Condition of Indianapolis homes inspected in 2011 much worse than previous years

Dec. 26, 2011 - PRLog -- According to our own statistical data, only 35% of Indianapolis homes inspected in 2011 were considered to be in “good” condition. This is down sharply from 2010 where we saw 43% and in 2009 46% respectively.

The over abundance of distressed homes on the market has certainly contributed a great deal to these numbers. So just what do these numbers mean? Well, from a home inspectors standpoint, it would appear to indicate a significant downward spiral in home maintenance. It also underscores the importance of obtaining a professional home inspection during the home buying process.

Falling home prices and equity are of great concerns to many homeowners and home buyers. Many people are simply putting off repair and maintenance work as they are not sure they want to spend money in this market situation.

If you’re worried about falling home prices, here’s some good news: Ongoing home maintenance can actually help protect your investment, ward off even more expensive repairs and make your home more comfortable for you and your family. More importantly it will also help to make your home more appealing and easier to sell. Many current home owners do not think about the ramifications of not performing home maintenance until they are ready to sell their home. It is important for all home owners to realize, 87% of all home buyers obtain a home inspection before finalizing the deal. If your home has been neglected, a potential buyers home inspection can be your worst nightmare.

A home is a very valuable asset that, for many people, is the biggest investment they will ever make. That’s why it is so important to keep up with repairs and maintenance, especially if you’re concerned about declining home values in your area.

Home maintenance may seem mundane, particularly when compared with large scale renovations, but it’s well worth the time and money. Routine maintenance protects the value of your home just as regular servicing prolongs the useful life of your car and regular checkups maintain your physical health.

What’s more, home maintenance can save you money since small problems that are neglected can very easily turn into much larger problems that will be much more costly to fix later down the road.

Here’s a list of some very basic home maintenance tasks that can help you keep your home in tip top shape:

● Replace broken or missing roof shingles to prevent water damage and extend the life of your roof, which is one of the most expensive components of your home.

● Check your heating and cooling system annually. Replace disposable filters every month or as recommended by your HVAC service technician.

● Hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your fireplace once a year. Keep the damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.

● Scrub concrete decks, walls and walkways annually with a bucket of warm water and baking soda, and a stiff brush or push broom. It is also important to seal your concrete using a quality silicone based concrete sealer every two to three years. This will help to prolong the life of your concrete as well as protect you from those unsightly cracks and heaved sections that will eventually pose a liability to you.

● Clean exterior doors, window frames and screens after the rainy season ends. An annual cleaning and inspection of the exterior portions of your doors and windows will alert you to moisture rot. Caught early, this is an inexpensive repair. Ignored, and this becomes a much more expensive repair.

● Clear your rain gutters of debris and repair any breaks once or twice a year. Force a stream of water upwards to clear a blocked downspout. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear also helps to prevent foundation issues. When gutters are clogged with debris, rain water spills over the gutter and lands about a foot away from your foundation. Excessive moisture around any foundation will eventually lead to some form of foundation problem. Along with your roof, your foundation is one of the most expensive items in your home to repair.

● Empty your hot water heater annually or as recommended by the manufacturer. (Some newer models can be drained from the bottom to save water.) This simple chore can help your water heater last many years longer.

● Paint the exterior and interior of your home every few years or as needed. Indianapolis weather wreaks havoc on the exterior of your home. A fresh coat of paint can not only improve the look of your home, but also help to prevent moisture damage and deterioration to exposed wood from peeling/flaking paint.

# # #

MC2 Home Inspections is an Indiana owned and operated Home Inspection Company. Certified, licensed and insured home inspectors proudly serving the entire Indianapolis metro area.