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When buying a home you want to ensure that it is structurally sound and bug-free. A home inspection can tell you the condition of a home but not necessarily uncover a pest issue. A home inspection examines the construction and systems, heating, plumbing, and electrical.
Here are ways you can keep your new home pest-free when an inspection finds a bug infestation.
1. Be vigilant inside and outside your home
Examine your property for all the warning signs of pests. Standing water, garbage, and firewood attract insects. Securing the outside of your home will protect the interior. Use a wire mesh to cover openings in the chimney, dryer vents, roof vents, and crawl spaces. You can set up pest traps outside your house to prevent mice and rodents from entering your home. There are many different types of traps on the market today such as electronic traps, ultrasonic repellents, snap traps, glue, and cage traps.
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2. A clean house will keep away the pests
Vacuum regularly and wash your floors. Keep counters and floors clear of food crumbs and ensure your food is stored in air-tight containers. Dirty dishes are a magnet for pests. Pet dishes also need to be clean and kept out only at mealtime. Eat your meals in the kitchen, keeping food in only one area of your home. The waste from insects is dangerous to humans.
3. Keep your house dry
Insects seek out water and damp bathrooms and basements attract and sustain insects. If your house is damp, a dehumidifier will help. Check your plumbing for leaks and ensure there is no sitting water in your basement.
4. Remedies to rid your home of pests
You can use home remedies for ants and insects like vinegar and soapy water, essential oils and spices. If the situation is beyond your control and you have an infestation problem you will need to call in a professional exterminator. A professional exterminator can spot problem areas and recommend a schedule to spray weekly or monthly to prevent new insects.
5. Seal up cracks and gaps
Insects will travel along with your basements and hide in nooks and cracks. Make sure to seal up all cracks and gaps to prevent them from living in your walls. Seal up any entry points around and inside cabinets and where the wall and floor connect. You can seal with a silicone or acrylic latex caulk and use enough to completely cover the crack.
6. Buying second-hand furniture
Avoid purchasing second-hand furniture that could be infested with insects or bedbugs. You could be inviting roaches and bedbugs into your home. Use mattress and box spring protective covers to eliminate hiding spots. Check the covers regularly for holes and treat them with pesticides should you have bed bugs.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
The thought of selling the family home and moving into an apartment or senior living community may seem overwhelming. It’s difficult to say goodbye to a home filled with memories and belongings. It can be frustrating trying to decide which belongings to keep and which to part with. It’s an emotional process and it can be a frustrating time for some seniors.
It’s best to sort thru all these items before you place your home on the market. Your home is more than likely your biggest asset and you want to prepare the house to show at its best for buyers. These tips will make the process less stressful and more organized.
I. Hire an SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist
A seniors real estate specialist has vast experience selling homes for seniors. They can recommend other professionals that can assist with getting your house ready for the market and help you sell your home. They can also assist with helping you find your next home.
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2. Decluttering before selling
Keep in mind that you are selling your home and not your belongings. The process of decluttering entails selling, donating, and discarding belongings that will not be going to your next home.
Put the items that you don’t use every day in storage. Less personal belongings in your home will allow prospective buyers to imagine themselves living in your home.
3. Consider Hiring a Home Stager
The process can be overwhelming for you, I recommend you hire a home stager. Home Stagers know how to present your home for the market. In addition, they will help you sort thru your belongings and decide what items should stay or go. A home stager will position your furniture in a room and recommend decor to compliment the presentation of the room. Homes that are staged sell faster and for more money.
4. Deep cleaning and repair
Today’s buyers expect a home to be in move-in condition. Any leaky faucets, or bad plumbing, have it fixed. Your walls should be freshly painted in neutral colors. Any flooring that is worn or torn should be replaced. When you are not replacing your carpets, have them professionally cleaned. Hardwood flooring should be refinished.
The outside of your home is equally important as the inside. Should you have overgrown, bushes have them trimmed. In addition, have the exterior of your home painted or pressure washed to freshen it up. If you are unable to do these things, hire a professional. Most Realtors have a list of professionals that can assist you with these tasks.
5. Leave the house for showings
It may be inconvenient to leave your home for showings, however, a buyer may feel uncomfortable if you are there while they view your home. Speak with your Realtor about the scheduling of viewings and timeframes so you are not too inconvenienced during this process. With today’s market activity, showings can go on for several hours throughout the day. It is recommended that you leave your home for the first couple of days that your home is on the market.
6. Professional movers
Professional movers can pack up your belongings as well as move them to your new home. They can even unpack your items to make the move easier. This will make the move faster and safer than you do it yourself. Make sure to pack a separate bag of essentials for your first day in your new home with any clothing or meds that you may require.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
The kids moved out years ago, you’re tired of shovelling snow, mowing lawns and you rarely use half of the rooms in your house. Why not downsize.
You won’t be alone. Of the retirees who move, many do so for a smaller house, condo, or apartment. One of the chief reasons is cost-cutting. For many baby boomers, the value of their home equity far exceeds their retirement savings. It’s where their wealth is.
Downsizing does require some serious decisions. What area do you move to? Condo, apartment, or smaller home? Making the wrong move will cost. You may even have to move a second time. You need to do your due diligence. Here are several questions you should consider when making your decision.
Where do you go?
Moving to a lower-priced area or smaller home would create savings on both the purchase and property tax. Or perhaps if you move to a more convenient area, closer to family and or amenities you may be able to eliminate the second car. Plus if you ever are unable to drive, you would be close to the things you need.
Condo or single-family home?
Generally, condos are lower priced than single-family homes, plus you don’t have to shovel snow or mow lawns. By moving to a condo you can likely free up some of your equity to invest for a return as well as reduce your utility and maintenance costs.
Buy or rent?
There are a lot of factors to consider here. If you have always owned you may like the idea of buying again. However, consider how long you expect to be living in the new place. If it’s less than 5 years than the cost of selling, that quick will likely exceed any potential gain. And you are probably better renting.
Have a lot of home equity but little in savings?
It may be best to invest the proceeds of a home sale to produce a monthly income. This income combined with the elimination of such expenses as property tax, some utilities, house maintenance will potentially cover most or all of your rent.
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Not only will doing this produce a monthly income for you but depending on what you invest in your portfolio may even appreciate faster than residential real estate. And don’t forget that the equity you receive from the sale of your home is completely tax-free.
Now or later? While many retirees are reluctant to leave their family home, the reality is if you are going to do it sooner is better than later. It’s easier to move in your sixties than it is in your eighties. Plus don’t wait until you are forced to move, due to an unexpected health change. Trying to sell in that situation is chaotic at best.
Do an honest assessment of the pros and cons of staying for a few more years vs selling now. Decide in your situation what makes the most sense for you.
Do you need some help to figure out your next housing step? As an experienced real estate agent who specializes in boomer and senior housing, I would be glad to discuss housing opportunities in the region that might be just perfect for you. I can also offer you some tips about selling your home in today’s market. Just click on this link to order a free e-book Top 11 Questions Boomers & Seniors Ask About Their Home.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
Whether you are preparing your own home for sale or cleaning out the family home for your aging parents, you are faced with the choice of what to keep and what to give away. Should you keep family heirlooms in the hopes that your children will want them? How do you decide what to keep, sell, or give away?
During the course of your life, you collect a variety of furniture, jewelry, artwork, china, crystal, and flatware that may represent a substantial outlay of money at the time you bought them or that may have sentimental value. Once you have face the reality that you can’t take everything with you to your new home, your first act may be to ask your children what they want. The answer may surprise you, as often your children, nieces, and nephews will reply that they want little or nothing.
Why Your Possessions May Not Be Hot Ticket Items
If you are in your eighties, your children may be at the point where they are downsizing and are faced with the same questions. Younger relatives, who may theoretically have a need for furnishings of all types just aren’t interested. Why this lack of interest?
Here are some of the top reasons:
Tastes have changed. As Susan Devaney, president of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), notes, “Young couples starting out don’t want the same things people used to have. They’re not picking out formal china patterns anymore. I have three sons. They don’t want anything of mine. I totally get it.”
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More young people are choosing to furnish their homes with items from Target and IKEA, which allows them to have trendy, inexpensive furniture that is easy to dispose of when they make a move.
Priorities have changed as well. Millenials have fewer ties to traditional material possessions, while spending a large percentage of their money on things such as athletic wear, organic food, pets, craft beverages, tattoos and piercings, and conveniences such as same-day delivery and ready-to-eat food.
Other Options For Decluttering
Thinking you will sell items at a yard sale, on an auction site like eBay, or to an antique dealer? You may find a little interest there unless you are willing to sell everything for cents on the dollar. Whether you approach an antiques dealer or auction house, you may find minimal interest in your items unless they are mid-century modern pieces or high-value items such as Oriental rugs or fine artwork or jewelry.
Even charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army are picky about what they will accept. A liquidation company may write you a check and take away everything, but you may have to settle for much less than what you anticipated the household goods will yield. You can even hire a “move manager” to handle disposing of goods for you, but you may end up paying out-of-pocket rates that range from $40-$100 (US) to get the job done.
Do It Quick
Given these realities, you must be prepared to make hard choices when decluttering a home. People are sometimes slow to realize that there is not a hot market or their possessions and put too much effort into selling them or otherwise disposing of them. As a result of delay as they tried to get “top dollar” for that old bedroom set or set of china, they may find themselves paying storage unit costs or an extra month’s rent on a property or delaying the sale of their home. They yield to the temptation to hold on to too many items with sentimental value.
Bottom line? When decluttering your home or someone else’s, it is important to keep your eye on your end goal: whether you are settling, an estate or cleaning to clean out a residence, only move what you have a use for so that you can go on to enjoy your new lifestyle in a condo or apartment. Limit the sentimental items you take to a few mementos.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
Older adults can benefit from products made for those living alone. There are many products other than medical alert devices that can offer peace of mind as well as assisting with mobility issues and safety in the home.
This article will cover products that assist to prevent falls. Fire safety and home security gadgets. Products that are assistive devices that compensate for visions, hearing problems and poor strength.
Smart Home Devices
Smart devices like Amazon’s Alexa, Google nest hub, and the Apple HomePod have the ability to call for assistance. These devices are quite versatile and carry out a wide variety of tasks. In addition to hands-free calling including controlling smart home devices like lighting, alarms, finding a phone, etc. They can also serve with reminders for dates, times and medications, and other notifications like appointments.
Smoke detectors and Carbon Monoxide detectors
There are many different types of detectors that you can purchase for a home. Some are designed specifically for seniors who may have hearing loss. In addition to a very loud alarm, they have a strobe light that will go off. There are even detectors that can vibrate under a pill or anywhere on a bed should a fire be detected. There are even devices that detect natural gas or propane gas leaks.
Safety devices for the Kitchen
The kitchen can be a dangerous place in a home and not just for older adults. A fire extinguisher in good working order and fire extinguishing blanket. Fire extinguishers can be difficult for some seniors to use. A fire blanket can extinguish a pan or grease fire. Instructions state to pull down the tabs on the package and toss the open blanket onto a fire.
Devices are made now to turn off electric stoves after a specific time frame. IGuard stove auto-shutoff and Simple Touch C30004, to name a few, have a timer that can turn off appliances after a set time. These devices are also great for lamps, coffee makers, and any appliance that uses less than 1000 watts.
Home Security Systems
Home security systems have come a long way over the years. They can be installed in a couple of hours and can send a phone call or text to emergency contacts such as your family or personal care worker. Some systems have phone apps and family or caregivers can remotely monitor for an added convenience.
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Some systems also monitor smoke, carbon monoxide, drop in temperature and even identify a water leak in the home. Indeed take the time to research different systems to find one that meets your needs and budget.
Wearable medical alert devices
Medical alert devices are usually equipped with GPS tracking, two-way speakers, and 24-hour surveillance. In addition, these devices help seniors feel safer and provide peace of mind. In the event of a fall, heart attack or stroke or another injury a senior is able to get immediate assistance.
Medical alert devices come in a variety of forms such as watches or smart jewelry like a necklace.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here
Condo ownership is growing in popularity due to its lifestyle perks such as conveniences, security, comfort, and community environment. Condos offer are both chic and practical in design, utilizing every inch of space available. The condo market is active and growing and shows no signs of slowing down.
Owning a condo is much like owning a home, but there are rules for the protection and benefit of all owners. Condo management oversees events that allow everyone to get to know each other. Ideally, a condominium is a neighborhood in its own right.
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There are different types of condos from apartment-style, townhouses, duplexes, and even freestanding houses. The biggest difference between condos and single-family homes is that the land ownership, building and designated areas on the premises is common and the cost is shared among all owners. Main decisions about the condominium are made by a board of directors and/or a property manager.
1. Conveniences of owning a condo
Condominium developments in Metro Halifax are mostly located at the heart of most amenities. Located close to shopping malls, schools, hospitals, and banks with easy access to major highways and public transportation. This all equates to time-saving with commuting and not to mention fuel savings.
2. Safe and secure
Security is one of the benefits of condo living. Condos have secured entry and exits and some even have a doorman on duty or cameras in common areas. In fact, a secure building presents a challenge to any would-be intruders. Many condo owners feel safer with neighbors on either side of them. There is also the added bonus of not having to worry about leaving your home to travel, knowing security measures are in place.
3. On-site amenities
Many condominium complexes have pools, rooftop patios, and social gathering rooms for special functions. It’s common for most condominiums to have gyms or fitness centers. This means saving time and money on a gym membership. In addition, most new condominiums have BBQs on a common terrace. Parking garages are also another perk to condo ownership. Not having to park on the street for a fee or move your car for street cleaning and maintenance.
4. No more outdoor maintenance
Owning a home means you are responsible for outdoor repairs and maintenance. Condominium residents enjoy manicured outdoor spaces without having to do any work. No more mowing a lawn or weeding your gardens, raking leaves, or shovelling snow. No more repairing fences, roofs, or the exterior of your home. The condo fees take care of those expenses, leaving you to enjoy more time doing the things you love.
5. Community Living
Condo owners live much closer to their neighbors than people living in homes with big yards separating them. On the other hand, a condominium is a more social environment because you see your neighbors more often than living in a single-family home. In a condominium, you see your neighbors on the elevator, in the lobby or poolside, or in the party room. Many people become more social, moving into a condo. Actually having the opportunity to meet more people and frequent neighborhood bars and restaurants without having to travel by car.
6. Buying a condo is an investment
Unlike renting an apartment, a condo offers the owners the ability to gain equity as the condo appreciates in value over the time of ownership.
Roy Thomas SRES® (Senior’s Real Estate Specialist) is a REALTOR® with Sutton Group Professional Realty. Since 1991, Roy specializes in helping retirees with their later in life real estate transactions. Call Roy at 902-497-3031 or contact Roy here