It’s Not Just Your Home!
If you are buying or selling a home you should have your home thoroughly inspected. Even if you are not in the real estate market, it’s the time of year to start your maintenance chores. I am always amazed at what you find once you start really looking.
I was peering out the kitchen window the other day admiring the horses playing in the pasture. I noticed something about the air conditioning shroud that didn’t look right but was distracted and forgot about it. This morning we had our bi-annual maintenance check up of our air conditioning system. It’s not a cheap date and I have considered not renewing it this time.
The guy comes in with his cell phone in hand saying you won’t believe what I found. I of course was expecting some bad news like the compressor going out when he handed me the phone with this picture. Imagine how startled he must have been walking through the tall shrubs, getting ready to remove the cover and had this surprise staring back at him.
I have now reaffirmed my belief that everyone should have a home inspection and regular maintenance. I have also concluded that it’s a good thing to renew my HVAC maintenance agreement and I am glad I don’t do HVAC maintenance for a living. It takes a lot to stop a Trane…technician – just saying.
Some Home Guests Stink!
These were a family of skunks who decided they needed a new Van Alstyne home. Not the typical home buyer, more like squatters if you ask me. When your dogs try to dig through the floor it gives a whole new meaning to scratches. Fortunately they were convinced that they didn’t qualify for a new home and were shown other properties.
This is part of the fun of living in the country, other creatures live here too! Make sure to do a walk around of your home in the Spring looking for places where stinky guests can let themselves in. If you have a new home, the last thing you want is Pepe Le Pew messing up your new home smell.
Don’t Get a Septic System Surprise
When buying a country home, make sure to get a septic inspection. If you don’t you will learn why I say there is always a $5,000 surprise! When buying, the home seller should inform you of the last septic inspection and where the septic tank and drain fields are, if they know. Often times they won’t know because the clean out caps have been buried by a previous home owner.
A clean out to establish a baseline is well worth the cost. After that, depending upon if you have gravity fed or aerobic tank with sprinkler heads, you will have to have an annual septic system maintenance contract or take a homeowner’s course.
Septic System Service
In the real estate world, a septic system is known as a On Site Sewer System. When buying a home in Texas you should be provided with a from titled Information About On-Site Sewer Facility. If it is from a Realtor, it will be designated as TAR -1407.
It will detail the type of system, capacity, distribution method and maintenance information to include last date pumped and if and who is providing maintenance under contract. If you are really lucky, you will be given the installation permit, planning documents and when it had the final county inspection.
Maintenance contracts and pumping costs will be based on the capacity of the system and the ability to locate the tank. You should have your septic system pumped on a regular basis, especially if you have a large family.
Be aware that home systems have a way of breaking on weekends, holidays and after hours. Many on site septic system installers install new or replacement systems but may not service them or have a habit of being busy. It is best to learn how to maintain these systems by the homeowner with an approved course or pay a service provider for an maintenance contract.
