Selling Your Home? Attack Issues Head-on

You’ve finally made the decision to put your home on the market - now comes the tough part: making sure it’s ready for prospective buyers.

According to Buddy Stark, director of operations for HomeTeam Inspection Service, there are several steps home sellers should take before beginning the selling process and having a home inspection. Here’s what he recommends:

Clean the house. This may seem like an obvious one, but you must keep your home at a heightened level of clean on an ongoing basis in anticipation of a showing. An ultra-clean home will convey that it's been well cared for and that the house is less susceptible to any issues caused by neglect.

Check all windows. Take a quick inventory of your windows to make sure they're in good working order. Replace windows that are cracked or broken before the inspection to save time during the selling process.

Finish the “honey-do” list. You might not think that certain areas of your home have anything to do with your home’s appeal, but they will come up as safety concerns on a home inspection report. Replace burnt-out lightbulbs, test smoke detectors, replace air filters and unclog drains. These little things are easy to forget in day-to-day life, but taking care of them is a relatively easy task that will help potential buyers focus on the important systems of the home.

Check all outlets. A sampling of electrical outlets will be tested as part of the home inspection to make sure they're in good working order. Take note of which outlets are not functioning in the home and replace them. Or consider hiring an electrician to make sure both outlets and the electrical box are updated and in proper working condition.

Clear areas for easy access. Home inspectors will be looking at the major parts of the home, including the foundation, HVAC systems, electrical systems, plumbing and even the water heater. Making sure home inspectors can easily access these areas, including the basement and attic, will save time during the inspection process.

Consider a pre-listing inspection. Having an inspection conducted before the selling process, will allow you to take care of issues that may arise later, clearing the way for a smooth - and speedy - sale.

Source: HomeTeam Inspection 

Summer Safety for Your Kids

Every year about this time, summer safety tips are in the news. But sadly, more than 200,000 kids are treated in emergency rooms each year, and of the 3,500 accidental drowning deaths, more than half are children.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides a practical guide to keeping kids safe and happy during the hot, action-packed summer months:

Teach kids to swim – Some experts say kids should learn to swim by the age of four. But aquatics programs for infants and toddlers are widely available. No matter when you begin formal swimming lessons for your child:
- Be sure your pool is fenced
- Learn CPR
- Never leave a child of any age unsupervised at the pool

Beat the heat – Children are at greatest risk for heat-related illness. Cover them up, apply sunscreen, and be wary of sunburn, which increases the risk of skin cancer in later life. Also:
- Never leave children in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked
- Schedule strenuous outdoor activities in morning and evening hours
- Keep kids cool with showers or baths on very hot days
- Seek immediate medical care if a child has symptoms of heat-related illness, such as  headache, nausea, high body temperature or hot, damp skin

Keep insects at bay - Insects are more than a nuisance. They can also carry disease. Mind the following:
- Use insect repellent when playing outdoors
- Make your yard a tick-free zone by keeping lawns mowed and free of tall grasses, brush, and litter
-  Apply pesticides outdoors as necessary

Prevent injuries – Play-related falls and other injuries can double in the summer months.
- Make sure playground equipment is safe and well maintained
- Supervise young children at all times in playgrounds and around other fall-hazard areas
- Be wary of concussion or serious head injury after a bad fall or blow to the head. Seek medical attention right away if your child seems confused or has suffered unconsciousness. Seek medical attention within a day if your child exhibits signs of imbalance, persistent headache, vomiting, confusion or memory loss.