Summer Vacation and Your Home!

Summer Vacation and Your Home!

You found your perfect home, you bought it, you moved in and unpacked, and now you're ready for some well deserved R&R.  Whether it's just a few days out of town or a few weeks on a tropical island, there are some things you should do to prepare your home for your absence.

Preparing to Leave

Clean Out the Fridge:  Throw away anything that is or will be expired by the time you come back. Wipe down the shelves and door jams to prevent mold or mildew.

Shut off the water:  If a hose to a dishwasher or washing machine were to break, you could come home to a very large mess.  So turn off the water to at least those appliances.  You might want to run them and then leave the doors open to let them dry out so you prevent mold and mildew.  Also, getting the laundry and dishes done means no mess or extra work when you get home.

Prep Your plants and outdoor space:  Make sure all gutters and downspouts are clear.  Overflow could seep under siding and flood basements.  Mow and trim plants and hedges.  Ask a friend or neighbor to help or pay a neighborhood kid to mow and check on the house.

Leave on some lights:  Make it look like your home by leaving on some lights or have them on a timer if you don't want to waste money on your electric bill. Maybe pay the same kid who is mowing to turn on some lights at night. However you do it, it's important that your home look lived in even when your away.  Most criminals are opportunists; they will take the easy route every time.  So don't make it easy.

Unplug and reset thermostat:  Unplug all your appliances; they suck up energy even when not in use and no one wants their house to catch on fire because of a loose or crossed wire. In addition to that, reset your AC. You don't want to turn it off completely because it could get very musty, so set your AC to 85 and your house will stay cool and free of mildew.

Hold mail and newspapers:  A few quick phone calls and the post office and local delivery boy will hold all your stuff till you get back. Or you can give that kid a few more dollars and a key and he can take care of it for you.  

Preparing for your return

Food:  Make sure you have some non-perishables so when you get back, your first meal home is hassle free. (things like pop tarts, coffee, and soup are good to have.

Keep the house fresh:  Plug in an air freshener oooor you know that kid? Yeah have him open a few windows for a couple of hours a day.

Change the sheets:  There is nothing worse then coming home from vacation and having to do work.  Changing your sheets and maybe putting a dryer sheet in the blankets will insure a great night's sleep on your return home.

Tidy Up:  Sweep, Vacuum, Wipe down counters and any other stuff you know you won't want to do when you come home.

Happy vacation and don't forget to tip your neighborhood kid: he worked hard while you were gone!!

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

Home Inspections!

The Big I Word.  Inspection DUN DUN DUNNNN

Home inspections are a big deal for everyone and although there are buyers that choose not to have an inspection done it’s not a good idea.  Even if you’re buying new construction you should have an inspection, builders and contractors make mistakes too. I can hear you asking the questions now. So what exactly does a home inspector do? Why do I need a home inspection? What do I do with the report once it’s done? What should I look out for when hiring an inspector?  All good questions and I am going to try and address them briefly in this blog.  First off, home inspectors are not required to be licensed in many states; however inspectors can be certified by a home trade association such as National Association of Certified Home Inspectors.  You also want to make sure they have a toxic and pest License.  There is specific license required to identify pests like rodents and mold, and toxic elements in your house such as asbestos, lead , radiation.  When hiring defiantly do your homework.  This is your future home now is not the time to skimp.  Some things to beware of are inspectors that say “I can repair that for you.” I would avoid any inspector who is advertising his repair service in conjunction with his inspection service. As a matter of fact in some states they are not allowed to work on a home for a year after inspecting it.  The other thing to look out for is an agent push one inspector over others.  It is one thing to recommend it’s another to require you to use their inspector. Again make sure you do your homework. 

Some of the things the inspector will check are:

Structural Elements, like walls, ceilings, floor, roof and foundation.

Exterior Evaluation such as wall covering, landscaping, grading, elevation, drainage, driveways, fence, sidewalks, fascia, trim, doors, windows, lights and exterior receptacles.

Roof and Attic, framing, ventilation, type of roof construction flashing and gutters.

Plumbing including identification of pipe materials used for potable, drain, waste and vent pipes. Toilets, showers, sinks, faucets and traps.

Systems and Components like water heaters, furnaces, air conditioning, duck work, chimney, fireplace and sprinklers.

Electrical main panel, circuit breakers, types of wiring, grounding, exhaust fans, receptacles, ceiling fans and lighting fixtures.

Appliances such as dishwasher, range and oven, built-in microwaves, garbage disposal and yes even smoke detectors.

Garage including slab, wals, ceiling, vents, entry, firwall, garage door, openers, lights, and roof.

Once the inspection is done you will receive a report.  If you hired an inspector worth his salt the report should note every item that’s defective or needing service. At this point you have some decisions to make?  How many and how sever are the repairs that need to be made.  Are you going to ask the seller to make the repairs or walk away from this home? Are the repairs minor enough that you will buy the home anyway and make the repairs yourself?  If there are major repairs that need to be made it is not a bad idea to hire a contractor and get an estimate. 

Remember no house is perfect no matter how well maintained or new it is.  Every home will have issues flagged even new homes.  Good Luck and Good Fiday.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

22311 Aislinn Oir Lane SE Yelm, WA 98597

New listing just posted: http://tour.circlepix.com/home/ETMQD9

3bdrm home located in small gated community. Open living area! Galley kitchen w/granite slab counters, custom cabinets, gas stove, large pantry. Water filtration system. Two Master Suites on main floor, each w/private full bath. French doors. Ceiling fans. Recessed lighting. Instant hot water system. Large bonus & family rms upstairs w/roughed-in bthrm. Vaulted ceilings. Skylights. Unfinished solid concrete basement w/plumbing & electrical. Laundry rm w/tile. Private 5 acres awaiting you!

Home information

Bathrooms: 2.75

Square feet: 4,050

MLS #690019