vicki irvin

The end of a project can be the most exciting as well as the most nerve wracking. It seems there are a thousand little details to contend with. The way that you get a handle on all of those details is by creating a punch-list of things that need to be done. The list needs to be sorted by priority and arranged by job type. Items should be grouped so that things are done in an orderly and timely manner. For example, you'll want to complete all kitchen tasks at the same time, then move on to another room, and out to the yard until the list is completed. When you are done, you have finished the project and are ready to move on to the next step in the process-the sale.

Termites and other pests can be a minor nuisance or a major problem. You should never purchase a home without having a pest inspection. It is usually the seller's responsibility to be sure that the house is termite free prior to sale. If there is significant damage, you can use that as a bargaining chip in your negotiations. If you are using conventional financing, the lender will probably insist on a pest inspection prior to closing the loan. Termites are the most common pests but there are others such as carpenter ants.

A major concern that is getting a lot of media attention is mold. This is something that cannot be ignored. There are many different kinds of mold. Some mold is fairly benign and can be dealt with easily. Other forms of mold, such as black mold, are highly toxic and can be difficult to remove. Many states now have a disclosure requirement for mold much like a lead-based paint disclosure.

If the house has a mold problem, you should not ignore it or try to hide it. If a buyer finds out that you knew about a mold problem and failed to disclose it, you could have a serious liability issue. The best course of action is to have the mold removed by a company that specializes in mold remediation. After they have corrected the problem, they will issue a certificate that states that the house is free of mold. The cost of these services may not be cheap but they are nothing compared to the liability you could face by trying to hide the issue.

So far everything is going according to plan. You've planned everything carefully, coordinated all of the work and followed the timeline. Things are going smoothly and suddenly an issue pops up or a problem rears its ugly head. It could be any number of things. Maybe you encountered electrical or plumbing problems, a structural deficiency or a mold issue. Everything comes to a halt and panic sets in. The first thing to remember is that it is virtually impossible to take on this type of project without encountering problems. What you need to do is to evaluate the situation and explore your options. You need to come up with the best possible solution and get the work flowing again. Usually, after the initial panic subsides and you consider the solutions, you will find that the issue isn't as bad as you initially thought. The fact is that it is there, so you need to deal with it as best you can and move on. If you allowed for contingencies in your budget, you should be able to handle most problems that arise. If you really blew it, you just need to do the best that you can.

How is the entry door? Should it be changed or painted? Having a front door that stands out in a positive way can have a dramatic effect on the entire house. If there is a screen door or storm door, what kind of shape is it in? If it doesn't look good it should be replaced.

How is the landscaping? If the yard is overgrown, you should get rid of as much as needed to have the yard looking neat. The front of the house should not be concealed by trees and shrubs; a well cared for front yard says a lot about the house.

The back yard should also be in good shape. While it may not be as important as the front yard in terms of curb appeal, it needs to look good. Debris and clutter should be removed from the back yard and the landscaping should look well cared for. A backyard rarely sells a house, but a yard in poor shape can hurt your chances of making a sale.