Jennifer Srock - Your Casa Grande REALTOR®

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Windows

July 18, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

Depending on the circumstance, some may be better than others.

Single pane, double pane, thermo pane, triple pane windows, plain glass, leaded glass, low “e” glass, wired glass, and tempered glass, too. WOW – There’s a lot to know! Tempered glass can prevent shattering. Fogged thermal pane windows might need to be replaced if their seals are broken. New argon gas filled windows work well to insulate, while low-e coatings reduce the heat transfer for south facing rooms.

There’s a lot of information on the web, but this site seems to be one of the best.

Filed Under: Home Tips

Plumbing

July 13, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

You will spot several different types of plumbing systems in any housing market. Copper, galvanized, rigid plastic, polybutylene, and soft plastic are but a few. Certain systems are more prone to having certain problems.Galvanized water pipe is most prone to rusting on the horizontal surfaces (such as under a floor) versus vertical surfaces (running up a wall) and it corrodes from the inside out. Some rigid plastic systems have been recalled, while others have fared very well.

The most reliable types seem to be made of copper, but again there can be issues to check: are the hangers plastic lined? Are there any lead solder joints? A good home inspector can help you identify any problem areas before you buy. There are several reputable inspectors in our area that I would be happy to refer.

Filed Under: Home Tips

Homeowner’s Insurance

July 12, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

Good insurance policies are hard to come by.

When purchasing a home, you will need to acquire homeowners insurance. In fact, all lenders will require a policy be in place prior to funding the loan. Make sure you have enough coverage. Policies refer to “replacement costs” that may not cover everything.

You should ask your insurance agent a lot of “what if” questions. The deductible amount also plays a big part in setting your premium. Higher deductibles lower the number of claims, and reduce your insurance costs. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Home Tips Tagged With: Arizona Homes, bank owned, Buying homes, Casa Grande Homes, first time home buyer, first time home buyer mistakes, Foreclosures, home buyer, Home Buyer Mistakes, HUD Homes, Insurance, insurance policies, lender owned, On Q Financial, REO, USDA

Home Wiring

July 9, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

What a big topic!  Hopefully this gives some good information you can use.

The type of wiring in residential homes generally depends on when and where it was built.  Has it been updated? In the older homes, knob and tube type wiring was the norm, replaced later by plastic-sheathed wiring.

In most cases the newer plastic-sheathed wiring is copper, insulated with plastic and then wrapped with insulation and another layer of plastic for protection. Breaker boxes are another story; sometimes a well-meaning home owner can inadvertently make things unsafe. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Home Tips Tagged With: Electric Wiring, Home Wiring

5 Mistakes Causing Buyers To Blow Their Own Deal

July 8, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net Leave a Comment

Any changes with your money, credit, or employment while you’re in the process of purchasing your home can affect the end result. Limit activity with your checking, savings, investments, and other financial accounts to just normal routine activity. Avoid surprises. Tell your lender if  non-routine financial activity is unavoidable so they can assess the situation immediately. Hopefully, it’s not a Homer Simpson moment that can’t be fixed. Your lender can only help if you are open and honest with them. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Buyer's Advisory Tagged With: bank owned, Buying homes, first time home buyer, first time home buyer mistakes, Foreclosures, home buyer, Home Buyer Mistakes, HUD Homes, lender owned, On Q Financial, Prequalifying, REO, USDA

FHA’s 203K- Purchasing a Home in Need of Non-Structural Repairs

July 7, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

The Federal Housing Administration, FHA, requires homes to be livable upon purchase. Strict inspection requirements are given to FHA approved appraisers to not only come up with a market value but to identify any potential heath or safety hazards.

With as many resales being foreclosed or short sale properties, the potential for damage in these otherwise quality homes is not uncommon. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Mortgage Information Tagged With: 203k, Arizona Homes, bank owned, Buying homes, Casa Grande Homes, FHA, first time home buyer, first time home buyer mistakes, Foreclosures, home buyer, Home Buyer Mistakes, HUD Homes, lender owned, On Q Financial, REO, USDA

Preserve your neighborhood’s appearance & your home’s value.

July 5, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

What a great idea to help preserve your neighborhood’s appearance & your home’s value.

Go to www.NeighborGram.com and select your grievance. Choose a preset message and your NeighborGram will be mailed to your neighbor within 5-7 days for a $3.95 fee. Remain anonymous or choose to include your name, if you dare.

I hope you don’t get one. LOL

Filed Under: Home Tips Tagged With: bad Neighbor, home value, Junk, messy neighbors, naughty neighbor, neighborhood, neighbors

About FHA Loans

July 5, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net Leave a Comment

FHA loans are mortgages issued by FHA qualified lenders only. These loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). This insurance provided by the federal government allows lenders to lend more freely by assuring them they will be repaid in the event of default.

“We have seen home buyer interest in FHA loans go from practically zero three years ago to upwards of 87 percent today,” said Christopher Gardner, founder and president of FHA Pros, LLC. “Despite this rapid rise in popularity, many buyers still do not fully understand the benefits of these loans, and we believe it’s time to change that.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Mortgage Information Tagged With: 203k, Arizona Homes, bank owned, Buying homes, Casa Grande Homes, FHA, first time home buyer, first time home buyer mistakes, Foreclosures, home buyer, Home Buyer Mistakes, HUD Homes, lender owned, On Q Financial, REO, USDA

Stucco

July 4, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

Do you know about artificial stucco being used on some newer homes?

Many newer homes are now being sided with artificial stucco siding, or EIFS (Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems). This is essentially polystyrene foam with a base coat, reinforcement mesh, then another base coat and then a finishing coat of stucco over the top.

This is a terrific product, as it adds insulation value to the home, not to mention classy looks. However, it can also be a serious and very expensive repair if it isn’t installed correctly and/or water gets behind it.

There are several manufacturers of artificial stucco, and many builders installing it. Having it inspected allows you to know if there is a problem, and even if there isn’t, you will be aware of the areas you need to keep caulked, and what to look for in case of trouble. Get more information on improperly installed EIFS right here.

Filed Under: Home Tips Tagged With: casa grande home exterior, casa grande stucco, exterior, stucco

Asbestos

July 4, 2010 by jennifer@srock.net

It’s good to be aware of it.

Many sales agreements mention asbestos by saying “the buyer is aware asbestos may be used in the construction of this home.” This can be a little unsettling. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, and when exposed, tiny particles can be released into the air you breathe.

Asbestos is a common insulator used in many homes, and was used for everything from siding to tape wrapping for furnace air ducts and even sometimes in “popcorn” ceilings. There are several remedies that range from the simple to the complex. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Home Tips Tagged With: Asbestos, insulator

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