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Do you know what you own? Tips and resources for home inventory documentation

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

By Arnie Gess
If a fire, flood or other natural disaster causes you to lose your home, do you know what you actually own? What if you came home some evening and your home has been burglarized? Would you automatically know what items were stolen?
It is very important for all Canadians to properly document their household belongings and yet I would wager that the majority of Canadian households do not take this safeguard. When it comes time to work with your insurance company in replacing your possessions, it is advised to have photos, receipts, estimated replacement values and more. It is also important that you keep a copy of this documentation in a safe place outside of your home. Examples include a safety deposit box at your bank, a friend or relative’s home or at your office.
It is best to document the inventory in each room in your home as well as your garage and any other out buildings that may be on your property. Also make sure your inventory is updated regularly as you accumulate new possessions. You can easily produce your own documentation in a word document or excel spreadsheet. There are also many resources, software and apps available online to simplify the process. The resources listed below are in alphabetical order for your reference. These options should help you find a solution for your home inventory documentation:
Allstate Digital Locker – http://al.st/yS2eP8
Collectify Home Inventory – http://bit.ly/yH8aAE
DocuHome – http://bit.ly/Az4OTv
Evernote – http://bit.ly/y0gIaO
Everything I Own – http://bit.ly/xNyQP8
Frostbow Home Inventory – http://bit.ly/ACEIbW
Home Insurance Claims: Making The Home Inventory Video – http://bit.ly/zShIQ3
Home Inventory App – http://macw.us/wMKDTk
Home Inventory Documenting Checklist – http://bit.ly/wgZZn5
Home Inventory Pro – http://bit.ly/zBiObh
Home Inventory Spreadsheet – http://bit.ly/yPNf6I
HomeManage Home Inventory Software – http://bit.ly/zkq7J6
IInventory App – http://macw.us/ztD97e
Itemizer App – http://bit.ly/xl1Veg
Kaizen Home Inventory Software – http://bit.ly/x70BO3
KnowYourStuff Software – http://bit.ly/yYMfqa
My ICE Plan – http://bit.ly/xvUpuk
MyHOME Scr.APP.book – http://bit.ly/xh8zxT
MyStuff – http://bit.ly/Adeyb5
My Stuff Deluxe – http://bit.ly/yXGX77
Oiinow – Online Insurance Inventory – http://bit.ly/wv0Y0Y
Pro Home Manager Personal – http://bit.ly/zMRnJ4
Quicken Home Inventory Manager – http://bit.ly/AAjrM0
What You Own Home Inventory – http://cnet.co/ApKtxN
If documenting your home inventory on your own is not in the cards, there are companies in Canada that can provide this service for you. The most important thing is that you act now before disaster strikes.

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9 Things to Fix Around the House Before They Get Worse

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

No matter how much time you spend safeguarding your home and performing routine maintenance to keep everything in tip-top condition, you’ll still be blindsided by unexpected breakdowns. But often you can eliminate potential problems before they arise, saving yourself a lot of money and hassle.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/9-things-to-fix-around-the-house-before-they-get-worse?src=nl&mag=pop&list=nl_pnl_hom_non_011912_fix-things-now&kw=ist#fbIndex9

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Pre-Listing Report Key to Smooth Sale

Monday, January 9th, 2012

More and more realtors are recognizing the importance of having their client’s home inspected BEFORE it’s listed.

In many cases, a C4U inspection will give the seller a clear marketing advantage: the ability to declare the house “pre-inspected” and know in advance what problems (if any) should be addressed before the home goes on the market.

A pre-listing inspection pays for itself – even if the seller decides not to make repairs. Knowing problems in advance allows the seller to disclose them before negotiations begins and creates an atmosphere of mutual trust. In some cases, the seller may want to provide buyers with an estimate of what repairs would cost.

A C4U Pre-Listing Inspection will:

  • Help sellers see their home and its value more realistically
  • Provide sellers with a clear list of repairs that could increase the value of their home
  • Provide potential buyers with the information they need to evaluate a home effectively
  • Enhance your credibility and that of the seller
  • Reduce last minute surprises that could kill or delay the deal
  • Reduce the chance a legal issue will arise after closing
  • Reduce listing time for a faster sale
  • Provide buyers with the confidence needed to make an offer
  • Keep buyers emotionally attached to the house. How often is a “sure sale” derailed by an inspection that reveals defects in what seemed like “the perfect” house
  • Make your job as a realtor that much easier.

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Be neighbourly

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

Be neighbourly and keep your sidewalks safe this winter

By Glenn Cooper

As a homeowner, making snowy and icy sidewalks and front walkways safe for the public should always be a priority. This is important for two reasons: preventing anyone from injuring themselves in a fall; and protecting yourself from a fine, or worse, a lawsuit.

Municipalities have varying rules and regulations for the clearing of snow and ice, but homeowners should also be aware that they could be liable should an injury occur on or in front of their property.

“We see a number of insurance claims each year involving injuries resulting from falls on ice and snow,” states Wayne Ross, insurance expert with Aviva Canada. “And while an insurance policy is there to protect you from such hardship, a few simple steps can prevent the stress of a lawsuit.”

Ross recommends

• Shoveling right away—when possible, start moving the snow soon after it has fallen. Even if it means having to shovel twice—two lighter loads will be easier on your back and arms than tackling it all at once.

• Salt, salt, salt—It’s cheap and can prevent hard to move ice from forming.

• More than a shovel—brooms for light snow and metal ice breakers for the harder accumulations can both come in handy over the winter.

“Do you know who shops for snow and ice removal equipment after the first big blast of winter? Everybody. So get to the store early this year to ensure you’re not left moving snow with your kid’s novelty shovel,” Ross continued.

As a homeowner, the first consideration is the safety of those walking on your sidewalk, but it’s also about protecting yourself from costly fines and lawsuits, something we all want to avoid.

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Season Greetings

Sunday, December 11th, 2011

We extend to you and your family our very best wishes for a Joyous Christmas and a Happy Prosperous New Year!!

This year will be a very special one for our family, as it will be the first time in ten years that we have all celebrated together. It will also be the first Christmas with our granddaughter — the only girl in our family with the exception of our daughter-in-laws.

This year in lieu of gifts (like calendars and pens) we have decided to donate to Feed the Valley, a non-profit group designed to raise food, funds, and awareness for local food banks.  We see this as the ideal time to give back to the community and give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy.

We trust that 2011 has been as enjoyable for you as it has been for us at C4U Inspections and thank you for your ongoing business, referrals, and support.

Happy Holidays from all of us at C4U Inspections,

Lloyd & Linda Kenzle

PS – C4U will remain open during the holidays and welcomes your business and referrals.

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Pre-Inspections

Sunday, April 10th, 2011

I did an inspection last week and found a problem with the main drain pipe it was leaking into the crawlspace. As my client has had problems with plumbing in the past which made  them very skeptical which lead them to opt out of the purchase.

Now if the vendor would of had a pre-inspection done they would of known about the drain problem.This would of given them a chance to repair it before hand which would of avoided the loss of this purchase. With a pre-inspection there should be no surprises when it’s time to sell and things will go smoother.

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Water Pipes Hammering

Sunday, March 13th, 2011

To reduce water pipe hammer, a banging noise in water pipes, shut off the incoming water to your home. Open the highest and lowest valves, often a bath valve and an outdoor hose bibb. Drain all water from these pipes, to restore air cushions in the plumbing system. Turn the incoming water back on. Open each faucet in the house, which may release air before water flows. T, this should eliminate or diminish the noise.

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Feb & March Maintenance

Wednesday, February 16th, 2011

February

Tackle more indoor tasks before the warmer weather arrives…

  • Examine bathroom and kitchen caulking. If you find gaps between the tub or shower and the floor and walls, or between the countertop and backsplash, re-caulk.  Check the tile around bathtubs and shower edges to make sure they are caulked and secure.
  • Check under sinks and around toilets and showers for signs of leaks. Fill sinks with water, open the drain and with a wad of toilet tissue rub down the entire drain pipe to check for leaks.  Also repair dripping faucets and make sure faucet aerators are not clogged — if you don’t know how, a local handyman may do the job at about half the price of a plumber. Save plumbers for bigger, complex jobs.
  • Replace any rubber clothes washer hoses with braided metal hoses to insure against a split hose, water disaster.
  • Call to have your central air-conditioning serviced. Set up the appointment now for March or April to avoid the summer rush. The service will make sure that your compressor and air handler is working well and that the condensate drain is clear.
  • Don’t forget to periodically check and replace all your return air filters and vacuum out the area behind the filter to keep your system working efficiently.  Most manufacturers recommend filter replacement every 30 days.  Get a Sharpie and mark the filters with the date you installed them to help keep you on schedule. Check new filter for the arrow showing air flow direction and install accordingly.
  • Inspect all electrical cords, wall switch plates, and receptacles for damage and wear.  Make sure receptacles are secured tightly.  If you have young children in the home make sure receptacles have appropriate child-proof covers.
  • Periodically check all GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) receptacles found in kitchens, bath, garage and exterior. Push in lower button – top button should pop out then re-set by pushing in top button. Contact licensed electrician to replace/repair if not working properly.
  • Periodically check all AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupters) found in main electrical circuit breaker box – by pushing the small blue button on breakers supplying power to bedrooms.  Re-set circuit breaker by pushing it all the way to “OFF” then back to the “ON” position.  These are found primarily in newer homes and are a fire safety feature.  Again, contact a licensed electrician to replace/repair if not working properly.

 

March

Winter’s ending. It’s time to…

  • Search for peeling exterior paint. Harsh winter weather can cause caulking to loosen and paint to chip, peel or flake, exposing wood to the elements and giving water a place to enter.  Caulk around all window and door trim where needed. Touch up bare spots now with paint to prevent moisture problems later. First, scrape and sand any loose paint, then prime and add at least one top coat.
  • Prep your lawn. Apply a pre-emergent fertilizer to your grass in March (or as soon as the snow melts), and you’ll have fewer weeds and healthier grass come April. A local nursery can recommend a fertilizer appropriate for your yard.
  • Examine the foundation. Take a walk around the exterior and interior of your foundation (if accessible) in search of cracks. Small cracks should be filled with caulk and monitored to make sure they aren’t widening. If you see large cracks, call a home inspector, building contractor or structural engineer to inspect. Check all cement walkways and driveways. If you find a crack, use a leaf blower to clear out debris, then seal with caulk made for your type of surface (asphalt, concrete, etc.). Use mortar only if the crack is more than a half-inch wide.
  • Check all wooden siding, trim and untreated lumber making sure it is not in contact with the ground.  Such contact can lead to wood rot and is an invitation to wood destroying insects.
  • Check your outside AC condenser unit and make sure that there are no leaves, mulch or other debris blocking the air flow around the fins.  Make sure that insulation on the suction line (the larger cold one) is in place all the way to your inside air handler and that the condenser unit looks level and is secure on its pad.  Call your HVAC service company to repair if necessary.
    Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when you change the clocks for daylight saving time.  Contact alarm companies for periodic check of hard-wired systems.
  • Examine the exterior hood of your dryer vent.  Remove any lint build-up.  Periodically disconnect the dryer vent hose from your dryer and clean it out.  A leaf blower works well to blow it out. Lint build up in dryer vent hoses causes over 10,000 house fires every year.  Make sure hose is flexible metal and not plastic.  Keep hose as straight and as short as possible for better air flow and more efficient drying and less lint built-up.

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Happy New Year & Best Wishes For 2011

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

January Maintenance List

This is a good time to address some interior issues…

  • Start a to-do list. Walk through your home, jotting down projects and maintenance problems you notice or that have been on your mind. Carry a screwdriver and a can of machine oil or WD-40 so you can immediately take care of minor issues, such as loose door knobs and squeaky hinges.
  • De-clutter your closets. Throw away anything you don’t need. Buy additional shelves, hooks and boxes to organize everything that remains. Next: De-clutter the laundry room, another often disorganized, small space.
  • Consider your flooring. January is a slow month for carpet sellers and floor refinishers, so it is a good time to get a deal on a replacement or spruce-up.

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December Check List

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

December

Winter is here…

  • Make sure extension cords for holiday decorations that are used outside are rated for this use. All outdoor lights should also be plugged into a ground-fault-interrupter (GFCI) receptacle.
  • Add adhesive-backed nonskid strips to wooden stairs and other dangerous areas, because you will be indoors more.  Stock up on sand or other ice melt products to keep walk ways free of ice.
  • Examine attic for frost accumulation. Check roof for ice dams or icicles. If there is excessive frost or staining of the underside of the roof, or ice dams on the roof surface, consult the CMHC website www.cmhc.ca. for more information on moisture control.
  • Winterize external plumbing systems – This is the most important job of fall if you live in an area that freezes in the winter. Neglecting this job can result in flooding, water damage, and thousands of dollars worth of damage to plumbing fixtures.
    - Drain underground sprinkler systems.
    - Winterize pools or spas. Check manufacturer’s manuals.
    - Have outdoor pools drained and serviced.
    - Drain exterior water pipes and any pipes that run through unheated areas (such as a garage or crawlspace.) If draining these pipes isn’t possible, wrap them with foam insulation or heat tape.
    - Drain and store garden hoses.
  • Check weather stripping on doors and windows. Inspect around your doors and windows: Replace if torn, worn out or missing? This task is to seal small gaps, keeping moisture and cold air out. On doors, make sure the bottom seal is working properly¡ there are many sweeps and thresholds designed to seal this gap. Newer, energy-efficient windows generally don’t require added weather stripping, but if your windows are older, weather stripping can help.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

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