Spring into gear with home maintenance! I know, these smaller improvements are one of those necessary evils to maintain your home’s value. Because it’s the springtime, it’s important to address updates and repairs as the hottest season of the year comes along.
Here is what you should focus on within the next month:
What condition is your roof in? Every year, you should hire a roofer to inspect for shifted or broken tiles. If you’re unaware of these issues, water can easily drip into your home. Don’t be caught off-guard during monsoon season!
When was the last time you checked your air conditioning and heating units? If you haven’t turned on your AC, you likely will soon. We have to make sure these HVAC units are prepared for the summer heat. AC unit companies are already getting flooded, and you certainly don’t want an emergency to occur when they’re swamped. Additionally, don’t forget to change your AC filter every 30 days!
How often do you check your pool? This should be serviced and inspected by a professional. Have your pool ready to go, because contractors are already overwhelmed with other people preparing their pools.
Pay attention to the exterior of your home. This includes painting the house or maybe replacing the gate wood. Make these changes now while the weather is gorgeous, so you’re not stuck outside in the heat later this season.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the surrounding area, I’d be happy to answer your questions! Give me a call or send me an email at your earliest convenience.
Many people think solar will help reduce their electric bill. They might have a large monthly payment already. However, that’s not always the case. Most people don’t realize that your personal behavior and lifestyle heavily contributes to your electric bill. It’s not necessarily because a home is older or isn’t energy efficient.
Bring in an energy auditor, because an electricity bill ultimately depends on your lifestyle. Solar panels can be expensive, and you don’t want to end up paying more for what you already have. I recommend months of critical research because there are tons of different solar panel companies out there, both good and bad.
Another option is to sign a lease on a solar panel. Many solar companies are doing this. However, be aware this can cause an issue later on when you try to sell your home. For instance, appraisers don’t add value to the addition, because it’s still a lease. Additionally, the price of the home could go down to compensate for the lease payments the future homeowner will have to face.
Solar is great for the Earth, but make sure it works with your pocketbook. Don’t sign up for something for 25 years if you’re thinking about moving within that time period! I’d be happy to talk this over with you if you’re considering implementing solar energy into your property.
If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the surrounding area, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer any of your real estate questions!
Today, I’m discussing an update for the first quarter in the Phoenix housing market.
We experienced a successful start to 2016, which we expected. We had more sales, despite the lack of inventory available. The number of listings slowly climbs. The average days on the market rests around 85 days right now. This data is specifically relevant to single family homes.
With that, my average for days on the market is currently between 20 and 30 days! We have a special plan to prepare properties for the market to achieve this. As we approach the second quarter, we enter the busiest season of the year in real estate. We have a lot of families looking to relocate, moving in and out of Phoenix, and wanting to change school districts. We expect this season to be extremely active. This means there are a lot of buyers out there looking for their dream home.
If you’d like to sell, be proactive and bring in a professional. Prepare your entire property before going ahead and listing. At Rother Real Estate Group, we do everything we can to help sellers prepare for the market.
Other than that, we will continue to have a strong market. It’s time to act. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in the surrounding area, give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer your questions about this topic or more!
Today, we have Bill Quigley from State Farm Insurance. Together, we’re discussing what homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover, that many homeowners think they do. There’s a lot of misconceptions out there, so we want to clear them up for you with correct information.
Leakage and seepage: This is one of three major water damages that commonly come up. For instance, if a pipe has been leaking for a long period of time, you might not realize it until you’re remodeling your shower. By this point, there could already be a great deal of mold, rot, and mildew. It’s common for companies not to cover this type of damage.
Floods: Companies typically don’t cover rising water that comes inside your home. This requires a special kind of company that offers this service.
Water heater and pipes: Plumbing rupture puts water throughout your whole home. These water fixtures are not covered, but most companies will cover any damages caused by it, minus the deductible.
The roof: If a powerful windstorm blows parts of the roof away, some companies will pay you a portion based on the age of the roof. Others might cover the whole damage by adding on a new roof to your home. It’s not necessarily guaranteed with every company.
Personal belongings: This accounts for jewelry, firearms, and other valuable items. Check with your policy to see what limitations are on high-ticket items you own.
Let this video be a reminder that you should call your insurance agent to review your policy. You need to know what your plan does and doesn’t cover, in case an emergency ever happens and you’re not clueless!
