HOW WELL DO YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR HOME?

How well do you know your home? Have you ever really thought about it? I'm talking about the details behind the walls, tucked away in the crawl spaces and beneath the floors. I'm going to follow with a few pointers that may help you somewhere down the road. Information you should gather before the closing documents are signed and everyone goes merrily along their way. Read on...

Ahhh yes...the excitement and thrill of buying a new beach home. Whether constructing a new home or buying a resale, it's easy to get caught up in the moment. To become oblivious to some important information that you, as the new owner, will want to have and to hold in safekeeping, for future reference down the road. I'm talking about the "boring, ho-hum" stuff that goes on behind the walls, floors, ceilings...stuff that we, as laymen, know very little about. Let's start from the ground up...

The Slab and what lies beneath

The home starts with the slab and the soil type beneath. Find out from your builder or a home inspector, what type of slab you home resides on. Is it slab on grade, post tension, raised platform, pilings, etc. Oh yes, and don't forget to inquire about soil treament for termites. When was it done and by whom. Get the document that validates the termite treatment in your hands and file it.

Walls, Ceilings & Floors

Ask your builder or inspector to determine what's behind the sheetrock. 2x4's, 2x6's, 2x10's, sheer walls, plyboard on both exterior and interior walls, tie rods that begin in the slab and extend to the roof serving as an anchoring system that secures the entire home to the foundation. This all occurs behind the walls. Take notes and add them to your file.

The Roof

Get to know your roof. Hopefully it will serve you well as it is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting the house from the elements. Determine the roof type...Hip, Gable, Salt Box, Flat, etc. Some roof types are better suited for the weather encountered in our coastal environment. And some roof types could save you money with your insurance company. Find out what the roofing material is....metal, asphalt shingles, tile. Is the roofing material attached to the roof deck using screws, nails or rivets? What is the builders warranty on the roof? Get this information in writing and add it to your files.

Fixtures & Appliances

Most homes will come with a fully equipped kitchen. Be sure to secure the manuals for each appliance and locate the warranties from the builder. If the oven is a slide in version, is the tilt mechanism installed? Consider a homeowner warranty policy which will cover a multitude of problems that may arise in your home. This coverage is generally very inexpensive and will give you peace of mind when a component of your home fails.

Heating, A/C & Insulation

When the summer Gulf Power bill comes rolling in, you'll don't want total "sticker shock". Know what the builder has provided in the way of SEER for your HVAC and what insulation R-value exists behind your walls and in your attic. Check all crawl spaces to ensure insulation has been properly installed. You'd be surprised at the areas missed by builders. Be sure a leak check has been performed to be certain no duct leaks exist. Again, get it in writing and add this information to your files.

Electric

Check your main breaker panel to be sure your electric grid is diagrammed and all labels are clearly legible. How much fun it is, playing the guessing game at your breaker panel, when the labels are written as clearly as a prescription pad. And be sure to have the GFI and AFI circuits tested to make sure they are properly wired.

Windows & Doors

Your windows should have certain ratings to meet the code requirements in our coastal area. Check window frame installation and windows for functionality. If your windows have a "pop out" cleaning feature, check the spring mechanisms to make sure they reset properly. For casement windows that are framed and imovable, check for any water seepage along the inside of the window frame. This could indicate a need for caulking or replacement of the window altogether. Doors should meet the local code requirements also. Check locking mechanisms and in the case of a French door system, check the locking pins that secure into the door frame above and below. These locking pins are vital to securing you home in a tropical event.

And Finally...

A new beach home is an exciting venture. And it's easy to get caught up in the moment and overlook some of these important aspects of home ownership. Be sure to secure as much documentation about the home as you possibly can. In the long run, you'll be glad you put forth the effort now as opposed to later.

Mark Evans, Eimers Group Real Estate & Land