basements Archives - Noah's Ark Fact Notfiction

by NoahArk55 on December 28, 2020

If there is any chance you may face financial trouble soon, it is not a good idea to buy a home.

Sure, it is easy to think that you will easily find a new job if you lose your current position, but you could lose your home if it does not happen. It is best to wait until you are in a stable job position. This will ensure that your future is more secure.

For real estate investors seeking to buy properties at courthouse auctions, it is always wise to conduct a thorough title review before bidding. As such, successful buyers will be able to avoid getting stuck with a house that remains subject to unpaid taxes, contractor’s liens or additional mortgage obligations. They may also avoid a residence fill with junk to clean out.

If you have the financial means to do it, elect for a 15-year fixed mortgage rather than a 30-year fixed when buying a home. Doing so will likely cost more on a monthly basis, however, over 30 years you would pay many thousands of dollars more in interest.

It is wise to talk with the neighbors of a home that you are considering purchasing. They will hopefully give you information about the home and neighborhood that a buyer will not. Also, you want to be sure that your neighbors are the type of people you want your family around.

Try your best to get a pre-approved mortgage before you start looking for a home. When sellers see that you have been pre-approved for a mortgage it makes them more likely to want to deal with you. They see it as a sign that you are really serious about buying a property.

Do not move your money around between your accounts prior to talking to a mortgage broker. When the broker is looking to approve your home mortgage, they will be looking at everything that happened financially over the past few months. If large sums of money were moved around they will want to see the entire paper trail and it could get tedious for you to gather all the information

The real estate market is a dangerous sea for an amateur to navigate. Thusly, consider calling upon expert assistance.

A good agent can have an exponential effect on the results you get out of buying or selling real estate. Besides their expertise in the field, real estate agents have access to information and research tools far beyond those that the homeowner can use.

Look carefully at transportation. Factors that may influence decisions on buying a home include the distance your home is from your workplace, from schools, and whether mass transportation is available. Looking for easy access to highways and interstates can also be important, as well as whether bus or train routes run nearby.

If you are looking for a new home and you have children, make sure to pick a home in a good school district. As nice as a home may seem, it is not worth living in a school district where your child will not get as good of an education as a neighboring district.

Make sure to get a licensed home inspection before you buy. That way, you’ll be informed about repairs that may be needed for foundation cracks or an old water heater.

These tips will enhance your real estate buying experience, whether you are going in on a new business building or are looking for a new home for yourself and your family. There are several decisions to make, and definitely a few worries that you have to extinguish in order to properly set out on your real estate hunt.

When looking for make sure you take your time when making this important decision and retain a real estate agent you can trust.

{ Comments are closed }

What causes a wet basement, and how to fix it

by NoahArk55 on March 14, 2019

The last thing you want is to find your basement flooded. However, failure to find the water source can be much more frustrating. Most of the time, the culprit is heavy rain. But, what if it hasn’t rained for a long time? It may require a bit of detective work yet it is a must to locate the cause of water in the basement for you to make the necessary adjustments and repairs before more serious damages occur or before mold starts to grow. Below are some of the common causes of water in the basement and how to fix them.

Plumbing Issues in Other Parts of the House

Leaking pipes don’t show evidences on ceilings and walls most of the time. There are cases when the water drains to the lowest level of the house, which is often the basement. Inspect your home for signs of water damage or plumbing leaks. Start with the bathroom and kitchen and check around the shower or tub and toilet and under sinks. Make sure you also check the basemen shower, washing machine, hot water heater, and water softener because of one of these may leak water without you knowing it.

Cracks or Leaks in Seals of the House

The doors and windows in your house and the caulking and seals around them help keep out the elements and let cool or warm air in. After some time, seals crack and dry and caulking can shrink up and flake away. These gaps and cracks let in moisture and outside air, and you may need assistance with crack repair work. Gravity will pull down the moisture to your basement where it forms into puddles of unexplained origin. It is a wise idea to check the seals around windows and doors two times a year. The best times may be during fall as a part of your winter preparation and during spring before you turn on your AC for the warmer season.

Small Roof Leaks

Large leaks can obviously cause flooding. However, tiny leaks can also cause trouble once water drips from roof trusses, follows the framing, and reaches the basement. It can soak the wood as it travels down and cause damage during the process. It might also cause small puddles in your basement after heavy rains or storm. The best way to check if there are leaks in your roof is to inspect the attic during a heavy rainstorm and locate wet spots and leaks. These are often the cause of missing or loose shingles that are relatively cheap repairs.

Compacted Soil

Clay soil never lets water drain properly. It can expand during heavy rainstorms, weighs more compared to ordinary dirt, and contracts during droughts, putting more pressure on walls. There is nothing much you can do about it aside from fix cracks the moment you notice them.

Fluctuations in Water Table

The ground’s water table fluxes constantly because of snow melt and rain. These fluctuations can increase the water levels and every now and then, they rise straight into basements. Again, you cannot stop such fluctuations so a good option is to have French drains installed around your house by a Detroit, Michigan foundation contractor. If you are renting or you cannot afford this expense, you can avoid storing your items on the floor and have a sump pump in the basement.