Top 5 DIY Home Repairs

Home repairs are a common aspect of home ownership, while continuous maintenance will help to protect your most important investment. Although these words bring a mixture of feelings, and even detract some from interest in owning a home, often times they involve simple, easy tasks. Some see home repairs as a challenging adventure, and one best suited for a professional. Although this is sometimes true, many painting, plumbing, landscaping, and regular maintenance tasks are best handled by yourself. Others, though, immediately cringe, minds racing on the thought of all the work and money that will go into the task(s).

Truthfully, those who shy away from common maintenance and home repairs often develop their perspective based on a lack of understanding and education, something Home Fax™ Inspections & Nationwide Home Fax™ desires to help you with.

Check out this article on the Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Do Yourself and educate yourself, or fix your perspective, when it comes to home ownership maintenance, repairs and upkeep.

The Home Fax™ Excerpt Re-Cap

In case you missed any recent blogs from The Home Fax™, check out these quick excerpts and references. When you're finished, don't forget to cash in on the THANKS50 promotion for 50% off any inspection from Home Fax™ Inspections. Hurry, the promotion ends on 12/30/15 and limited scheduling dates are available!

• #1: Agents, are your clients getting the most out of their home inspection?

A quality home inspection reaches beyond the scope of a one-day, one-report consultation. Many home buyers have a quality agent who understands and truly cares for their needs. These buyers are educated and informed along the way, leading them into home ownership with success and confidence.

• #2: 3 Uncommon Home Inspection Benefits

An industry with relatively no change or adaption requires changing, at least a new perspective or unique way of presenting the information. Inspection companies, such as Home Fax™ Inspections, utilize creative ways to enhance and change the way inspection reports are viewed.

• #3: Seller’s Inspection Advantages for Sellers, Agents & Buyers

Although buyers are most commonly known for having a home inspection completed, many sellers and agents are starting to see the enormous benefits from Seller’s Inspections and Pre-Listing Inspections. 

• #4: Who’s controlling the inspection process?

Learn how to maximize your investment, sale price, or commission by controlling the inspection process as a buyer, agent, and seller. 

• #5: 4 holiday safety tips & touch ups for around the home

Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other holidays bring families together for many reasons. Use these four holiday safety tips and touch ups for around the home as you prepare for your special get together! 

Next Monday we will review lighting and decoration safety tips for around the home as families tend to complete these festive tasks just before the beginning of Christmas. Until then, always remember to Know the Home Before You Buy™ www.HomeFaxInspect.com & www.NationwideHomeFax.com

4 Holiday Safety Tips & Touch-ups for Around the Home

Thanksgiving, Christmas and many other holidays bring families together for many reasons. Use these holiday safety tips and touch ups for around the home as you prepare for your special get-together.

#1: Test smoke detectors (or add if missing)

We all hear about the most common safety issue every year during each holiday, stove and gas fires. Check all existing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (especially in the kitchen) on each floor of the home, replace any batteries, and add any alarms/detectors where not present already. If you have not already, consider replacing traditional smoke detectors with a smoke and carbon monoxide combination alarm.

#2: Fix or replace broken electrical outlet covers

Replacing any broken electrical outlets is a simple, cheap, and effective way to help keep your family safe. GFCI outlets should be present in all kitchens and bathrooms for over current protection and to help reduce the chance of shock hazards. 

Check along each interior room for any broken outlet plates, especially low areas in the home that are accessible to children. Having a screwdriver handy, tighten any loose plates, make note of which need to be replaced, and head out to your local hardware store!

#3: Clear any tripping hazards & add safety guards along fireplaces

As family and guests arrive, it’s easy to get caught up in all of your obligations that may result in overlooking simple safety risks, such as tripping hazards. By planning ahead, clearing space, adding safety guards along fireplace masonry, and even temporarily re-organizing high traffic areas, your home will become instantly safer. 

Add a shoe rack (permanently or temporarily) near the entrance door, pick up any electrical cords, Christmas lights or other items which may be tripping hazards. You never know, it may prevent an unnecessary trip to the emergency room.

#4: Check water and gas connections

The last thing any of us want to deal with on a busy holiday is fix broken items, or even worse, schedule an emergency repair. Leaks, backups, and clogs are more susceptible with higher traffic in areas, such as the restroom. 

Check and tighten any fixture connections, clear the P-trap, and scan your water heater and furnace. Don’t forget the basement connections...when’s the last time you checked those anyway?

Until next time, check out www.HomeFaxInspect.com and www.NationwideHomeFax.com and be sure to always Know the Home Before You Buy™