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A/C Maintenance Check List.

We recommend that a professional HVAC specialist come and service your unit for you when it is needed. However, there are some things you can do yourself to Maintain your unit and keep it working and kicking out the cool air when you need it.

Note: Turn off all power and disconnect switches before performing inspections/maintenance on the unit yourself.

Maintain your a/c check list icon

A/C Home owner Maintenance check list.

snow flake
  • Maintain records.
  • Change out the filter as often as required. (Sometimes once a month).
  • Switch to high/low returns at the start and end of winter going into spring.
  • Listen to the unit for any unusual noises and call an HVAC specialist if it is concerning.
  • Check that the drain lines are draining correctly.
  • Look for water leaks or changes in the system.
  • Clean up weeds and plants from around your unit.
  • Keep the exterior coil clean.
  • Keep the exterior unit level and away from landscaping materials.
  • Make sure the inside supply and return registers are not blocked.

Home Owner Heat Pump Maintenance Check List.

fire to represent heat
  • Schedule professional service yearly
  • Watch for ice forming on the exterior unit.
  • Follow the maintenance recommended for the central air conditioning above.

Summer

It is gearing up to be a nice warm summer. You want to make sure that your A/C unit is working at its best. The best way to do that is to maintain your unit every year. Regular maintenance will not only keep your unit nice and cold when you need it most but, will keep it working longer.

Budgeting?

A home inspection is not only for when you are purchasing or selling a home. It can also help you know what things are happening in your home while your living there. Having a plan will help you get to where you want your home to be. A home inspection will help you form your game plan to a well maintained home for years to come.

New Home Budget

Do I Really Need A Home Inspection

Do I Really Need A Home Inspection?

Do you really need a home inspection? Last time we talked about if you could do your own home inspection. While technically in some cases you can, it really isn’t recommended by most professionals in Real Estate.

This time, we will explore another reason why you should have your home inspected by a licensed inspector. I want to state again that all reasons are not equally important, so please don’t think one is more so than another. I just want to give you an idea of what home inspectors do and the value they provide.

#2 A Home Inspection Protects Your Investment

A Home Inspection Protects Your Investment

For most people, buying a home is the biggest investment they will ever make. Having a home inspection before purchasing is crucial! You don’t want to buy a “money pit”. It took a lot of work to get where you are and you want to make sure you are investing in something that will take care of you as you take care of it.

Most buyers will pay between $200 and $500 for a home inspection. An analysis from Porch.com reveals that price more than pays for itself in the long run. The report even states that a home inspection saves the average buyer around $14,000 on their purchase.

In the report it says, the average list price before an inspection is $226,600. After the inspection, the average closing price goes down to $212,400.

Home inspections are extremely prudent investments, and can save buyers from unforeseen fiscal challenges. Revealing necessary repairs, agents can negotiate thousands off the price their clients might have had to pay.

A professional inspection is very valuable and can definitely help you navigate through one of the biggest investments you will ever make. Don’t take the chance on your investment. Hire a home inspector!

How to “pass” a Home Inspection?!

It is an exciting time in your life! You just put an offer on the home of your dreams and the offer is accepted! Now you need to choose a home inspector to inspect your new home and make sure the home of your dreams is in tip top shape! However, what if your inspection fails and you must continue your search? We wouldn’t want that. So, we have a little secret for you!

Your home cannot fail an inspection or pass one. There is no pass or fail in home inspections. A home inspection is simply to let you as a new homeowner know what condition the home is in before you sign those contracts. A home inspection is preformed by a highly trained professional, who will offer his/her opinion in a report on the major systems of your home. These major systems include but are not limited to roof, foundation, HVAC systems, and electrical. Your home inspector’s main concern is to make sure the home is safe for you and your family and that all the systems in the home are functioning correctly and safely!

There is no pass or fail!

Your home inspection is not a guarantee that all those systems will work forever. It is a picture, a moment in time that lets you know it is working today or it is not. The home inspection report gives you the knowledge you need moving forward so you aren’t walking into your new home blind.

The home inspection is also a great tool for your real estate agent in the negotiations that allows them to help you decide what things are the most important to fix before signing the contracts and moving into your home.

Getting a home inspection isn’t scary and you shouldn’t worry. You are taking that step to understand your home better and walking into your dream home with understanding and the tools you need to move forward! We are here and happy to help. If you have any questions contact a home inspector they will be happy to answer your questions regarding the home inspection process. You can also comment below with questions and I am happy to answer them!

Thank you for reading!

What is a Home Inspection? What to expect.

Congratulations you have put an offer on the home of your dreams! Now you need to get a home inspection. What does that entail and why do you need a home inspection before buying your home? I’m so glad you asked! A home inspection is the first step in negotiating to get the best of your new home as possible. Your awesome real estate agent will be there to assist you and will use the home inspection reports findings to know how to proceed. A home inspection will also help you know more about your new home and give you a clear picture of the condition of your home. Giving you peace of mind to navigate this home buying like a boss!

What does a home inspection look like?

You can view a sample report on most home inspectors’ websites.

What is inspected?

  • Exterior
  • Interior
  • Foundation
  • Roof
  • Attic
  • Window and Doors
  • Plumbing
  • Electrical system
  • HVAC systems
  • Fireplace
  • Crawlspace or Basement(if one is present)

What is not inspected in a normal home inspection? The following are a few things:

  • Courtyard walls
  • Inside walls
  • Landscaping
  • Play equipment
  • Fountains
  • Irrigation systems
  • Mold
  • Radon
  • Sewer lines
  • Pools/spas
  • Termites

Add on services?

Some home inspectors will charge an extra fee for these items if they include them as part of their services.

  • Mold inspection
  • Radon testing
  • Termite inspection
  • Sewer line inspection
  • Four point inspection
  • Wind meditation
  • Pool/spa inspection
  • Irrigation system inspection

Do I need a home inspection? What is its purpose?

You’ve taken the first step and are doing your research. Let’s be honest buying a home is a big decision and we want you to walk in with your eyes open and the lights on! Home inspectors are there to help you do just that. You have a team of professionals and the home inspector is an important member of that team! It is the inspectors job to help you understand your home. That way you can make the decisions based on what they find. Home inspectors are sometimes put into the negative light because they let you, the home buyer know the defective items or items that need maintenance. That is a good thing! They are there to make sure you have peace of mind walking into your new home. No home is perfect but, your home inspector helps you know how to handle those situations and which professionals can help you along the way!

How much does a home inspection cost?

If you do a quick search on the internet it will tell you it is between $350-$400 for a home inspection. This can be misleading as most home inspections may be more depending on the homes age, size and if you need add on inspections such as mold or wind mitigation. Calling home inspection companies and getting quotes is the best way to find out what they offer and what inspection types they perform.

You can’t put a price on yours and your family’s safety.

How long will the inspection take?

A home inspection takes 2.5-3 hours depending on the home. It could be longer when adding other inspection types or if it is an older or larger home. Your inspector will be going through the home inspecting all the accessible and available systems in the home. They will be taking pictures and reporting on their findings. Once the inspection is completed the inspector will give a review of their findings and then will email the full report.

Conclusion:

A home inspector is a highly trained professional and will give you his expert advice on the condition of the home at time of inspection. Their reports will help you decide what to ask your realtor to negotiate and how to move forward in the transaction.