Posts made in January, 2015


4 Home Features 2015 Buyers Want


Posted on Jan 13, 2015 | 0 comments

4 Desirable Home Features for 2015 Buyers

4 Home Features 2015 Buyers Want

The year 2015 is expected to see a seven percent increase in existing homes sales according to the National Association of Realtors. If you want to make a housing move this year, here are four home features potential buyers are willing to pay “extra” for  in the purchase of their next home.

  • New Kitchen Appliances:  Updated appliances that are energy efficient, especially stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, make the list of desired features. While the stainless steel feature is more an aesthetic factor, the energy efficiency is key.
  • Upscale Countertops: No longer just a functional space, today’s kitchen has become the hotspot of the family and a visually pleasing kitchen with beautiful granite or marble countertops are a plus.
  • Energy Efficient Features: Low-flow water and plumbing fixtures, high efficiency insulation, energy efficient HVAC systems with programmable thermostats, ceiling fans and low-e windows (low-emissivity windows) are important to today’s energy-conscious home buyers.
  • Hardwood Floors:  The durability of hardwood floors over time when compared to carpet is an investment most home buyers consider very important.

Making any or all of these home improvement investments now could increase the resale value of your home and how quickly it’s sold. When you’re ready to put your home on the market, call Buy Your Side Home Inspection 407.780.0911 for a pre-listing inspection.

Read More
Multi-Purpose Extinguisher

Multi-Purpose Extinguisher

Having fire extinguishers installed in your home should be part of your overall fire safety plan and selecting a fire extinguisher for your home might seem elementary. However, knowing which type of extinguisher to use depends on the type of fire and may seem more like rocket science. Here are the facts you need to know.

  • Know your fire types. Using an extinguisher not rated for a particular type of fire could have disastrous results. Here’s the short list:
    • A: common combustibles such as wood, papers, textiles, plastic,  etc.
    • B: flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, methanol to name just a few.
    • C: electrical equipment such as switches, outlets, etc.
  • Select a multi-purpose extinguisher designed to handle the most common A, B, and C types of home fires. The extinguisher should be large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy that it’s difficult to handle.
  • Become familiar with the extinguisher before you need it in a real fire situation by reading the instructions and familiarizing yourself with the various parts and how they operate. Most local fire departments offer free hands-on training.
  • Make sure that your extinguisher is properly maintained. Again, refer to the instructions and check your local business listings for companies that service fire extinguishers.
  • Use the fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing. First, make sure everyone has left the home and the fire department has been called. Home fires can quickly get out of control so let the professionals handle the situation and ensure your personal safety.

For additional information regarding fire safety equipment such as smoke alarms, refer to our New 2015 Smoke Detectors Law in Florida and any of our other fire prevention articles in the Home Maintenance section of our blog for more information.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections wants you and your family to be safe in your home.  When you need a professional home inspection, give us a call. We’re here for you. 407.780.0911.

 

Read More
New Code for Smoke Alarms in Florida

New Code for Smoke Alarms in Florida

Statistics report that 94 percent of American households have smoke detectors, but 30 percent of those alarms don’t work. Additionally, most fire fatalities happen in homes that lack working alarms. Between January 1st and December 1, 2014, there were 114 deaths due to residential fire reported in Florida. Of those reported deaths, 43 percent of the homes either did not have smoke alarms installed or the smoke alarms were not functioning because of missing or disconnected batteries.

Beginning January 1, 2015, the Florida Building Code now requires Florida homeowners that do not have hard-wired smoke detectors to install 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms. A hard-wired smoke detector is wired to 120V household electrical circuit and connected to other detectors throughout your home. Hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms sound simultaneously, on all levels of your home, when a single unit detects smoke or gas. Units with battery backup provide extra protection by functioning even if a fire causes the power to go out. Smoke alarm manufacturers recommend alarms be replaced every 10 years.

The new code only requires homeowners to make the switch when replacing outdated or non-working alarms or installing new 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms. The date your alarm was manufactured can be found on the back of the device. These smoke detectors have a longer life lithium batteries inside and are tamper resistant and removes the consumers’ worry about remembering when to change batteries.

The 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms are available online and at most hardware stores averaging between $25 and $50. The savings in battery costs alone as well as saving lives more than justifies the cost.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections wants you and your family to be safe in your home.  When you need a professional home inspection, give us a call. We’re here for you. 407.780.0911.

Read More
Inspection Report Buyer Benefits

Inspection Report Buyer Benefits

You’re considering the purchase of a property and have hired a professional Home Inspector to inspect the property’s condition. As the buyer, there are five different benefits of the inspection report which you can use to:

  1. Determine your ability to financially afford and maintain the home based on the property’s condition and potential repairs and replacements needed in the near future.
  2. Negotiate pre-purchase repairs or a reduction in the property’s purchase price.
  3. List the actionable to-do items necessary to maintain the property after purchase.
  4. Provide details to contractors when obtaining estimates for repair or replacements.
  5. Justify your decision not to purchase the property based on certain types of undisclosed defects.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections – experience you can count on. We have been inspecting homes and businesses in Central Florida, and specifically Osceola County, for many years. When you need an inspection, call Buy Your Side 407.780.0911.

Read More
Home Inspection Seller Benefits

Home Inspection Seller Benefits

Your home is on the market or you’re thinking about selling in the near future.  As the seller, there are four benefits of obtaining an inspection. You can use the report to:

  1. Identify and correct significant issues ahead of time that could interfere with a buyer’s desire to purchase the property.
  2. Disclose the pre-sale condition of the property with known defects or required repairs justifying the property’s asking price.
  3. Provide details to contractors when obtaining estimates for repair or replacements.
  4. Foster confidence with potential buyers to move ahead with an offer knowing that significant issues have been identified and addressed.

Buy Your Side Home Inspections – experience you can count on. We have been inspecting homes and businesses in Central Florida, and specifically Osceola County, for many years. When you need an inspection, call Buy Your Side 407.780.0911.

Read More