If you’re buying a new home in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, it’s exciting… but don’t become so excited that you overlook these five important must-check items.

5 Things You Must Check Before Buying a House in Port Aransas

You’ll save yourself time, money, and stress if you check on everything possible before you sign that dotted line.

#1: How Are the Windows?

New windows can be extremely expensive (sometimes costing more than $10,000), so it’s a good idea to pay special attention to whether they close properly, drafts come in, or they’re cracked. Check double-paned windows for signs of condensation, too, which indicates that there’s a crack in them.

#2: Are There Pests?

Open the cupboards, look behind the refrigerator, and peek under the sink. If you see any signs of pests, you’ll probably need to budget for a pest-control plan—but remember that some pests, such as termites, can damage a home’s entire structure.

#3: Where Does the Water Flow?

We get our fair share of rain in Port Aransas and North Padre Island, so you’ll want to make sure that water flows away from the house. Even if the home is at the top of a hill, you’ll need to ensure that water flows in a way that won’t cause erosion on the property.

#4: What Are the Neighbors Like?

How do you know if a neighborhood is right for you? You check on it at various times of day, get to know some of the people who live there, and look at the environment. The last thing you want is to buy a home in a subdivision or community where you don’t feel at-home.

#5: Will You Need to Upgrade the House?

Upgrades take more money—and more time—than most people think. If a house is too dated, you might be in for a wild (and expensive) ride. Know what you’re signing up for before you fall in love with any house!

Are You Buying a Home in Port Aransas?

Whether you’re looking for a home for sale in Port Aransas or North Padre Island, we’d love to help you find the perfect place to live.
Call us at 361-563-7788 or get in touch with us online to tell us what you want from your next home. We’ll start searching right away.
In the meantime, check out our:

• All-in-one mortgage calculator
• Free homebuyer handbook
• Free eBooks about buying a home (and more)

Filed under: Blog, Buying by Julie Woodward
No Comments »

As the calendar turns to June and the temperatures start to rise in TX and nationwide, we begin to spot more bugs, insects and pests as compared to during the winter.

Hiring an exterminator is one way to limit the number of ground-based bugs in your home. For example, periodic treatments can help to keep ants, beetles and termites at bay.

For airborne pests, however, prevention can be more difficult.

House flies can be especially nagging. They often enter through open doors and windows, then buzz through kitchen and bedrooms, spreading germs and general annoyance.

If your home is battling house flies, the good news is that there are a number of chemical-free, environmentally-friendly ways to reduce or eliminate house flies; solutions that are safe for homes with children and pets.

First, make sure your screen doors and screened-in windows are all in working order. Tears, rips and holes should be repaired or replaced. This is often a house fly’s easiest point of entry into your home.

Next, remember that house flies are attracted to surfaces with sugar or protein. Therefore, it’s important to keep kitchen surfaces and non-carpeted floors clean because these are probable “hot spots” for a house fly. Clean once or multiple times per day, and try to use products containing orange, clove or lemon oil. These oils often repel flies.

Then, examine all trash cans. Lids should remain tightly closed and garbage bags should be changed frequently. Garbage is a breeding ground for house flies and, because flies can hatch from eggs in a matter of hours, the sooner your garbage is sealed and moved to a garage or outdoor dumpster, the better.

Lastly, consider placing 2-3 dozen cloves into an apple and leaving it in a room in which flies are bothersome. The smell of the cloves repels flies and, although it won’t prevent flies from returning, the method is helpful for temporary fly relief.

Filed under: Around The Home by Julie Woodward
No Comments »