

Thanksgiving was wonderful. Family. Fun. Food. I am grateful for my family, for being able to see and hug them for Thanksgiving and for all their help preparing my home and preparing food to share with friends the week before. It has been a great November. I look forward to the holiday celebrations, installations and Ladies of Good Cheer activities in the coming weeks.
Real Estate Tip: Nationally, home values are expected to decline another 5-6% over the next year, turning around sometime next year depending on where you live and then seeing a national appreciation of about 1 % per year for the foreseeable future. I heard this at both the national Council of Residential Specialists(CRS) conference in Anaheim this month as well as the Maryland Association of REALTORS(R)(MAR)annual conference in September from Steve Harney. He says if you are thinking of selling, you would do better to list now rather than wait until next Spring. He also says that there may never be a better time to buy than now and in the early part of next year while rates are historically low and prices are bottoming out.
Happy Holidays!

Moisture in Crawl Spaces

Why is Moisture Control in Crawl Spaces So Important?
We all know that crawl spaces can be easily overlooked or forgotten by homeowners. However, elevated moisture levels in crawl spaces can eventually have serious negative effects on the home's structure as well as the health of the people who live there.

Moisture in crawl spaces is a common problem that can contribute to rotted sills and rim joists, mold problems, and insect infestation if not controlled. It has also been associated with health issues that can accompany mold, mildew, and other problem organisms.

What are Some Ways to Control moisture?

There are a number of steps that can be taken to reduce moisture levels in crawl spaces. Some items to consider are:

• Ventilation - Especially in colder climates, crawl spaces should be ventilated to the outdoors to increase air circulation and prevent moister buildup.
• Grading - Ideally, the crawl space grade should be higher than the outside surface grade, and grading around the home's perimeter should always slope away from the foundation.
• Vapor barriers - depending on the climate, using a vapor barrier on crawl space floors will aid in controlling excess moisture.
• Vent wells - Vent wells should be used if the foundation vents to the crawlspace are fully or partially below grade.

Vented or Closed Crawl Spaces?

There has been considerable debate in many areas about the benefits and disadvantages of vented vs. closed crawl spaces. Some building codes, particularly in warm, humid climates, have been moving toward requiring closed spaces. Research continues on this topic at both local and national levels. Homeowners should consult with their local building department to determine current requirements before making a decision on changing their crawlspace specifications.

Article courtesy of Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection
Pillartopost.com