Keep All Utilities On (except the water, if your are not living there)
Texas One to Four Family Contract (paragraph 7A) requires that all utilities be on for the inspection period and left on once you have a signed contract. Your should check to make sure utilities are on when the inspector or agent arrange for the inspection. If you are not occupying the house, you should follow winterizing procedures during extreme cold weather periods to prevent freezing of water pipes but be prepared for folks that need to use your bathroom (toilet) when visiting your house. You should keep the air conditioning temperature set to a comfortable, cool, level so buyers get a better impression of the property on their visit. Turning the temperature up, during summer months, can create a very uncomfortable condition and the buyers may not stay as long to look around your property. Warmer temperatures can allow for mold and mildew to build up causing a very bad smell that will turn buyers off and can cost lots of money to correct. If you are not occupying the house, you should consider leaving the water turned off, except for the inspection.
Water damage that can be very expensive to repair. Water can sometimes be left on by a visitor or toilets can overflow. If your house has a singer water shut-off valve, you can tell the inspector where it is located and give permission to turn the water on for the inspection. Prospective buyers like to turn on lights, test the air conditioning, water, burners on the gas range, etc. as they walk through the house. You should check your property at least daily, or even after each showing, to make sure that windows are closed and locked, water is turned off, and appliances are off, especially gas burners on the gas range. If you cannot do this yourself, have a friend, family member, or neighbor check the property for you.
“7.PROPERTY CONDITION:
A. ACCESS, INSPECTIONS AND UTILITIES: Seller shall permit Buyer and Buyer’s agents access to the Property at reasonable times. Buyer may have the Property inspected by inspectors selected by Buyer and licensed by TREC or otherwise permitted by law to make inspections. Any hydrostatic testing must be separately authorized by Seller in writing. Seller at Seller’s expense shall immediately cause existing utilities to be turned on and shall keep the utilities on during the time this contract is in effect.”
Winterizing Your Home
Assistance for Low Income and the Elderly
Texas Weather Assistance Program – WAP
Don’t wait until the last minute, like I often do, to find that the local hardware stores are completely out of insulating tape, pipe insulation, and bib covers (for the outside faucet). Prepare early so you don’t have to drive all over town trying to find the things you need to protect your home, trying to beat the cold front that is due to hit at midnight. Begin winterizing in September, while supplies are available.
If your home will be vacant, keep the water turned off at the main valve. This will prevent accidental flooding due to an overflowing toilet, sink, or tub. You, or someone that you appoint, like a neighbor, family member, or friend, can turn on the water for inspections and do a daily check to see if toilets need to be flushed. Prior to turning the water back on, check all faucets to make sure that they are off, otherwise you could create a serious problem.
Drain and disconnect exterior water hoses and store them, along with their nozzles, in the garage or storage shed.
Prior to freezing weather, turn off the water, at the main valve, and open faucets to drain all lines, including the hot water lines.
After freezing weather, close all valves and turn the main water valve on. Check for leaks, to make sure that no pipes have burst.
Check out these tips from the Texas DPS: Winter Weather in Texas