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By John Voket

A couple of the first questions you may ask once you decide to list your home for sale are: what will a home inspector be looking at and how can I possibly prepare for a home inspection?

For answers, we turned to the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (nahi.org) According to the site, much preparation can be done with little or no cost – and many tasks are regular maintenance items for a home. Below are the top things to tackle before a home inspection:

  • Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding. Six (6) or more inches of clearance is preferred.
  • Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, etc. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out basement entry drains.
  • Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around trim, chimney, windows and doors.
  • Seal asphalt driveways, if cracking, and point up masonry chimney caps.
  • Clean or replace HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns and plenum.
  • Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.
  • Have the chimney, fireplace or wood stove cleaned and provide the buyer with a copy of the cleaning record.
  • Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked window panes.
  • Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working conditions. Check for and fix any leaks. Caulk around fixtures if...

Read more: How Can You Prepare for a Pre-Listing Home Inspection?

Have a comment on this article? Share on Facebook!

By John Voket

A couple of the first questions you may ask once you decide to list your home for sale are: what will a home inspector be looking at and how can I possibly prepare for a home inspection?

For answers, we turned to the National Association of Home Inspectors, Inc. (nahi.org) According to the site, much preparation can be done with little or no cost – and many tasks are regular maintenance items for a home. Below are the top things to tackle before a home inspection:

  • Remove grade or mulch from contact with siding. Six (6) or more inches of clearance is preferred.
  • Divert all water away from the house; i.e. downspouts, sump pump, condensation drains, etc. Grade should slope away from the structure. Clean out basement entry drains.
  • Paint all weathered exterior wood and caulk around trim, chimney, windows and doors.
  • Seal asphalt driveways, if cracking, and point up masonry chimney caps.
  • Clean or replace HVAC filter. Clean dirty air returns and plenum.
  • Test all smoke detectors to ensure they are in safe working condition.
  • Have the chimney, fireplace or wood stove cleaned and provide the buyer with a copy of the cleaning record.
  • Ensure that all doors and windows are in proper operating condition, including repairing or replacing any cracked window panes.
  • Ensure that all plumbing fixtures (toilet, tub, shower, and sinks) are in proper working conditions. Check for and fix any leaks. Caulk around fixtures if...

Read more: How Can You Prepare for a Pre-Listing Home Inspection?

Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan has listed her retreat in Whistler, Canada, for sale at about $10.1 million or 13.5 million in Canadian dollars.

The mezzo-soprano and pianist was involved in the building, design and finish selections for the custom house, which sits on 4.3 acres in the Stonebridge area of the British Columbia resort town.

A boulder-lined stone driveway leads to the stone- and wood-clad lodge-like residence with a gracefully arching roof. Evergreen landscaping blends into the natural setting.

An open-plan living and dining area features a massive stone fireplace, vaulted wood ceilings and walls of glass. The great room even has plenty of space for a grand piano.

Built two years ago, the gated home has 8,300 square feet of living space including a home theater, a wine room and a gym. The eat-in kitchen features an island, ceiling beams and a long window along one side of the room. There's also a detached guesthouse.

Views take in snow-capped mountains and pine tree tops.

McLachlan, 47, has made a name for herself as a pop, rock and ballad singer. She won two Grammy Awards in 1997 for her album "Surfacing" and picked up a third two years later for her performance of "I Will Remember You."

Her most recent album, "Shine On," was released last year. McLachlan plays several string instruments, including guitar and harp, as well as keyboards.

The property is being marketed by Jordan Cohen of Re/Max Olson & Associates.

Bachelor pad is...

Read more: Singer Sarah McLachlan lists her custom retreat in Canada

millennials_mobile_appsA recent holiday survey shared insights on the role mobile plays in holiday shopping, and specifically for millennial shoppers.

The Annual Holiday Shopping Survey, conducted by Wanderful Media™, the company behind the Find&Save® cash back shopping app, revealed that of the millennial holiday shoppers, 92% said they use their mobile phones while shopping, compared to 73% of all shoppers who were surveyed. All shoppers, including millennials, primarily use mobile to find deals, coupons and/or promo codes for stores nearby; compare prices from other stores or online; and find store locations.

The survey also found mobile shopping apps are popular, since 78% of millennials said they are willing to use shopping apps this holiday season – compared to 67% of all shoppers surveyed.

More than 80% of millennial holiday shoppers said they are interested in mobile app notifications on holiday sales, while about 65% of all surveyed either receive – or would consider signing up to receive – mobile alerts on the latest deals.

While 57% of all surveyed prefer to shop alone, millennials are 94% more likely than all others to shop with friends or family members.

Other key findings include:

Most shoppers, and nearly all millennials, are willing to submit receipts for rebates.

About 72% of all the shoppers surveyed, and 79% of millennials, would be motivated to take a photo of their receipts with a mobile phone and submit it for a rebate of $10 or less.

For a rebate of $5 or less, 56% of all...

Read more: Millennials Embrace Mobile Apps for Holiday Shopping

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