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AVOID A LEMON: KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A HOME IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI, Michigan.

Whether you are considering buying a house or selling one, contact me I can assist in recommending a great home inspector. Conducting a rundown of property items could make all the difference in the world. Although not all things will require costly repairs, some might, which is why it's important to be prepared. Before you head out to look at homes in Grand Rapids or before you put your home on the market. Check out the items mentioned in this report to ensure they are in proper working order:

The home owner is responsible for the repair of these items if it is put in the agreement. You must protect yourself by knowing what to look for.

Settlement cracks in homes

Look for settlement cracks on the wall, floor, or ceiling. Every home, at one time or another, will get a settlement crack, so if you find a few, there's no need to panic. However, if you notice major cracks, this could be a sign of structural problems. Mark down the location of where you find cracks and make sure they are pointed out to the inspector to determine the degree of damage. If they are small cracks, they can easily be filled with plaster and repainted.

 

Leaks in homes

Look for any leaks. If you notice any water damage marks on the walls, floors, or ceilings, this could simply be from a bathtub or toilet that might have overflowed, or, it could be serious and be due to a leaky roof or poor plumbing. Also, check the tile in the bathrooms and kitchen for any indication of behind the wall leaks, such as mildew or loose tiles.

Doors and Windows Grand Rapids

Open and close all the doors and windows. Listen for squeaks or sticking. In most cases, this is simply a matter of spraying some lubricant such as WD-40, but it could also be another indicator of settlement.
 

Checking Outside Decks

If there is an outside deck, check for rotted wood, which could be a sign of termites or it might just be old wood needing to be replaced.

 

Electrical Outlets

Check all of the electrical outlets. You can simply take a working nightlight with you to plug in. This will tell you if any of the outlets are not working properly.

 

Garage Doors

Check the garage doors, if applicable. Make sure they run smoothly on the track and that the openers are in good working order on the property.

 

Look for Pests

Look for pests such as termites or ants. The best place to look is around the foundation, wiring, pipes, doors and windows.

 

Look Over The Yard

Look at the grading of the yard, both front and back, to ensure that run-off water flows away from the house.

 

Test The Gutters

Look at the gutters to ensure they are properly installed. Spray the roof with a garden hose to see that water flows out adequately away from the home.

 

Look at the Driveway

Check the driveway of the homein Grand Rapids, to look for crumbling concrete, pockmarks, or holes that would need to be fixed.

 

Check all of the Roof

Have the roof looked at by a professional in Grand Rapids. Make sure the turbans are installed correctly to eliminate any leakage and that no portions of the roof need to be fixed or replaced.

 

Test the Heating and Cooling Systems

Carefully check out the heating and cooling systems. These can be high dollar expenses so it's important that they are running properly. Often, these items are covered under a warranty so if there is a problem, see if you have warranty coverage.

 

Fireplaces and or Wood-burning Stoves

If there are any fireplaces or wood-burning stoves, make sure that the chimneys are clear of debris and that the flues are working properly.

 

Caulking and weather stripping

Caulking and weather stripping are important as well in your Grand Rapids home. Improper coverage will cause air leaks into the home, raising utility bills and causing unwanted drafts.
The good thing is that everything can be fixed. The bad part is that some items are costly, which is why it's so important to ensure you keep operating systems of the home in good working order.

 

Finding a good Inspector

If you are buying a house in Grand Rapids, a good inspector should find all of these items and I will negotiate with the seller to ensure most or all are taken care of.
If you are selling your home in Grand Rapids Michigan, having these things working properly will put you in a much better position of getting a better price out of your home.

 

This is a short but important start to avoiding a lemon when it comes to buying a home in Grand Rapids Michigan. In West Michigan we live in all types of weather sometimes even extreme conditions. The list above should be used by both home buyers as well as home owners and home sellers.

contact: Ethan Dozeman