Episode 38: Listen Up Homebuyers – Winter Home Inspections & Home Maintenance

Episode Summary

How is a home inspection done in the winter months? What do home owners need to know about winter home maintenance? Meet Glenn Grutta the owner of Vector Home Inspections in Massachusetts. Advice & tips for home buyers on Listen Up Home Buyers!

Episode Notes

Meet Glenn Grutta the owner of Vector Home Inspections in Massachusetts. Glenn talks with host, Victoria Ray Henderson the owner & broker of HomeBuyer Brokerage on Listen Up Home Buyers!

:33 One of the biggest challenges to doing a home inspection in winter is getting to the property to do the inspection

:52 when snow is on the ground, how do you evaluate the perimeter of the home?

1:20 start with the the interior of the house to keep the property neater

2:00 snow on the roof limits the visual but there are clues

2:15 lines on the roof indicate heat loss in the home

2:45 the lines you see on the roof are the actual rafters

This indicates the need for better insulation

3:13 icicles and ice dams on a house

3:38 ice dams are often associated with water in the house but that’s not the entire story

4:15 in the attic, look at the nails in the roof for signs of heat los

4:40 in the winter the inspector spends more time in the attic so evaluate the roof

5:00 newer homes have better insulation than old houses and less likely to have ice dams

6:08 heat cables, what are they?

7:13 advice for home owners in the winter
7:50 look for pipes exposed to the weather

8:03 what to do with water pickets

8:30 plumbing on exterior walls, what to do

9:07 home ownership is doing visual maintenance
9:45 look for clues while doing an exterior walkthrough

10:04 most homes are not graded properly

You want a positive grade to the dirt

11:03 remember, water is your enemy as a home owner or home buyer

11:39 create your own history in a home

12:30 weather patterns have changed and there is more water sitting on properties which can cause issues for the home.

12:50 sit with a house before major remodeling projects
14:00 winter time is an opportunity to check the windows

14:32 make a list of your concerns and don’t be afraid to ask questions

15:03 as a home buyer, who inspects the house is your decision. Choose a home inspector who communicates well

15:45 interview your home inspector

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