Steel Rhino Property Inspections
Steel Rhino Property Inspections
Steel Rhino Property Inspections
Steel Rhino Property Inspections
Steel Rhino Property Inspections
Standard Inspections
Standard Inspections

A complete inspection with a written report designed to inform and
educate a buyer about the overall condition of the home.

Move-in Certified Inspections
Move-in Certified Inspections

For Sellers who want to know what is wrong, and gives them the opportunity to repair the home before a Buyers inspector finds problems.

Builder’s Warranty Inspections
Builder’s Warranty Inspections

This is a great tool for homeowners who purchase a "New Home".
This inspection is normally conducted before the builders warranty expires.

Maintenance Inspections
Maintenance Inspections

There are more than 3,000 operating components in a home and they do wear out. This occurs quietly and slowly, simple to overlook.

Commercial Inspections
Commercial Inspections

These inspections are designed for understanding the facility as well as looking out for the safety of anyone that may be entering the premises.

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Rhino Blog

Aug20

4 Reasons a Pre-Listing Inspection is Good for You

In nearly all cases, it is the buyer who orders and pays for a home inspection. As a seller, you may be thinking, what’s the point of having a pre-listing inspection if the buyer will want their own inspection anyway? 

Here are 4 benefits of doing a pre-listing inspection. 

Prepare your home for sale

With a pre-listing inspection completed, you’ll know ahead of time what exactly is wrong and what needs to be fixed prior to putting your Colorado home on the market. You’ll have enough time to decide what to fix, who to hire to make repairs, and when it should be completed. 

Pre-listing inspections will not only help you cut cost and save time. It can also help you update your home and market it for the best return on investment. 

Get your ideal asking price 

Typically, a Denver home inspection is done shortly after the seller accepts the buyer’s offer. But if you wait for the buyer to discover some issues in your home, then they will likely negotiate for a lower price or ask you to have it repaired before closing. 

By completing an inspection prior to listing your Colorado property, you can deal with problems ahead of time and use the clean bill of health to justify a slightly higher asking price. 

Faster, smoother selling process

If you are the type of person who hates surprises, then we urge you get a pre-listing inspection. Not only will it eliminate surprises, it will also reduce the negotiation process. 

Since you already took the time to address the issues, there won’t be much left for buyers to negotiate on. Both parties will benefit from a smoother, faster selling process. 

Increase prospective buyers’ confidence 

No one wants to buy a house with a lot of hidden issues. Having a pre-listing inspection is a great way to show potential buyers that your Colorado home is in good condition and that you have nothing to hide. 

Home buyers are naturally skeptic about the condition of the house. Handing them an inspection report that details the condition of your home can help overcome skepticism and eliminate much of the doubt about your home. Buyers will be more comfortable making an offer, knowing that the house is in good condition. 

Aug07

Tips for Working Out Your Home Renovation Budget

Home renovations provide several advantages. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home’s aesthetics and living environment or transforming it before putting it on the market, updating your dwelling is one of the most profitable decisions you can make.

Here are 4 tips for working out your home renovation budget.

What is your purpose for renovating? 

Before renovating, you first need to identify your reason. Renovating for lifestyle reasons requires a different approach for selling purposes. If you are renovating to enhance your Colorado home’s comfort or livability, you need to consider your family’s needs. An outdoor kitchen would be beneficial for entertaining guests. An additional bathroom may also be in order for your growing family.

If renovating for sale, you need to properly asses your house and focus on changes that will make it more attractive to prospective buyers. The backyard may need revamping. A lick of paint throughout the house will help freshen up your Colorado home.

Set your renovation budget 

Home renovation projects can be quite expensive. Before you start choosing paint colors or floor tiles, you first need to determine how much you can afford.

Renovation costs can quickly get out of control. Sometimes, people decide that they want this and that, and then realize later on that it’s out of their budget. To prevent this from happening, it is best to set a budget early on. This is important so as to prevent disappointment and financial distress later on.

Get quotes from contractors 

Now that you have an idea about what you want to achieve and how much you are willing to spend, it’s time to look for contractors.

If you don’t know any contractor, you can ask referral from your family and friends. Or better yet, go online and search for contractors in your area. Narrow down your list to 3 – 5 contractors, and ask for a quote from each of them. This way, you can compare the prices and find the one that offers the best deal.

Account for hidden costs

Just because the contractor gave you a quote for $30,000, it doesn’t necessarily mean that will be the final cost. During the renovation process, some contractors find some issues that need to be dealt with. This is one of the major reasons why renovation projects end up costing more than anticipated.

Make sure that you prepare at least 10% to 20% for unforeseen experiences, so you won’t be scrambling to come up with extra money.

Jul16

4 Crucial Things to Do When Buying a Fixer Upper

For people who love old houses and love working on them, a fixer upper can be a great way to get into a larger house. Since not everyone is in the market for a fixer upper, the odds of scoring a sweet deal are in your favor. 

But fair warning. You have to really know what you’re getting into. Otherwise, that Denver house could become your worst nightmare. 

If you are set on buying a property that is in need of a lot of TLC, then this blog post is for you. Here are 4 things you should do when buying a fixer upper. 

Consider the location 

Not all fixer uppers have the potential. Just because you spent thousands of dollars on repairs and home improvement projects, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll get a good resale profit. 

Location is one of the most important things to consider when buying a Colorado property. After all, you can change everything about the home, but you can’t change it’s location. Seek out homes in desirable neighborhoods. Avoid those that are situated next to a school or on a busy intersection. 

Hire a qualified home inspector 

It is a given that a fixer upper will come with a long list of issues. But that doesn’t mean that you should skip the home inspection. 

A Colorado home inspection is an absolute must when investing on a fixer upper. This will not only help you determine the actual condition of the property; it will also help you plan a budget for all the necessary repairs found during the inspection. 

Determine the cost of renovations before you make an offer 

Repairs will cost you thousands and thousands of dollars. Now that you have an idea about the extent of work and repair that needs to be done, it’s time to talk with a contractor. 

Do a walk-through with a contractor and ask for a cost estimate. This way, you’ll have a good idea about how much you need to spend on repair. Make sure that you add an extra 10 to 20% to your estimate for unforeseen repair works. 

Be prepared to roll up your sleeves 

Doing repairs yourself will keep your cost down. The more you can do on your own, the more money you can save. 

We know you want to save money, but you should be more realistic about your abilities. If you have experience, then you’ll be able to tackle more tasks. If you’re an amateur, then stick to simple tasks such as painting, removing wallpaper, re-grouting tile, repairing leaky taps, patching a drywall etc. Some jobs are best left to the pros. 

Jul09

5 Signs It’s Time to Remodel Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the most important parts of the house. It is where you start and finish your day. Unfortunately, it doesn’t get much attention as much as the bedrooms, kitchen, and living room.

Has your bathroom worn out its welcome? Maybe it’s time to update it and bring it back to life.  There are telltale signs that it’s time for a bathroom makeover.

Here are 5 signs it’s time to remodel your bathroom.

Planning to sell your home 

If you’re considering selling your Colorado home, a bathroom renovation can benefit you in a number of ways. Not only will it increase the value of your home, it also makes your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Bathroom renovations can be expensive, but studies suggest that you can recoup about 58% of the cost in resale value. If you are on a tight budget, don’t worry. Simple updates like getting new fixtures, repainting the walls, cleaning the grout, and adding clean lines of caulk around the sink and tub can help transform your bathroom.

Outdated design 

Is your bathroom old and outdated? If so, a bathroom remodel is in order. Today, people are coming back to that white, timeless look. White, gray, and black palettes will lend an element of ageless beauty to your space. Installing new lighting fixtures, cabinets, mirrors, and towel holders are also a great way to improve the look and feel of your bathroom.

Poor lighting 

Of all the rooms in the house, bathrooms are given the least considerations when it comes to interior lighting. If you can barely see yourself in the mirror, this requires action.

Use lighting fixtures that provide 75-100 watts worth of illumination for the master and guest bathroom. Installing proper task lighting is also important as this is the light by which you can best see yourself.

Bathroom smells bad 

You walk into the bathroom and crinkle your nose as you smell a noxious sewer-like odor in your bathroom. This could be an indication that sewer gas is escaping from the drainage system. This is a prime indicator that you need to update your bathroom.

Adding better ventilation to a windowless bathroom, fixing that persistent leak that is building up mold, and replacing a toilet’s wax seal are all smart fixes to get rid of bathroom smells.

Lack of storage

Don’t have enough space to store everything you want? Your bathroom may be due for an update. Make use of the vertical space and under the sink for storage. Come up with creative ways fit everything in the cabinets and closets.

Jul03

Curb Appeal: Why Is It So Important?

Just like a book, your home is judged based on how it looks on the outside. If you are putting your home up for sale, it is important to improve your home’s curb appeal. You want to make sure that the house is attractive and appealing enough that the buyers will want to see the inside of your home.

What is curb appeal? 

Curb appeal refers to the attractiveness of your Denver home from the street. This applies to the exterior of the house, as well as the driveway, outdoor fixtures, landscaping, and walkway. Oftentimes, it is seen as a reflection of how the owner takes care of the house.

Makes your online listing standout

A huge percentage of Colorado buyers begin their search online. Instead of driving to your home, they would scroll through photos in your online listing. Many of them may never visit your home if they do not like what they see online.

A clean exterior, well-maintained shrubbery and a manicured lawn are all important if you want your home to standout in a crowded market.

Make a great first impression

First impressions are incredibly important, especially if you’re selling. Most sellers would spend a lot of time cleaning, staging and improving the inside of the house. Unfortunately, some of them tend to ignore the exterior. No matter how beautiful your Colorado house looks on the inside, buyers might not be interested to walk through your front door if the exterior is unkempt.

If the house looks messy on the outside, a buyer’s opinion may already be made before they enter the house. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Faster sale 

Potential buyers will decide whether or not to buy the Denver house based on first impressions. You’ll be able to attract more buyers and sell your house faster if you take time on making sure that your house’s exterior is as meticulous as the interior.

Perceived value 

Every seller wants to sell their home for top dollar. In order to do that, you want to spend ample time preparing and improving the outside of your home. Believe it or not, curb appeal can increase your home’s value by up 5 to 11%. 

Jun18

4 Ways to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Vacation

Most people have a checklist when packing their bags before a vacation. They do this because they want to make sure that they don’t leave anything important behind. But as a Denver homeowner, it makes sense to have a checklist of the things you should do before leaving for vacation.

Vacation is a time for rest and relaxation. The last thing you want is to be worrying about the safety of your home.

Whether you’ll be gone for the weekend or a month-long getaway, these quick, simple tasks will help ensure peace of mind and prevent coming home to a disaster.

Prevent water damage

A water leak could be catastrophic if no one is around to deal with it. That said, we suggest turning off the main water supply, especially if you’ll be gone for an extended period of time. This will prevent possible water damage from leaky pipes.

You can rest easy knowing that your home is safe, in order, and ready for your return.

Keep your house looking occupied

A dark, empty house is an open invitation to burglars. Since your Denver home will be unoccupied for a few days to a few weeks, make sure that you leave the house looking like it’s lived in so it wouldn’t be a target for burglars.

Put lights on a time to give the impression that someone is home. You can also use motion detector lights to illuminate any intruders.

Remove your spare key

If you have a spare key, leaving it under a fake rock, the doormat or somewhere outside the house is definitely not a good idea. Instead of leaving it in your usual hiding spot, it would be best to give it to a friend or a neighbor you trust.

Unplug

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, leaving the appliances plugged in, even when not turned on, are still using power. This contributes to 10% of household energy use. Plus, leaving them plugged in increases the risk of fire.

Unplug all appliances such as coffee maker, toaster, microwave, television, and other electrical devices. Not only will it help you save money, it also reduces the risk of house fire.

If you have devices like CCTV or security systems that depend on internet to transmit information, then it is best to leave your wifi on.

Jun11

Why Home Inspection is Important on Newly Built Homes

There is something inherently appealing about a brand new house. You don’t have to worry about repairs. You get to choose the appliances, wall colors, countertops, and furnitures. You have the freedom design and decorate it exactly the way you want it. However, buyers who are caught up in the excitement of buying a brand new Denver home tend to think that everything will work perfectly because it’s brand new. That’s not always the case.

There is no such thing as a perfect house

While there are a lot of advantages to buying a newly built house, it can also be plagued with a number of issues. Why? Because there is no such thing as a perfect house.

A house is made up of thousands of pieces. Every single piece of this house is assembled by a group of people, who may commit some mistakes during the construction process.  You can’t always assume that everything is perfect just because it’s new.

New Denver, Colorado homes can be as problematic as older homes. The roof may leak, the heating and air conditioning system could need adjustment, outlets and switches may not work. A lot of other unpleasant things may occur. Unfortunately, most homeowners become aware of these issues after moving in to their new home. That’s kind of a bummer.

Of course, no one wants to deal with expensive and time-consuming repairs after spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a newly built property. The problem is that most Denver home buyers do even not bother to have their homes inspected, thinking that it is great shape. This is a big mistake.

As a home buyer, you want to make sure that the property you’ll be investing on is structurally sound and free of health risks. As such, it is important to hire a home inspector before buying a house.

Hire a home inspector

Home inspectors can help you pinpoint any issues that could potentially lead to costly repairs. They will also get a good understanding of the overall condition of the property. Not only will it help avoid some expensive surprises down the road, you’ll also feel more certain about your purchase.

A house is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. As such, it is best to hire the most thorough, licensed inspector you can find. Go online and try to find the best home inspector in your area. Read reviews to give you an idea how they work. Or better yet, ask your family and friends for recommendations.

Jun04

4 Home Features Millennial Buyers Will Pay Extra For

The wave of millennial homebuyers is coming. Numbering around 80 million, they now represent the most active generational group when it comes to home buyers.

Let’s take a look at some of the features millennials are looking for when buying a house.

Energy efficient appliances

Energy efficiency is among the characteristics homebuyers are increasingly looking for in a home. Millennials are particularly concerned about their impact on the environment more than other generations. Many of them are also  budget-conscious, so they are looking for ways to reduce their monthly utility bills. Some are even willing to pay 3% more for an energy efficient home.

Hardwood floors

Not too long ago, buyers find Denver homes with carpet more desirable. After all, it makes their Colorado home a bit warmer during the winter and they feel more comfortable. Today’s homebuyers, however, find homes with hardwood floors ideal. In fact, survey reveals that buyers are willing to pay an additional $2,000 for this feature.

The good news is that wood flooring can last for several decades up to a century with proper care and maintenance.

Exterior lighting

According to the National Association of Home Builders, exterior lighting is one of the most sought out outdoor features in a home - with about 90% of buyers including this on their list of must have features.

Illuminating a well-manicured lawn will significantly increase your property’s curb appeal; hence, making a good impression on potential buyers. It’s also an easy and inexpensive way of adding security to your home.

Security system

Safety and security is one of the most important features buyers look into when shopping for a Denver, Colorado home. Naturally, they want to make sure that the neighborhood they’re moving into is safe. In addition, they also want to keep their Colorado home, family and belongings protected.

A house with a security system will give them the peace of mind, knowing that they are safe from intruders and burglars.

May21

4 Things You Need to Know Before Selling Your House

Selling your Denver Colorado home takes more than just planting a for sale sign on the front lawn. Any family member friend or colleague who has sold their Colorado house before would tell you that it’s not easy. It requires a lot of work, patience and plenty of know-how.  

Selling a house, especially if you haven’t done it before, can be an inconvenience and create stress and anxiety.

Here are 4 things you need to know selling your house.

Price it right

When selling your house, the price can be one of its most attractive and unattractive features. If you want to get the most attention from potential buyers when it first hits the market, then you must pick the absolute right price tag based on how much your house is worth.

Go too high and you risk turning off buyers. Of course, you can always lower the price later on, but you’re going to lose the freshness of the home’s appeal after two weeks of showing.

Review comparables of recently sold homes to get the price right. If you are working with a real estate agent, he/she can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), which will help you determine the current market value of a property.

Timing is key when selling your house

Conventional wisdom tells us that spring and summer months are your best options for listing your home for sale. After all, this is the busiest time of the year for the Denver real estate market - school is out and families are looking to move to their new house before the school year starts.

While it’s true that most home sales happen in spring and summer, you also need to factor in your own family’s needs. The best time to sell is when you are ready for it.

Find a good real estate agent

With so much information readily available online, some sellers decide to just sell their house on their own. Plus, forgoing the agent means you can pocket that 6% commission. Sounds like a great idea, right? Not necessarily.

Real estate agents take on several roles during the home selling process - marketer, stager, analyst, negotiator, copywriter etc. They’ll help you set the selling price, market your home, handle volumes of paperwork, negotiate with them, and show your home to potential buyers. Do yourself a favor and hire a good Denver Colorado real estate agent.

Staging

If you want to sell your house fast and for top dollar, then make sure that it looks the part.

Potential buyers aren’t just looking for a house to live in. Rather, they are looking for a place where they can create meaningful memories with their loved ones. This is where staging comes in handy.

Staging involves re-arranging the furnitures and decorating the house to make sure it looks its best. Spruce up the yard, repaint the walls, accessorize, and get the house sparkling clean.

May14

5 Easy Ways to Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

If you are preparing to sell your Denver Colorado home, you might want to increase your home’s curb appeal and make a good first impression on potential buyers. A lot of Colorado home buyers are making initial drive-bys before they schedule a showing. No one will want to see what’s inside unless they find your home appealing.

Enhancing your home’s curb appeal will give it that nice and finished look that will make people stop and stare. It will also make your house easier to sell.

Here are 5 easy ways to get your home’s exterior looking great. The good thing is, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

Dress up the front door

A front door that pops can give a plain exterior a big dose of personality. Make a statement by giving your front door a blast of color and updating your door’s handle and dead-bolt set. This is not only a great visual update, it can also be considered as a practical improvement.

Get the power washer out

Stand at the end of the driveway and try to view the home as a potential buyer would. If you don’t like what you’re seeing, then it’s time to get the power washer out.

Give the exterior of your house a good cleaning. Also, use the power washer to clean the porch, decks, driveways, walkways and the siding.

Add a layer of mulch

Adding a fresh layer of mulch is said to be one of the cheapest ways to improve the look of your yard. This is because mulch helps cover up a multitude of sins. Plus, it makes the area look freshly landscaped.

Trim branches

If you still haven’t done so, go ahead and trim them back now. You want potential buyers to get a clear look at your house when they drive by. So, make sure that low-hanging tree branches are not blocking the view of your home.

Plant in containers

Container gardens can add a welcoming feel to your home. Buy some colorful pots and fill them with vibrant flowers. You can place them on the flowers beds or even on the front porch.

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