Buying A Home

Taking the Mystery out of Codes and Permits

When it comes to home construction projects — large or small — homeowners are likely to encounter what may seem like a labyrinth of permits and inspections. Don’t be intimidated. Follow these guidelines to demystify the permitting process so you can enjoy your new project rather than fret about the red tape....

The basics. Building codes were devised to ensure the safety of occupants. Therefore, it makes sense that structures and their major systems will be tested and inspected. Homeowners can expect — and should demand — that electrical and plumbing systems be tested and the structure itself be inspected....

Pulling the permits. If you hired a general contractor to supervise your project, he or she should pull the permits and provide copies to you. Often the law will require that the permits be posted in view on the job site. If you are doing the work yourself, you will pull the permits and deal with the inspectors. The individual whose name is on the permits is held responsible. While the homeowner is ultimately responsible, even when a contractor is hired, the inspector expects the contractor to do quality work that meets code. It’s your responsibility to make sure the contractor follows the law....

Going to the source. Local building codes and permits are the purview of cities and counties. Although they follow international codes known as I-codes, they are administered locally. Almost all city and county websites provide guidelines to follow before, during and after construction. Safety and environmental concerns will be addressed, among other things, during the permitting process. For example, if you are adding a room onto your house, code will dictate how close the structure can be to property lines, how it will affect the flow of rain runoff and how tall it can be....

Types of permits. Plans must be submitted for approval before the first hammer can swing. Once the plans are approved, there will be permits for demolition, structure, electrical, plumbing, roofing, heating and air. As the project progresses, and subcontractors install their work, an inspector will review the work done. The project cannot continue until the inspected work passes....

Final approval. When the project concludes there will be one final walk through by an inspector who will, if the building passes, provide a certificate of occupancy. At that point, the structure is legally approved....

It’s important to note that if a homeowner fails to go through the proper channels during a project, it could negatively affect the sale of the home later. If the seller knows that unpermitted space exists, it must be disclosed to potential buyers as a material fact. The unpermitted space will not be included in any assessment of value by the buyer’s appraiser or lender, which could negatively affect a buyer’s financing. Further, retroactively going through the permitting process will undoubtedly be more costly because the project will be judged on current standards rather than those in place when the actual work was done....

Buying, Finding a Home, Outdoor Living, Ownership,

How to Find Crime Statistics for Your Neighborhood

Thanks to the internet, finding crime statistics is easier than ever. That’s good news for wary homebuyers who want to make sure they’re moving to a relatively safe area. It’s also a comfort to current homeowners who want to keep tabs on what’s going on in their neighborhood. Here’s a quick primer on how to find your local stats. In the meantime, take comfort in the fact that violent crime in the United States has declined in recent decades....

Information resources. Check www.city-data.com for an overall snapshot of your community, including crime stats and the number of registered sex offenders in the ZIP code, as well as other demographics such as income and education levels, occupations, and household sizes. You can also find out if the crime statistics are above or below average....

Most local and state government agencies also provide crime data that can be found online. Oftentimes, public safety departments will have a database of registered sex offenders plus other crime stats....

Several private websites also collect and publish crime data online. Most are easy to use and can be searched by city or town name or by ZIP code. These sites gather the information from law enforcement but often display it on maps, which can be handy. Check out www.crimereports.com, www.mylocalcrime.com and www.spotcrime.com....

Bear in mind, crimes occur, even in the best of neighborhoods. What you should look for is whether the crimes in your area are above average for the city and state in which you live, and the nature of the crimes. Property crimes, such as theft, are prevalent almost everywhere....

Being proactive. Statistics provide a snapshot of what has happened in the past. What steps can you take to prevent or deter crime?...

If there is not already a “Neighborhood Crime Watch” organization established in your area, take the initiative to launch one. The National Crime Prevention Council has a helpful website at www.ncpc.org for establishing a crime watch in your area plus loads of information on how to prevent crimes from occurring. Most local police departments also have officers who will speak at neighborhood meetings about crime prevention....

Home Energy, Ownership,

Propane Tanks: Safe Handling and Storage

Propane is a ubiquitous gas sold in steel bottles—propane tanks—attached to barbecue grills nationwide. Many homes in the country have 250- to 1,000-gallon propane tanks used for heating. Propane is highly beneficial but must be handled safely. Here’s what you need to know....

How to store propane tanks

Propane is an odorless gas converted to liquid form and injected under pressure into steel bottles. In propane processing, an odor is added so a leak can be smelled. On the top of the bottle is a valve that attaches to a hose with a coupling for use in grills or home heating. The bottle includes a pressure-relief valve that activates if the bottle’s pressure exceeds safe limits; this is designed to prevent an explosion. The valve is protected by a sturdy metal collar with handles that prevent it from being accidentally hit....

Here are the essential things you must know about propane tanks’ safe handling and storage....

Never store propane bottles in a place where they will receive direct, hot sun. The heat can expand the gas in the bottle to a dangerous pressure.
Do not store propane bottles inside a home, garage, or storage shed.
The best storage for propane bottles is outside in a shady place. If you are getting a whole-house propane tank, consult with the installer on the best location for the tank.
A propane bottle should always stand upright and never be placed on its side.
When transporting a propane bottle, secure it with straps to prevent tipping over en route.
If a propane bottle is attached to a grill, turn off the bottle valve after grilling. Do not leave the valve in the on position, even if you intend to grill again soon.
Often, the most cost-effective way to resupply propane is to refill the bottle, not to trade your empty bottle for a full one.

How to check for leaks

Periodically check for leaks around your propane tank’s valve, hose, coupler, and regulator. With the gas connected and turned on at the bottle valve, dribble soapy water at each connection point. Watch for bubbles indicating a leak. If a leak is detected, deal with it right away. If there is damage to the coupler, the hose and coupler can be replaced. If the leak is due to the bottle valve being damaged, close the valve, set the bottle outside in the shade, and contact your refill supplier to help dispose of the bottle correctly. By law, in most states, the bottle must be emptied professionally and then destroyed. A damaged bottle cannot be repaired....

Home Improvements, Indoor Living, Ownership,

Study Up on the ABCs of Painting

Before you pick up that paintbrush or roller, do yourself a favor and study up on the types of paint, the materials you’ll need to do a good job and the techniques required to make your painted surfaces look like you hired a pro....

Types of paint. Paint falls into two basic types: water-based and oil-based. Water-based paints include latex and acrylic. They are best used on sheet rock surfaces such as walls and ceilings. They also can be used on any wood surface, but for interior trim, doors and cabinets, oil provides a much better look. Latex and acrylic paints are fast drying and cleanup is easy with soap and water. About 75 percent of paint sold, especially to do-it-yourselfers, is latex....

Oil-based paints, which use petroleum products as the base, are best used on wood surfaces where a fine look is needed, such as doors, baseboards, crown molding and cabinets. Oil-based paint takes longer to dry and leaves a fine, elegant finish. The oil base and longer drying time helps the paint to settle out, meaning that brush marks dissipate. Clean up is more difficult since brushes need to be cleaned with paint thinner or mineral spirits then followed up with soap and water. Never pour leftover oil-based paints or stains down a drain or anywhere that would allow it to seep into the ground or enter the water system. Many cities have hazardous waste disposal programs if you need to get rid of cans of leftover oil paint. Also, oily rags used to clean up should never be left in a pile because they can spontaneously catch fire. Instead, spread them out separately where they can air dry before disposal, or put them in a sealed metal can with water. Primer paint is what is used to first paint a wall that may have been previously painted a dark color or may have needed extensive repairs. The main coat of paint is applied over the primer. The primer paint provides a good, uniform surface to which the main coat can adhere....

Regardless of the type of paint you choose, be sure to work in a well-ventilated space....

Texture and Sheen. The sheen of paint describes what sort of finished look it has. By texture, we mean not how it feels to the touch but how it looks to the eye. Sheen ranges from a flat finish which has no shine, to high gloss which has a highly refined shine. In between those two ends of the spectrum are eggshell, satin and semi-gloss, each one having a slightly brighter sheen than the one before....

Tools. You’ll need good brushes and rollers for painting. There are brushes made for oil-based paints and brushes that can work with either oil- or water-based paints. Some brushes have the bristles cut at an angle that make “cutting in” easier. Cutting in refers to painting around the perimeter of a wall or ceiling or around a door or window frame before painting the main body of the surface. A good brush makes painting easier and the job more professional looking....

Rollers are used to cover large areas quickly, like walls and ceilings or the flat sides of window and door frames. Use a short-napped roller for surfaces with flat or little texture and a longer-napped roller for textured walls where the longer fibers can get the paint into the valleys and dimples of the surface....

You’ll also want to have spackle paste and a putty knife to fill holes and cracks. You’ll need painters tape and masking paper to protect surfaces nearby that you don’t want to paint. You also will need drop cloths to protect the floors, furniture and counters....

Choosing paint. Spend some time deciding on the look you want to achieve. Do you want primary colors or pastels? Do you want strongly contrasting walls from trim? Do you want different colors in different rooms? It’s up to you. Keep an online portfolio of pictures of rooms you admire. Or, if you’re old-fashioned, keep a file of magazine photos. Talk to the paint specialists at your home improvement store....

Next, browse the color charts or cards at your local paint or home improvement store. But never trust the color cards entirely. It is very common for the paint to look a little different once it’s painted on a surface. Purchase a small can and paint a small section of a wall in the room you wish to paint. If there are contrasting lights on the surface, paint several sample swatches in different sections of the room. It’s well worth the extra time and extra small expense....

When you have settled on a color, calculate how much area you need to cover. One gallon of paint will cover about 400 square feet of surface. If you need multiple gallons, before you begin painting, mix them together in a large five-gallon bucket, which will guard against any slight variations in color when the individual gallons were mixed....

Time to paint. If possible, enlist the help of a friend or family member who has experience painting. Also check YouTube for videos on painting techniques, such as how to cut in around windows and doors and how to properly coat a room using rollers....

Home Energy, Ownership,

Shedding Light on Pros and Cons of Solar Panels

As a homeowner, you may be interested in learning more about solar power — the pros and cons. It could save you money and help conserve precious resources at the same time, but what about those up-front costs? Here’s a basic tutorial....

A short solar power primer. While there are two primary types of solar power, most homeowners use the photovoltaic panel type, called PV for short. These are the panels you see on rooftops or on a skyward facing frame set off to one side. They have no moving parts and therefore are completely silent. They are connected to your meter with your existing power company for “net-metering.” This means that when you generate more electricity than you use, the excess goes to the commercial provider and you get credit. Other times, the panels aren’t able to generate enough power, and you draw from the provider. At the end of the month, your provider’s bill reflects the net difference between what they provide and what you get from your solar panels. In the end, depending on the size and output of your system, you could provide perhaps 70 percent of your power, substantial savings....

In rural settings, it may be possible to be 100 percent independent from a commercial provider....

Things you should know. Check your homeowner association rules and local ordinances for any restrictions and permitting rules. Research government rebates and incentives offered at local, state, and federal levels. Even the utility companies, both electric and gas, may have incentives. The U.S. Department of Energy has a lot of useful, in-depth information on its website. Also, investigate possible federal income tax credits available for energy-saving improvements to your home. To qualify for these incentives you typically must use approved sellers and installers....

Pros of solar power. There’s a certain feeling of freedom from being “off-grid” or at least being less dependent on it. You save money on electricity each month and in times of local power outages, you aren’t affected unless weather conditions limit sunlight. As mentioned above, incentives are available to help you offset the capital investment to get started. You’re also doing your part to reduce carbon emissions. Solar power systems add to the overall value of your home because they offer a tangible, ongoing cost-benefit from energy savings....

Cons of solar power. The start-up cost is the biggest hurdle to clear with going solar. Before taking into account the government incentives, the cost of an average residential solar power system is between $15,000 and $40,000, depending on size and output. With incentives, you may recoup $9,000 or more. The remaining amount you will gradually recover through monthly energy savings....

Solar power doesn’t work well on cloudy days, high pollution days, or at night. During those times you will either be drawing from the commercial provider or if you are totally self-sustaining, from batteries that store electricity for just such occasions. Those batteries cost about $3,000 each....

Buying,

Nearing the Home Buyer’s Finish Line: The Walk Through

As a home buyer, you’ve come a long way. Your offer was accepted, the home has been inspected, the financing is complete, and you are about to close. There’s just one more crucial step: the final walk through. Here’s why it’s important....

Timing. Shortly after you signed the sales contract you should have had the home inspected during the due diligence period. Any significant repairs should have been negotiated and completed. Now, for the final walk through, you will confirm that the agreed-upon repairs were done and also make sure that nothing new has happened to significantly alter the condition of the property. In general, the final walk through is scheduled one to two days before closing....

Who should be there? You and your agent should conduct the final walk through. Keep in mind, this review is not a formal inspection. It is merely a final follow up. Bring the sales contract, any disclosure forms and the list of agreed-upon repairs....

The check list. First, review the list to make sure repairs have been done to your satisfaction. After that, do the following:...

✓ Walk around the property looking for any damage since the inspection, especially storm damage....

✓ Make sure all the lights work, inside and out. Do the same for all faucets. Look for leaks near any plumbing. Make sure sinks, showers and tubs drain properly. Flush all toilets and wait for the tanks to refill and stop when they should....

✓ Turn on and off every built in appliance making sure they work. Don’t forget the garage door opener, garbage disposal and exhaust fans in the kitchen and baths....

✓ Turn on and off the heating and air conditioning, making sure they are doing their jobs....

✓ Open and close all windows and doors, making sure they open and close fully. Make sure screens, storm windows and shutters are intact....

✓ Look for any signs of water damage to ceilings, floors and walls....

✓ Make sure the seller hasn’t removed any fixtures inside or out that should remain with the house. Make certain that no trees or shrubs have been dug up and removed....

✓ Make certain no unwanted chemicals, paint or debris have been left behind....

If there are any additional repairs that the seller must complete, you may choose to write an addendum to the contract. Note that work should be completed by a licensed contractor, evidence of the work should be provided and payment made in advance of closing. If the work is not completed as agreed, then you may ask to withhold the reasonable expense of doing the repair correctly at settlement....

Buying, Financing a Home, Money, Mortgage,

Prequalified or Preapproved: What’s the Difference?

One of the most important steps in the home-shopping process is for buyers to have an initial assessment of their ability to get a mortgage. As a buyer, already having a mortgage preapproval letter from a lender in hand means you can move quickly when you find the home you want. As a seller, having a buyer with that letter means they are serious, and not just a “tire kicker.”...

Many are confused about the two most commonly used terms: prequalified and preapproved. They are different and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. Here’s what you need to know....

Prequalification

With both prequalification and preapproval, the prospective home buyer contacts a mortgage lender and has a conversation about how much home the buyer can afford. The difference between the two terms lies in the depth to which the lender has taken the buyer in this initial step....

With prequalification, the conversation is an early assessment of creditworthiness. The lender asks about income, job history, debt, credit condition, and other questions. No reports or statements are pulled. From this conversation, the lender can tell buyers how much home they can afford. Nothing is guaranteed until the full mortgage approval process is completed. What is the value of this cursory conversation? It helps save time and hassle if the buyers have issues such as damaged credit. If the buyers have been self-employed, they will be on notice that they need more robust documentation later in the buying process....

Preapproved

The more definitive status is when a buyer is preapproved. Here, the lender drills down, getting permission to pull credit reports, receiving income verification, and looking at recent statements of bank accounts and other assets. Based on these documents, the lender can actually issue a letter of preapproval for a mortgage, up to a certain dollar amount. Most real estate agents consider this a firmer step toward buying a home....

Even with “preapproved” status, there is no final guarantee of a loan. Once a home is chosen and property is under contract, the real work of full approval begins. The lender will analyze all of the same reports with more scrutiny, send verification inquiries to employers, look at bank statements for the last several months, and examine two years of tax returns, among other things. The house will be appraised to determine the appropriate loan-to-value ratio, or the maximum percent of the home value the lender will loan. Debt-to-income ratios are then used to determine the monthly mortgage payment you qualify for based on your income, housing expenses, and recurring financial obligations. Full approval is a much more fine-tuned process....

Staying preapproved

Once pre-approved, do not change any elements of your financial profile without consulting your lender. Any of the following changes could lead to the invalidation of the pre-approval letter during the home purchase process:...

Change in employment
Opening or closing of credit card or bank accounts
Late payment of monthly bills or debt payments
Purchasing a car or other large ticket items with a loan
A deposit or withdrawal of an unusually large amount of money from bank accounts

Related – How to Score (and Keep) Good Credit...

Home Technology, Ownership,

Protecting Your Home With Fire Extinguishers

Fire can break out at your house even if you’re careful, so preparing ahead can save people and property. It’s a good idea to have fire extinguishers nearby and ready to use. Here’s a brief tutorial to arm yourself against catastrophe....

Types of fire extinguishers and their use

Should a fire break out in your house, fire extinguishers can protect you and your family. Using one might put out a fire, or at least buy you enough time to leave the house. There are several classes of fire extinguishers, each for different types of fires....

Use Class A extinguishers on common combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and plastics. These extinguishers use water with additives that boost water’s fire suppression effectiveness. Water-based extinguishers should never be used on flammable liquids or electrical fires.
Class B extinguishers are used on combustible liquids such as gasoline, diesel and grease fires in the kitchen. These use a foam that covers the burning liquid’s surface, suffocating the fire and preventing reignition.
Class C extinguishers use carbon dioxide or similar gasses to suffocate electrically charged fires. The CO2 gas also prevents water damage to electronic equipment.
Some A:B:C extinguishers fight all these types of fires.

Other extinguishers are Class D, for flammable metals, and Class K, specifically for kitchen fires. ...

Where to place extinguishers

Place extinguishers appropriate to the site near potential sources of fire, but not right beside them. If a fire erupts on the stove, for example, the extinguisher should be a few feet away inside a cabinet, not so near that the fire keeps you from reaching it....

How to use the extinguisher

When a fire ignites, staying calm is essential. Do not panic. ...

If a grease fire ignites in a pan on your stove, you may be able to suffocate it immediately by putting a tight-fitting lid on the pan. (Do not throw water on a grease fire! It will splatter, spread the fire and potentially splash burning grease onto you.) Otherwise, grab an extinguisher. To use it, pull the locking pin from the operating handle. Next, point the extinguisher at the fire’s source and spray, keeping the extinguisher upright. Then sweep side to side over any fire extending from the source until the fire is extinguished. ...

If you cannot get the fire under control, get all people and pets out of the house. Do not try to save possessions. ...

While you are fighting the fire, have someone else call 911. If you are alone, fight the fire, but contact 911 immediately if your efforts are unsuccessful. ...

Maintaining fire extinguishers

Extinguishers have pressure gauges showing readiness status. The needle should remain in the green zone. If it falls below that, the extinguisher must be recharged or replaced. With rechargeable extinguishers, follow manufacturer recommendations for recharging. ...

The most common sites for house fires

Here are the sites where fire is most likely to erupt in your house and the steps you can take to prevent it....

- The kitchen. The high heat used in cooking poses a risk. Never leave food cooking unattended on the stovetop. If you must leave the kitchen, turn the burner off or have an adult watch while you step away. Keep combustibles like dish towels away from burners and ovens. Don’t let children play near the stove.
- Bedrooms. Overloaded electrical outlets, extension cords and heat sources such as space heaters make bedrooms vulnerable to fire. To make things worse, occupants are often asleep when fire erupts. To prevent bedroom fires, keep space heaters away from beds, curtains and other combustible materials. Don’t overburden electrical outlets and extension cords with plugs from several appliances. Do not run extension cords beneath rugs. Replace worn cords on lamps and other electrical items. And store a retractable fire escape ladder in the upstairs bedrooms.
- Fireplaces. Before lighting your first cozy fire in fall’s chilly weather, have your chimney professionally cleaned. Keep combustible material far from the hearth.
- Clothes dryers. Lint buildup in your dryer vent is another combustion point. Clean the lint screen after each load and schedule regular cleanings of your dryer vent hose. Use a louvered vent cover outside the house, not a wire screen that can clog with accumulated lint.
- Your furnace. Have a professional check your furnace every fall, and keep combustible material away from it.
- Electronic equipment. Wiring behind televisions and audio equipment is vulnerable to fire. Dust can accumulate there, and electrical surges such as lightning strikes can ignite a blaze. Plug electronic equipment into a surge protector and dust regularly.
- Candles. Never leave a lit candle unattended.
- Live Christmas trees.
- Heated hair care appliances.

Outdoor Living, Ownership,

7 Great YouTube Channels for Landscaping and Gardening Inspiration

The internet has dramatically boosted do-it-yourself home projects, especially with YouTube channels. YouTube has helped countless homeowners learn how to fix, build, and maintain all sorts of systems around the house, including gardening and landscaping. Seeing is believing, so help your green thumb succeed with these hands-on channels....

Gardening and Landscape YouTube Channels

James Prigioni Gardening Channel. James is an expert worth following, with more than 1 million subscribers among prolific gardening gurus. He produced a library of gardening tutorials for growing vegetables and fruit trees, which he filmed from his New Jersey home. He has even coined his own terminology, including “food forests.” ...

HortTube. On this channel, Jim Putman shows you everything you need to know about plant selection, landscape design, and how to get dirt under your fingernails by rolling out your sod, planting trees, and working with mulch. ...

Garden Answer. Here, Laura and Aaron Laboutillier are gardening what Joanna and Chip Gaines are to home makeovers. With an impressive 1.9 million subscribers, this channel combines green-thumb savvy with eye-catching design. You’ll love how the information here will help you transform your green space. ...

Lovely Greens. This channel, hosted by Tanya Anderson, focuses on organic vegetable gardening. Tanya is dedicated to natural, sustainable food production in her 360+ videos, but she also teaches derivative skills such as producing calendula soap. ...

Self-Sufficient Me. Mark Valencia shares more than just gardening tips. He also provides a holistic approach to sustainable living for his 2.4 million subscribers by showing them how to incorporate small animals such as chickens, quail, and ducks to interact synergistically with the home garden. ...

Roots and Refuge Farm. This channel provides homesteading education on food security through planting organic gardens, tending livestock, and raising children who love the land. It all happens on the 4-acre Arkansas homestead of influencer Jess. ...

MIgardener. Here, you’ll meet high-energy gardener Luke Marion, who gives you more than standard tips and tricks. He also shares recipes to try using the fruits of your labors, plus instructions for garden-building projects like hydroponic systems....

Related – Your New DIY Resource: YouTube!...

Home Improvements, Ownership,

Stain Survival: How to Remove Nail Polish From Surfaces and Fabrics

It’s a situation that makes you gasp in horror: You’ve dropped an open bottle of nail polish on the sofa or carpet—yikes! You worry that the stain will never come out. Have no fear! With the right cleaning tools, that mess can disappear....

Nail polish on hard surfaces, carpet, or upholstery

Attack the spilled nail polish immediately. Using a clean, soft white cloth or paper towel, clear up the bulk of the polish by plucking the liquid upward and picking it up with the fabric rather than wiping it back and forth, which will spread it. ...

If this initial step leaves a residual stain on a hard surface, wet a soft cloth with water and clean it with the same plucking motion, lifting the stain off the surface rather than smearing it from side to side. ...

You can use dry-cleaning solvent on carpet or cloth upholstery, but first, look for a tag describing the material. If the material contains acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic, call a professional carpet-and-upholstery cleaning service instead of doing it yourself....

Acetone-based nail polish remover also works, but test first in an inconspicuous place to ensure the surface is colorfast. ...

Pluck up the excess polish with a clean, wet cloth as described above. Then, blot the stain with solvent until it is soaked. Wait a few minutes, then use a dry, soft white cloth to pluck up the stain until it comes clean. You may have to repeat the process a few times. Then rinse the area with water and pat it with a clean cloth....

Alcohol can be used as an alternate cleaner if necessary....

Spills on clothes

If you spill polish on delicate clothing that must be dry-cleaned, take the garment to the cleaners....

If a spill occurs on washable clothing, follow the same steps recommended for carpet, using the same solvents and plucking motion....

Afterward, soak the garment in warm water with laundry detergent, then wash as usual....

Newer Posts

Older Posts

Read more articles in Buying, Selling, Ownership, or Money.