Category Archives: Home Safety Issues

Getting Ready to Sell Your Home…

Some great ideas brought to you by Jack Edwards at ElkGroveRealEstate.com  If you are planning to sell your home,  I am sure that your agent probably gave you a list of things to do to get your house ready. I have a handout with 44 things to do to get ready to sell that I share with my clients. If you want a copy of my list, don’t hesitate to contact me a Jack@ElkGroveRealEstate.com

In the true spirit of giving credit where credit is due, much of the info below is not something that I have been sharing with my clients, at least in this format. I will in the future, but thanks to a posting on Facebook by fellow Realtor, Sue Gibson, I am sharing her list with my modifications and additions.

Put together binder with the info below. Gathering this information before you put your home on the market may even help your home to sell faster as all of this information is available upfront, eliminating the need for guesswork and waiting on answers while another property could possibly come on the market to grab the buyer’s attention.

1. Home improvements you have made.  Provide paint recipes, wallpaper swatches, etc. Anything along these lines makes it easier for the new homeowner to match and plan. Make sure the paint cans in the garage are well marked too. If you had your house painted, re-roofed, etc… make sure to have the receipts/warranties/estimates available too. If you installed the sprinklers, please leave behind a copy of the plan so that it is easier for the new owner to make repairs or to know where to dig or not dig. A copy of your landscape plan would be helpful too.

2. Floor Plans – Buyers often need to know room dimensions to help with furniture placement n the new space. It is great to be able to provide the floor plan, but be careful about putting in the measurements. If you make a mistake, you may be held liable for the errors. I would just provide the floor plan and let the new buyer use it to record their own measurements. If you don’t have a copy from when you bought the house, ask your Realtor because he or she may have a copy. I keep copies of floor plans for all developments in my area since the time I started my real estate business.

3. Utility Bills – Buyers want to get an idea of what they can expect the heating and cooling bills to be in a home. This information can be very beneficial when a buyer sits down to number crunch their total costs of owning a home.

4. Pest Control – If you maintain any type of pest control on your property, compile information as to who the provider is, what you have done, how much you pay and how often does the company come out to treat the property. A copy of your service agreement is helpful in this instance.

5. Insurance – Buyers especially want to know who a seller uses for their homeowners insurance and how much they pay. This is particularly the case in higher risk areas (where there are hurricanes, floods, fires, etc.) With homeowners insurance potentially more difficult to obtain in some areas, going through the existing seller’s insurance company can help streamline the process, particularly on an older home.

6. Product Manuals and Warranty Documents – Now is the time to gather the various product manuals for all items that will be staying in the home such as appliances, water heater, heating and cooling system, ceiling fans, pool equipment, etc. If your home came with any warranties, be sure to include these for the new owner as well. Putting all of these in one large envelope makes it easy for everything to be readily accessible in one place for the new buyer.

7. Service providers – Compile a list of all service providers/vendors and their contact information who you have used on your home – lawn service, pool service, A/C company, garage door company, etc. While a new buyer may or may not choose to use these services, they will certainly appreciate having resources available to them.

8. Covenants and Restrictions, Neighborhood Rules and Information – Yes, it is true that the potential buyer will get a copy during the escrow process, buy it is a good idea to have this info available before the buyers show up. This is key critical information for a new owner to have on hand. A contract may likely hinge on the buyer’s review of this information, so it is best to have it available ahead of time. If you don’t have these, contact your neighborhood’s association president or management company for assistance in obtaining a copy. Many of these documents are matters of public record and are available by going online to the appropriate municipality’s website.

9. Survey – especially if you have acreage or a large lot, you might want to consider a survey. Have this document available and provide to your listing agent so they can include in the information about your home. Buyers want to know about property lines, easements, conservation buffers, if there is room for a pool, if the property line extends to the water behind your home, etc. Having a survey to provide upfront will help to eliminate these types of concerns vs. waiting until a property is under contract.

10. Important contact numbers, addresses, websites and email addresses – it is especially important that a potential buyer knows who to contact to contact when they need help. For example, who handles the Home Owners Association administration. Often it is an outside company that handles it all, and your buyer needs to be able to make contact with them.  You might even leave a list of your favorite stores and service providers. How about getting the water, gas, electricity out of your name and into theirs. They will need that info to make it happen. Last of all you may want to think about leaving your contact info behind so that the new buyer can call or email you if they have questions or if they find that you left something behind, like a box of photos up in the attic.

If you don’t have all of your contact numbers at hand, you may find them on my website at www.LivingInElkGrove.com on the “Utilities” page or the “Links” page.

Start building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow homeowners!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jack Edwards, your real estate advocate, specializes in helping buyers and sellers in Elk Grove, CA,  and the greater Sacramento area.   Get information about available homes online at:  www.ElkGroveRealEstate.comOur mobile clients can find us at Mobile.ElkGroveRealEstate.com  BRE License # 01331087

 

©2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. BRE License #01908304

One Cool Thing — Top 10 Overlooked Questions for Buyers

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top-ten-overlookedStart building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow homeowners!

Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jack Edwards, your real estate advocate, specializes in helping buyers and sellers in Elk Grove, CA,  and the greater Sacramento area.   Get information about available homes online at:  www.ElkGroveRealEstate.comOur mobile clients can find us at Mobile.ElkGroveRealEstate.com  BRE License # 01331087

 

©2013 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned by a Subsidiary of NRT LLC. If your property is listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. BRE License #01908304

Smoke Alarm Requirements for Home Improvers and Landlords

Summary provided by California Association of Realtors:

Starting not next year but January 1, 2014, for all dwelling units intended for human occupancy for which a building permit is issued for alterations, repairs, or additions for more than $1,000, the issuer of the building permit will not sign off on the completion of work unless the owner demonstrates that all smoke alarms (previously “smoke detectors”) required for the dwelling unit are devices approved by the State Fire Marshal.

Also starting January 1, 2014, to be approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal, a smoke alarm must display the date of manufacture, allow a place for the date of installation to be written, incorporate a hush feature, incorporate an end-of-life warning, and, for battery-operated devices, contain a non-removable 10-year battery.

These rules may be superseded by a local rule or ordinance that is more stringent than state law.

For properties rented or leased, an owner is generally responsible for testing and maintaining smoke alarms in an apartment complex or other building starting January 1, 2013 and in a single-family residence starting January 1, 2014, and also responsible for installing additional smoke alarms as needed to comply with building standards starting January 1, 2016. Senate Bill 1394.

Start building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow homeowners!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jack & Tracey Edwards, your real estate advocates, specialize in helping buyers and sellers in Elk Grove, CA,  and the greater Sacramento area.   Get information about available homes online at:  www.ElkGroveRealEstate.comOur mobile clients can find us at Mobile.ElkGroveRealEstate.com

 

Coldwell Banker’s 12 Month Home Maintenance Guide

Don’t let deferred maintenance take over your home. Do a little maintenance each month to help keep your new house like new.

January – Decluttering and Organizing
• Take down, clean and store holiday ornaments, decorations and
exterior lights.
• Put away all of those holiday gifts.
• While you are making room for your new gifts, take the opportunity
to go through your closet and get rid of things you haven’t used for
a year.
• Do end-of-the-year accounting and set-up a file folder for the current
year’s taxes.

February – Bathrooms
• Remove and replace any worn or crumbling caulk or grout in and
around bathtubs, sinks and toilets.
• Vacuum bathroom vent fan covers.
• Clean faucet aerators and shower heads.
• Make sure your toilets are not running and are in good working
order. If it’s within your budget, consider replacing your old toilets
with newer, more efficient models—and check with your local water
company to see if they offer rebates.

March – Kitchen
• Clean the range-hood filter in your kitchen.
• Remove all the items from your cupboards and pantry. Wipe shelves
clean, check expiration dates on all products and toss anything old.
• Clean your refrigerator and oven.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks forward on March 11
during Daylight Saving Time and test your smoke detector and
carbon monoxide batteries.

April – Yards
• Check your sprinkler systems to make sure they are working properly.
• Cut back any trees or branches that are touching the siding or roof.
• Clear out debris from under decks or porches.
• Clear out gutters and downspouts.

May – Bedroom and Closets
• Thoroughly clean all bedding (bedspread, blankets, sheets, mattress
protector). If you have a duvet insert, have it professionally cleaned.
• Change bedding for summer months, if desired.
• Go through your drawers and closets and donate old items that you
haven’t worn for a while.
• Rotate and flip mattress, if needed.

June – Windows
• Wash the inside and outside of your windows (once the rainy season
has stopped).
• Inspect and wash window and door screens and repair any with holes.
• Make sure all doors and locks are working properly and are in good
condition.
• Clean tracks and lubricate hinges.
• Clean drapes, dust blinds and shutters.

July – Paint
• Inspect the exterior of your home. Scrape, caulk and paint any wood
surfaces that have peeled or weathered.
• Inspect interior walls and ceilings for cracks or bulges, and patch
and paint as necessary.
• Clean and seal decks.

August – Vents and Filters
• Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room
fans.
• Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and
draperies.

September – Seals
• Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors and
make any necessary repairs in preparation for the winter months.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seal is tight.
• Caulk any drafts in your basement, such as around your dryer vent.
• Make sure your roof is good condition and not missing any shingles,
tiles or slates.

October – Fireplace and Chimney
• If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked
out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire.
• Be sure your fireplace tools are in good working order.
• Pull out your nonflammable rug and place it in front of the
fireplace.
• Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly but ensure
ashes have completely cooled before discarding.

November – Upholstery and Carpeting
• Vacuum all sofas and pillows.
• Spot clean all upholstery and carpeting.
• For extra cleaning, consider hiring a professional service to clean
your upholstery and carpeting.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks back on November 4
when Daylight Saving Time ends and test your smoke detector and
carbon monoxide batteries.

December – Miscellaneous
• Clean your garage and get rid of anything you don’t use.
• Neatly organize all of your tools, garden equipment and appliances.
• Wander the house with a screwdriver and tighten screws on
drawers, doors and furniture.
• Make a list of any small repairs that need to be made. If needed,
go to your local hardware store and purchase the necessary items
to make your repairs.

©2012 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Start building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow home owners!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jack & Tracey Edwards,  your real estate advocates, specialize in helping buyers and sellers in Elk Grove, CA  and the greater Sacramento area.   Get information about available homes online at:   www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com.

More Info On Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Prepared by:  The California Association of Realtors

Q 1.  What is carbon monoxide?

A  Carbon monoxide is a gas produced whenever any fuel, such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal, is burned.  A person cannot see or smell carbon monoxide.  However, at high levels carbon monoxide can kill a person in minutes.

In addition, there are well-documented chronic health effects of acute carbon monoxide poisoning from exposure to carbon monoxide, such as lethargy, headaches, concentration problems, amnesia, psychosis, Parkinson’s disease, memory impairment, and personality alterations.

(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13261.)

Q 2.  Is there a new California law dealing with the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A  Yes.  The Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 (Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 13260 et seq.) was signed into law this year.  It requires carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every “dwelling unit intended for human occupancy.”   The California legislature also modified both the TDS (for residential one-to-four unit real property) and MHTDS (for manufactured homes and mobilehomes) to include a reference to carbon monoxide detector devices.  See below for more details.

Q 3.  What is a carbon monoxide detector?

A  It is a relatively inexpensive device similar to a smoke detector that signals detection of carbon monoxide in the air.  Under the law, a carbon monoxide device is “designed to detect carbon monoxide and produce a distinct audible alarm.”  It can be battery powered, a plug-in device with battery backup, or a device installed as recommended by Standard 720 of the National Fire Protection Association that is either wired into the alternating current power line of the dwelling unit with a secondary battery backup or connected to a system via a panel.

If the carbon monoxide device is combined with a smoke detector, it must emit an alarm or voice warning in a manner that clearly differentiates between a carbon monoxide alarm warning and a smoke detector warning.
The carbon monoxide device must have been tested and certified pursuant to the requirements of the American National standards Institute (ANSI) and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) as set forth in either ANSI/UL 2034 or ANSI/UL 2075, or successor standards, by a nationally recognized testing laboratory listed in the directory of approved testing laboratories established by the Building Materials Listing Program of the Fire Engineering Division of the Office of the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 13262.)

Q 4.  How does a homeowner comply with this law?

A  Every owner of a “dwelling unit intended for human occupancy” must install an approved carbon monoxide device in each existing dwelling unit having a fossil fuel burning heater or appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.

The applicable time periods are as follows:

(1) For all existing single-family dwelling units on or before July 1, 2011.

(2) For all other existing dwelling units on or before Jan. 1, 2013.

(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(a).)

Q 5.  How many devices and where do I place them in the home?

A  This new law requires the owner “to install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manufacturer’s instructions, if it is technically feasible to do so” (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(b)).

The following language comes packaged with carbon monoxide (CO) detectors:

For minimum security, a CO Alarm should be centrally located outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.  The Alarm should be located at least 6 inches (152mm) from all exterior walls and at least 3 feet (0.9 meters) from supply or return vents.

Building standards applicable to new construction are as follows (overview summary only):

• Section R315 et seq. of the 2010 edition California Residential Code (CRC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to new one-to-two family dwellings and townhouses not more than 3 stories and also where work requiring a permit for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding one thousand dollars in existing dwellings units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

• Section 420 et seq of the 2010 edition California Building Code (CBC) [effective Jan. 1, 2011] (applicable to other new dwelling units and also where a permit is required for alterations, repairs or additions exceeding $1,000 in existing dwelling units):

Installed outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedroom(s) in dwelling units and on every level including basements within which fuel-fired appliances are installed and in dwelling units that have attached garages.

Q 6.  Are there any penalties for noncompliance with this law regarding installation of carbon monoxide detector devices?

A  Yes. A violation is an infraction punishable by a maximum fine of $200 for each offense. However, a property owner must receive a 30-day notice to correct first.  If an owner who receives such a notice fails to correct the problem within the 30-day period, then the owner may be assessed the fine. (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(c).)

Q 7.  Can a buyer of a “dwelling unit intended for human occupancy” rescind the sale if the dwelling doesn’t have the necessary carbon monoxide detectors?

A  No.  However, the buyer may be entitled to an award of actual damages not to exceed $100 plus court costs and attorney’s fees.  (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(d).)

Note the following language in the TDS and MHTDS:

Installation of a listed appliance, device, or amenity is not a precondition of sale or transfer of the dwelling. The carbon monoxide device, garage door opener, or child-resistant pool barrier may not be in compliance with the safety standards relating to, respectively, carbon monoxide device standards of Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 13260) of Part 2 of Division 12 of, automatic reversing device standards of Chapter 12.5 (commencing with Section 19890) of Part 3 of Division 13 of, or the pool safety standards of Article 2.5 (commencing with Section 115920) of Chapter 5 of Part 10 of Division 104 of, the Health and Safety Code. Window security bars may not have quick-release mechanisms in compliance with the 1995 edition of the California Building Standards Code.

Q 8.  Does a seller have any special carbon monoxide disclosure obligations?

A  No.  The only disclosure obligations are satisfied when providing a buyer with the TDS or the MHTDS.  If the seller is exempt from giving a TDS, the law doesn’t require any specific disclosures regarding carbon monoxide detector devices.  (See Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1102.6, 1102.6d.)

The Homeowners’ Guide to Environmental Hazards also will include information regarding carbon monoxide.

Q 9.  May local municipalities require more stringent standards for carbon monoxide detectors?

A  Yes (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926(e)).

Q 10.  Do landlords have any special obligations regarding carbon monoxide detectors?

A  Yes.  All landlords of dwelling units must install carbon monoxide detectors as indicated in Question 4.  The law gives a landlord authority to enter the dwelling unit for the purpose of installing, repairing, testing, and maintaining carbon monoxide devices “pursuant to the authority and requirements of Section 1954 of the Civil Code [entry by landlord].”

The carbon monoxide device must be operable at the time that a tenant takes possession.  However, the tenant has the responsibility of notifying the owner or owner’s agent if the tenant becomes aware of an inoperable or deficient carbon monoxide device.  The landlord is not in violation of the law for a deficient or inoperable carbon monoxide device if he or she has not received notice of the problem from the tenant.

(Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926.1.)

Q 11.  If the California Building Standards Commission adopts or updates building standards relating to carbon monoxide devices in the future, is the owner required to install the newer device?

A  It depends.  Yes, when the owner makes an application for a permit for alterations, repairs, or additions to that dwelling unit with the cost exceeding $1,000.  (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 17926.2(b).)

Q 12.  Where can I obtain additional information?

A This legal article is just one of the many legal publications and services offered by C.A.R. to its members. For a complete listing of C.A.R.’s legal products and services, please visit car.org.

Readers who require specific advice should consult an attorney. C.A.R. members requiring legal assistance may contact C.A.R.’s Member Legal Hotline at (213) 739-8282, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. C.A.R. members who are broker-owners, office managers or Designated REALTORS may contact the Member Legal Hotline at (213) 739-8350 to receive expedited service. Members may also fax or e-mail inquiries to the Member Legal Hotline at (213) 480-7724 or legal_hotline@car.org.  Written correspondence should be addressed to:

California  Association of REALTORS®
Member Legal Services
525 South Virgil Ave.
Los Angeles, CA  90020

Start building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow home owners!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at  www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

Make sure to click the Comment box below and share this article with your friends as well.