Home Ownership

Homeowners’ Insurance Costs Are on the Rise

It’s tough to get a break on homeowners’ insurance costs. During the pandemic, prices soared as home listings were in short supply. Inflation and supply chain issues pushed up building costs. Now, insurance rates are skyrocketing. What is causing this upward trend?...

Homeowners’ insurance costs are breaking the bank.

Why do homeowners’ insurance costs keep rising? Several factors have come together to create the perfect storm, literally:...

Hurricanes that devastated parts of the Southeast and wildfires out West have caused the number of claims to skyrocket. Increased catastrophes escalate risk and rates.
Insurers withdrawing from disaster-prone areas causes a shortage of available coverage. Fewer insurance carriers in a region mean those that remain shoulder more risk, raising rates.
Though inflation has abated somewhat since 2021’s peak, building material costs are still the highest in decades.
A labor shortage in the building trades has extended construction timelines and caused wages to increase.

Are you powerless?

Although each factor is beyond our control, you can minimize the impact with your own decisions....

Shop insurance rates each year. It never hurts to see if you can get a better deal. Make sure you compare apples to apples with the same deductible, coverage amounts, property valuation, etc.
Take a higher deductible. Use the difference in premium costs to set aside savings to “self-insure” for the deductible that might come when a claim happens.
Bundle your home, auto, and umbrella coverages with the same company, and you’ll receive a discount on each line of insurance.
Keep your home well-maintained. Add “hurricane straps” to your roof structure and storm windows if you live in a hurricane-prone area. Keep your brush cleared around your house in wildfire-prone areas to remove potential fire fuel. Document these steps for the insurance carrier to get a break on your rate.
Maintain good credit by keeping your debt low and making on-time payments. Insurance companies consider credit scores an indicator of a person’s risk profile.

You can’t control the external factors, but what you can control makes a difference....

Home Improvements, Ownership,

Go Big or Go Home: How Grand is Your Home Renovation Project?

When it comes to home renovation, scale matters. The size of the project impacts who does the work, how much it costs, how long the house will be in disarray, and more. A home remodeling project can be a one-room short-term job or a major house renovation. You must know up front what it will take to do the job so that you are properly prepared. ...

The scope of the home renovation project

For your remodeling project, assess the following aspects:...

Will the changes you envision be only cosmetic improvements, such as fresh paint, new flooring, new trim boards, counter and cabinet replacements with new drawer handles, and maybe new light fixtures?
Will the project involve structural changes, such as adding a room, which entails adding to the foundation and roof structure, knocking out walls, and expanding or adding doors and windows?
Will the work require local government permits and inspections?
Will there be work that should be done by a licensed professional, such as an electrician, roofing contractor, or plumber?
Can you do any of the work yourself? Do you have the skills and any needed licenses?

The answers to these questions determine whether your project is a simple remodel or a major rehabilitation and, thus, who can do the work. ...

If the changes are mostly cosmetic and you have the skills, then your project is probably a small-to-medium remodeling job....

If the work requires finer skills, professional licensure, changes to the home’s structure, permitting, and inspection, it is a job for professionals, unless you have those skills and licenses....

Financial considerations

The size of the project affects the size of the budget. If you can do some of the job yourself, you can save some money through your sweat equity. But if the job requires licensed pros, permitting, and inspection, count on higher costs. ...

If your project is a house flip, where you’ve purchased a home and intend to fix it up and resell it, the cost of the house purchase plus the total construction cost should be around 70% of what you think you can sell for when the remodel is done. ...

Hassle factor

Finally, consider how the project will disrupt daily life at home. If your kitchen will be torn up for a while, can you manage a workaround for cooking meals, or would you eat out for the duration? If your master bath is being gutted, can your whole household share one bathroom for a while?...

Plan ahead for these inconveniences to make the project go more smoothly....

Related – Keep Calm and Remodel On!...

Building a Home, Buying,

How to Handle Disputes with a Home Builder

Construction costs are expensive, so having a good relationship with your home builder is essential. When you sink hard-earned money into a new home, you should get excellence in return. Unfortunately, sometimes the work is substandard, incomplete, or behind schedule, and you may feel cheated. Here’s what to do when your home builder disappoints you....

Ways that a home builder may fall short of expectations

Here are some ways a home builder can fail to deliver:...

Using substandard materials
Doing substandard work
Not finishing the job on time
Not meeting building code requirements or failing to get proper permits
Working significantly behind schedule
Designing various aspects differently from the agreed-upon plans

How to catch and deal with problems early

The first thing to do is to stay engaged in the building process as the job progresses. Visit your home’s job site at the end of each day while the construction superintendent is around to monitor progress. This can help you catch developing problems early, when they can more easily be corrected without much tearing out and rebuilding....

If the job is not up to expectations, review your purchase contract for the home. You may also have signed upgrade addendums for higher-quality flooring, counters, cabinets, light fixtures, and door hardware. Review the language of those carefully. Make sure the language is on your side between what was agreed upon and what you received....

Ask the construction superintendent to meet you at the job, then share your concerns with him. Address matters in a calm, businesslike manner. Show him why you believe you have not received what was agreed upon and allow him to explain. Talk about solutions, not accusations, and avoid implying that the contractor is ripping you off. Give him the benefit of the doubt as much as possible, then let him step up and fix the job....

If the superintendent disputes whether the quality of work is substandard, contact the builder’s sales representative and ask that the work be examined. Explain how the work does not match the language in the sales contract and addendums. ...

Be aware that some issues could result from developments that the builder did not foresee. Weather or supply chain issues may cause delays past expected deadlines. Materials may have to be substituted to stay on schedule. As much as possible, give grace to these possibilities. ...

If you cannot work out the differences

If you, the superintendent, and the sales rep cannot resolve your differences, contact the builder’s headquarters and ask someone from the corporate offices to get involved. ...

If you still cannot find a resolution, reach out to third parties:...

If the issue concerns the quality of work, ask a home inspector to examine it. Pay him for his time and opinion. Take a copy of the inspection report to the superintendent and the builder’s corporate office. Notify the local code enforcement office of the situation.
If the work is done by licensed subcontractors, you can contact the state licensing agency for the particular specialty, such as plumbing or electrical.
If these methods don’t help, you can contact an attorney if the dollar amount exceeds the state-determined threshold for small claims court.

The final walk-through with the home builder

When purchasing new construction, you should hire an inspector to examine the completed home before closing to resolve any significant issues. The buyer usually does a final walk-through with the superintendent and the sales rep to inspect the home right before closing. Bring along a roll of blue painter’s tape; tear off little pieces to attach to anything that looks incomplete or incorrect. (If you stayed on top of the job as it was in progress, your blue tape should only be for minor fix-it jobs, what the industry calls “punch-out” jobs.) Bring a notebook and jot down notes. This is your last chance to resolve any issues before closing the deal....

Building a Home, Buying,

Learn the Basics of Driveway Construction

Proper driveway construction is key; after all, you use the space for more than parking cars. You may have a basketball goal so your kids can play pick-up games in the driveway. Perhaps they make chalk drawings of cartoon characters on it. No doubt your driveway plays a crucial role in the life of your home. Here’s what you should know....

Material types, durability, and cost

Here are the four most common driveway material types, their typical expected wear-and-tear, and their cost to construct....

Asphalt is popular for most county and state roads because of its simplicity in construction and repair. The material is durable, lasting up to 20 years with good maintenance, which involves periodic sealing. It expands and contracts elastically in heat and cold. Construction costs run up to $13 per square foot.
Concrete is also durable and can last up to 30 years before major repair or replacement is needed. However, it is more expensive than asphalt, with construction costs running up to $15 per square foot.
Pave stones, or pavers, are aesthetic and durable. They are also the most expensive and labor-intensive to construct since the stones are laid out by hand like a puzzle, with pieces cut individually to provide symmetry. Installation requires grading, laying drainage material beneath, and leveling the stones with one another, all of which are labor-intensive. The cost to build runs up to $50 per square foot. The good news is that, when individual stones are damaged over the years, you can lift them out and drop in replacements.
Gravel is the least expensive and simplest, coming in at about $1.50 per square foot. To prepare a gravel driveway, the space is first leveled, and then the topsoil is thoroughly scraped away to remove grass and weeds. Next, landscape fabric is put down before the gravel is dumped and then spread. Gravel naturally drains water after a rainstorm. However, heavy rain can create flowing torrents that wash away the gravel, requiring the homeowner to rake it back. Grass and weeds also tend to poke through, which requires pulling or treating.

Driveway Construction

Preparing the ground is the most crucial aspect of driveway construction. The ground must be leveled by grading, and the vegetation has to be scraped completely away (and possibly treated to keep plants from returning). Drainage materials like sand and gravel are installed before the surface material. ...

Concrete must have expansion joint seams every few feet so that the surface can expand and contract with outside temperatures. ...

Gravel driveways need edging to keep the gravel in place and prevent it from spreading and washing outside its proper boundaries. ...

Repairs

Both asphalt and concrete have repair material available to inject into cracks to prevent them from lengthening and widening. In winter weather, frozen water expands, pushing cracks wider and longer. This can also cause potholes to develop. Filling cracks promptly is important. ...

Potholes should have rough edges smoothed by cutting out a square to provide a clean edge. They should then be filled with the same material, whether concrete or asphalt, before a sealer is applied....

Building a Home, Buying,

Curious About Building on Federal Land? Consider These Points

Have you ever wondered if you could purchase federal land? The United States government is considering selling some of its vast land holdings to the public for residential development in order to relieve housing shortages across the nation. How might that option—paired with existing programs—help you own a home at an affordable price?...

Agencies that hold vast swaths of federal land

The federal government owns 28% of the land in the US, mainly in the western states. For example, in California, the federal government owns half of the land; in Nevada, it owns 80%....

Most of this land is in very rural areas and is not practical for residents who want easy access to employment, shopping, and infrastructure for public utilities. However, some tracts of land are near enough to urban areas that they could be viable for sale to developers for residential use....

The federal agencies that own these tracts are the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service. The BLM is the agency most likely to offer land for sale near urban areas, opening up opportunities for builders of affordable housing....

Affordable housing is defined as housing in which residents spend 30% or less of their gross income on housing costs. The federal government cooperates with developers who intend to build housing that meets this metric....

The cost of lots is a major driver of rising housing costs. Releasing large tracts of land near urban areas for sale at affordable prices could help alleviate the shortage and high cost of housing. ...

Examples of federal land sales and development

Two examples of federal land being used to develop affordable housing are the Arlington Mill Residences near Arlington, Virginia, and a 500+ acre development in the Las Vegas Valley in Nevada....

Challenges for federal land development

There are challenges to developing land for affordable residential housing. For one, bureaucracy is notoriously thick with regulations and red tape. The federal government will need to examine and streamline regulatory processes for releasing and permitting development projects. Second, environmental law often slows development as the government wants construction to be done in environmentally sensitive ways....

Contact the Bureau of Land Management office in your state for information about possible federal land development opportunities near you....

Money, Mortgage,

Qualifying for a Mortgage When You’re Self-Employed

The mortgage approval process can be stressful for anyone, but self-employed people encounter an extra measure of scrutiny. You may have succeeded in pursuing the American dream of owning a business only to find that financing a home is more difficult than if you worked for someone else. Here’s our guide to mortgages for the self-employed....

It’s all about ability to repay

Mortgage companies aren’t biased against the self-employed. Lenders simply want to be sure their borrowers can repay their loans. If your income is reported on a W-2, you’re considered a more stable applicant than a self-employed person whose income varies and whose business may not succeed....

The first steps of applying for mortgages for the self-employed are the same as for any loan applicant. You’ll need to shop around for the best rate and terms, prequalify and complete paperwork. Certain qualifying factors are the same even if you’re self-employed. Your debt-to-income ratio must fall below 43 percent. A good credit history is a must if you want a good interest rate. Putting a sizable percentage down on the purchase price shows commitment....

The difference in seeking a mortgage as a self-employed person lies in the documentation you must provide to convince the lender you’ll be able to repay the loan....

Prepare to submit in-depth documentation

When it comes to mortgages for the self-employed, proof of reliable and sufficient income to repay the mortgage will be the biggest hurdle to clear. Self-employed people must provide at least two years of tax returns plus business profit-and-loss statements....

If you’ve owned your business for several years and show solid, growing income, you’ll likely be seen as stable and reliable. If you’ve been in business less than two years, however, you will have to persuade the lender that your business has a strong future....

Self-employed people may have to pay a higher interest rate than salaried employee applicants would. But the more you can show you are seriously dedicated to a growing business that has good prospects and can provide you sufficient income to pay a mortgage, the better your chances of getting a loan at an agreeable rate....

One potential snag with mortgages for the self-employed stems from legitimate business deductions. It makes sense for self-employed taxpayers to claim every allowable business expense against income to reduce the taxes they owe. But the lender uses the resulting lower net income to measure debt-to-income ratio, which may hurt loan approval prospects....

Improving your chances if you’re self-employed

Self-employed people can take steps to ensure they’ll have an easier time when they apply for a mortgage....

Form either a C corporation or a limited liability company (LLC) and register your business with state or local government agencies.
With your business incorporated, pay yourself income reportable on a W-2 income rather than a 1099.
Don’t claim every business expense on your taxes the year before applying for a mortgage, even though you will owe more in taxes.
Do not operate your business out of personal bank accounts. Set up separate business accounts. Use QuickBooks or other business software to keep finances in order.
As with your personal finances, pay down business debt and maintain a timely payment history.
Make as large a down payment as possible. Putting down 20 percent or more shows commitment that mortgage underwriters like to see.

Buying, Financing a Home,

Buying Your First Home in Your 20s

If you’ve recently graduated from college and are just getting established in your career, you may think you’re destined for many years of apartment dwelling. But think again! It’s possible to buy a home in your 20s. Here’s our guide for young home buyers pursuing that worthy financial goal....

Benefits of home ownership

Apartment dwelling may seem to offer more financial freedom than owning a home, since your monthly rent payments might be lower than what you’d pay on a mortgage. But that’s a short-term way of looking at life. That monthly rent buys you nothing more than temporary housing. Because the principal portion of a monthly mortgage payment builds equity in your house, investing in a home brings personal wealth and stability that can be far more satisfying than the temporary enjoyment of apartment living....

And home ownership brings other benefits. Apartment life offers a lively social scene, but occupancy turns over frequently. Owning a home in a neighborhood brings a more stable, long-lasting set of friends. Additionally, the annual amount young home buyers will spend on property taxes and mortgage interest can be deducted on federal income tax returns....

Why wait? Get on the path to homeownership as soon as possible....

Steps toward home ownership

Here’s what you need to do to buy your first home....

Save money for a down payment and expenses related to home ownership. Create a budget, live within your means, and sacrifice short-term pleasures for long-term financial goals. Set a monthly savings target and turn socking away money into a habit.
Young home buyers should aim to put down 20 percent on a house. A lower down payment is possible; the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has programs that allow down payments as low as 5 percent. But lenders view buyers who put down less than 20 percent to be at higher risk of loan default because less of their own money is at stake.
As a result, you’ll be required to pay a monthly mortgage insurance premium to protect the lender, using dollars that could otherwise be building your equity in the home. To avoid this added expense, it’s best to wait until you have saved enough for 20 percent down.

Additionally, you’ll need to save for the additional costs that come with homeownership. There are fees you’ll pay at closing, and property taxes and insurance, homeowner association (HOA) dues and maintenance are regular expenses of home ownership....

Work on building a good credit score. Limit debt and pay what loans you have on time. Buy affordable cars. Pay faithfully on student loans. A clean credit history is vital for getting the best mortgage terms.
Begin to establish a stable employment history. Employment stability pays off when applying for a mortgage....

Shopping for a home

When you’re ready to begin looking at houses, take these three steps:...

Determine how much house you can afford. If you don’t already have a household budget, establish one, then figure how much you can swing for a monthly house payment, insurance, taxes and HOA dues. Online mortgage calculators can help you determine how much house you can buy. Be conservative, and when you begin home shopping, resist the urge to buy above your price range.
Find a mortgage broker to shop for the best lender terms for you and apply for pre approval. Prequalification is a cursory first look at your finances and doesn’t carry as much clout as pre approval, a more in-depth examination of your finances that tells a real estate agent and potential sellers that you are a serious buyer who can pay up to a specified amount.
Find a good real estate agent, preferably one who works with young home buyers like yourself. She will know the challenges first-time buyers face and can answer your many questions.

Investment, Money,

From Your Family to Another: Selling Antiques

Those antiques your grandmother left are lovely, but you may nonetheless choose to sell them. Perhaps you don’t have space for additional furniture, or maybe grandma’s style just doesn’t fit with your own. You may simply need some easy cash. Where’s the best place to sell family heirlooms? How can you be sure to get what a piece is worth? Here are some tips for valuing and selling antiques....

Determining value

Valuable antiques include furniture, accessories, jewelry, coins, guns, tools, pocket watches, Victrola record players, sports memorabilia and many other pieces....

Value is determined by age, rarity and condition. A piece might be old, but there may be many of them out there. Yours may not be in great condition. Some antiques may be replicas of much more valuable originals....

To determine the value of what you have, begin with what you know from the family about the antique’s origin and history and how the family acquired it. Are there any past appraisals that provided a valuation at one time?...

You can often find additional valuation information by researching online....

Searching for specific design features, such as filigree settings on jewelry or furniture finishes such as birdseye maple, can often lead you close to the object of your search.
With coins, the denomination, design stamp and year are enough to get you off to a good start.
On furniture, art and accessory pieces, look for labels, stickers and artist signatures to aid your online search.
Baseball cards and other sports memorabilia are practically a category to themselves. Cards and balls signed by famous athletes from many years ago fetch good prices if you can authenticate them.
If your search terms aren’t producing results, try a Google reverse image search using a photo of the object.

With jewelry, consult with at least three local appraisers. You can find appraiser referrals online. An appraiser often will buy jewelry from you if he thinks he can resell it. With other antiques, you can also contact local antique auction houses about the appraisal. They might be interested in helping you sell at auction or might even buy the piece outright....

Where to sell antiques

Websites such as Heritage Auctions can give you an online appraisal and conduct a virtual auction. An online auction opens your market to the nation or even the world. EBay also exposes your item to the world but does not help with appraisals. Keep in mind that if you sell larger pieces such as furniture online, you may have to charge your buyer significant shipping costs plus insurance....

Craigslist can help you sell locally, as can Facebook Marketplace. Buyers on these sites often are looking for more common objects, not pricier antiques, but you may still find a buyer. Be sure to read Craigslist’s tutorial on avoiding common scams....

Local appraisers and auction houses can help you sell your goods on-site. Another selling source is stores that sell collectibles and antiques on consignment. These places put your item on display at their showroom, and if it sells, split a percentage of the sales price with you. Before consigning, research the store. How long has it been in business? What are the store’s reviews like? Does it have a good Better Business Bureau profile? Consignment stores should sign a contract with you spelling out the price split, how much negotiating room you’re allowing the dealer, and whether an item’s price drops incrementally if it doesn’t sell over time....

Keep in mind that some antique items, such as figurines, are difficult to sell at an attractive price. Unless a figurine is rare, in perfect condition, and was made by a famous designer, it probably will not fetch much....

Buying, Buying a Home, Selling, Selling Your Home,

How to Buy a House Before You Sell

Across the country, a shortage of houses for sale coupled with strong demand has led to homes selling mere days after going on the market. Often these houses receive multiple offers and sell well over the asking price. If you must sell your existing house before you can buy, you risk losing the house you want. But there are strategies that will allow you to buy before you sell. Read on for 10 ideas. ...

Sell and rent while you home shop

You could sell your existing home and rent another place while you home shop. The downside is that you move twice, first to the rental, then to the home you eventually purchase....

Submit a contingent offer

An offer with a home sale contingency provides that you will purchase the seller’s home once you’ve sold yours. In a less heated market, this would be the most common way to buy before selling. But in today’s red hot market, sellers are often rejecting such contingencies because they know they can sell rapidly to another buyer. You can still ask, but don’t be surprised if the seller’s agent advises him not to accept a contingent offer....

Negotiate a later closing date

During your purchase negotiation, request a closing date far enough out that you feel confident you can sell your current home. There’s always the chance you may not be able to sell in time, but the current hot market lessens that risk, since your house may sell quickly, too....

Build a home

Rather than buy an existing home, opt to buy new construction. You will have three months or more before closing, during which your new home is being built and you can sell your existing home....

Obtain a HELOC loan

If you have at least 20 percent equity in your current home and good payment history, you may qualify for a home equity line of credit (HELOC). You can make the down payment on your new purchase using that money and take the additional time before closing to sell your existing home. You then use the proceeds of that sale to pay off your first mortgage and the HELOC. The downside risk is that your existing home does not sell before you’re obligated to close on the new home, leaving you with three mortgage payments for a period of time....

Obtain a bridge loan

Another type of temporary financing is a bridge loan. This temporary loan finances the purchase of the new home, allowing you time to sell your existing home. Bridge loan payback terms are often one year. ...

Use a home buying service

A variation of the bridge loan is to use a service such as Ribbon or Easy Knock to purchase your current home. This will provide you with funds to purchase your new home. The service will then sell your former home to recapture their purchase price, charging you a percentage of the sales price. ...

Negotiate seller financing

If the seller is willing, he could finance the sale of the home to you, with you making payments to him. ...

Borrow against your 401K

If you have enough in your 401K for the new home’s down payment, you could borrow it and pay yourself back with interest when your existing home sells. Before doing so, carefully research the rules your employer and the fund custodian firm impose on such loans. The downside of this approach is that if you do not pay back the entire amount with interest, you could end up owing significant taxes and penalties....

Negotiate a leaseback

Say you’re ready to sell your home and have found a buyer who wants it, but you haven’t yet found a new place to live. Perhaps you can get the buyer to agree to let you lease the property you’re selling for a short time after closing in order to give you time to find a new home....

Buying, Buying a Home,

What the Home Inspector Doesn’t Find

Contracting with a professional home inspector is one of the most important things a buyer can do in the run-up to closing. But though an inspection can reveal essential deficiencies you need to know about, it isn’t foolproof. Here are some critical problems a general inspection may miss and steps you can take to protect yourself if that happens....

What the inspector does

Home inspectors often have a construction background. Typically their inspections are general and involve checking the major components of a house, such as the heating and air conditioning (HVAC), roof, plumbing, electrical systems and foundation. Inspectors also make sure the house is up to current building standards. Since codes are updated regularly, an older home may not have required features such as self-closing hinges on garage doors, ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) electric sockets near wet areas, and more. ...

The inspector mostly does a visual inspection, although he will measure the temperature of the oven and of the airflow from heating and air vents. He may go up on the roof to inspect it or take a look from below with binoculars or a drone....

An inspection report will be very detailed. But some problems may still lurk out of sight, and some systems may be worth having a specialist handle. Consider having a specialist take a look at the following areas....

Heating and air conditioning

The inspector will visually survey the condition of the components and measure the temperature of air flowing from the HVAC vents. But he will not open up mechanical components of the HVAC system or attach diagnostic devices. If the system is more than 10 years old, have an HVAC professional run diagnostics....

Exterior plumbing

Homes built before the 1970s may still have galvanized or ceramic drain conduits from the house to the city sewerage system. Over time these pipes can clog and collapse. Replacing them can cost you $10,000 or more. The inspector will notice if a conduit isn’t draining correctly, but won’t find a problem if the conduit is operating but on the verge of collapse. With an older home, have a plumber conduct a camera inspection of these conduits. Also, have a licensed septic professional inspect the septic system if there is one. ...

Destructive pests

Wood-destroying insects such as termites and carpenter ants can cause expensive hidden damage inside walls. In most states, sellers who know their home has a history of these pests have a duty to disclose it. If a home you’re interested in has a history of these insects, have a professional pest control company examine the house. There should also be a termite protection contract that’s transferable to the new owner....

Swimming pools

The inspector may check that a swimming pool’s pump system is working but will not necessarily catch cracks or other issues. A home inspector may have a specific clause in his contract that he is not liable for undetected pool problems. To know a pool’s true state, hire a pool construction specialist to check it out....

Chimneys

You may be eagerly awaiting your first chilly night bundled up in front of a home’s fireplace, but if the chimney has years of creosote buildup, that dream can turn into a nightmare. To be sure a chimney is safe, have a chimney inspector check for dangerous creosote and soot buildup. ...

Walls

Black mold, asbestos or lead paint can all make you and your family sick. If an inspection report raises the possibility of toxins in or on the walls of older homes, or you otherwise suspect them, have a professional health inspector scrutinize the house....

Windows

Windows fog when they age and lose their vacuum seal, allowing moisture to infiltrate their chambers. Fixing this situation can become expensive if it affects a lot of windows. If a home inspection discloses this problem, you may want to negotiate a lower price with the seller to replace the windowpanes....

Beware fresh paint and new floors

The sellers had new floors installed or a single room freshly painted just before selling. Ask yourself why, and consider whether these updates might mask recent water, foundation or insect damage. If you suspect these conditions, have the inspector take a closer look....

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