Eastside Real Estate Working-for-you!

Warm Your Home This Winter (Energy Saving Tips)

Did you know… 

 
There are many things you can do to help keep your home warm in the winter?  Read on to find out how to stay warm and cut your energy bills!

If you have a fireplace, close the damper and seal the opening shut when not in use.

If you used the oven to cook dinner, leave the oven door cracked open when done to let heat escape.

Close the vents and doors to rooms less used.

Put up storm doors.

Use do-it-yourself plastic-film storm windows.

Make sure doors and windows are properly sealed.

Purchase a door draft stopper for any doors that tend to let in cold air (outside, base­ment, to the garage, etc.).

Make sure the attic has adequate insulation.

Inspect your furnace filters monthly during the winter months and clean or replace more often if needed. Build up on filters means your furnace works harder.

Install a programmable thermostat and set it to lower the temperature at night and while away.

Wear sweaters, heavy socks and warmer clothing while home.

Insulate your pipes and hot water heater.

Purchase thicker, heavier drapes for the winter months and keep them closed in the eve­ning and throughout the night.

Place rugs on your hardwood floors.

The Coming Storm

Blackout Tips

  Get prepared early this season with the tips below.

Heating your home is a primary concern in a blackout.  A fireplace or a wood burning stove are good solutions.  Keep a ready supply of firewood for emergencies. 

Make sure flashlights work and have plenty of backup batteries.

Consider a generator if you live in an area where blackouts are common.  Be sure to read the instructions about where to safely place the generator. 

 When a Storm is Predicted

Cook food in advance that can be easily re-heated over a fire. 

Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their lowest setting. If the power does go out, only open the doors when absolutely necessary. The more you keep them shut, the longer the food will last. Fill the empty space in your freezer with containers of wa­ter.  The less air space you have in the freezer, the longer your food will stay fro­zen.

While the Power is Out

Wear a hat and several layers of loose lightweight clothing as opposed to one heavy layer. 

Live in just one or two rooms of your home, close to a heat source.   Prevent heat from escaping by closing doors and covering hallway openings with blankets.

Keep pipes from freezing by turning an inside faucet on just enough to drip. Know where the emergency shut-off valve is.

Assume that any downed power lines are live. Stay away from them, along with any­thing they might be resting on

 

Inside A Home Buyer's Inspection (Voyeur's View)

By Greg Perry
Kirkland Realtor
www.425Realty.com

Let's face it.  Sometimes we're voyeurs at heart.  We love to see the dirt inside!  Here's a chance to see the dirt on a recent home buyer's inspection.  Enjoy!

To see the video discussion of the crawl space for this home, Click Here

Are You A Prisoner of Your Drywall?

You come home from work to your Townhouse that you purchased in 2005.  You notice your house smells a little, er, gamey -- like a rotting egg.  Your brass keys are turning black.  You've been experiencing computer and appliance failures.  It all gives you a headache and a nosebleed.  Your eyes become irritated and breathing becomes difficult.  You may have a case of TOXIC CHINESE DRYWALL.

Since 2001, suppliers have been importing a common household building material -- drywall -- for China.  This drywall it seems emits a sulfur compound that out gasses into the living environment andgives off a sour or "rotten egg" odor.  These sulfur compounds quickly corrode a very common metal found in our homes -- copper.  Copper is used in wiring, appliances, computers and many other devices.

Florida and Louisiana are the states that seem to have the biggest problems (especially New Orleans after Katrina), but Washington State has been impacted, too.

Properties at risk are:

• Any property built after 2001.
• Condominium projects built after 2001.
• Townhouse projects built after 2001.
• Single family homes, condominiums townhouses or commercial properties remodeled in the US since 2001.

What are the symptoms of Potentially Toxic Chinese Drywall?

• Continuous failures of air conditioning coils or HVAC units beyond normal
• Corrosion in electrical wiring or metals, especially copper and brass.
• Mild to sever upper respiratory problems, nosebleeds, headaches, skin and eye irritation.

Government and consumer agenciesare trying to figure this one out.  In the mean time class action lawsuits especially in Florida and Louisiana have started.

To learn more: chinese drywall.com

 

How Long Will It Last? -- (Life expectancy of home components)

 
The National Association of Home Builders published a study on common home components and the life expectancy.  The report covers everything from appliances, to roofing.  Other items include countertops, electrical devices, lumber faucets, windows and much more.

The report should be used as a guideline.

Here are a few excerpts:

Counter tops: Natural stone = lifetime.  Cultured marble products = 20 years.

Decks:  Under ideal conditions = 20 years.

Flooring: Natural wood = 100 years or more.  Vinyl = up to 50 years.  Carpet = 8-10 years.

To view the full report:  Download LifeExpectancyofHomeComponents2007

Important new rules for Home Inspectors!

Requirements for Home Inspectors are changing!  The following information was written and submitted to 425Realty.com from Jim Merritt, WIN Inspections Services.    Make sure YOUR Home Inspector is a licensed Home Inspector!

 

Licensing for Home Inspectors comes to Washington

Licensing for Home inspector in the state of Washington was signed into law in June of 2008.  The law includes qualifications for Home Inspectors including

120 hrs of approved educational courses, 40 hours of practical in the field training and the ability to pass a national and state home inspector examination.

Effective Sept 1 2009 all home inspectors must be licensed (RCW 18.210.020)

Further the home inspector license does not include a structural pest inspection. In order to obtain a pest inspection one must hire an inspector licensed by the WSDA as a structural pest inspector which is a separate license (RCW 18.280.190)

How do you know if you are using a licensed Home Inspector?   All advertising for that individual must contain “Licensed Home Inspector # XXX 

Licensing was enacted to protect the consumer, so remember to ask, so that you are receiving the services of a fully qualified and licensed Home Inspector!

Jim Merritt

WIN Home Inspection

Licensed Home Inspector #293

Structural Pest Inspector #66157

425-868-1408

jmerritt@wini.com

 

 

To learn more about Jim, please visit this link!

Greg Perry quoted on national AP wire article on how to sell a listing.

Recently, I was approached by AP reporter, Melisa Kossler Dutton, who was doing a story on the impact of neighborning eyesores on the salabilty of close by listings.  She was attracted to a comment that I had made some time ago in Seattle's Rain City Guide on the subject. 

After a phone interview, she called again and asked if I would be willing to stand for an AP photographer, and I agreed.

Here's my contribution to the AP article:

"If homeowners are uncomfortable contacting their neighbors, real estate agent Greg Perry is happy to do it. He's had varying degrees of success. Some neighbors have seen the value of improving their property, others haven't, said Perry, who sells homes in Kirkland, Wash.

"You run into all kinds of people," he said. "There are belligerent people in life and there are accommodating people in life."

"A lot of agents need to think a little bit outside of the box," Perry said. "I'm always willing to help my seller out, and sometimes that means actually arranging for the neighbor's cleanup. I've done it on my own dime."

To see the entire article: click here

I thought it was a well done article on the subject (and I was quoted correctly)!

Why All Home Buyers Need An Inspection!

Greg Perry
Eastside Realtor

If you walk through enough old houses, you'll eventually run into most anything that a past home owner did to the electrical, plumbing and general construction of the house.  Even the best of homes -- on the surface-- have strange things done to them in the crawl space and attic.  Here are a few bizarre examples for your viewing pleasure!

Home Depot had a sale on yellow wire nuts!

 
Redneck junction box

 

 
A receptacle is highly overrated, especially close to a burner!

 

House comes complete with pantry storage for grits, ascetone and tools!

 

 
Need a creative dryer vent?  Just do-it!

 

  
Ok, don't have that Nike box?  Just tap that dryer vent into the heat escape vent of your water heater!

 

More bizarre photos to come on another day!

 

Winter is not over! Winterize your home before the next "suprise"!

I just got off the phone with a client whose pipes burst in the recent winter blast that nailed Seattle's Eastside communities and surrounding areas.  He, like many others (including myself) had been caught off guard, totally unprepared for the fury that old man winter delivered to us.  The conversation reminded me to take care of all the winterizing necessities during this mild break we are in.  Here is a list of 10 quick, inexpensive MUST DO's,  you can do to winterize before you get surprised by the next big storm! 

1) Call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace! (this is no joke!  My in laws almost died from a carbon monoxide leak through the heat exchanger in the furnace.)

2)  Check and repair all the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detectors in your house.

3)  Visually inspect your chimney and call a sweep if needed.  Check for creosote build up and mortar cracks.

4)  Inspect and replace if necessary window and door weather stripping.

5)  Make sure your pipes are wrapped and spigots insulated.  Also, now is a good time to make sure you know where your main water shut-off is located.

6) Get in your attic when its raining.  Check the underside of the sheathing for water marks or stains.  If found, get a roofer out to inspect and repair your roof.

7)  Inspect your crawl space.  Now that its been raining is the time to check.  If you have water build up get it removed and fixed. 

8)  Clean out your gutters and downspouts.  Water needs to drain out and away from your house.  Over flowing gutters will rot your fascia and other components of your home.

9)  Insulate your attic.  Visually inspect your attics roofing.  If it looks thin throw some insulation up there.

10)  Prepare and Emergency kit.  Check out 3 days 3 ways website.

Good luck and this time, be prepared!

425Realty.com Service Provider Spotlight - Jim Merritt, Eastside Home Inspector

By Greg Perry, Eastside Realtor
www.425Realty.com

Jim Merritt has owned WIN Home Inspection Bellevue for over 6 years.  He is certified at the highest level from the National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI).  He is also a graduate of the Professional Association of Building Inspectors training and is licensed by the State of Washington as a Structural Pest Inspector.   I recently interviewed Jim about his home inspection career and experiences.  Here's what he had to say:

How did you become interested in becoming a home inspector?

I got my start in the building trades while financing my college education, and later continued to buy and rehab real estate for profit.  The home inspectors that I hired simply listed deficiencies.  I didn't really find this a satisfying experience and knew I could do better.  What I strive to do is to explain  any deficiencies in the context of the operating aspects of the home.  Inspections should never be viewed as "pass" or "fail". Home inspections are simply a good way to advise the client on what issues should be addressed in the context of the overall condition of the home.

What are the most satisfying aspects of your business?

I enjoy working with first time buyers who gain an understanding of how to operate their new home.  In addition to showing them the home's systems and components during the inspection, I carefully review all findings and conclusions in a meeting at the end.  All inspection reports come with a detailed narrative and digital photographs of the major deficiencies.  Afterward, I mail to my client a detailed book with check lists to assist them in the ongoing maintenance of their home.

What are your biggest challenges?

The biggest challenge is to explain what a visual, non invasive inspection is.  Our industry has agreed upon standards that spell out the minimum standard of what should be included in a home inspection.  Although I always exceed that minimum, it is impossible to see inside a wall or predict the future with certainty.  I don't know if the dishwasher will fail next year or if a future wind storm will blow shingles off the roof.  But I promise that the client will know much more than they did when they drove up for their inspection.

What are some of the things people should be looking to you for?

My goal is to discover virtually all observable deficiencies, especially major deficiencies in a home's structure, systems and safety.  Occasionally manufacturers produce potentially defective products -- exterior siding is good example.  I stay on top of all home consumer issues and also stay current with acceptable standards.  This is why experience, certifications and ongoing continuing education is so important in the home inspection field. 

I enjoy questions from my clients and encourage them stay with me as I inspect their house.  I can teach them about the home's systems (electrical,plumbing,heating, etc.), tell them what is good about the home, and of course find the deficiencies.  I love to give hints and advice about future care of the home and teach them about ongoing maintenance.  I'll put my clients in my hip pocket and share everything.  In fact I keep a spare set of coveralls so they can join me in the crawl space if they want to! 

Jim Merritt has done many inspections on behalf of our clients and we enthusiastically endorse Jim and WIN Inspections as a 425Realty.com TOP SERVICE PROVIDER!

You can reach Jim Merritt at  WIN Home Inspection Bellevue at 425-868-1408 or jmerritt@wini.com