Bloomfield Hills Homes 101: Fall Maintenance Checklist

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Homes by Michigan Real Estate Expert on October 7th, 2010

Leaves are starting to change color, nights are getting cooler and pumpkins are appearing on porches of Bloomfield Hills homes.  All signs that fall is here.

That means it’s time to do fall preventative maintenance on all Bloomfield Hills homes.  To help you get started, here’s a quick checklist:

 

Bloomfield Hills Homes 101:  Fall Maintenance Checklist

 

• Have a professional heating contractor inspect your Bloomfield Hills home’s heating system.  An annual furnace inspection ensures that your heating system is operating at peak efficiency and most importantly that it is running safely.

• Replace your furnace filter.  Furnace filters need to be replaced frequently to allow your heating system to operate properly.

• Hire a certified chimney sweep clean.  Have him inspect your wood burning stove or fireplace and clean the chimney.

• Check your home for water damage.  Look for water stains on the ceilings or leaks under the bathroom and kitchen sinks.  This minor water damage may seem trivial, but can lead to real problems, like a weakened roof or rotten boards.

• Prepare your pipes.  Every year, approximately a quarter-million families have their homes ruined due to water pipes that freeze and burst.  Prepare your pipes, both inside and outside, before the cold weather hits.  Caulk around pipes where they enter your Bloomfield Hills home.  Insulate pipes in unheated areas.  If you have a separate valve for outside faucets, shut it off.  If you don’t have a separate valve to turn off outside faucets, wrap outside faucets or hose bibs.

• Tend your garden tools and equipment.  Run all lawn equipment until the gas is gone.  This removes flammable liquid from your garage.  Drain water from garden hoses and sprinklers.  Clean shovels, hoes, trowels and spades

• Inspect your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.  Replace batteries and clean the alarms if needed.

• Examine caulking.  To prevent water from seeping into the sub-floor, inspect and repair the caulking around your bathroom fixtures.  To reduce heat loss, inspect and repair the caulking around doors, windows and outlets.

Want more home maintenance tips like these?  Subscribe to my blog now.  It’s free, fast and easy.  Or, email me at info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com, and I’ll set up your free subscription for you.

Lee Morof sells North Woodward Homes in Oakland County Michigan RE/MAX Showcase Homes

Lee Morof
Associate Broker/Attorney
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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Prepare For Your Bloomfield Hills Real Estate Home Inspection

Posted in Bloomfield Hills Real Estate by Michigan Real Estate Expert on March 23rd, 2009

Few things can derail your plans to sell your Bloomfield Hills real estate like failing a home inspection.  Most states require that a home inspection be completed and turned over to the buyer before the contract is finalized.

To prepare for your Bloomfield Hills real estate inspection, you’ll want to thoroughly clean your home.  It’s also a good idea to examine all the appliances to make sure they’re in good working condition.

What Will the Inspector Do?

You may be surprised to learn that the inspector will turn on the stove and test the dishwasher and garbage disposal.  They’ll make sure the furnace and air conditioning systems work.  You’ll want to clear out the area around the furnace and hot water heater because the inspector will need a few feet of space to work in.

If you plan to leave your home before selling it, be sure to leave the pilot lights lit for the inspection.  Most of the Bloomfield Hills real estate inspectors will not re-light pilot lights because of insurance regulations.  This can delay the completion of the inspection and cause the loan process to take longer.

The inspector will test the water pressure by flushing the toilets and turning on all the faucets.  This process can reveal leaks or clogs in the system.

It will be easier for the inspector if you aren’t in the house at the time.  Try to arrange to be out of the house for the inspection, and take your pets with you.  Pets can be an unnecessary distraction to the inspector.

What’s Next?

Hopefully your home passed inspection with no problem.  If you get a repair request from the inspector, don’t worry.  You aren’t obligated to make the repairs unless it’s stated in the contract.  However, you run the risk of the contract being canceled if you refuse to make reasonable repairs.

If you’d like ideas on how to stage and prepare your Bloomfield Hills real estate for sale, order the FREE book for sellers, “Staging Tips to Prepare Your Home for Market.”  There is absolutely no obligation or strings attached to this FREE offer. 

Ready to sell your Bloomfield Hills real estate in Southeast Michigan?  I’ll help you obtain the best price for your home.  Call me today at 248-514-2640 or email info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com right now to get started.

Lee Morof
RE/MAX Showcase Homes
Birmingham, Michigan
www.NorthWoodwardHomes.com
info@NorthWoodwardHomes.com
Call:  248-514-2640

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