Basic Home Repair

Have you ever been in a situation in which you had to have a repair person come to your home and repair something you own? It doesn’t really matter what repairs you had to have. In this article, I want you to think about a topic you’ve likely NEVER thought about:

Your liability for repairmen on your property. Like these examples:

-the woman who cleans your house gets electrocuted using your vacuum cleaner.

-The guy cleaning out your roof gutters falls off the ladder and breaks his leg.

-The dog bites the plumber as he walks to his truck.

-Your interior decorator is injured when she falls on your stairs.

-The electrician gets injured while working on your house.

-The pizza delivery kid falls in your front yard and fractures a hip.

The list of accidents could be endless!

Then, let’s not leave out other business people that might come to your property:

-meter reader

-mailman

-package deliveryman

-tax assessor

All these people coming to your house to perform some work are known as “business invitees.”

Almost no one I talk to ever thinks about this, but I handle claims like these examples all the time.

So, why should you care about these people? Because if they are on your property, and they get injured, YOU MAY BE LIABLE!

My recommendation is that you NEVER hire a repairman or repair company unless they hand you a copy of their insurance policy declaration sheet before they begin work.

No tickee, no laundry!

People who get injured often file lawsuits against the people they think caused the injury. Personal injury attorneys who represent those injured people file lawsuits against anyone and everyone involved, and try to prove negligence.

Do you know whether or not you have liability insurance to protect you against liability claims and lawsuits?

Well, pick up your Homeowners, Renters or Condominium insurance policy and read it. Usually liability coverage is found in Section II. You’ll usually find two coverages here, Personal Liability and Medical Payments to Others.

The most important things you should learn from this article are these points:

1. Lawsuits are expensive, and jury awards can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

2. The Liability section of your insurance policy guarantees you that the insurance company will provide legal defense for you if you get sued over a liability issue.

3. Call your insurance agent and buy liability limits that are as high as you can afford. I recommend $500,000 or higher.

4. Call your insurance agent and buy a Personal Liability Umbrella policy. Probably cost you about $300 per year, but worth every penny. It will provide you with limits up to $1 million.

5. If and when you get sued, and the insurance company provides you with legal defense, remember that they are defending themselves FIRST. You still need an attorney to represent YOU.

Don’t allow yourself to be blind-sided by a lawsuit that could cause your financial ruin!!

By all accounts, reverse home mortgage growth is set to explode. Baby boomers are reaching retirement and, for most, home equity makes up the largest part of their nest egg. Reverse mortgages will be the tools that many of these retirees will use to tap into this nest egg for retirement living expenses. The number of new HUD Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) already has increased more than percent in the first nine months of 2006 over the same period one year ago.

But along with reverse home mortgage growth come increased opportunities for fraud and scams. Reverse mortgages are different from traditional mortgages in ways that make them attractive vehicles for scam artists:

• reverse mortgages are products specifically designed for and targeted to senior citizens, the population group most vulnerable to fraud;
• scam artists know that a reverse mortgages provide the senior homeowner with relatively easy access to a sizeable pool of cash; and,
• reverse mortgages are harder to understand than traditional mortgages making it easier for the scam artist to confuse and take advantage of victims.

In this article we look at some of the tactics scam artists are using and the precautions reverse mortgage borrowers can take to protect themselves.

Scam Tactic One – Downplay Pre-Loan Counseling

An educated borrower is the scam artist’s worst enemy – but it’s up to the borrower to educate themselves and take advantage of counseling and other opportunities to learn about reverse mortgages.

All three major reverse mortgage programs – HUD HECM, Fannie Mae’s Home Keeper and Financial Freedom – require potential borrowers to have counseling with an independent counselor specially trained in reverse mortgages before taking out a loan.

In a recent Detroit-area fraud case, a corrupt lender was able to keep the borrower in the dark about the amount she was eligible to borrow. She thought her loan would be for $61,000 when in fact she was borrowing $103,000. Guess who pocketed the $42,000 difference? A thorough counseling session would have given the homeowner an accurate idea of the true amount she was eligible for. Unfortunately for the victim, the prosecutor in the case says this never happened:

“A counseling meeting explaining the reverse mortgage process was required by Financial Freedom before the loan could be processed. Mr. James allegedly informed Ms. Schultz that he would be able to waive the counseling meeting by just asking a few questions over the phone.”

Precaution: Although counseling by telephone is allowed, it is always best to meet face-to-face with the counselor. If you find that anyone you’re working with in the process suggests that counseling can be done quickly over the phone or otherwise downplays the importance of pre-loan counseling, be highly suspicious.

Scam Tactic Two – Forgery

Forgery is a key part of many scams. In the Detroit case cited above, the lender requested the title company to prepare two checks payable to the homeowner: one for $61,000 which the homeowner received and a second one for $42,000 which the corrupt lender endorsed with a forged signature and deposited into his own account.

In one California case, two con artists – one working as a financial advisor the other a handyman - convinced an elderly homeowner to take out a reverse mortgage to pay for home repairs. The financial advisor opened an account for the proceeds of the loan and forged the victim’s name to gain access to funds.

Another California case reported in the Santa Cruz Sentinel shows how dangerous it can be to sign “unfinished” documents:

Mrs. Sally Scott is 66 years old. While she receives Social Security and pension checks, she still can’t make ends meet. She saw an ad for a “reverse” mortgage — a loan that allows seniors age 62 or older to receive cash by borrowing against their homes and does not require repayment as long as they live there. Seeking a little financial cushion, she spoke to a mortgage broker about a $10,000 reverse mortgage.When she received the loan papers, she noticed that the loan amount was $200,000. The broker promised that he’d change the figure, but insisted that she sign the paperwork first. Trusting the broker, Mrs. Scott signed.

A week later, she received a check for $200,000. She immediately notified the broker, who apologized for the mistake and instructed her to wire the money back. As it turned out, the account that Mrs. Scott returned the money to belonged to the broker. He disappeared, leaving her with a mortgage in default and no way to repay the loan.

Precaution: Never sign documents with blanks to be filled in or corrections to be made later. Carefully protect access to your checking and other accounts. Review and reconcile checking account and loan statements regularly. If you find something awry, contact your financial institution immediately.

In the Detroit case cited above, the victim caught on to the scam when she received a loan statement indicating the balance of her reverse mortgage (including interest) totaled $131,000.

Also, take advantage of the free credit reports available to you under federal law. Reviewing your credit report each year is also a good way to catch unauthorized financial activities under your name.

Scam Tactic Three – Charging for Free Reverse Mortgage Information

The complexity of reverse mortgages means that it is natural for borrowers to seek assistance and guidance to help them understand the loan process, find a lender or, generally, better understand what they are getting into. Some scammers have seized on this to offer – for a fee - reverse mortgage information and services that are available to consumers at no charge.

For example, some senior homeowners have been contacted by firms offering to assist them in finding a reverse mortgage lender, in exchange for a percentage of the loan. This type of arrangement should always be avoided. According to HUD’s website:

HUD does NOT recommend using an estate planning service, or any service that charges a fee just for referring a borrower to a lender! HUD provides this information without cost, and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are available for free, or at minimal cost, to provide information, counseling, and free referral to a list of HUD-approved lenders. Call 1-800-569-4287, toll-free, for the name and location of a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you.

Precaution: Walk away from anyone who offers to find a reverse mortgage lender for a fee. Use the internet to find free information about reverse mortgages or, read one of the several excellent books that have been published in recent years.

If you feel you have need for a professional financial planner to assess your overall situation – including the reverse mortgage decision - find a certified financial planner (CFP) who works on a fee-only basis and who is knowledgeable of reverse mortgages (many aren’t).

Scam Tactic Four – Posing as a Government or Non-Profit Representative

The most popular form of reverse mortgage – the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) – is an official program of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, neither the HECM program nor other reverse mortgage programs are marketed directly to senior homeowners by government employees.

Unscrupulous reverse mortgage salesmen have been known to represent themselves to elderly homeowners as government representatives or volunteers for non-profit organizations.

Precaution: Be sure you know who you are dealing with and what organization they represent. Do not be timid about asking for information such as their home office location and phone number. Use resources like HUD and the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) to check out the company. Also, check complaint sites like www.ripoffreport.com.

Scam Tactic Five – Bundling Things with Reverse Mortgage Financing

Smart consumers know that the best way to shop for a car is to separate the parts of the transaction – purchase, financing and trade-in – from each another. With a bundled transaction, it’s easy for the consumer to be befuddled and not understand the true cost of the overall deal. What appears to be a “great price” on the car may mask exorbitant finance charges or a low trade-in value.

Similarly, a common tactic of scam artists is to bundle reverse mortgage financing with something else such as home improvements, annuities, risky investments, living trusts or other estate planning products.

In one Seattle-area case, elderly consumers were told that living trusts must be purchased in order to obtain a reverse mortgage. In another case, seniors were encouraged to take out a reverse mortgage and use the proceeds to “invest” in truck-mounted billboards.

Frequently, two or more scammers work as a team. For example, in the California case cited earlier, an unscrupulous financial advisor steered the homeowner to a home repair contractor who was party to the scam and who grossly overcharged the victim for repair work.

If you find yourself dealing with someone who attempts to bundle a reverse mortgage with another product or service or steer you to a particular contractor/lender, be highly suspicious. If you feel at all uncomfortable or that the person is using high-pressure sales tactics, walk away.

Precaution: When home improvements or estate planning services are needed, shop for the best deal. It’s best for you to find what you’re looking for rather than them finding you. Homeowners should avoid doing business with anyone who comes uninvited to the door, makes an unsolicited phone call or whose name is found randomly on a flier.

When you’ve found the best deal, then weigh your financing options – including a reverse mortgage. Keeping these decisions separate will protect you from possible fraud and help ensure you get the most for your money.

Home repair costs can be quite expensive, that is why it is important to see how you can reduce those costs. You certainly don’t want to have to spend money that you don’t have, so it will be worth your while to look into what ways you can repair your home without paying an unnecessary price.

Below are ways you can do just that:

1. If some kind of accident occurred on the property that caused the damage, check with your insurance company to see if your home insurance will cover it. If so, that is money that you do not have to spend out of your pocket.

2. Schedule a home inspector to come to your home so that you can have all of the damage assessed. This allows you to see what needs immediate fixing and what doesn’t. It also helps you pinpoint areas that could easily become damaged again after making the repairs.

3. Sometimes home repair costs can be reduced by doing things such as painting, cleaning, and waxing. An entire wall may not need replaced. It just might need some cosmetic help.

4. Compare prices at the various home improvement stores. You can reduce home repair costs if you look for the same quality materials at lower prices. Every little bit helps.

5. If you must use a home improvement firm, compare rates. Don’t simply go with a company because they claim to be the best. Ask questions.

6. If you don’t know how to repair common issues yourself, purchase a manual that can teach you to do so. You can reduce home repair costs by not having to hire a professional.

7. If you must get a loan to cover your home repair, be sure to shop around for the best interest rate.

8. You can also reduce your costs by simply using preventable maintenance. Tackle the problem before it exists.

9. If you use a professional service, be sure they provide you with a signed estimate before they touch anything within your home. That way, you can either negotiate with them or find a cheaper service.

10. If you can establish a relationship with a good home repair service, then you can reduce your home repair costs dramatically over time.

These are simply ten tips that you can use to make sure you don’t pay more for home repair costs than what you have to. No one should have to lose money that they don’t need to, so use caution and be patient. That way, your home repair costs don’t get the best of you.

One of the most usual repairs that people do around their houses is on their windows. The most common reasons for home window repair are also broken glass and deteriorating putty, which is not only unattractive to the eyes but also produces openings that lets the air escape. Although anyone can always approach a professional to do repairs around the house, there are also certain repairs that can be done by house members and a broken window is one of these. If a family needs to replace the broken glass of a window, then they would just need a number of things to be able to do this.

Anyone can do their own home window repair. Among the things that they just need to get if their window has a broken glass pane are glazier’s points, linseed, a glazing compound and of course, a new glass pane. These things can all be found in any hardware store in the neighborhood or just about anywhere. However, to be able to have more choices on window panes, then they should head on to a glass shop. Once, all the materials needed are at hand, anyone can already get started on fixing their broken window.

The first step that needs to be done in home window repair is removing the old broken pane as well as the putty. This is made easier of linseed oil is applied to putty and would be left to stand for some thirty minutes. Heating the putty would also make its removal easier. Once the putty is already malleable, the glazier’s points are the next to be removed. However, to get this out, the glass need to be broken completely. As soon as the glass has been taken away and that frame has been cleaned of all remnants of the old putty, boiled linseed oil should also be wiped onto the old wood. This keeps the wood from getting the oil that can be found in the glazing compound.

Laying glazing compound on the window sash on which the new glass pane will be set, is the next step to home window repair. As soon as the glass is set, glazier’s points should be placed using a putty knife or a glazing tool at every four inch to keep the glass in its place. The points should be inserted straight and firmly into the wood, against the glass. To seal the pane in, more glazing compound should be applied. It should be made sure that half of the glazing is set on the glass while the other half should be in the frame. After a few days, these new window can already be painted. However, you should also paint the edge of the glass right before the frame to seal in the glazing.

Home repairs and improvement projects can be dangerous. If you are using sharp tools or power tools you must take extra precautions to avoid injury. Here are 7 tips to stay safe when you are working around your home:

1. If you are working with wiring be sure to turn off the circuit.
2. Unplug your power saw before you change the blade.
3. Keep your power tools dry and only plug them into grounded electrical outlets.
4. Read the instruction manual and follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions before using a power tool.
5. Keep your fingers away from a power blade. Clamp down small pieces of wood instead of holding them.
6. Take off your gloves and roll up your sleeves when you use a power tool.
7. Wear eye and ear protection when you are working with a power tool.

Some of these tips may seem silly or like common sense to you when you read them here, but safety is a very serious matter. Thousands of people are injured each year by using power tools. The vast majority of these accidents could have been prevented if the person had followed and adhered to these 7 tips.

You also want to remember to lift with your legs and not your back. Be sure to have a helper if you are working on something strenuous. Try not to work with your body in an awkward position. Also, take regular breaks while you are working. You can always call a handyman if you need help completing a project at your home.

Common causes of roof damage:

Wind Damage

Shingled roofs are no match for the high winds of tornadoes and hurricanes. Occasionally, minor storms carry wind gusts with sufficient force and direction to lift roof shingles or damage a roof with flying debris.

Exposure

All roofing materials deteriorate over time with exposure to wind, rain, snow, and other natural occurrences and weather conditions. The amount of deterioration is dependent on the severity of the weather conditions.

Poor maintenance

Many roofs have minor defects or experience minor deterioration. The failure to detect and correct these conditions in their early stages can lead to more serious roof damage over time.

Improper Installation of Roofing Materials

The proper installation of roofing materials will minimize the occurrences of roof damage. Even the lowest grade of roofing materials will supply adequate protection against roof leaks, water penetration, and wind damage if applied properly.

Emergency Roof Repairs

If you need roof shingle repair or any other kind of roof damage repair, you should hire a licensed and insured roofing contractor or general contractor. If you have to perform temporary roof shingle repair before the professionals arrive be very careful. Serious injury can occur if someone falls off a roof or ladder.

Choosing a Roofing Contractor

Here are some things that you should keep in mind when selecting a roofing contractor:

- Define the specific scope of roof repairs to be done

- Ask family, friends and your local roofing supply house for recommendations and references.

- Get at least 3 written quotes.

- Check with your state or the Better Business Bureau for complaints.

- Make sure the contractor is licensed.

- Make sure the contractor is insured for personal liability, property damage, and worker’s compensation.

- Have the roofing contractor acquire the required permits from the city building inspector.

- Do not pay for the job up-front.

- Withhold final payment until the job is complete and has been inspected and approved.

- Get a written contract stating the total price of the job, the schedule of payments, scope of work to be done, what materials that will be used, and the time frame for completion

- If you pay by credit card, you may be able to dispute the payment if the job is unsatisfactory.

Home repairing and maintenance is an important aspect of construction work. You always need to take proper care of your home, so that your association with home lasts longer. It’s always important to take proper care of all outer and inner portions of homes. With the passage of time the durability of every home decreases. The reason can be anything from excess rain, to sunlight or just the time.

No one knows when and where you have to face problems with your home, so it will be better if you keep your home as well as you ready to face any kind of calamities. This is not only limited to repair of existing home, any task related to an extension like building a servants quarter, or an extended floor above the existing house, or developing a garden, garage or pavements for your home comes into this category.

The best option to perform all these home repair and maintenance work is to hire a Construction Company. They will make a draft and provide you with exact budget required for repairing of your home. You also need to assess the amount of additional burden on existing foundation of your home due to construction of any additional floor or added rooms in your house. Construction companies keep contacts with several building experts, or consultant architects who can do assessment of any such work effectively and professionally.

If you want to develop pavements in your garden or walkout basements, or engross window, or just normal floors and walls repairing, they will provide you everything from required building materials to the manpower. You will also be benefited by heavy and automated machines used by these Home Construction companies. That can minimize your budget as well as amount of time required in complete repairing of your homes.

However, it’s always important to hire the perfect and eligible companies for your services. If you are not having any contacts with them, you can look for them online. You will find several website of Home Construction companies, with sufficient amount of experience of home making. That will be convenient as well as more accurate for your desired work.