/ 
One of the joys of renting is never having to fix a leaky faucet or hang a sheet a drywall. A call to the landlord typically takes care of most households fixes.
Becoming a homebuyer means inheriting the title of landlord. First-time homebuyers can be caught flat-footed by the transition, but you don’t need to be a home improvement genius to tackle many day-to-day fixes. A great place to start is by assembling a multipurpose toolbox with the best tools.
Here’s a look at some potential starters:
See More
Keeping close tabs on your roof is imperative for new homeowners.
It’s easy to scrutinize a home during a careful walk through all the rooms and the yard.
What’s not so easy is determining the condition of the roof based on how it looks. Fixing a roof can be the most expensive house repair an owner may face, with a full replacement ranging from $2,000 to $12,000.
That means an inspection can be well the investment.
Your seller may or may not pay the $200 to $400 inspection fee, but be sure to have one before you purchase the home so you can factor the repairs into the cost.
The purpose of roof inspections is to find any problems as well as gauge the remaining life of a roof. The inspector will look at the roof angle and see how long it takes for water to evaporate. An acceptable rate is around two days but it can vary by location.
Inspectors will walk on the roof and look for weakened areas that indicate rot or leaks. If an area isn’t safe enough to access, the inspector will typically use binoculars. Every inch of the roof should be inspected including individual shingles.
The materials used to build your roof will also be assessed on when it was constructed, the last replacement as well as the materials’ nature of deterioration.
Feel free to ask to see problem spots and potentially vulnerable areas during the inspection. Some of the most common problems include:
It’s recommended a homeowner get three different contractor quotes to compare. Comparisons should be made with the estimates as well as the materials to be used and labor costs. Reviewing consumer ratings or talking to someone who has used the contractor before can help with the expectations of timing, clean up and how well they stuck to the contract.
If your inspection indicates the need for repair, be sure to inspect the chimney before you begin any maintenance. This way you can coordinate your roofing contractor with a mason in order to get repairs that work together rather than become a detriment to the other.
Ensure your new roof’s long life by getting certified inspections every two years. Because so many factors affect the condition of the roof, you may need to flex your inspections to account for weather damage, direction of the sun and insulation issues. You may have one side of your roof be more vulnerable than the other, so prepare your inspections thoughtfully.
Photo courtesy of iwona_kellie
Selling a house with a messy interior or unkempt exterior isn’t easy. No matter how sturdy, secure or cozy a house is, it needs to look nice to draw attention and get offers from prospective buyers. When military families are on the move, staging the home for open houses can become an afterthought.
Follow these tips to ensure your home is ready to show.
See More
Homebuyers have extra safety considerations for properties with fireplaces, garages and decks.
It’s pretty easy to get caught up in a home’s features when you’re house hunting. Many times, a homebuyer is told to consider the additional costs of utilities and maintenance some features require, but extra safety and inspection concerns are often neglected.
See More
Even before you finance your dream home with a VA loan, you’re entitled to think about some of the changes you want to make around the house. Not every military homebuyer settles into a home that fulfills expectations down to the last detail.
Whether it’s the landscape you plan to alter or the interior décor, here are some environmentally friendly things to do that also benefit you as a homeowner:
See More
Ask any real estate agent and they will tell you that homes aren’t typically sold because of their square footage or a pool in the back yard. They are sold because of their kitchens and bathrooms.
Unfortunately for those looking to buy a home that needs some work, full kitchen and bathroom remodels can easily cost upwards of $10,000.
If you’re thinking of passing on a home solely because of a dated bathroom, check out these cheap and simple bathroom remodeling ideas that give a contemporary edge without the contemporary price:
The to-do list never seems to end.
When you’re settling into a new home, dozens of things need to get done. For first-time military homebuyers, this list can look daunting even when it’s missing some tasks.
There are a few important but easily forgotten tasks to get done as soon as you move into your new home. Make sure you add these to your list.
See More
Sure, there can be some headache and hassle, but first-time homebuyers are often surprised to find that thrills come in bunches when purchasing a home.
Veterans and service members financing a home with a VA loan experience these thrills, one of which is getting excited to make the home your own with one-of-a-kind renovations.
Even when you find the house you always wanted, it’s likely you’ll want to make a few changes. But here are some suggestions to consider before you dive headfirst into a handful of projects.
It’s the one. Or is it?
When you find a house you love that’s in some disrepair, you feel torn. On the one hand, you could invest some money, time and energy in getting it fixed. Or you could keep shopping the market in hopes of finding the same house in mint condition. Look at these tips to assess what option is best for you.
See More
Active duty homeowners know relocation is always lurking around the corner.
A PCS can kick-start the home-selling process, and some homeowners can find themselves short on time when it comes to prepping their property.
Here’s a list of some simple do-it-yourself fixes that can help get your home ready quickly and cost-effectively:
See More
Recent Comments