YOUR HOME

CHECK YOUR SUMP PUMP BEFORE BIG SPRING RAINS. CONSIDER A BACKUP!

The lowly sump pump in your basement or crawlspace may be something you rarely think about. Before the biggest spring rains start to fall, it's time to test it, check its operation and its discharge. Don't wait until it should work and doesn't.

  • If properly installed, the pump will be in a well of some kind. To test its operation, use a garden hose or a bucket to run water into the well. It might take more than you think to start pumping. Continue filling until the pump has cycled on and off three times.


  • Turn off the breaker that provides electricity to the pump and reach down to see if debris has gathered around the intake. Clear it out to avoid future problems.


  • Plugging the pump into an extension cord will shorten its life. Ideally, you should have an electrician install a dedicated circuit (20A) and a cord long enough to reach it without interruption.


  • Next, go outside to check what discharge water is doing. It should be some distance from your home and on a slope to assure that the discharge will not flow back to the pump and have to be pumped over again and again. Be sure the discharge hose isn't partially plugged with sticks and leaves.


  • The pump itself will give no indication that it's going to quit, but it will after five to seven years. If this would cause a serious problem for you it's a good idea to invest in a battery operated pump to back it up. If the electric pump quits the battery pump takes over.


HOME SELLERS, BEFORE SIGNING ON THE DOTTED LINE . . .

What sellers need to know in order to make the sale go through

After you've waited impatiently for home prices to rise you're finally ready to sell. And you have an offer or two. You probably want to go ahead quickly with the deal so you can buy a new home or move to another city. But don't get too excited before you know certain facts.


Is the buyer preapproved for the mortgage amount?

Preapproval is basic, but it doesn't guarantee that the buyer's loan will go through. One study showed that financing problems were responsible for 40 percent of failed deals. Your agent will check with the buyer's agent to make sure the buyer has provided the documentation the lender requested. Consider a "financing contingency" agreement so you can entertain other offers if financing can't be arranged by a certain date.

If the buyer is getting an FHA insured loan, your real estate agent will help you correct problems ahead of time that might be flagged in the appraisal such as chipping paint. Your agent might suggest that you do your own inspection to catch problems early.


Consider a cash offer

A buyer who doesn't need financing is more of a sure bet. A cash bid is typically lower, but the deal is faster to close and doesn't require an appraisal. Some sellers feel that avoiding the appraisal process can compensate for a somewhat lower offer.


Prepare for the appraisal

First, price the home according to your real estate agent's advice. It should be in line with comparable homes in the area. Still, appraisers are often overly conservative in their valuations even as home prices are rising.

As a seller, you need to think about what to do if the appraisal is low. In one case, the appraisal came in $5,000 short. The seller dropped the price by $2,500 and the buyers brought $2,500 more to the table.


Solve title problems early

A preliminary title report doesn't tell the whole story of your property. Have your real estate agent check for any problem that will delay the closing. He or she will determine whether:

  • the title was actually recorded;


  • whether an easement was granted that you aren't aware of; or


  • whether there's a lien of some sort on the property that you don't know about.


ASK THE EXPERT

Now that we've listed our home with you, what can we do to help you sell it fast?

There are a number of things. Some seem obvious, but there's a "best way" to do each one.

  • First, get several storage boxes that are all the same size and color. You're going to fill them and stack them in the garage so you want the stacks to look nice. Then go about your home and de-personalize it. Pack away all the family photos so prospects can visualize the place as theirs, not yours. Remove the religious items for the same reason.


  • Though some sellers hire a professional stager there's a lot you can do yourself. Think about how builders' model homes look. There are no unnecessary objects anywhere.


  • Try to look at your shelves, closets and countertops with new eyes and you'll see clutter. Don't get sentimental about anything, especially gifts from others. The givers don't care. Give much of it to charity and put the rest in boxes.


  • Closets, cabinets and drawers have to be neat and organized. People will look inside to see how their stuff will fit.


  • The next step is to rearrange rooms so they have a spacious feel. Get rid of extra chairs, end tables and magazine racks in the living room. Take extra chests and chairs out of the bedrooms. Get rid of the extra clothes or pack it up.


  • Check to see what rooms should be painted. A neutral beige is best.


  • The exterior view of your home is what prompts buyers to make an appointment to see it, or to drive on to the next place. Have the yard cut and trimmed, clear the driveway and walkways and make sure the house number is clearly visible.


  • Now you're almost ready. A very thorough cleaning comes last. A professional cleaning is worth the cost.


  • Many prospective buyers begin their home search on the Internet. An agent can create an ad listing for you, or you can do it yourself. Either way, it pays to use professional photos taken of the exterior and some of the inside rooms.

 

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