Sonoran Property Inspections

Home Inspections Prescott, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Scottsdale, Arizona

Ask the Inspector

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Did you know that you can call us to ask a home inspection related question EVEN if we are not the home inspector that inspected the home you are buying or selling? So feel free to reach out to Jerry to get his opinion on any home related question you may have. With over 35 years of home building and inspecting experience he really has the knowledge to help explain things, or direct you to the right person. We look forward to helping you!

Improve Entryway When Selling Your House

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Since it is the first thing a buyer sees,  the entryway is an important space within a home. It sets the stage for the whole tour of the home. Buyers will form opinions on a home within seconds of opening that front door. Here are some ways to improve your entry.

Make the front door a focal point.

The door is the first thing visitors focus on at any home’s entryway, so make it special. Paint it a bold color or add gorgeous greenery via a seasonal wreath. You can complement the home’s style and make a statement within a reasonable budget.

Invest in stylish but functional furniture.

Create a welcoming vignette of furniture that beckons guests to the door. Design a space for dropping keys and handbags, and a place to sit and remove shoes. Think elegant console tables with drawers (that hide the clutter), woven baskets, and an antique rug. You can take these new goodies with you when you move too!

Add art to the space.

Artwork in an entryway can make a big impact. Hang a beautiful piece of artwork or photography on the wall opposite the door. Choose carefully: You don’t want to put off buyers with something overly quirky. A mirror is a great choice and will help the entryway appear larger.

Illuminate the entryway with bold lighting.

The right lighting will give a welcoming feel to the entry, while being highly functional. Add a stylish lamp to the console table, or if the home has high ceilings or a two-story stairwell, go for a beautiful chandelier or pendant light in a timeless style.

These are great tips even if you are NOT selling the home! So make that entry something special, and enjoy it while you are living there too.

 

Ten Tips to Speed up your Home Inspection

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Ten Tips to Speed Up Your Home Inspection

Speed up your home sale by preparing your home ahead of time using the following tips. Your home inspection will go smoother, with fewer concerns to delay closing. If you would like a pre-listing inspection done (in the Phoenix OR Prescott area), give us a call and we will provide you with a nice list of things to fix to help make the sale go smoothly.

  1. Confirm that that the water, electrical and gas services are turned on (including pilot lights).
  2. Make sure your pets won’t hinder your home inspection. Ideally, they should be removed from the premises or secured outside. Tell your agent about any pets at home.
  3. Replace burned-out light bulbs to avoid a “light is inoperable” report that may suggest an electrical problem.
  4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace dead batteries.
  5. Clean or replace dirty HVAC air filters. They should fit securely.
  6. Remove stored items, debris and wood from the foundation. These may be cited as “conducive conditions” for termites.
  7. Remove items blocking access to HVAC equipment, electrical service panels, the water heater, attic and crawlspace.
  8. Unlock any locked areas that your home inspector must access, such as the attic door or hatch, the electrical service panel, the door to the basement, and any exterior gates.
  9. Trim tree limbs so that they’re at least 10 feet away from the roof.  Trim any shrubs that are too close to the house and can hides pests or hold moisture against the exterior.
  10. Repair or replace any broken or missing items, such as doorknobs, locks or latches, windowpanes or screens, gutters or downspouts, or chimney caps.

Checking these areas before your home inspection is an investment in selling your property.  Your real estate agent will thank you!

Home Inspection for Sellers? It’s a Good Idea!

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Happy New Year from Sonoran Property Inspections, your local home inspector for Prescott, Prescott Valley, as well as Phoenix and Scottsdale.  With home inventory getting lower, it is a good time to consider listing your home. Did you know that a pre-listing home inspection could help you sell your home quicker?

When the home buyer hires an inspector to look at the home, issues can come up that may send both parties back to the negotiating table. But when you decide to hire an inspector before you list you can address any potential stumbling blocks BEFORE they derail your sale of the home.  You may choose to repair any items yourself, or price the house accordingly. But either way, by taking the initiative you are the one in control.  The buyer may (and should) hire a different inspector to re-inspect the home, but at least there should be no big surprises to you as the seller.

So, if you decide to list your home, consider doing a home inspection to go into the transaction with a little more peace of mind for a small amount of investment. If we can help, just let us know.