What's the Point of a Home Inspection?

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A common question we get here at Property Cayman is, "What's the point of a home inspection?" The truth is, a home inspection can save you a lot of time and stress regardless of what side of the real estate transaction you are on.

Sellers: A home inspection is beneficial for sellers because you can almost ensure the buyer won't have an opportunity to negotiate the sales price after their inspection, which is usually part of their conditions when they submit an offer. Ideally, you want to get mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) inspections to make sure everything is up to code. Examples of problems you might find are mold in the ducts, redundant electrical sockets or leaking pipes, and so on. The same goes for a structural evaluation - you want to make sure you have the latest hurricane strapping and that there aren't any hairline cracks on the exterior of your home. This will protect you from a buyer justifiably trying to get a lower price on your home.

Buyers: Inspections are, in many ways, more important for buyers. You can quantify your purchase price based on any defects discovered. An inspection will also give you peace of mind knowing the home you are about to purchase is structurally sound and passes an MEP analysis. The comfort of knowing everything is in working order is invaluable when making such a big investment. 

As you can see, home inspections play a useful role on both the buying and selling sides of a transaction. If you want to learn more about inspections, or have any general real estate questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to help your real estate experience go as smoothly as possible.

Impressive Kitchen Designs Can Add Value to Your Home

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Are you looking to improve the value of your home? The worth of your home is often dictated not only by the quality of your floors and bathrooms, but by the quality of your kitchen as well. Investing in your kitchen is typically a safe bet - when the time comes to sell your home, a beautiful and up-to-date kitchen will go a long way towards attracting buyers to your home.

Some of the trends we've seen here in 2014 include green design, elements of nature, and cool, vibrant colors. You need to be careful, however, when designing your kitchen in accordance with current trends - what's 'in' now may not be in the future. We suggest looking at the latest home design magazines, checking out current trends, and adopting the ones that fit your taste.

Lately, we've also seen dark and exotic finishes coming back in. Layered lighting is also popular and probably not a bad investment, since cool, useful lighting never goes out of style. Smart and savvy appliances are also worth investing in, as they are important in the eyes of buyers. Glass tiling for kitchen backsplashes, alternative countertops, and open shelving are also quite popular at the moment, as contemporary styles are making more of an appearance. 

As you can see, there are quite a few options to explore when upgrading your kitchen. Explore recent trends and decide what best fits your taste - just be sure to remember eccentric and exotic designs may not be wise if you are planning on selling in the future. 

If you would like some advice on which renovations will add value to your home, please give us a call. We've been doing this a long time and would be happy to help!