All Forum Posts by: Tom Harkins

@Sunny S. As others stated, have it looked at by a WDI/pest company. 

Also keep an eye on the basement moisture. Things that should help are ensuring the gutters are clear, extending the downspouts further  from the house, and possibly regrading the exterior for better drainage. 

@Alex Ni You can get it tested if you are worried about mold. Assuming that is a bathroom fan pictured, run a few feet of aluminum duct and vent it out the roof or the side of the attic. It is a straightforward handyman or DIY job.

@Vinh Nguyen Check your local government website or consult a real estate attorney - they may have a template available that you can use. Here is an example from my lease: "Tenant must keep grass trimmed and maintained; must remove leaves and debris; must promptly remove ice and snow from all walks, steps and drives; and must maintain grounds in good condition."

@Chun Chan Not sure what you mean by "similar to drive for dollars," but 2 apps I would recommend in general are DealCheck and HomeSnap.

@John Matthew Johnston Have it looked at by a structural engineer. They can recommend and probably spec out the repair (i.e. produce drawings). Then an experienced contractor can do the work. 

@Fahadbin Alam If the property is financed, check with your mortgage lender. Chances are your property taxes and insurance are paid directly on your behalf by the bank, from the money that you are paying into escrow each month. If it was something different I would expect them to have made you aware of it. Best of luck

@Seth Otto V Based on what you’ve stated, I’d say your best bet is to have it assessed by an engineer. You can have them recommend/design the repair rather than just hearing it from a contractor. 

@Rick Oaks For that short a time horizon you need the money to stay liquid. If it were me I'd open a high yield savings account

@Alex Helbig The relocation specialist should already know how much extra the client’s insurance will approve. I’ve heard anywhere from 20-30% more than the listed rent is standard and would raise few or no questions. Keep in mind the specialist is an intermediary, so anything non-standard or significantly higher is going to require approval from the client’s insurance adjuster. Happy to connect and discuss it more with you if you'd like (I have personal experience with the process), along with pros/cons of this type of arrangement.

@Husam Safar During the loan application process you will be required to state whether you intend to occupy the property. Typically the owner-occupant expectation/requirement is about 1 year.