11 High Cost Inspection Traps You Should Know About Weeks Before Listing Your Home For Sale

 by Rob Andress

 Homebuyers want to know your home inside and out while homebuyers are as individual as the homes they plan on purchasing, one thing they share is a desire to ensure that the home they will call their own is as good beneath the surface as it appears to be. Will the roof end up leaking? Is the wiring safe? What about the plumbing? These, and others, are the questions that the buyers looking at your home will seek professional help to answer. According to industry experts, there are at least 33 physical problems that will come under scrutiny during a home inspection. We've identified the 11 most common of these and, if not identified and dealt with, any of these 11 items could cost you dearly in terms of repair.

In most cases, you can make a reasonable pre-inspection yourself if you know what you're looking for. Knowing what you're looking for can help you prevent little problems from growing into costly and unmanageable ones. 11 Things You Need to Know to Pass Your Home Inspection

1. Defective Plumbing Defective plumbing can manifest itself in two different ways: leaking, and clogging.A visual inspection can detect leaking, and an inspector will gauge water pressure by turning on all faucets in the highest bathroom and then flushing the toilet. If you hear the sound of running water, it indicates that the pipes are undersized. If the water appears dirty when first turned on at the faucet, this is a good indication that the pipes are rusting, which can result in severe water quality problems.

2. Damp or Wet Basement An inspector will check your walls for a powdery white mineral deposit a few inches off the floor, and will look to see if you feel secure enough to store things right on your basement floor. A mildew odor is almost impossible to eliminate, and an inspector will certainly be conscious of it. It could cost you $200-$1,000 to seal a crack in or around your basement foundation depending on severity and location. Adding a sump pump and pit could run you around $750 - $1,000, and complete waterproofing (of an average 3 bedroom home) could amount to $5,000-$15,000. You will have to weigh these figures into the calculation of what price you want to net on your home.

3. Inadequate Wiring and Electrical Your home should have a minimum of 100 amps service, and this should be clearly marked. Wire should be copper or aluminum. Home inspectors will look at octopus plugs as indicative of inadequate circuits and a potential fire hazard.

4. Poor Heating and Cooling Systems Insufficient insulation, and an inadequate or a poorly functioning heating system, are the most common causes of poor heating. While an adequately clean furnace, without rust on the heat exchanger, usually has life left in it, an inspector will be asking and checking to see if your furnace is over its typical life span of 15-25 yrs. For a forced air gas system, a heat exchanger will come under particular scrutiny since one that is cracked can emit deadly carbon monoxide into the home. These heat exchangers must be replaced if damaged - they cannot be repaired.

5. Roofing Problems Water leakage through the roof can occur for a variety of reasons such as physical deterioration of the asphalt shingles (e.g. curling or splitting), or mechanical damage from a wind storm. When gutters leak and downspouts allow water to run down and through the exterior walls, this external problem becomes a major internal one.

6. Damp Attic Spaces Aside from basement dampness, problems with ventilation, insulation and vapor barriers can cause water, moisture, mold and mildew to form in the attic. This can lead to premature wear of the roof, structure and building materials. The cost to fix this damage could easily run over $2,500.

7. Rotting Wood This can occur in many places (door or window frames, trim, siding, decks and fences). The building inspector will sometimes probe the wood to see if this is present - especially when wood has been freshly painted.

8. Masonry Work Re-bricking can be costly, but, left unattended, these repairs can cause problems with water and moisture penetration into the home which in turn could lead to a chimney being clogged by fallen bricks or even a chimney which falls onto the roof. It can be costly to rebuild a chimney or to have it repainted.

9. Unsafe or Over-fused Electrical Circuit A fire hazard is created when more amperage is drawn on the circuit than was intended. 15 amp circuits are the most common in a typical home, with larger service for large appliances such as stoves and dryers. It can cost several hundred dollars to replace your fuse panel with a circuit panel.

10. Adequate Security Features More than a purchased security system, an inspector will look for the basic safety features that will protect your home such as proper locks on windows and patio doors, dead bolts on the doors, smoke and even carbon monoxide detectors in every bedroom and on every level. Even though pricing will vary, these components will add to your costs. Before purchasing or installing, you should check with your local experts.

11. Structural/Foundation Problems An inspector will certainly investigate the underlying footing and foundation of your home as structural integrity is fundamental to your home. When you put your home on the market, you don't want any unpleasant surprises that could cost you the sale of your home.By having an understanding of these 11 problem areas as you walk through your home, you'll be arming yourself against future disappointment.



Rob Andress is the Broker of Record for MINCOM Island City Realty Inc. Brokerage. With over 25 years of professional real estate experience in Brockville Rob's knowledge in invaluable. Formore details on brockville real estate and homes for sale in brockville than please visit our website.

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How to Become a Student in the US

by Theodore Olsen

You�ve finished school. You�ve got your whole future ahead of you. Lots of questions. Lots of possible answers. One possibility is to continue your studies in the US. But how do you go about it? What steps do you take to ensure that your American educational experience is a success?

Choosing a School

The first thing you have to consider is which US school is right for you. The American secondary educational system is extensive, offering everything from professional certificates to doctoral degrees. There are schools of every size, from small, private institutions to large, bustling state university campuses. The choices seem limitless.

Your first decision to make is your course of study. Determining what you want your future career to be will help determine what sort of school you need to attend. Can you acquire your education at a trade or vocational school? Do you need an Associates, Bachelor�s or even higher degree? Once you�ve determined the type of educational institution to attend, you�ll have to decide to which school you send your application for admission. If possible, do some research, especially among the school�s international student community. Just because a school is considered to be prestigious in one or two areas does not mean that all of its programs are just as strong. Weaknesses are inevitable. Make sure your program of interest is considered one of the best the school has to offer. If not, choose another school. Community attitudes are also something to consider. You don�t want to place yourself in an unfriendly atmosphere, on or off campus.

Each school also has its own admission requirements. Contact the school you are interested in to ensure that the information you have is up-to-date and accurate. Research other schools, too, in addition to just one. Many large colleges and universities receive numerous applications but accept very few new students, while other schools accept nearly everyone who applies. Spare the heartache of being rejected by having an alternative second choice already picked out.

Obtaining Your Student Visa

You�ve been selected by the school of your choice. Now, how to you go about getting here? You must first apply for a student visa. A visa allows you to travel to a US port-of-entry and apply to the immigration officer there for entry into the country. It does not guarantee entry will be given, but it is the next step in your US academic success. There are several different types of US student visas � the F - 1, the J - 1, and the M - 1.

The F-1 visa is for students studying at an accredited US college or university, or studying English at a college or university, or attending an English language course at an intensive language institution. It is the most common student visa applied for and granted to foreign students.

The J � 1 type student visa is for those who are participating in a student exchange program. It allows you to trade places with an American student for a specified period of time.

The M � 1 student visa is for those pursuing technical or vocational, but not academic, education in the United States. Nonacademic programs offer educational opportunities for students wishing to pursue careers that do not require academic degrees. Many are certificate or diploma programs.

Whichever type of visa you determine you will need, you�ll need a form from your chosen college or institution, either an I-20 or a DS-209. These forms state your entry qualification as an accepted and enrolled student in a US school. You�ll also need to schedule and complete a visa interview at the embassy or consulate nearest you. Since acquiring the appropriate form and interview can take some time, it is essential that you begin well in advance of the start of your courses. You cannot enter the US more than 30 days before the start of your classes, but it still better to be completely ready to arrive than to chance being late or even hurried.

Your First Weeks as a US Student

You�ll want to arrive early enough to settle in, making your dorm or apartment a comfortable, pleasant place to live. First year students, no matter how fervently engaged in learning and social activities, tend to experience feelings of loneliness, homesickness and culture shock. Creating a warm, inviting, safe place to come home to at the end of a bad day is important to both your mental and emotional state.

You�ll also want to acquaint yourself with the campus and the community surrounding it, whether New York City or a small town in rural America. Being familiar with campus will help you navigate buildings and classrooms, easing some of the anxieties often associated with new environments. Getting to know your school�s community can offer you new and exciting cultural experiences as you get to hear, see, smell, taste and touch �real America.� You may find a haven away from the hustle and bustle of campus, or a religious or cultural center that can make you feel a little closer to home.

Most large US colleges and universities have social groups specifically for foreign students. Some are culture or language specific, while others may just offer the company of other students far from home These groups or clubs can be excellent places to meet and socialize, especially if your language skills make socializing with English speaking student uncomfortable.

Keeping a journal, scrapbook or photo album will create an invaluable memoir of your time spent in the US as a student. Begin early, taking photos or writing journal entries from your first day. Not only will they serve to preserve memories you may otherwise forget, they can offer a record of your journey, from being a �stranger in a strange land� to a confident, comfortable �citizen of the world� upon graduation.

Power Visa.com is an online, full-service immigration lawyer� to help with your immigration needs. Visit them online today.

Article Source: http://www.articlesphere.com/Article/How-to-Become-a-Student-in-the-US/178502