Annual Walk-around Home Check

5. Feel for uneven sliding and sticking when you open and close a window or door. If windows or doors stick, try using a non-oily lubricant on the opposing finishes, such as paraffin wax, which does not attract as much dust and grime.

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Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
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Annual Walk-around Home Check

4. Check window sills and tracks for dirt and other debris such as sand, leaves, insects, and pine needles. Open the windows and clean out the area with a soft brush. Do the same for sliding patio doors. Debris can hamper the air-tight effectiveness and overall performance of doors and windows.

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
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Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
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Annual Walk-around Home Check

3. If you spot a problem, try to find its source. For example, discolored wood around a window might actually be caused by moisture entering the house some distance away. With a roof leak, for example, it is not uncommon for water to run down the inside of the wall and show up at the window. Contact an expert to obtain help if needed.

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
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PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

Annual Walk-around Home Check

2. Look closely at all exterior surfaces for cracking, deteriorated wood and other damage that might be caused by condensation or other water penetration. Are any interior surfaces such as walls, floors or ceilings discolored or showing the effects of moisture?

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
http://www.AnnapolisHomes4You.com/
PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

Annual Walk-around Home Check

The following 10 items cover common maintenance issues with windows and doors and should be included in your walk-around check:

1. Inspect the interior and exterior finishes around windows and doors. Is the paint or stain in good condition? Signs of flaking and peeling may mean that it's time to refinish the unit.


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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
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PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

Annual Walk-around Home Check

Your inspection should include all of the major systems that protect your home, including the windows, doors, roof, gutters, exterior finish, foundation, and steps; plus the interior systems such as heating, cooling, chimney, and electrical. Look for obvious signs of deterioration, damage or potential problems. Check for conditions that may allow moisture to enter your home -- from plants and sprinkler systems too close to the house to low-lying areas that direct water toward the home. Likewise, watch for any deteriorating wood, cracks, damaged caulk, old weather stripping, and other potential sources of leaks.

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
http://www.AnnapolisHomes4You.com/
PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

Annual Walk-around Home Check

Do an Annual Walk-around Home Check, and don't Forget the Windows and Doors

Your home -- like your body and your car -- needs a regular checkup to run smoothly. An annual, fall walk-around home check is a great way to find any potential maintenance issues before winter arrives.

"It is important to periodically monitor the overall condition of a home," says John Ghent, president of The American Society of Home Inspectors, a non-profit professional organization for home inspectors. "Simple wear and tear from weather and age occurs in every home. It is wise to fix any problems before they lead to extensive and costly repairs."


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Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
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PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
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Energy Efficiency and Insulation

At home, at work, or in the community, saving energy is becoming an important topic, because of economic factors and because of concerns about the environment. Buildings that incorporate energy efficiency technologies are typically more comfortable, have lower utility bills, and have minimal impact on the environment.

Insulation is one of the most important ways to save energy in your home. According to the Department of Energy, 50% to 70% of the energy used in the average American home goes toward heating and cooling. Property installed insulation keeps your house more comfortable, saves energy and money, and cuts down on noise from outside.

The U.S. Dept. of Energy says you should consider insulating your home if:

• You are uncomfortably cold in the winter or hot during the summer. Adding insulation can create a more uniform temperature inside your house.

• Your energy bills are high. Typically, more than half your energy costs are for heating and cooling your home. By adding insulation, you can lower your energy bills. In a nationwide survey of building improvements, adding ceiling insulation reduced heating bills by 10 to 20 percent.

• You are building an addition, or installing new siding or roofing. It's easier and cheaper to install insulation now than to add it later.

• You have an older home and haven't added insulation. In a recent survey, only 20% of homes built before 1980 were well insulated.

• You are bothered by noise from outside. Insulation can help to muffle sounds from outdoors.

The EPA website provides useful information in insulating your home, including industry associations, facts sheets, and frequently asked questions about insulation.

The Alliance to Save Energy tells you how you can get financing for energy efficiency improvements.

The Home Energy Saver website (sponsored by the EPA and the DOE) shows you how much you can reduce your energy bills by incorporating their energy efficiency suggestions, specific to your zip code.

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
http://www.AnnapolisHomes4You.com/
PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

What About Those Termites?

Known to conjure up feelings of dread in homeowners worldwide, the name termite comes from the Latinw=ord for woodworm. No big surprise there. In nature, termites are good, because they turn decayed wood into nutrients for other organisms. In nature; good. In our homes; not good.

How do we know if we've got 'em?

According to the Ohio State University Extension: Typical signs of termite infestations include swarming of winged adults in the spring (March, April, May, and June) and occasionally autumn (September =nd October)... Other signs of termite presence include "pencil-size" bud tubes (which termites use like tunnels), constructed over the surface of foundation walls, mud protruding from cracks between boards and beams, and hollow sounds from infested wood when it is tapped, or extreme softness when probed with a knife.

First, experts advise, "Don't panic." Termites work slowly. Take the time to do research. In most cases, once a termite infestation has been found, control measures are usually best accomplished by a professional pest control firm rather than a do-it-yourself treatment. (Homeowners seldom have the experience, availability of pesticides and equipment needed to perform the job effectively.)

Deal only with a licensed, certified pest control firm having an established place of business and a good professional reputation. Ideally the firm will belong to a city, state or national pest control association. Get at least three competitive estimates before signing a contract for control measures.

Can we do anything to prevent them?

Termites (and ants) are attracted to moisture. Therefore, keep moisture away from the foundation of your buildings. That means keeping downspouts and gutters working properly. Also, keep vines and shrubs away from the ventilation openings in your crawl spaces. Don't stack firewood or any other wood against the foundation or in the crawl space. Prevent plants from touching the house.

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Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
http://www.AnnapolisHomes4You.com/
PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?

When Is It Time To Replace My Roof?

Most experts agree that one of the best ways to avoid roof trouble is to inspect your roof twice a year: In the Fall, for sun damage and in the Spring for Winter damage. By doing this, you will be able to identify any problems early, before you start having leaks. Use binoculars from the ground to check for problems.

If you have asphalt shingles (petroleum based material covered with sand-like granule), look out for a roof surface that is not smooth and the edges of the shingles are curled and warped. Check for crooked shingles. Scan the roof for any shingles that may have been lifted by the wind or are missing altogether. Bumps can indicate that the roofing nails below have become loose. Look for bald spots where the mineral granules have worn away

With wood shingles, check for curled, broken, and split shingles and for spots where nails have become loose or rusted.

With tile or slate, individual tiles can chip and break and require replacement.
In valleys and in flashings around the chimney and vents, check for broken seals along the flashing's edges and for rust spots in the metal.

Check rafters and the underside of the roof for dark wet spots. These are signs of rot and will need to be replaced.

Climbing into your attic or onto your roof to inspect your home can be very dangerous. For that reason, we urge you to use the services of a professional contractor to conduct a close-up roof inspection.

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Pat Ogle and The AnnapolisHomes4You Team
Champion Realty, Inc
410-224-0660
http://www.AnnapolisHomes4You.com/
PatOgle@AnnapolisHomes4You.com

Past Performance is No Guarantee of the Future!
But What Else Do We Have To Go By?