Home Buying Red Flags

Many owners are anxious to sell their homes. In the rush to sell, there will always be those owners who do not disclose all the problems the property may have. Perhaps they want a quick sale, or a better price, or maybe they simple were not aware of the problems in the first place. Whatever the reason, it’s up to you, as the potential buyer, to spot these problems.

Hiring a home inspector might seem like a good idea, but unless you’re very wealthy, you simply can’t afford to hire an inspector to look at every house that might catch your eye. You can, however, educate yourself. If you know what to look for, you’ll be able to weed out the more damaged homes and focus your attention and money elsewhere.

General Maintenance

If you’re looking for a home you can just move into without having to address a lot of issues, make a point of looking for signs of poor maintenance or maintenance that was never done in the first place. Cobwebs over important areas such as the furnace, hot water heater, or air conditioning unit are generally a sign that these appliances haven’t been serviced regularly. Look at the plumbing as well, if at all possible. If you see an excessive amount of caulking or putty, you’re probably going to have to replace the pipes, and this isn’t cheap.

Go outside and check gutters and drains. If either of these are clogged with more than a week’s worth of debris, it’s likely a sign of neglect. The interior of the gutters may be damaged and have to be replaced. This may not be something that you want to do when you purchase your new home.

Doors

When most people look at a home, they look behind a door, but they don’t close it. A door that won’t close might indicate a serious structural problem. Take the time to open and close every door in the house. Some settling of a home as it ages is normal. But it’s not normal for doorframes to warp.

Flickering Lights

While you might need a home inspector to determine if the wiring is faulty, you can still make some basic observations on your own. Walk through the house and turn on every switch. If the lights flicker or you hear crackling or sparking sounds, it’s a sure sign that there might be an electrical problem. Also take a close look at the circuit box. Corrosion or an overload of wires is an indication that the system needs an overhaul.

If the agent or homeowner tells you the power is off because the house is standing vacant, insist on touring the home while the power is on. If your request is refused, you should absolutely walk away from the deal.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Many homeowners repaint right before listing their home for sale. This could just be general maintenance and the desire to sell. However, it could also mask some serious problems. Fresh paint can cover up water spots, structural cracks, and even large holes in the drywall. If the house has been repainted but other maintenance has been neglected, you might want to ask why.

The Floor Plan

If you’re looking at older homes, beware of obvious changes in floor plan. Most older homes were not originally open concept, so if you encounter a home that has been renovated to have an open floor plan, ask to see work orders from a qualified contractor. Many times, important load-bearing walls are removed but not replaced. This leads to structural problems down the road, problems that will present a danger to you and your family and are quite expensive to fix.

The Foundation

You may not be a trained and qualified home inspector, but you can still look around for obvious problems that the owners simply didn’t tell you about. One of the most overlooked parts of the house is the foundation. Walk the entire perimeter of the home and examine the foundation in detail. Some cracking is normal, but watch for very deep or very long cracks as these could indicate a weakening foundation. Also make sure the foundation is level. A foundation that is not level is usually a sure sign of a problem that will be difficult and expensive to fix.

When you go inside, make sure you look at the basement. Search for signs that water may have leaked into the basement at some point. You don’t want to have to deal with water damage when you first move in. If there are signs of water damage and the owners claim it’s been fixed, as to see work orders to that effect. Not all owners will lie to you, but some will, so don’t take their word for it.

The Neighborhood

Before you even consider making an offer, take a tour of the neighborhood that you might be moving into. Boarded up homes and vandalized property is usually a sign of problem, as is graffiti. That ‘good deal’ might be because the neighborhood is unsafe or an attraction to criminals.

While looking around the area, take note of how many homes are for sale. If there seems to be too many homes for sale, don’t be afraid of asking neighbors why everyone is moving. You might gain some valuable information that night make you decide to walk away from that particular property, or any others in the area.

That Odd Smell

Let your nose guide you when you’re looking at a potential new home. Take a deep breath and try to identify the various scents. Try to smell beyond the baking cookies and the scent of poodle on the couch. A foul odor might mean mold, mildew, or something worse. If you smell gas, there’s probably a leak, or maybe a furnace in poor repair.

Some homeowners and agents will try to tell you that the house smells funny because it’s been uninhabited for some time. Even if it’s true that the house has been sitting vacant, that’s not the reason for the smell. If you don’t know exactly where the smell is coming from and how to fix it, walk away. Find a home that doesn’t make you gag.

Windows

It’s not enough to simply look through all the windows. Open each window each fully and close it again. Sliding windows should slide with little or no resistance. If they get stuck, you’re probably looking at a structural problem. Even if there isn’t a structural problem, windows are expensive to replace.

Where’s the Water?

While you probably can’t crawl around the house inspecting every piece of pipe, you can turn on all the facets and check the water pressure. Low pressure might indicate corroding or leaking pipes. If the water isn’t on because the house is vacant, arrange to view the home once the water has been turned on. An agent or owner who refuses to do this is definitely hiding a larger problem. There have been cases where unsuspecting homebuyers have purchased a home with no water supply at all.

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. You owe it to yourself to look for the red flags and evaluate potential money pits. If you haven’t seen any obvious red flags and decide that you’re interested in a particular property, hire a qualified home inspector to further examine the home. This may cost you a little money, but it will also put you in a better position for negotiating the price of the home and let you walk into your purchase with full knowledge of the problems associated with the property.

Summer Cookout Games

Summer is a time to get together with family and friends and enjoy the heat. One of the best ways to do this is by hosting a cookout. They are easy to organize and fun for everyone. But if you want your cookout to entertain and engage your guests, you’ll need to plan a few games and activities. When deciding on the activities you’re going to offer, you’ll have to consider the ages of your guests, the space available, and how long the cookout will last.

Team Sports

People of all ages enjoy a carefree team game and they need very little equipment. If you have a large grassy area, you can play soccer, football, or even softball. None of these needs much in the way of equipment and all are easy to play for most people. Badminton or volleyball is also a great option, but you’ll have to bring a net. If your cookout is near a beach, beach volleyball is always fun. You might even want to try croquet, though this requires a little more equipment than some games.

Individual Games

Though team sports are popular, it’s probably a good idea to have a few games that don’t need an entire team to play. Grassy areas are great for horseshoes or darts, but be careful when letting children play darts. If you have any concrete available, pack some sidewalk chalk. Hopscotch will entertain children for hours, but there are other possibilities.

Try using the chalk to draw start and finish lines and have a foot race. If you want to get a little more creative, try to organize a relay race. For more entertainment, try a line race. Have each participant draw a line. It doesn’t have to be straight. It can zigzag, curve, cross other lines, and even double back, as long as it eventually gets to the finish line. Then number the lines and have everyone draw numbers out of a hat. Now people have to race on the line that matches the number they got. The first to hit the finish line wins. This is hilarious as people try to stay on their path without bumping into each other.

Arts and Crafts

Sidewalk chalk can be used for more than just creating games. You can give it to children and adults alike and encourage everyone to get creative. Try blocking off square for everyone and you’ll soon end up with a mosaic of artwork. Have a contest, judging the entries and even awarding prizes, but make sure you have more than one category so that everyone can have a chance to win a prize.

Scavenger Hunts

If you’re looking for a way to keep people occupied for a long period of time try a scavenger hunt. You can do this in one of two ways. You might opt to go to the site early and hide a variety of items, perhaps leaving clues as to their locations. This works well in an area where you can be assured that your items will remain undisturbed, such as private property.

If your cookout is being held in an area that the general public has access to, such as a park, you might want to ask your guests to find items in nature. Make a list that might include dandelions, acorns, pinecones, rocks in certain shapes, a maple leaf, or anything else that’s native to your area. Perhaps as a bonus you could ask everyone to find a four-leaf clover. Provide each participant with a bag and let them go.

Water Games

Summer heat and water just seem to go together. If your cookout has a water source such as a lake, river, stream, or even a water fountain, pack a few water guns. Spread them around and let your guests engage in an impromptu game of ‘war.’ Remember to set some rules regarding who can be sprayed and where the water guns can be used. However, keep in mind that most children and many adults will ignore those rules, so if you pack water guns, be prepared to get wet no matter where you sit.

If there’s a lake nearby, remind everyone to bring their swimsuits. Swimming will occupy your guests for a prolonged period of time with very little effort on your part. Put someone in charge of supervising any children who happen to be in the water, purely for safety reasons.

You can easily turn your summer cookout into a truly social event by the addition of some fun activities. Make accommodations for participants who do not wish to play certain games, and keep in mind the various ages and levels of activities, and your guests will be entertained, engaged, and work up an appetite. Take advantage of the area, and don’t forget to pack some simple items such as a Frisbee and a few balls to toss around. Before you know it, your guests will be enjoying themselves thoroughly.

Essential Grilling Tools

Summer is the time of the grill. Whether at a barbeque or cookout, most families will find some reason to fire up the grill several time throughout the season. But all activities require certain equipment and tools before they can be fully enjoyed. If you want to grill like a pro, you’ll need to invest some money in the right tools.

The Grill

You can’t grill without a … grill. It is easily the most essential piece of grilling equipment. Generally, you’ll have to choose between a charcoal grill and one fueled with propane. Both have their pros and cons, and their fans. Whichever you choose, there are certain features you should look for in a grill.

Make sure your grill has a functioning lid. This may sound silly to mention, but it really is important. There are grills on the market that are cheaper simply because they do not have a lid, but these do not have the quality that you’ll want in a grill. A lid is essential for many reasons. It allows for indirect cooking, smoking, and even the use of woodchips. In addition, a closed lid allows the air to circulate better, allowing for faster and more even cooking.

You’ll probably want a grill with wheels for mobility. If your grill is charcoal, make sure it has a removable ash catcher that can be easily cleaned. Propane grills should have an ignition switch. If you’re going to be grilling frequently, look for a grill with a second tier for vegetables or simply to keep food warm. A side burner may also be handy.

Wire Brush

Once you have your grill, you’ll have to keep it clean. This is where the wire brush comes in handy. It will prolong the life of your grill and increase the taste and quality of the food you grill. Purchase a brush with brass bristles instead of steel. They are softer and won’t scratch the grates, saving you money in the long run.

Make sure you clean the grill before and after each use. Before grilling, heat the grill to burn off any leftover food then use the brush to loosen any remaining residue. While some people believe that cleaning the grill diminishes the flavor of the food, this is just a myth. Cleaning the grill ensures that your food is fresh, without any ‘leftovers’ attached.

Tongs

Almost all grilling is done with tongs. For this reason you’ll want to ensure that you have a really great set. Look for tongs that are at least 12 inches in length and constructed of stainless steel. Longer is better, as it will protect your hands from the intense heat of the grill. You might also look for tongs with wooden, nylon, or rubber handle grips for easier usage and oval or scalloped tips to allow a better grip on foods.

If you know you’ll be grilling many different foods at once, such as beef and vegetables, for example, you might want to invest in two or three pairs of tongs. It is advisable to have one for meat, one for poultry, one for fish, and one for vegetables to avoid any cross-contamination. You can easily label these tongs with colored tape so you don’t get them mixed up.

Spatula

Tongs can’t be used for everything. Some delicate foods such as fish or vegetables must be flipped gently. This is where a good spatula comes in handy. Spatulas for grilling are generally available in either stainless steel or silicone and have a long, angled handle designed to keep your hands away from the flames. Make sure you purchase a spatula large enough to fit entirely under the food. Fish and other delicate foods might fall apart otherwise.

Basting Brush

A good basting brush is almost as important as a decent pair of tongs. Basting your food locks in moisture, adds and preserves flavor, and improves the appearance of your meat. You shouldn’t use a regular kitchen basting brush, however, and pastry brushes are useless. You’ll want to purchase a grill basting brush, one with a long, angled handle that will help keep your hands away from the heat.

There are three basic types of brushes: synthetic, silicone, and mop. In general, silicone brushes are the best choice for most grillers. They are heat resistant, easy to clean (even in the dishwasher), and don’t shed their little fibers the way synthetic brushes do. However, for grillers who cook large quantities at once, a mop brush might be the better choice. These brushes are better at spreading barbeque and other sauces over large quantities of food.

Wooden Grill Planks

The use of wood planks for grilling is increasing in popularity to the point where any decent grill chef will have several of these on hand at any given time. Though typically used to cook fish, most foods will benefit from the use of a wood plank. The benefit of these planks is that they can infuse the food with flavors that are usually only found in smoked food. When purchasing planks, consider the flavor you’d like your foods to have. Planks are available in ash, cedar, maple, hickory, birch, pecan, mesquite, apple, peach, grape, and many other woods.

Meat Thermometer

Too many people poke or cut into the meat to determine when it’s cooked. This lets out the juices, resulting in lower quality meat. Instead of constantly poking the meat, purchase a good quality meat thermometer. You’ll want a thermometer that is instant-read and has a large face that is easy to read. Also, analog thermometers are more accurate than their digital counterparts, and they tend to last longer.

Skewers

If you and your family like to cook kebabs, you’ll want to invest in a set of metal skewers. These can be used to grill anything from pork, chicken, and beef to vegetables and fruit. When purchasing your skewers, look for the flat ones as opposed to the round. Food tends to spin and cook unevenly on round skewers, but stays in position on the flat ones.

Grill Basket

Is skewering foods too much work, try a grill basket. You can throw all manner of smaller foods into this basket that would otherwise fall through the grills and into the fire. These baskets should be sturdy enough to support a great deal of weight. They are perfect for stir-fries or simply a plate full of grilled vegetables.

If you wish to grill frequently, the above tools are the bare necessities. Other popular items include pizza pans, egg poachers, frying pans, and dozens of other accessories. Decide on how much you’d like to use your grill, and what foods you’re likely to cook, then purchase the items you’ll need. Before long, you’ll be grilling your way to perfection and hosting cookouts and barbeques that will be long remembered.

Being an Involved Parent Without Being Overprotective

Parenting a teenager is like walking a tightrope. If you’re too overprotective, your child rebels and gets into trouble. If you’re not involved, they get into trouble through lack of guidance. In order to effectively parent your teen, you’ll have to walk this tightrope, balancing your level of involvement. You’ll have to discover how to stay involved without being overprotective. You can do this by following a few simple tips.

Be a Role Model

If you’ve been a kind and responsible parent, you’re probably raising kind and responsible teenagers. It might not always seem like it, but you’ve given them the basics from the time they were young. They have seen your example, and continue to see it. Trust in that and instead of being controlling and overprotective, simply be available for those times when they’ll need you to demonstrate how to be a functioning and responsible adult.

Don’t Overreact

Teenagers will often just seem to push all your buttons. They’ll drive you crazy with the smallest things until you’re ready to ground them for life simply for missing curfew by 3 minutes, which is probably an overreaction. Before you can parent your teen, you’ll have to control yourself. Temper your reactions and try to behave in proportion to the action.
Understand that your teenager is growing up and is trying to exert a little independence. This isn’t a bad thing. Treat them as you would an adult, at least for the most part. If there’s a problem, sit down and discuss it. Don’t tolerate lying or disrespect, but approach the situation with a reasonable attitude.

Don’t Stop Talking

It’s not being overprotective to ask a few very important questions. It’s okay to ask them where they’re going, who they’re with, and when they’ll be back. It’s also okay to ask why they’re late. It’s not okay to order them to detail every second of their evening. That’s too involved and an invasion of your child’s privacy. Let your child know that you want this information because it will help to keep you from worrying, and your teen will be more likely to oblige.

Show a Little Respect

Respect works both ways, so if you want a child who will respect you and relieve your mind, start by showing them a little respect. Respect the fact that they’re growing up and exerting their own independence. Respect their opinions. Respect their need to have a real discussion with you about real issues. They do still need you, but that need is changing, so try to understand that.

Show a Little Trust

At some point, you’re going to have to trust. Trust the world to look after your child. Trust your child to make the right decisions. Trust that you won’t lose your mind waiting for them to come home. Start early by trusting them just a little at a time. As they build up this trust, give them a little more freedom. It’s better to slowly teach them to be responsible by offering a little freedom than never giving them any and watching them self-destruct as adults.

Stay involved in your child’s life and you’ll guide them through adolescence and into adulthood. Be a parent, not an inquisitor. Your teenagers will thank you and respect you for that.

Bargaining with a Teenager

Teenagers are difficult to parent simply because they are approaching adulthood. They are exerting their own independence, and as a parent, you want to encourage this. However, there is a distinct difference between encouraging independence and resorting to bargaining just to make life easier. You are the parent, and with that title comes the responsibility of teaching your teenager and keeping them safe. These are not things that should be bargained away.

Avoiding bargaining with a teenager is not always that easy, however. It can be difficult for a parent to determine what rules should be negotiated and which ones should be set in stone. As the parent, you have to pick your battles and know that you’ve done so. You have to know which rules are not up for negotiation, and you have to convey this information to your children. Once you’ve clarified in your own mind what rules cannot and should not be negotiated, stick to it.

Teenagers will always try to bargain. It’s their way of starting to acquire their own power. But in the relationship between parent and child, you have the power and the benefit of wisdom and experience. Use this power to enforce your decisions. Your teenagers should have enough respect for you to understand that when you say “That’s the rule,” you mean it. Explain that certain rules are simply not on the bargaining table. Don’t argue about it. Arguing can lead to bargaining, which can lead to you changing your mind simply because you’re tired of arguing. Set the rules and walk away.

This doesn’t mean you should refuse to listen to your teenager. You should always have an open line of communication. If a certain rule really bothers your teen, set aside a certain time to discuss it. Listen to their opinion and express your own. Have a discussion, not an argument. Everyone feels better when listened to. While you might not change your mind, you’ll at least understand how your teenager feels, and your teen will know that you know. That alone might make your relationship a little easier.

Never bargain when it comes to the important things. There will be a time when your teenager must make his or her own decisions, when they are truly independent and ready to face the world. Until that time, it is your job as a parent to keep your child safe. This is best done by establishing the rules and enforcing them, but also by listening to your teenager.