Real Estate Questions and Answers, Buying a Home,
Selling a Home,
Home Inspection Guide, Weekly Mortgage Rates,
Complete and Current Rockford Illinois Real Estate Home Search
THE ROCKFORD HOME SOURCE
and REAL ESTATE RESOURCE CENTER
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SIMPLIFIED HOME INSPECTION |
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If you would like more information or help with buying and selling a home, please don't hesitate to call at 815-381-6850 or email. As a dedicated Realtor® my policy is to provide you with SERVICE, ATTENTION, and RESULTS. |
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Outside the Houseo Are schools, churches, shopping, parks and recreation areas close enough to suit your needs? o Are street lights, fire hydrants, sidewalks close enough to suit your needs? o Are there low spots which result in poor drainage or flooding on the property? Proper grading will slope away from the home, allowing water to flow away from the home and not run toward the foundation of the home. o Are outside faucets adequate and do they work? o Do exterior house lights and electrical outlets, shrub or walk lights, gas grill connections, or other outside fixtures and utility connections work correctly and meet code standards? o Does roof appear to be in good condition? (One or two layers of shingles, not deteriorated or curling.) Early signs of roof trouble can include: dark areas or stains on interior walls or ceilings, water stains on the underside of the roof in the attic, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots alongside of fireplaces, water stains on pipes connected the the chimney to vent the water heater or furnace. o Do gutters and downspouts appear to be in good condition, clean, and working properly? o Are damaged or rotted fascia or eave coverings visible? o Does chimney show signs of loose mortar or bricks? o Is there a protective cap on the fireplace chimney? o Does garage door have safety features, does it operate properly? o Do lights and electrical outlets in garage work properly? o Do entry doors open and close easily and have adequate locks? o Does the door bell or chime work properly? Inside the Houseo Do windows open and close properly, do they have storm windows and screens, and are they reasonably weather tight? o Are thermal pane window seals leaking or in good repair? (A fogged thermal pane is a good sign that the seal is leaking). o Are electrical outlets in each room adequate for your needs? o Where electrical outlets are near sinks, tubs or wet areas, are they the Ground Fault Interrupter type? (GFCI outlets can easily be identified by the red reset button) o Are electrical outlets the 3-prong grounded type? o Do light switches and outlets work properly? o Are there enough phone or cable jacks to suit your needs? o Are there working smoke detectors? Are there working Carbon Monoxide detectors in the home (required by State law as of January 2007). o If there is a fireplace, is the damper in good condition and does it open and close easily? o Is there a fireplace screen or glass enclosure? o Does fireplace draw in air from outside or from inside? o If you can check the attic, see if the roof leaks, especially around the chimney o Check under the kitchen sink for leaks, wet floor, or poor plumbing o Is there a filter at the kitchen sink or an in-line filter for the refrigerator? o Taste and smell the water, watch for rust stains o Does the kitchen hood fan work? o If there is a utility room, is water hook-up, gas connection, and electric adequate for your needs? o Do bathroom fans work properly? o Do sink, tub, and shower faucets work properly? o Do drains work properly? o Check the age and condition of the furnace, Central Air Conditioning, Water Heater, Water Softener, Electrical Service. (Do not operate air conditioners when the outside air temperature is below 60 degrees, damage to the compressor will result). o Are there signs of water damage in basement? (Water marks on wall, mold, etc.) o If the home has a septic system, has it been cleaned and inspected in the last 2-3 years? The well and septic systems must be tested, usually by the health department, prior to sale. o Ask about lead paint and be aware of peeling or chipping painted areas, especially if the home was built prior to 1978. o You may want to test for radon, especially if the basement has little or no ventilation. You may also want to consider other tests, especially for termites or mold. (FHA financing requires a termite test). If there is a well or septic, state law requires these be tested prior to closing. A sanitary sewer "clear water" connection certificate of compliance is also required in the Rockford area. If the property has a lawn sprinkler system, an inspection is also required for this. o What has the homeowner fixed or repaired over the years? If possible, get dates and names of contractors. Call the contractor to check what the problem was, what was done to fix it, and if there might be any recurring problems. When you have found the home you want, it is always a good idea to have a professional inspect the home and furnish a detailed report on the homes condition and any areas of concern. In the Rockford area it is normal to have a 5 day inspection period in the contract. You will want to be at the inspection--it provides a good insight into the repair and maintenance of a home. The money an inspection will cost up front and the extra time will be well worth it. Home inspections can uncover potential 'red flags' and can ease fears of a costly surprise by detecting common visible problems in the home's structure and systems. The home inspector looks for things that indicate significant deficiencies but are in view and not hidden or inaccessible. Inspectors will also provide buyers with guidance on home maintenance. When an inspector finds a potential problem the buyers may want to bring in a general contractor or an expert for additional inspections or estimates of needed repairs for heating and cooling systems, plumbing and well system, electrical system, roof and chimney, walls, windows, ceilings, floors, foundation and structural, radon, pest, mold and other possible special concerns. Yes, it's a good idea to even have new construction inspected. It's not only the older homes that may have problems. The inspector can help give you a better idea of the quality of construction, life of mechanical equipment or appliances, possible water or structural issues that may have been missed. Need additional help with the details of buying or selling a home?
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PROCEDURES FOR TESTING DRINKING WATER, WELL AND SEPTIC TESTING
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by email: by mail:
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 REALTORS® aspire to a higher level of service and professionalism, and are held to a Code of Ethics unlike a non-member real estate agent. |
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MY PERSONAL SERVICE POLICY TO HOME BUYERS AND SELLERS: |
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all rights reserved for content and format. Bill Marek, Personal Realtor®, Rockford, IL
Quick, up-to-date
Rockford, Winnebago, Boone and Ogle County real estate information,
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