A home's electrical system is its bloodstream, and when you’re buying, you want to know that the flow is strong and safe. While an inspection should be required in your offer, knowing just a couple basics will help you in making your choice.
Recently built homes have 220-volt service, meaning two 110-volt wires run into the house, below or above ground. Large appliances need that power, and you should pay attention if you're looking at an older home that hasn't been upgraded yet. Get an estimate from an electrician before moving forward.
Important question: “Where is the main panel, and does it contain fuses or circuit breakers?" Both cut the flow of electricity when the system overloads, but in very different ways. Circuit breakers are more convenient, because they just need to be flipped back on when they "trip," but fuses found in older homes have to be replaced when they "blow."
Looking at a pre-1960’s home? Ask if the main panel has been upgraded to accommodate breakers instead of fuses. And, if you're buying a very large house, or want to renovate an older one, make sure the panel can handle 200 amps for all your appliances and electronics.
Any electrical system can be upgraded, but consult with your agent and an electrician before making any purchase or improvement decisions. You've got the power!
Selling a home has its challenges, some of which go beyond the obvious aspects of determining an asking price and developing a marketing plan. Just trying to keep your home in immaculate condition while living there is no mean feat, not to mention being prepared for showings at any given moment. However, experience proves that there are some basic steps to take to alleviate these stresses.
First, be prepared with a large plastic storage tub for each room. When an agent and buyers are on their way for a showing, quickly unclutter each room by placing toys, personal items, and knick-knacks in the tubs and putting them in the closet. Then it's easy to replace everything once your visitors have left.
Also have your "escape plan" determined. Decide in advance where you’ll run off to for thirty minutes while your home is being shown. Maybe you'll go down to the park or the local coffee shop, but it helps to know where you'll go before you hop in the car and start driving around aimlessly waiting for prospective buyers to clear out of your home.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be flexible in your scheduling, as restrictions on your home’s availability can make marketing the home difficult for your representative. With a little preparation, you can be ready for anything, particularly that full price offer!
When you hear the term "home inspection," you're likely to think of the electrical system, plumbing, roof and foundation, and smaller items like cracked windows or drafty doors. However, it's the elements in the home that cannot be seen that demand special attention on the part of buyers and sellers and the inspector they choose.
First, there's radon, a colorless and odorless gas that seeps up from the ground and has been labeled as a cause of cancer. Any home, but particularly those with basements, should be tested for high levels of this gas.
Next is asbestos, a fibrous material once used for insulation, but banned in 1985. Homes built before then should be tested, and care should be exercised not to disturb this material when remodeling these older homes.
Another threat is lead, a toxic metal that was widely used in paint, pipes, and other materials. Any home built before 1978 should be tested for its presence, and any lender offering HUD-insured mortgages will require a lead-safe certification for these older structures.
Another culprit is groundwater contamination, a particular concern for homes with older septic systems or underground oil tanks, or homes near industrial facilities. Also search for hazardous products stored in and around the home, making certain that they are removed before transfer of the property to new owners. Be smart and be safe!
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