Archive for January, 2012
Home Sellers Guide Roofing 101
When you have been living in a home for a long time there is bound to be wear and tear to the premises. Over the course of the years you may done many repairs but this will not eliminate damage happening to the home structure. One of the most important areas that should be up kept from wearing is the homes roof. As a seller you need to have your homes roof in top condition. This will not only potentially attract buyers but could also ensure that you get the price you want from your property sale especially in hotter states.
How can you maintain your roof in optimal condition? Do a periodic check on the roof to find out damage and get such damages fixed immediately. Periodic checking ensures longevity and better roof maintenance rather having checks done with long gaps in between which will ultimately cost more in terms of repair work. New Home buyers should ensure that the roof materials used in their home is of a good quality so to avoid too much maintenance repair costs.
It is also advisable to have a roof certificate ready for buyers to see as this makes your property more sell able. The process of roof certification is different from that of what a home inspector would give you. In a roof certification process a roof inspector will examine the condition of the roof and will look into all issues. Such as roof material condition signs of movements condition of drains downspouts roof ridges and caps vents and HVAC unit mounting.
If the roof happens to be in good condition the roofing inspector will estimate the life expectancy of the roof and certify the inspection. In the case of needing more repairs the certificate will be issued after all repairs have been finished. The roof certificate holds validity for a period of two to five years depending on local laws.
The purpose behind getting a roof certification done is to bring out the roofs condition to buyers and its age. It will inform the seller and the buyer on any repairs that need to be made to the roof structure. As a seller using the information in a roof certificate you can proceed to make repairs. Having a roof certification ready when buyers come in to see the home is a great idea. This shows that you are sincere in your dealings which will give you the right sale price.
About the writer: Paul is a principal of NewHomesSection.com. Search Northern Arizona builders Arizona real estate and new homes today!
Homeowners Insurance And Home Warranties: Figuring Out Who Pays
What is the Difference between Homeowner’s Insurance and Home Warranties?
A homeowner’s policy is an insurance policy that covers the homeowner in the case of a loss to the home because of fire theft vandalism wind storm or other damage. A homeowner’s policy also covers damages that may be awarded to someone that is injured while visiting your home. A homeowner’s policy covers the value of your home and should be considered a necessity for anyone that owns a home.
A home warranty is a policy that works in much the same way as a homeowner’s insurance policy in that you pay an annual premium to receive coverage. The difference is a home warranty covers the cost of routine home repairs that would normally come out of the pocket of the homeowner. A home warranty will cover things like a leaky roof or a refrigerator that doesn’t keep your ice cream solid.
Do I Need Both a Homeowner’s Policy and Home Warranty Policy?
Everyone who carries a mortgage should carry a homeowner’s insurance policy in the amount of the appraised value of the home. This is the bare minimum coverage that you should have for your peace of mind. If you do not have a mortgage on your home you should still have homeowner’s coverage. Homeowner’s is valuable for many things other than replacing a home that is destroyed in a fire. Perhaps one of the most valuable features of a homeowner’s policy is the liability coverage that you receive. If someone slips on a patch of ice or trips over a bump in the sidewalk leading up to your home your homeowner’s policy will protect you from a lawsuit.
A home warranty may be considered more of a luxury but it really is not. Home warranties actually make the most sense for people that feel they can least afford them. A home warranty covers the cost of those home repairs that often crop up unexpectedly when you can least afford them; for instance a furnace that breaks in the middle of the winter? Water streaming in through the roof during the spring rains? For someone living on a fixed income or a tight budget the cost of these repairs may mean saving money for several months. With a home warranty as long as your premium is up to date you will only be charged the cost of a service call which is often less than 50 dollars.
Determining Who Pays for What
To consider yourself fully covered in the case of a household emergency you should have both a homeowner’s policy and a home warranty plan in place. Having both plans should provide you with peace of mind but it does bring up the question of who pays for what? While it may seem confusing and that there would be some overlap it is easy to determine who pays for what.
Both your homeowner’s policy and your home warranty policy will clearly state what is covered. Although there are can be additions and exclusions to both the homeowner’s policy and the home warranty there will be no overlap. Homeowner’s policy typically cover things that may not occur such as fire theft or vandalism just the way auto insurance covers you for accidents that you may never have. A home warranty covers you for routine maintenance plumbing or electrical problems a hot water tank that doesn’t heat just like a warranty on a tool covers the tool if it breaks.
Choosing the Best Provider
Whether you are shopping for homeowner’s insurance or a home warranty policy customer service is the first priority. Without someone available on the phone to answer your questions and get your claim processed the most extensive coverage available will not be beneficial.
The length of time that a company has been in business is also important. While it is not a guarantee of good service it is an indication that they are able to keep their customer’s happy. When you are shopping for a homeowner’s policy or a home warranty policy talk to others who have similar policies or who you know have recently filed claims. How was their claim handled? Was the paperwork overwhelming? How quickly was the claim settled? Although each claim is different you can get some idea of how a company is run by how satisfied its current customers are.
About the writer: Brain Jenkins is a freelance writer who writes about large businesses for home owners such as Fidelity National Home Warranty and American Home Shield
Home Building And Remodeling
Even the most timeless of classic Southern homes can need a renewed breath of inspiration. From minor remodeling projects to complete reconfigures and rebuilds Palmer Construction Co. Inc. holds over two decades of experience in the Kiawah Island Seabrook Island and Charleston Regional areas finding aesthetical yet smart solutions to complex construction problems.
No challenges could be as daunting as those faced by local homeowners in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo in 1989. At no time in history could customer service have been more important as it was to those with devastated homes and shattered emotions. The experience of rebuilding and repairing not houses but homes showed us that any project or goal no matter how chaotic or seemingly unattainable lays within the grasp and knowhow of Palmer Construction.
Palmer Construction Co. is in its third decade of building upscale custom homes in the Seabrook Island and Kiawah Island resort areas new homes of impeccable design quality and craftsmanship. Twentyfour years of experience in residential and new home construction has taught us as much about people as it has about building houses. We know the process is as important to the customer as the finished product. We believe in using high quality materials not in overcharging for them. We listen to our customers and value their time as it is their vision we are driven to complete.
Each property holds unique opportunitiesa potential window view of the water from here the afforded patio shade of a live oak there. We find the inspiration we draw from a propertys natural elements to be vital in developing a symbiosis between a house and its surroundings. We encourage you to browse through the pictures of custom new homes weve built and see how Palmer Construction Co. has met its objectives in the past and the philosophy well bring to your project in the future.
In most cases traditional stucco repair should be done only by a professional skilled in the art of plastering. Palmer Construction Co. has two decades of experience in stucco replacement installation and repair much of it working on historic structures in downtown Charleston. Do not hesitate to call us for an estimate.
If you are interested in hearing more about Palmer Construction Company’s Remodeling amp; Repair Service offerings in the Kiawah Island Seabrook Island and Charleston Regional areas please feel free to get in touch with us. We are glad to assess your needs and write you a free proposal. Click here to view our contact information.
About the writer: Nasreen Haque