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.
Call or Email Us Today!
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:
