You probably associate autumn with getting ready for the holidays, and falling leaves and temperatures, but how about upgrading your home? If you are looking to sell your home and/or prepare for your home inspection, and there are a few projects that you want to get done to get it ready for its time in the spotlight, top agents agree that fall is the best time to renovate, and here are a few reasons why.

Think ahead of spring and summer “high season”

If you are aiming to sell in spring and summer — typically when the most sellers are out on the prowl — you don’t want to wait until then to take care of home remodel projects. Builders and contractors are typically busiest during warmer months, which means less wait time renovating your home if you try to book in the fall.

You want to renovate before selling

While major home remodels have a low return on investment, some upgrades do carry a fairly high return. Although redoing the attic insulation might not be glamorous, functional types of projects like that, which cost $5,000 or less, tend to rank high in terms of costs recouped, and may prevent them from showing up on your home inspection report.

If you aren’t sure of the best areas of your home to address before putting up that “for sale” sign, this video has you covered.

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We’ve also looked at agent insights from the last quarter to find out some of the best fall home renovation projects:

Weatherstrip door and window frames

Reducing air leakage in your home is a cost-effective way to make it more energy-efficient. Caulking and weatherstripping are two simple and effective air-sealing techniques that offer quick returns on investment. Making this upgrade will save you money while you are getting ready to put your home on the market, and be an attractive feature to pitch to potential buyers. Most home inspectors will have deteriorated or damaged caulking and weatherstripping flagged in their inspection reports.

Check plumbing insulation

Pipe insulation is another fix that can help you save on energy costs and upgrade your home. For cold water pipes, insulation helps them stay cool. For warm water pipes, insulation will keep the heat in between the water heater and the faucet.

Replace or repair your roof

When you put your home on the market, the condition of your roof is important — buyers want to know that they don’t need to foot the bill for a new roof on their new home. Adding a new roof is also a step that can help you with improving home value. In a HomeLight Q3 2019 survey, agents estimated that you’ll recoup 94% of your roof investment at resale. Professional home inspectors agree that fall is an ideal time for a roof replacement as temperatures are typically warm enough for shingles to adhere, but not so hot that workers and materials get overheated.

Plant or prune trees and shrubs

According to the same HomeLight survey, and the U.S. Forest Service, “each large front yard tree adds to a home’s sale price.” The Forest Service notes that healthy, mature trees, add, on average, 10% to a property’s value. One of the best times of year to plant trees and shrubs is fall, after leaf drop. If you already have trees and shrubs in your front or backyard, fall is an ideal time to check on their health.

With any fall improvement, your house will be one step closer to looking its best for your home inspection, and its future owner.

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:

Home maintenance is the best thing you can do to avoid costly surprises (and prevent items from showing up on your home inspection report). Fall is an excellent time to take care of the little things that can make a big difference for you and your home. The majority of our tips can be handled rather easily by most homeowners, but it’s worth the expense even if you choose to have a professional take care of them. Below are 6 fall home maintenance tips provided by Bold City Home Inspections.

 

1. Fertilize Your Lawn

It’s important to prep your lawn for fall and winter. Roots are still active during this time, even though growth has slowed. Applying fertilizer can prevent winter damage and help your lawn turn green faster when spring arrives. Watering during the fall season is still important and helps your lawn recover from the stress of summer and gain strength for the upcoming winter.

2. Check and Test Your Smoke Detectors

Fall is a great time to test your smoke detectors. Smoke detector batteries should be replaced twice a year. “Chirping” noises emitted from smoke detectors typically indicate that batteries need replacing.

What many people don’t realize is that the smoke detector’s date of manufacture should also be checked. Smoke detectors that are at, or greater than 10 years of age should be replaced. Checking the manufacture date can be achieved by removing the detector and looking on the back of the device for a sticker that contains the date.

3. Change Your HVAC Filters

HVAC filters should be checked monthly and cleaned or replaced, as needed, throughout the year. If checking the filter has slipped your mind lately, now is the time to give it a look. A clean air filter is important to ensure that the HVAC system is running efficiently. It can also reduce energy costs and help maintain healthy air quality for you and your family.

4. Inspect Gutters and Downspouts

You may have noticed leaves starting to accumulate on the ground around your home. What you may not have noticed are the leaves that have accumulated in your gutters. Leaves and debris in the gutters can cause them to overflow and allow water to accumulate at the building foundation. Keeping your gutters free and clear of debris will allow water to drain properly. You should also inspect your downspouts to make sure there are no obstructions that can interfere with water drainage. A plumber’s snake can be a great tool for pulling debris out of clogged downspouts.

5. Inspect Your Fireplace

Inspecting a fireplace can be a messy job. It’s best to wear old clothes, a dust mask or respirator and safety glasses. Test the damper to make sure it opens, closes and seals properly. Open the damper and shine a flashlight into the flue to make sure it’s free of debris or other obstructions. Metal flue liners should be clean and free of any damage. Check the firebox for cracked or missing bricks and mortar. This can allow excessive heat to transfer through the cracks to the metal shell (box) and to the wood framing.

If your fireplace hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it’s a good idea to order a professional inspection and cleaning.

6. Seal Air Leaks

Check around your home’s exterior for gaps between siding and trim, around windows and doors, and where pipes and wires enter the home. Install weather stripping or caulking at these areas, as needed, to prevent drafts, moisture intrusion and wasted energy.

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:

 

 

Home renovation tips to save you money

Home improvement can be costly. Renovating a space that is less than 1,000 square feet can cost up to $18,000. Improving an older home can cost even more, especially if the plumbing, wiring, and other features are not up to current standards. If you are working around a certain budget for home improvement, careful research and planning, as well as creativity and resourcefulness, can come in handy.

Before setting a budget for home renovation, consider how you are financing your home. Whether you are paying in cash, taking out a loan, or applying for credit, your budget for home improvement must be well within your remaining funds every month.

Here are a few tips on renovating and styling your home while still working within a budget:

Declutter first

The first thing that you want to do is clean up. Throw away, donate, or sell things that you no longer need. Whether you want to do it Marie Kondo style and pick out which items spark joy and which don’t, or go by the good old rule that states if you haven’t used it for more than 6 months, it’s time to let it go. Decluttering enables you to better visualize how you are going to rearrange your furniture and store your belongings. Plus, you can gain a few bucks by selling some of the items you’ve decided to let go.

Do your own demo

You can save a few dollars and reduce labor costs by doing the demolition yourself. If the demo doesn’t require expertise (such as removing a cabinet or pulling up a tile) consider doing it yourself, rather than hiring someone. Proceed with caution and care to avoid potential injuries.

Buy your own fixtures and finishes

Contractors usually charge an hourly fee to do the shopping for you. They may also add a mark-up to the price. Be clear with them that you want to do it yourself.

Shop for sales

Not everything needs to be brand new. You can save a lot by taking the time to look for used and refurbished items on the market. This can significantly reduce costs for appliances and finishes. You may also want to consider restoring or upcycling some of your furniture instead of replacing it. For example, instead of buying a new sofa, you can update your vintage one with a new fabric or a more modern upholstery.

Paint it yourself

Having a room painted by a professional can cost up to $300. Painting is easy and only requires basic knowledge on how to apply coats. Most of the work is in the preparation. Do some research if you don’t have a lot of experience in painting.

Decorate

Use traditional decorations such as candles and mats that don’t cost much to enhance the overall look of your house. Spruce up rooms with on-trend curtains or blinds. Stylish rugs need not be expensive either. There are companies that allow you to create your own carpet and rug design for less than you might expect. You don’t have to spend a lot for your house to look luxurious.

 

This guest post (originally published here) is brought to you by: Payment1.com

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:

 

 

Fire safety for you and your family

Properly installed and functioning smoke alarms may be the cheapest, easiest and most effective means for protecting your family and home from a fire. Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan. During a fire, smoke spreads very quickly, and smoke alarms can provide you valuable time to get out of the home. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of four in-home fire deaths occur in homes without a working smoke alarm. In house fires where the smoke alarms did not sound, it was discovered that half of the alarms had missing or disconnected batteries. This article was created to provide information about the importance of working smoke alarms.

Fire safety facts

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level. Smoke alarms should be connected so when one sounds, they all sound. Most homes do not have this level of protection, but it is recommended
• Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms

Safety Tips

• Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Replace batteries in all of your smoke alarms (both hard-wired and battery-operated) at least once a year, or when the alarm chirps, indicating a low battery.
• Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

 

Smoke Detection Technologies

The two most commonly recognized smoke detection technologies are ionization smoke detection and photoelectric smoke detection.

Ionization smoke alarms are generally more responsive to flaming fires. When smoke enters the chamber of an ionization alarm, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of elctricity. When the flow of electricity is reduced, the alarm goes off.

Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally more responsive to fires that begin with a long period of smoldering. Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. As smoke enters the detector, the smoke particles interrupt the light beam, scattering it in several directions. Some of the light scatters toward the sensor, and when light hits the sensor, the alarm goes off.

There are smoke alarms available that are both photoelectric and ionization.

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote:

 

 

Anti-tip brackets on freestanding ranges

During our home inspections, we often come across freestanding ranges that do not have an anti-tip bracket installed. What is an anti-tip bracket, you may ask? It’s an important safety feature that prevents the oven from tipping over when weight is applied to an open door. A tipping range can scald, crush or burn anyone caught beneath it. Anti-tip brackets became required by appliance manufacturers in 1991.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were 32 reported fatalities involving falling appliances between 2000 and 2016. For these 32 deaths, 14 fatalities were children; 14 were seniors; and 4 were adults. For appliances, the stove category included the largest number of fatalities (22 deaths). This is why it is very important for home inspectors to check for, and report on missing anti-tip brackets.

If we come across a missing anti-tip bracket during one of our home inspections, we always recommend them to be installed. There are a few ways to determine if an anti-tip bracket is present:

Visual Inspection Method

We can sometimes look behind the range to see if the rear leg is attached to a fork-shaped device that should also be attached to the wall or floor. Furthermore, we can sometimes verify the presence of an anti-tip bracket by removing the bottom drawer from the range and checking the rear legs.

Tip Inspection Method

First we remove all items from the top and inside of the range. Next, we grab the back of the range and carefully pull it towards towards us. The range should not tip more than 4 inches if the bracket is installed. Do not tip the range more than 4 inches from the wall, as it could tip over and cause injury.

Don’t panic if your home inspection report reveals that no anti-tip bracket is installed! It’s an easy, inexpensive repair. Anti-tip brackets can be purchased from most hardware stores or ordered directly from the manufacturer. If you purchased a new home and your home inspection report revealed a missing anti-tip bracket, contact your builder to have one installed.

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Buying or selling a home in the Jacksonville FL area? Our detailed home inspection consists of a thorough examination of all systems and components of the home. See one of our sample home inspection reports and read our 5-star home inspection Jacksonville FL reviews. We’re always here to answer any questions, whether it’s weeks, months or years after your home inspection. Let our local, Jacksonville FL home inspectors help you make an informed decision.

Bold City Home Inspections provides home inspection services to all of Duval, St. Johns, Clay and Nassau counties. Click the button below for a FREE, no-obligation home inspection quote: