Appraisal vs Inspection

July 15, 2021

by clinton_l

red horse home inspection near rapid city sd

contractor talking to clients

Do you understand the difference between a property appraisal and a home inspection? Surveys show that many home buyers — even those who have purchased homes before – have some level of confusion about these two key aspects of a home purchase.

Appraisals are designed to estimate a property’s value based on a number of different factors. They are typically ordered by lenders during the home buying process to make sure they don’t approve mortgages for more than properties are worth. Appraisers typically document and photograph property amenities, inside and out. Appraisal reports typically take into account a minimum of three comparable sales of nearby properties to arrive at an accurate appraisal value.

While an appraisal can give a home buyer a good idea of a property’s value, it is no substitute for a home inspection. A home inspection, by comparison, is a detailed, hands-on evaluation of a property’s condition. Inspections are typically ordered by a home buyer, not a lender. Homes don’t get a ‘pass’ or ‘fail,” a grade or rating. The inspector simply compiles what he or she observes in terms of property condition in a report. Anything an inspector sees that is unsafe or in need of repair is noted.

While a home appraisal is virtually a mandatory part of the home buying process if you’re taking out a mortgage loan, a home inspection is entirely voluntary. But that doesn’t make inspections any less important. Inspectors look for costly and hidden defects and problems, such as roof issues, faulty heating/cooling systems, structural problems and leaky pipes, that could lead to costly headaches down the line for anyone who owns the home. They’ll also document any of a number of less serious issues.

Many home buyers who pay for a pre-purchase inspection make their offer contingent upon that inspection. Inspections are even more critical when purchasing a distressed property, due to the more limited amount of information potential buyers may have access to about a property’s condition and possible problems.

When you’re ready to buy or sell a home, give us a call at 1-605-388-2924 to learn more about the importance of home inspections.  Easily schedule online today.  https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/copper-mountain-home-inspection-llc

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It’s Time to Buy a Fire Extinguisher

July 01, 2021

by clinton_l

fire extinguisher red horse home inspection inspector rapid cityA new home is definitely a big reason to celebrate. What better way to mark the day than with a thoughtful housewarming gift? If you enjoy giving practical gifts, a fire extinguisher is an incredible choice for a new homeowner. Every homeowner should have one on each floor or area of their home. And many people forget to buy one. Moving into a new home? Put a fire extinguisher on the top of your shopping list.

Fire extinguishers are life savers. Class A fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires involving paper, wood and plastics. Class B are for flammable liquids such as oil and grease and Class C are for electrical fires. Class ABC models work on all the fires above. The higher the rating number on an A or B fire extinguisher, the more fire it can extinguish. But higher-rated units are often heavier — too heavy for some people to hold and operate. If you’re buying a fire extinguisher, make sure it can be easily picked up and operated.

Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? In an emergency, fire fighters say many people can’t get one to work on the first try. Read the informational material that comes with your device. Consider having local fire department personnel show you how to use it or attend a training class. The acronym PASS can help you remember the basics of operation: Pull the pin to release the handle, aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, squeeze the trigger, and sweep the discharge stream at the base of the fire.

Fire extinguishers are not designed to fight a large or spreading fire. Even against small fires, they are useful only under the right conditions, such as when a fire is confined to a small area, like a wastebasket; when everyone has exited the building; after the fire department has been called or is being called; and if the room is not filled with smoke.

Today’s fire extinguishers are less expensive, lighter and more effective than they were years ago. There are even designer fire extinguishers on the market today that blend in with your home decor and serve as a conversation piece!

If you are buying or selling a home in the Black Hills give us a call at 605-490-2916or schedule your home inspection online.

Follow Red Horse Home Inspection LLC on Facebook and get weekly safety and home maintenance tips.

https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/copper-mountain-home-inspection-llc

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Create Your Dream Home

rapid city home inspector inspection black hills

Trying to find the perfect home? As you search through the options available on the market, you may come to a game-changing realization: Your perfect house doesn’t exist – yet. However, you can make your dream home a reality.

 

That said, you can’t do it alone. When it comes to building a home, you need experienced professionals by your side to guide you through the process. Here’s a look at the five pros you need, courtesy of Red Horse Home Inspection. 

 

  1. Realtor

 

The first step is to purchase the land your dream home will sit on. For this, you will need a realtor. Picking the perfect realtor, though, can be difficult. It’s important to ask questions, such as, “How many sales have you handled in my target neighborhoods?” “What’s your fee?” “Who else will be working with me?” and “Has a client ever filed a complaint against you?” Once you find someone who checks all the boxes, it’s time to move on to the next step.

 

  1. Builder

 

No matter what kind of home you want, you’ll need someone to build it. Creating a new home is hard work, and it requires serious industry knowledge and trustworthy experience. If the work is done incorrectly, fixing it can be an expensive problem. You need to know that your house is built properly so you can live a safe, happy, and affordable life inside of it.

 

The best way to find a reputable home builder is through recommendations, and by interviewing several different prospects. Checking out customer reviews gives you a good sense of what working with any given builder will be like. Interviewing a mix of home builders and getting multiple quotes will help you settle on the right person who can affordably make your dream home a reality. 

 

  1. Inspector

 

You need to get a good inspector like Red Horse Home Inspection to check your home at different building stages. Some builders have in-house inspectors, but it’s always a good call to have an independent inspector check out the work, as well. This way you have an increased sense of trust and confidence that the inspections are thorough and honest.

 

  1. Designer

 

Once your home is built, you’ll want to make the interior your own. Even if you have a pretty good sense of your own décor style, it’s a good call to hire a designer to help you bring it to life. There are many subtle aspects of interior design that can make or break your aesthetic. A pro will be able to identify all the best opportunities to make your space great.

 

To pick a great designer, take a look at several different portfolios and find a few that have examples you like. Meet them in person or do an informal interview over the phone. If you like their work and you get along well, it’s probably a good fit. Hiring an interior designer will typically cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

 

  1. Landscaper

 

Getting your interior in shape is only one aspect of making your dream home perfect. You also need to make sure the exterior looks the way you’d like it to. Regular care and maintenance might be manageable on your own, but consider hiring a landscaper to lay down the groundwork. A good landscaper will have a sense for where to put different kinds of plants and lawn décor.

 

There are several great things about having a professionally landscaped space. First and foremost, it will make your yard an escape from the hustle and bustle of regular life. Secondly, however, it can be very practical. Landscapers can advise which plants thrive in different environments, allowing you to make the most of your environment.

 

On the same token, consider hiring a tree removal service if you have any tree you no longer want or pose a risk to your property. Search “tree service near me” online to see what’s available, and then use review sites to get an idea of what customers think of these contractors. Keep in mind that it can cost between $50 and $1,500 to have a tree professionally removed.

 

The house-search grind loses its appeal when nothing’s quite right. If you can’t find what you want, why not build a new home? With these experts by your side, you’ll be able to bring your vision to life. 

https://app.spectora.com/home-inspectors/copper-mountain-home-inspection-llc

 

Photo Credit: Unsplash 

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Energy Efficient Windows

From U-Factors to UV Rays, All You Need to Know

 

Did you know that 25% to 30% of your home’s heating or cooling bill is spent on heat gain or loss through the windows? That’s more than a quarter of the money you pay to run your furnace or air conditioner taken up by inefficiency. While no window can perfectly eliminate gain or loss, energy efficient windows can go a long way to help you better insulate your home, reduce your energy consumption, minimize your energy bill and help the environment.

 

It’s no wonder that there are government and industry rating systems and recommendations to help you make the most informed choice about what energy efficient window might be right for you. But these systems can sometimes seem impenetrable and meaningless without understanding the different kinds of benefits and savings energy efficient windows offer. Below is a quick primer to assist you on your way to bettering your home and helping the environment—with windows!

 

Bottom-Line Benefits of Energy Efficient Windows

 

Replacing your existing windows is not inexpensive, but it might be a wise decision for any one of the many benefits offered by energy efficient ones, including:

 

  • Savings on utility bills. The Efficient Windows Collaborative, a public-private non-profit promoting efficient windows, estimates that replacing your existing windows can save you at least 15% on your monthly heating costs in cold climates and between 11% and 37% in hot climates. New homes benefit too: by 24% for cold climates and at least 12% in hotter ones. Those are benefits you can take to the bank.

 

  • Consistent comfort. Inefficient windows become places where air is exchanged between your home and the outside world. Cold air can pool by your windows, fall to the floor and create an uncomfortable draft while hot air and excessive sunlight can warm rooms in your house to an unpleasant degree. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has determined that the more efficient your windows, the lower the probability of discomfort you’ll experience at home.

 

  • Avoid condensation. Have you ever had droplets form on your window panes during the winter? Did this moisture drip to the floor, leaving streaks on your wall? Energy efficient windows can reduce the occurrence of condensation and help save you from streaks, corrosion or other damage caused by moisture.

 

  • Protect your furniture from sunlight. Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin, of course, but they can also damage your sofa, carpets and wood floors through fading. Energy efficient windows can come with low-emissivity coatings that not only improve the insulating abilities of your windows, but protect your home’s things from UV damage as well.

 

Which Energy Efficient Window is Right for Me?

 

Depending on whether you live in a hot or a cold climate, what you need from a window might be different. There are three factors that can play a particularly important role in determining which energy efficient window is right for your home:

 

  • The U-Factor. This is the rate at which your windows permit non-solar heat to be exchanged between your home and the outside world. The lower the U-Factor, the less heat transferred and the more energy efficient your window is. Lower U-Factors are helpful for both those who want to keep the heat in and those who want to keep the heat out.

 

  • Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC). This number reflects the amount of heat produced by the sun’s rays in your home through the window. The lower the number, the less heat can be produced. Those in cold climates might therefore want a higher number to allow the sun’s rays to provide some warmth outside of summer, while those who enjoy the hot sun most of the year might prefer the solar-blocking properties of a low SHGC.

 

  • Condensation Resistance. For those who live in cold climates a window with a higher number, which will be more resistant to forming water droplets indoors, might be the right choice. 

 

Though energy efficient windows can do a lot of work to help your home heating and cooling costs, they can only work properly if installed correctly. Great companies like Local Home Pro provide the level of expertise necessary to ensure the maximum benefit from your beautiful new windows. 

 

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Don’t Forget the Home Inspection

June 03, 2021

by clinton_l

home inspection near rapid city, sd Black hillsReady to make a move? Finding the right property can be a daunting task. In addition to selecting a design and a floor plan that you like, you also have to think about the condition the house is in.

Although it might be tempting to sign a mortgage as quickly as possible and start the moving process, it makes much more sense to invest in a thorough home inspection first. We take great pride in offering our customers home inspections covering areas of the home such as:

Walls, ceilings, floors, windows and doors. We’ll look at a wide range of structural components throughout the house.

Interior plumbing system. We’ll look for signs of leaks and other issues, such as water damage.

Foundation. The foundation is the backbone of any building. We’ll look for any issues there, too. In some cases, foundations can be repaired, but it’s often an extensive and costly process.

Roof. Roofs protect us from the elements, but they’re also exposed to wind, water, and the sun’s harsh UV rays. An inefficient roof can jack up utility costs and make your home inefficient. A roof that needs to be replaced can be costly. We’ll take a look at the roof, attic and visible insulation.

Heating and cooling system. Weather permitting, we’ll take a look at both of these systems and how well they work.

Electrical system. We’ll take a look for any visible signs of electrical issues.

After we complete our home inspection, we may recommend additional testing by a specialist in a specific area if we spot an issue we’re concerned with, such as termites. We always welcome home buyers to accompany us on our home inspections, because we can answer any questions they may have before they receive our written report.

Don’t rush through the home buying process. Take your time and make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Call us today to learn more. 1-605-490-2916.  Easily schedule your  inspection online.  Follow us on Facebook and get maintenance and safety tips.

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Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

May 20, 2021
by clinton_l

Side view of Happy African american couple having fun together in living room at homeMoving into a new home is a happy — and hectic — time. There’s so much to do! Your to-do list is overflowing in the days and weeks after purchasing a home. That’s why we wanted to share with you two tasks that you’ll want to put at the top of your to-do list to help keep you and your family healthy and safe.

Replace the batteries and inspect the smoke alarms. It’s one of the first things you’ll want to do after getting the keys to your new home. The batteries in battery-powered smoke detectors should be changed at least once a year. The units themselves should be replaced every 10 years. You’ll want to test units monthly. If you aren’t sure how old the smoke detectors are in your new home, replace them.

Make sure you have enough smoke detectors, too. The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnected smoke alarms are the best way to go —when one smoke alarm goes off, they all go off. Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan. Make sure your family has one.

Check or install carbon monoxide alarms. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It’s an invisible, odorless gas. Because you can’t see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it’s there. Make sure your new home has CO detectors on each floor and make sure that they are replaced every five years. (Check each alarm’s manufacture date so you know when it’s time for replacement.) You don’t need carbon monoxide detectors only during the winter months — carbon monoxide is a year-round threat.

Install a CO alarm outside each sleeping area, inside every bedroom, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Choose an alarm that is tested and listed by a Nationally Accredited Lab such as ETL or UL.

Follow Red Horse Home Inspection LLC on Facebook to get weekly safety and maintenance tips.

If you are ready to schedule your home inspection give us a call at 605-490-2916 or schedule online.

Red Horse Home Inspection services the Black Hills of South Dakota.  This includes Rapid City, Summerset, Sturgis, Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, Custer, Hot Springs, Hill City, Keystone, Hermosa, Rapid Valley, Belle Fourche, Box Elder, New Underwood, and surrounding areas.

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4 Reasons to Have a Home Inspection

You’ve moved in. You’ve redecorated. You’ve settled in and you’ve even hung those nifty new curtains you bought a few months back. 

 

One night, you wake up freezing.  When you’re in the process of buying a home, it often feels like you’ve stepped into a world where you always have another item on your rapidly growing to-do list and the sealing tape is always disappearing right at the moment you need it.

 

So when you’ve found the house that you want to move into and you’re getting close to making an agreement with the seller, arranging a home inspection can feel like another thing that’s getting piled onto your already overcrowded calendar. 

 

Is the home inspection even necessary? Should you be emulating the 20% of Redfin homebuyers who waived the home inspection in June of 2020?

 

Here are four ways that a home inspection can make your efforts to become a homeowner easier.

1. It Can Simplify Your Final Mortgage Approval

As a general rule, lenders will weigh several factors when qualifying your mortgage application:

 

Your income level, the state of your credit, your debt-to-income ratio, and whatever other financial information that they consider relevant. 

 

However, one of the details on the list of things that lenders care about is whether or not the home is insurable. And how do insurers decide to extend their services?

 

They often rely on the home inspection report to figure things out on their end. So much so that it’s not unusual to see them refuse to insure in the absence of an inspection.

 

At the end of the day, there are lots of factors that may impact your mortgage approval. But a home inspection report can give you one less barrier towards getting that final “Yes.”.

2. The Report Can Save You Money

There are few scenarios where nitpicking to show interest can work in your favor. But surprisingly, home purchases are one of them.

 

If the stairs look like they’ll need professional carpet cleaning or if the cabinet hinge looks like it needs replacing, there are a number of repairs and minor fixes that could land you a surprisingly big discount on your home purchase.

 

At the end of the day, however, buyers and sellers may disagree on what deserves a discount. But when the home inspector is pointing problems out, the report can put some extra weight in your corner as you haggle your way through the home buying process.

3. A Home Inspection Report Can Give You a Heads up on Repairs

Picture this.

 

cold in the dead of winter and you learn the hard way that your furnace was on its last legs. Or, worse, maybe you find out from your doctor that you’ve been breathing in mold over the past few years without realizing it.

 

What happens then?

 

The truth is that sometimes signs of major problems under the hood may not be visible at first. And if you’re not someone who looks at houses for a living, you may not spot some of these issues even after several walkthroughs. 

 

A home inspection report ensures that you’ll be moving into your new home with fewer unknowns. If there’s warping in your bathroom floor or if your air ducts aren’t as clear as they should be, you’ll know once you receive the report.

4. It Lets You Get an Objective, Third-Party Opinion on the Home

When you’re in the thick of a house hunt, it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself.

 

Is this house really everything I’ve hoped for and then some? Is this the right place for me or is it all too good to be true?

 

If the seller wants to get out ASAP, they’ll be doing all they can to present the property in a good light. Or, if they’re not real estate professionals, they may not even know that there are problems with the house.

 

A home inspection report can put many of those nagging doubts to rest. And that peace of mind is something that can’t be underestimated.

 

Conclusion

 

When the end of your home search is so close that you can taste it, it’s only natural to wonder if the home inspection is even needed. 

 

Home inspection reports are often considered a key step in the home buying process because they can simplify your journey towards homeownership. Whether you want to know a little more about the property or you’re searching for a discount, the home inspection report can grease the wheels of your house purchase. 

 

And sometimes, when you’re drowning in the logistics of your mortgage application and your move, these details can make a world of difference.

 

Schedule your Home Inspection with Red Horse Home Inspection.  Call us at 605-490-2916 or easily schedule online.  Follow us on Facebook to get weekly safety and maintenance tips.  Check out a sample home inspection report here.

 

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Make Your Home Safe

May 05, 2021

by clinton_l

Portrait Of Happy Baby Girl Playing With Toys In PlayroomMoving into a new home? If you have children, it’s a great time to make sure your home is safe for the smallest members of your household. Every 30 minutes, a child in the United States is injured as a result of a TV or furniture tip-over incident. Most of those injuries happen at home, involving children younger than 7 years of age.

How do these injuries happen? Generally, they come from climbing. Children spot a toy atop a dresser or bookshelf and decide to monkey their way to it. The unfortunate result is that the child’s weight tips the furniture over. When it comes to television sets – which constitute about half of all injuries – the problem usually comes from oversized screens toppling over after a child grabs it.

What can you do to keep your children safe? Here are tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Secure your television. Televisions that are not wall mounted should be correctly anchored so they won’t move or topple over. Expect that a toddler or small child will try to push or pull the television.

Read all instructions. Follow all manufacturer instructions to secure TVs and furniture. Purchase quality hardware and equipment needed to secure heavy items.

Secure top-heavy furniture. Bookshelves, dressers and other types of furniture are prone to tip-overs. Secure furniture to the wall. You must correctly secure restraints to both the furniture and a stud in the wall. Pay close attention to instructions; incorrect installation can fail to prevent a tip over.

Remove tempting objects. Remove items that might tempt kids to climb, such as toys and remote controls, from the top of the TV and furniture. Store heavy objects on lower shelves or in lower drawers. When securing furniture, pay close attention to anything in your child’s room or where they spend most of their time.

Red Horse Home Inspection of the Black Hills of South Dakota.  We service Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, Hot Springs, Custer, Hill City, Keystone, Hermosa, Box Elder, New Underwood, Belle Fourche, Newell, and surrounding areas.  If you need to schedule a home inspection give us a call at 605-490-2916 or schedule online.  Follow us on facebook and home maintenance and safety tips for your home.  Check out a sample home inspection report here.

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Garage Door

May 06, 2021

by clinton_l

Garage concept. Garage doors are opened, and behind them is a caYou probably don’t give much thought to your garage door. Yet over the course of a year, your door can go up and down more than 1,000 times! And like any equipment in your home, it can wear out. If you’re buying a new home, having a professional check your garage door before you move in can be a great idea. If you’re already a homeowner, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends annual garage door safety checks.

Garage doors can be dangerous if they aren’t working properly. Each year, more than 30,000 adults and children are injured by garage doors. Most newer garage doors incorporate photoelectric “eyes” that stop and reverse direction in the event a person or object is in the path of the door. This reversing mechanism has been federally mandated in garage doors since the early 1990s. But even the most high-tech garage doors can stop working properly at any time and cause injuries. One way to check if sensors are working properly is to place a roll of paper towels under the pathway of the door and try to lower it. When the door hits the towel roll, it should always reverse direction.

Your garage door also should open and close smoothly. If not, the spring system may need to be adjusted or replaced. Brackets are another issue. They can cause serious injury if they are loose or fall out. Your door’s manual release, which disconnects it from the opener, is another important component of your garage door that should be checked. The manual release mechanism is a rope with a red handle. It’s an important safety feature that can be used if the door malfunctions during power outages or in the event of an emergency. A professional garage door inspector also can help determine if other components need to be replaced.

If you need a home inspection, Red Horse Home Inspection can help.  Give us a call at 605-490-2916 or schedule online.  Check out our facebook page for the lates safety and home maintenance tips.  Check out a sample home inspection report here.

 

 

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Hearths and Hearth Extensions

by Nick Gromicko, CMI® and Kenton Shepard

A fireplace hearth is the floor area within a fireplace. It is made from noncombustible materials, such as brick or stone. The hearth extension is the noncombustible material in front of and at the sides of a fireplace opening. Hearths and hearth extensions are designed to prevent sparks from leaving the fireplace and igniting nearby combustibles.
Guidelines for sufficient thickness and size of hearths and hearth extensions can be found in the International Phase I Standards of Practice for Inspecting Fireplaces and Chimneys and in the manufacturer’s instructions.
The following is from the International Phase I Standards of Practice for Inspecting Fireplaces and Chimneys:
The inspector should inspect for hearth extensions that have a thickness of less than 2 inches.
The inspector should inspect for hearth extensions that are less than 16 inches in front or less than 8 inches beyond each side of fireplace openings (6 square feet or less).
The inspector should inspect for hearth extensions that are less than 20 inches in front or less than 12 inches beyond each side of fireplace openings (greater than 6 square feet).
The inspector should inspect the hearth, hearth extension, and chambers for joint separation, damage and deterioration.
The 2006 International Residential Code (IRC) offers the following exception to the 2 inch-thick rule:
When the bottom of the firebox opening is raised at least 8 inches (203 mm) above the top of the hearth extension, a hearth extension of not less than 3/8-inch thick (10 mm) brick, concrete, stone, tile, or other approved noncombustible material is permitted.
Inspectors should note that carpet or tile may obscure the hearth extension so that it may be difficult to tell how thick it is.
In summary, hearths and hearth extensions are noncombustible surfaces designed to prevent fires from spreading beyond the fireplace. If they are not large and thick enough, they might not be sufficient to prevent the spread of fire.
This article is from InterNACHI and can be found at https://www.nachi.org/hearth-extensions.htm.
Red Horse Home Inspection LLC is proud to service the Black Hills of South Dakota.  We perform home inspections, radon gas test, and water testing.  We inspect homes in Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish, Lead, Deadwood, Hot Springs, Custer, Keystone, Hill City, Hermosa, Box Elder, Summerset, New Underwood, and surrounding areas.  If you are ready to schedule your home inspection give us a call at 605-490-2916 or easily schedule online.
Follow us on Facebook and check out our Google My Business page.
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