Routine maintenance is important for your Denver home’s upkeep and well-being. However, majority of the defects Denver home inspectors finds are due to lack of preventive maintenance and neglect. Since your Colorado home is your biggest asset, it needs to be carefully looked after.

Regardless of whether you’re planning to put your home for sale or not, there are a lot of things you can do to keep your home in top shape. Read on as we give you some tips to make sure your Denver CO home stays in good condition for the years to come.

Inspect exterior

Inspect your home’s exterior for water damage, leaks, loose pieces and cracks. Keep your home in top shape by properly filling leaks and cracks or replacing rotted siding or trim.

Nothing makes a house look unwelcoming and dilapidated as peeling paint. Give your exterior walls a fresh coat of paint. Your house always looks clean and tiny when it’s newly painted.

Give your house a deep clean

Keep things clean by giving the whole house a proper deep clean. Allot one day for this task and get your entire family working. Dust every nook and cranny, clean the windows, scrub the floor, de-clutter etc. Don’t let dust, dirt and grime build up over the years.

Change out air filters

For homes with smaller families and without pets, it may not be necessary to change your air filters every month. This may be done every 2 to 3 months. If you have pets at home or if you smoke, be sure to inspect it every month and change whenever necessary.

Clean the gutters

Cleaning the gutters is a small task that can prevent big problems. Clean out leaves and debris that may have collected in them. This should be done twice a year to prevent damage to your home’s roof and exterior. Flush the gutters and downspouts with a garden hose after you’ve cleared the muck.

Check the roof

Have a roofing professional inspect your roof at least once a year. This way, they can identify sections that need repair and address the issues immediately. 

Buying a house in Denver Colorado will cost you a fortune. As you probably already know, the expenses don’t stop after moving into your new house. This is especially true if the house have some issues that need to be fixed right away. To be sure that the house you’re buying is in good condition, make sure that you have it inspected before signing on the dotted.

Here are 4 home inspection mistakes you should avoid.

Hiring the wrong inspector

The inspection is only as good as the inspector. In order to make the most out of the inspection, it is important that you hire a professional.

Certifications and licensing vary by state. When hiring a home home inspector, be sure to ask about their credentials - training, experience, and education. Never hire an inspector without doing any research.

Not inspecting new constructions

Building a house is a complex process. With so many people working on different aspects of the house, it is nearly impossible to build one without any flaws. Skipping inspection on a new house is a big mistake.

If you are planning to buy a new house, it is best to have it inspected twice - during the early phase of construction and when it is completed. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your new home is in good condition and won’t require repairs anytime soon.

Skipping the home inspection

A Denver home inspection provides a great way to learn more about the house you’re interested in. Rather than simply waiting for the inspection report, I recommend that you attend the inspection.

Although you’re not really required to attend the inspection, you shouldn’t miss out on this opportunity. Here, you can walk with the inspector as he goes examines different parts of the house. He will point out some areas of concern and may even give you some tips on how to address these issues and how to best care for the house. You may also ask some questions to the inspector.

Not reading the report carefully

Home inspectors provide a written report after the home inspection. This includes a list of all the issues that are present in the house.

Go through the home inspection report carefully. You may find a long list of issues. Many of them may be minor issues that do not warrant immediate repair. Lookout for major issues like structural damage, mold infestation, water damage, electrical issues, and plumbing issues. From here, you can decide your next step in the homebuying process. You can negotiate a lower price, ask the seller to tackle repair or back out of the home sale.

You have reached a point in your life when you need to move to a bigger house to accommodate the needs of your growing Colorado family. How you prepare your home for sale will determine how quickly your home sells.

No matter how lovely your house is, majority of Colorado home buyers will walk back out of the door if they find some icky issues in your home.

Here are some of the biggest turnoffs for potential Denver home buyers.

Poor curb appeal

Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home when viewed from across the street. It is important to improve curb appeal because most buyers would drive by the house before they decide to book your house for viewing.

Often, sellers are too busy beautifying the interior of the house that they end up forgetting about the exterior. If they find that the house looks messy and unkempt from the outside, they may assume that the house hasn’t been maintained and cared for. As a result, they may lose interest in viewing the house. 

Dirt and grime

Nothing will scare off a potential home buyer than a dirty, filthy house. As a seller, your goal is to help buyers envision themselves living in your home. It would be impossible to do that in a house with crusty kitchen counters, grimy floors, and dirt everywhere.

Before selling, you want to make sure that the house is in the best possible condition. As such, we highly recommend that you deep clean the house. Clean and scrub every part of the house. Make it sparkle.

Odors from pets or smoking

While you consider your pet a part of your family, some people don’t like dogs, especially pet odors. House odors from pets take top billing on the uh-oh list. A house that smells like cigarettes may also turn off potential buyers. Many of them will turn around and walk back out of your door once they notice the odor.

Since you lived in that house for years, you may be immune to the smell. While preparing your home for sale, we suggest that you invite a friend or a colleague over to your home to help you determine if your house smells. If it does, take the necessary steps to get rid of the odor. Perfume isn’t enough to cover up the odor.

Buying a house in Colorado is a big financial obligation. If you’re not careful, it can quickly turn into a financial nightmare. As such, it is best to have the Denver Colorado property professionally inspected prior to closing.

A Denver home inspection helps potential buyers determine the overall condition of the house and identify any major issues. This is designed to help potential buyers make a more informed decision and prevent them from being scammed.

What type of home inspection do you need to have when buying a house? Here are some of them.

General home inspection

A general home inspection will give you a good idea about the overall condition of the property. The house may look nice, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s in great shape. By hiring a professional inspector, you’ll be able to determine the issues that are present in the house, as well as some potential problems that you may have to deal with in the long run.

By knowing the actual condition of the property you’re interested in, you can make a more informed decision and decide whether or not it is a worthy investment.

Radon gas

Radon gas is a colorless, odorless gas. Long-term exposure to radon gas can potentially cause health problems. In some cases, it can even be fatal. Since it is invisible odorless, most people aren’t even aware about the presence of this toxic gas in their home. The only way to find out is through testing.

Our house is our safe haven. It is where we feel safe and relaxed. When looking for your dream home, you should look beyond the physical appearance and consider the safety of your family. This is especially important if you have young kids. Don’t skip this step.

Mold testing

Mold is also a potential health threat. Young kids and older adults are more susceptible to the negative health effects of mold. It can cause allergy symptoms, trigger asthma attacks, and even aggravate existing health conditions. If left unaddressed, mold problems may also cause structural problems. It literally eats at materials like floorboards, ceiling tiles, drywall, and wall paper.

Mold can start growing and multiply very easily. This is why it’s important to address the issue as early as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is spread in different parts of the house.

Molds are difficult to get rid of, and remediation is costly. In fact, the average cost of mold remediation is $2,000 to $6,000. Make sure that you do this type of inspection before signing on the dotted line. The last thing you want is to find out about the mold problems after moving in to your new house.

If you are buying a home in Denver Colorado or surrounding areas and need a home inspection, call Steel- Rhino. We can give you a solid, honest inspection of the home you are considering to purchase. 

Most people are aware of the dangers of mold to our health. Aside from being a health hazard, it can also negatively affect the value of your Denver Colorado home. The problem is that most people aren’t even aware that mold is present in their Denver home.

Here are 4 signs there is mold in your Denver Colorado house.

There’s a musty odor

Just because there are no visible signs of mold, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your Denver home is mold-free. Sometimes, you can’t see it but you can smell it. Often, a musty, moldy odor is the only clue that mold is present in your home.

Your allergies never subside

Exposure to mold can trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms often include sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy throat, puffy eyes, and skin irritation. If you usually experience allergic symptoms every time you’re at home, and the symptoms seem to go away when you leave the house, mold exposure may be the cause of the problem.

You notice dark spots on your wall

If you notice some dark spots on your wall, then you know you have a problem. The question is, how much. Just because you only see few spots on the wall, it doesn’t necessarily mean that the mold growth is limited to that area. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Address the problem immediately as soon as you find out there is mold in your house. The last thing you want is for molds to spread in different parts of your home. Not only is it costly, it can also pose a threat to the health of your family.

There is a leak in your home

Most people assume the leaks are a minor problem. Some people would just ignore that dripping sound, thinking it’s not that big of a deal. But if left unaddressed, it can lead to bigger, more complicated problems.

According to the U.S. EPA, a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. It can also lead to mold growth. Damp and wet environment provide the perfect condition for mold to thrive. If you failed to address leak problems, chances are there is mold present in your home.  

Most sellers will be upfront about the issues present in the house. Other sellers, however, will try to hide some issues in the hopes of selling their house fast.

If you are planning to buy a house, beware. The house may have some issues the seller don’t want you find out.

Here are some of the most common problems home sellers try to hide.

Leaks

Leaks are one of the most common problems in the house. It can be from plumbing fixtures, pipes or roof leak. Sellers will try every quick fix possible to temporarily plug that drip.

A leak may seem like a minor problem, but if not addressed immediately, this can lead to bigger, more complicated problems. Water damage, mold growth, and structural problems are just some of them. These issues are not only costly to address, they can also pose a threat to your family’s health and safety.

Water damage

Signs of water damage can be hard to miss. It often manifests as a stain or blotch on the walls and ceiling. Peeling paint is also a common sign of water damage.

Most sellers would paint the walls before putting their home on the market. Not only will it help freshen up the look of the house, it also helps conceal the stains on the walls and ceiling.

HVAC systems

HVAC systems usually last for a very long time. In fact, the average lifespan of an HVAC equipment is between 15 to 20 years. But once it reaches the 10-year mark, it tends to break down and becomes costly to operate. Replacing older units with newer, energy-efficient models will help you save money and stress down the road.

It is easy to tell whether the HVAC unit is ancient or not, but some sellers try to hide the age of their HVAC system with 3 words – I don’t know. When in doubt, ask your home inspector about it. They can find out that information very quickly.

A haunted past

According to the National Association of Realtors, violent crimes, murder or suicide that took place in the house doesn’t have to be disclosed during the selling process. Don’t expect the seller to offer that information to you during the home selling process.

If you’re squeamish about it, sites like DiedinHouse.com can clue you in on a property’s unsavory past.

Getting the house inspected is one of the most important things you need to do when buying a house. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that the property you are interested in is worth investing on. Plus, it gives you an option to opt out if the problems are too big or unsettling.

There is no denying the importance of home inspection in the home buying process. The problem is that, there are lots of myths and misconceptions being circulated. As a result, most people find it difficult to separate the facts from the myths.

Here are some of the most common home inspection myths you need to stop believing.

Newly constructed homes don’t need to be inspected

It’s a no-brainer to have an old house inspected before closing. But should you hire a home inspector for a new home? The answer is yes.

No house is perfect. Even new homes can have problems too. You need to remember that even the most experienced home builders commit mistakes, which often leads to some issues. A home inspection provides a great opportunity to address constructions errors before they turn into major problems.

It doesn’t matter which inspector you hire

Most states do not require home inspectors to be licensed. This makes it difficult to separate the good ones from the inexperienced ones.

There are lots of home inspectors out there, but you can’t just hire the first one you run into. Considering how much money you’ll be spending on your future home, you want to make sure that you hire the best one. In order to make the most out of the home inspection, be sure to hire someone who has the knowledge, skills, and experience. If possible, hire someone who has been in the business for several years.

A home inspector will tell whether or not to buy the house

A home inspector will inspect every aspect of the house. They will identify the issues that are present in the house. Some may even give you an estimate or the expected costs of repairs. That’s it.

As a buyer, it is your responsibility to decide whether or not to push through with the home sale. The home inspector will not make the decision for you. Attend the home inspection, ask questions, and carefully read through the home inspection report to help you make an informed decision.

Getting the house inspected is one of the most important things you need to do when buying a house. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that the property you are interested in is worth investing on. Plus, it gives you an option to opt out if the problems are too big or unsettling.

There is no denying the importance of home inspection in the home buying process. The problem is that, there are lots of myths and misconceptions being circulated. As a result, most people find it difficult to separate the facts from the myths.

Here are some of the most common home inspection myths you need to stop believing.

Newly constructed homes don’t need to be inspected

It’s a no-brainer to have an old house inspected before closing. But should you hire a home inspector for a new home? The answer is yes.

No house is perfect. Even new homes can have problems too. You need to remember that even the most experienced home builders commit mistakes, which often leads to some issues. A home inspection provides a great opportunity to address constructions errors before they turn into major problems.

It doesn’t matter which inspector you hire

Most states do not require home inspectors to be licensed. This makes it difficult to separate the good ones from the inexperienced ones.

There are lots of home inspectors out there, but you can’t just hire the first one you run into. Considering how much money you’ll be spending on your future home, you want to make sure that you hire the best one. In order to make the most out of the home inspection, be sure to hire someone who has the knowledge, skills, and experience. If possible, hire someone who has been in the business for several years.

A home inspector will tell whether or not to buy the house

A home inspector will inspect every aspect of the house. They will identify the issues that are present in the house. Some may even give you an estimate or the expected costs of repairs. That’s it.

As a buyer, it is your responsibility to decide whether or not to push through with the home sale. The home inspector will not make the decision for you. Attend the home inspection, ask questions, and carefully read through the home inspection report to help you make an informed decision.

A home inspection is one of the most important steps you need to take when buying a house. It will help you determine the general condition of the house you are interested in. This will prevent you from buying a house in need of major repairs.

Considering how important a home inspection is, you want to make sure that you hire someone who is knowledgeable, experienced and well-trained. By asking these questions, you can protect yourself from hiring an unqualified inspector.

What certifications do you hold?

Not all states require inspectors to be licensed. Because of this, just about anyone can pose as an inspector. To help you distinguish the good ones from the bad ones, it is best to ask if they are certified with a national home inspection association.

ASHI and InterNACHI are two of largest home inspection organizations in the country. If the inspector you are considering is a member of any of these organizations, you can be sure that he is knowledgeable and well-trained.

What does the inspection include?

A home inspection includes a detailed inspection of different areas and systems of the house. Before hiring an inspector, you need to know what is and isn’t included in the inspection. You need to have a clear understanding of what the inspection entails.

Do you carry insurance?

Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. Even the best home inspectors commit mistakes. Accidents also happen when you least expect it. Make sure that the inspector your hire carries both professional and general liability insurance so you’re protected.  Ask to see proof of insurance before they set foot on your property. You’d be surprised to know that some Colorado home inspectors don’t have insurance.

How long will the home inspection take?

The inspection should be as thorough as possible. The average Denver Colorado home inspection takes about 2 to 3 hours. The bigger the house is, the longer the inspection will take. Older houses take longer to inspect than new ones. If someone tells you that the inspection process will be done in an hour, you may want to look elsewhere.

How much do you charge?

Although you need to factor in the cost, this should be the least of your concern. Remember, you are paying for their services. The more experienced the inspector is, the higher their rate is.

If you make a decision based on the price alone, you may end up hiring someone who is inexperienced or doesn’t really know what he’s doing.

So, you have found the house of your dreams. The seller has accepted your offer. You’re eager to shop for new furnitures and move into your new house. Not so fast. Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to make sure that the house meets your expectations. The house may look great, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s in pristine condition.

A house can cost a fortune. As such, most buyers are looking for ways to save money. Often, they would skip the home inspection in an attempt to cut cost. When making the biggest purchases of your life, you want to make sure that the property you’re eyeing on is worth investing on. Don’t be tempted to waive the home inspection.

Here are 4 reasons why you shouldn’t skip a home inspection.

Reveal the big picture

A home inspection is one of the most important steps you need to take when buying a house. A professional inspector will help you determine the condition of the house and minor and major issues, as well as potential problems you may have to face later on.

You need to know what you’re getting into before making a final decision. The home inspection will give you more information about the property you’re interested in and help you make a more informed buying decision.

Negotiating tool

Fixing and repairing issues in the house is not only costly, it can also be stressful. If the home inspection report comes back with a list of major issues, you can either ask the seller to address these issues before closing or negotiate a lower price.

Peace of mind

A house is one of the biggest purchases you will ever make. Unlike clothes, shoes, and bags, you can’t ask for a refund if you decide later on that you’re not happy with your purchase. Once you have closed on the property, there is no turning back.

Before you sign on the dotted line, you want to make sure that the house you’re interested in is in great shape. The only way to find out is through a home inspection. Knowing the actual condition of the property, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your future home is in good condition, and that it’s a good investment. It is worth the extra cost when you’re making the biggest purchases of your life.

It provides an out

Fixing and addressing issues in the house can be costly and time consuming. This is especially true when you’re dealing with some major issues such as roof damage, structural damage, mold infestation, and water damage. By learning about the issues present in the house, you can decide whether to push through with the transaction or just back out of the sale.