The Importance of Home Inspections

One thing you may want to consider before moving into a new home is to hire the services of a third-party inspector.  The purpose of an inspector is to come into the home for a few hours and stress it out.  What I mean by that is make sure to the best of their ability the home is safe, to code and livable.  The reports can get fairly detailed and the best ones that I have seen actually have pictures of the items that require correction and have inserted arrows pointing to the alleged defect.  They should normally cover things like framing, electrical, plumbing, insulation, appliances, HVAC and some cosmetic features.  When you get your report, it should be clear and legible, and refer to the specific code defection by chapter and verse.  Most builders will use this as a guide to "punch out" the house, or correct the items once agreed upon by the home owner and inspector.  It is an excellent resource for homeowners who may not know the latest codes and gives peace of mind before moving in.  As a builder, we are not at liberty to suggest an inspector because it could be construed as collusion.  So the best way is to ask around, consult the phone book or ask for a referral from a trusted real estate agent, title company or friend.  There is also a list of qualified inspectors at the Texas Residential Construction Commission website.  

Average ROI for Renovation Projects

Renovation	Average Cost	Resale Recovery
Paint	$700	200% plus
Add a Bathroom	$10,000	96%
Add a Fireplace	$4,000	94%
Kitchen Renovation (minor)	$8,500	79%
Kitchen Renovation (major)	$24,000	70%
Bathroom Renovation	$7,500	69%
Add a Skylight	$4,000	68%
New Siding	$7,500	67%
Add Insulation	$1,750	65%
Addition	$35,000	62%
New Roof	$4,600	61%
Deck	$6,000	60%
Greenhouse Addition	$17,000	56%
Replace Windows /Doors	$12,000	55%
Add a Swimming Pool	$24,000	39%
Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry

How to Walk a Lot

When you first drive up to a potential homesite, there is a mixture of emotions. There can be apprehension and excitement about the possibility of you or your family living there. I wanted to give you a few tips to help you make a good decision:

1. Try to get a topography survey of the lot before hand. This will give you the slope of the lot. Generally you want the flattest lot you can get because it's easier on the pocket book.
2. Try to understand the deed restrictions. This will help you get a feel of what kind of architecture will be in the neighborhood and can impact your resale value.
3. Walk the lot perimeter first. An old land pro taught me that and I still do that to this day. Start on the left-hand side and walk the entire perimeter. It really helps you get a feel for the flow of the lot and it's important to know boundaries.
4. Understand the setbacks. This will help you realize potential home positioning, driveway areas, etc.
5. Look at the trees. People LOVE trees and you need to make sure you have some nice ones if possible. You can always plant them but we plan around them all the time.
6. Envison your front and backyards. You want to make sure that there is ample space for your outdoor enjoyment.
7. Know your comparables. Make sure you have recent sales data to determine if you are getting a good deal.