Real Estate Information Archive

Sometimes you may not notice dripping water, but will see bubbling drywall or plaster, or simply a change in the color of the paint. 
 

If you find a drip and have retrieved something to catch water, your next step should be to try and find where the leak is. Open the attic door, and with a flashlight, look around for the dripping water or wet areas. 
 

Do not be tempted to place something to catch the water in the attic. The container can become too full and heavy, and come crashing through the ceiling. 
 

While a downpour or thunderstorm is not the time to go outside, once it is safe to do so, go outside and look up the roof’s slope from the area where the leaking was. 

- If it is not obvious, you may have to wait to create your own “rainstorm” with a water hose or call a pro to locate the problem. 
 

If the leak is on a flat area of the roof, secure a tarp over the leak to stop more water from coming in.  Sometimes the leaks are around a vent or chimney, and those can be tricky, so you may not be able to make a temporary fix until the roofer arrives. 
 

Whether you DIY the roof repair or call a roofing contractor, the attic will need to be dried out.  

- Use a dehumidifier to absorb the moisture in the air coupled with a large fan to dry the area. 

- Inspect surrounding insulation and make certain it is completely dry before you put it back in place. If it has become compacted, it will need to be replaced with new insulation. 
 

Leaving a leaky roof with a temporary patch, or worse, doing nothing at all can cause expensive and dangerous problems. 

- Mold and mildew can grow not only on the roof, but inside the attic, and possible down to the ceiling and walls. 

- Wood under the shingles and on the roof, joists can rot, causing an expensive replacement. 

- Drywall and plaster are not meant to be wet, and the moisture can cause them to become weak. No one wants collapsing ceilings or walls. 

- Water can get into the home’s wiring, causing copper wires to degrade, and in turn causing an electrical short or even a fire. 
 

- Make it easier on yourself and rake or vacuum fallen leaves as they come down.  Mulch leaves for your compost pile or call your local waste management for curbside pickup.   

- Check trees for dead or diseased branches and trim them back.  As they go into their dormant phase, there is less chance for the diseases to spread after trimming. Call an arborist if the job is too daunting. 

- Many plant trees in the Springtime, but Fall is a better time. The tree’s roots do not have to compete with the heat, they get plenty of water from the Autumn rain, and can settle in and get established. 

- Dethatching the lawn is best done now before the grass goes into dormancy.  You will reap the benefits with a healthy lawn next Spring. 

- Before storing them in the garage for Winter, service and store the mower, string trimmer, and any other lawn tools you may use. 

- Inspect walkway and driveway surfaces, looking for cracks, and seal them with an approved sealant.  Snow and ice can cause the surfaces to bulge, causing a falling hazard. 

- Fall is a great time to paint the exterior of your home, thanks to moderate temperatures and lower humidity. 

- Have your heater serviced by a professional. Ask if they offer a yearly fee for a checkup on your unit at set times of the year; this could save you some money in the long run. 

- Check doors and windows for drafts, and seal with caulking or insulation strips.  Screens should be replaced with storm windows, if applicable. 

- See that your chimney is free of creosote to prevent fires.  A licensed chimney sweep would be the best for making sure your home and family are safe from chimney fires. 

- Now that it is not sweltering, venture into the attic and give it a good cleaning. Be on the lookout for any insulation issues, and replace or repair, if needed.  Be sure that pests cannot get inside and spend the winter in your attic! 

- Wash and/or air out heavy blankets and quilts to get them freshened up for use. 

When making plans for a child’s space, whether a bedroom or bathroom, and you are in your “forever” home, make sure those plans can grow with your child.  While a fun built-in castle bed is fun for now, it might require a whole new reno when he stops wanting to be a knight when he grows up. 
 

During contractor interviews, ask if they are experienced in working in a home with children present, get referrals from other families, and make a point to call those references.
 

Planning on a total rehaul for your kitchen? Create a makeshift kitchen with portable electric cooking gadgets, use disposable plates and utensils, and use the grill as often as possible. If there is carpet in the new eating area, and you have small children, purchase an inexpensive area rug or large outdoor “rug” (found in most discount stores for $20), to protect the wall-to-wall. 
 

When demolition begins, have a plan for everyone to be away from home that day. Have your contractor call with any possible dangers they may find:  mold in the walls, asbestos or lead in an older home, or any broken glass or tile. Wall off that area with plastic sheeting and make it as impossible as you can for the children to enter on their own. 
 

Talk to your contractor about the importance of hunting down every tool at the end of the workday and storing them out of sight. Offer a charging station in an area your children do not frequent so cordless tools can re-energize out of sight and out of their interest. 
 

Dust will be everywhere, and allergies may flare. Make certain all ductwork in the project rooms are covered, and again, walled off with plastic sheeting or “temporary” walls.  
 

If your contractor does not provide dedicated trash cans with lids for construction trash, buy them yourself and put them in each work area. Make sure they are tall enough that children will not be tempted to grab something they find interesting that could harm them. 

- Think of your visits to a storage facility like an interview! Ask to see the available unit, check for holes or other damage, and look (and smell!) for signs of mildew. 
 

- Go over each site’s payment plan closely, as some facilities have strict payment rules and can auction your unit if your payment is just one day late. 
 

- Some items need to be in a climate-controlled area but be prepared to pay a higher rental fee.  Items that will most benefit from this type of storage facility include electronics, furniture, and collectibles. Find a more comprehensive list from moving.com.  
 

- Hold off on signing a contract until speaking with your homeowner’s insurance agent. It could be that your belongings will be covered under certain circumstances.  Some storage companies will offer insurance for an added fee, so make certain of their policy before you sign. 
 

- Even if the items are insured, a storage unit company that offers secure fencing, good lighting, security cameras, and a fire alarm and sprinkler system is still your better choice. 
 

- Remodeling or painting? A portable rental unit may be your best bet, as many companies will deliver a container that can be kept in your driveway. If you are moving, the unit can be packed, stored off-site, then shipped to your new home. 

- Most foreclosures have been unoccupied for several months and will surely be affected by that. You will need to be willing to put in some work and some cash to bring it up to code/living conditions. 

- If the house is on the auction block, you will likely need the full purchase amount in cash, as the lender or bank is looking to recoup as much from the defaulted loan as they can. They do not allow time for financing to take place. 

- Some states allow redemption to the homeowner, and HUD defines this as “...a period after [the] home has already been sold at a foreclosure sale when [a homeowner] can still reclaim [their] home.”  

- Because a foreclosed property is sold “as is,” you will not receive any disclosures, meaning, a home inspection is a must!  Depending on who owns the property will make a difference in how much time you must complete the inspection.   

- On the other hand, if the property is REO (real estate owned), you will be able to go through the home-buying process in the usual way and have time to secure financing for your purchase. 

- An REO will be sold as-is just like an auctioned house, and all repairs will have to be done by the new owner--there are no repair requests or contingencies granted. 

- For buyers that are new to the foreclosure-purchase game, going through a bank to buy the property is your best bet versus auctions. Once you gain some experience in the process, try your hand at auctions. 

- For any distressed property, make sure you have a title search performed. Buying a foreclosure takes long enough, and you want to make certain you will not run into any roadblocks. 

Nothing shouts “Don’t buy me!” more than an unkempt yard!  If nothing else, keep the grass cut and weeds and shrubbery trimmed. Put a bit more effort into it, and put down fresh mulch in the flowerbeds, and add a pot of flowers to the top step. 
 

No one wants to walk into a house with plastic storage containers stacked up in each room “hiding” the seller’s clutter. When you declutter, get rid of things, or put them in storage if you cannot part with them. Your rooms will appear larger without a lot of stuff in them. 
 

Touring a house that has a grimy stove or mildewed bathtub caulking is a huge turn-off:  no one wants to move into a dirty home. If you cannot find the time to clean the house spotless, hire a professional to do it. 
 

Natural light is important to most home buyers, so window treatments that block light need to come down, cleaned, and stored for moving. Add sheers, blinds you can open, or pull the shades up completely when you know the house is being shown. 
 

Items such as rodent traps or insect baits, should not even be an option for you. If you know you have mice or insects in your home, have them exterminated before you put a sign in your yard.  
 

Wall-to-wall carpeting is not as appealing to buyers today as it was in the past. If you can afford it, remove carpeting that is hiding hardwoods and spruce them up. No hardwood? Have the carpets professionally cleaned, and if you really need to sell, offer a new carpet credit to buyers. 
 

When you know about a problem and don’t bother to make repairs--think dripping faucets or cracked windows--buyers will not be impressed with your house, and if they’re remotely interested, offers won’t be close to your asking price. 
 

Any unpleasant odors will put off most people, and homebuyers will wrinkle their noses as soon as they walk in. Cleaning is important to remove dirt, but you need to clean for odors, too. Follow these tips from realtor.com® for removing any funky smells from your home. 

- First and foremost, questions need to be answered: Is it possible to sell both homes and purchase one larger one? Are the in-laws simply wanting two rooms and a bathroom to themselves? Will the older parents sell their home and pay for an in-law suite to be built onto their adult children’s home? 
 

- Another solution could be that the older generation has the largest house, and the younger family could relocate. Again, everyone needs to be put into consideration, as this could uproot school-aged children, and even take the working adults further away from their jobs. 
 

- If a new house hunt begins, look for houses that have the potential to create a small apartment in the existing rooms, or have space to add an in-law suite. Another option is a duplex, so parents that are still independent can keep their own house, but have the family just a few steps away, just in case. 
 

- Building an addition onto any home requires some investigation to make certain your municipality will allow it, as it will almost be a separate dwelling. 
 

Some of the needs and wants in an in-law suite include: 

- separate entry/locked entry from “other” dwelling 

- first-floor accommodations 

- full bathroom 

- kitchen essentials, as zoning codes allow 

- sitting room separate from sleeping area 

- wide doorways, no-slip flooring, handrails in appropriate areas
 

- A garage, underused attic, or basement can be easily converted to a small apartment-like dwelling. Just make sure there is adequate natural lighting, as all of these can be dark spaces. Where lots of windows are not an option, adding skylights take care of letting some sunshine in.
 

- One more option is building a cottage-type building on the property, as regulations allow.   

- The most common types of fencing are wood, vinyl, and metal. 
 

- The type of wood you choose depends on your budget. Pine is inexpensive and treated to resist rot and insects. Different types of cedar and Douglas fir, on the other hand, is naturally resistant to moisture and pests and will cost more upfront. 
 

- Wood composites are made of sawdust and recycled plastic. It looks like wood and comes in many styles, finishes, and colors. Most manufacturers of composites offer a warranty on their products, making it a more expensive choice, but a long-lasting one. 
 

- Vinyl fencing is almost maintenance-free and comes in many styles. Costs are high initially, but its durability and little upkeep pay for themselves in the end. 
 

- Wrought iron, aluminum, and chain link fencing are all long-lasting choices. Chain link is likely the easiest for DIY, but the others would be best installed by a pro. Maintenance for wrought iron mostly consists of painting and keeping an eye out for rust.  
 

- If cost is not an option but security and durability are your concerns, there is the option to have steel fencing installed.  
 

- Hiring a fencing contractor is a smart move because they are knowledgeable about materials and styles that perform well in your area.  Installing fences is what they do; their expertise can save you money and time in the long run. 

Energy Efficiency:  Energy-Star windows, smart or programmable thermostat, LED lightbulbs and full-house water heater are all attractive to buyers who are concerned about energy costs as well as those concerned about going green. 
 

Home office:  If there is no room in your house that is a dedicated home office, create one!  Stage a space in the kitchen or living area or smaller bedroom with what appears to be a working spot. 
 

Upgraded kitchen and bathrooms:  While completely renovating these rooms are a possibility, it may not be in your budget. Take a good look at each, and decide what wallet-friendly projects will make them look new: painting kitchen cabinets, new stainless appliances; in the bathroom, new faucets, lighting fixtures, or add pizazz by framing a mirror in glass tiles. 
 

Dining space:  An eat-in kitchen or open-flow kitchen and dining room are what many are looking for, especially families. Kitchen islands with seating will suffice when the budget does not allow for creating space for a dining table in the kitchen. 
 

Organized storage:  Buyers want homes with ample storage. While you can’t create space, you can build space in closets and the laundry room by adding shelving or pre-fab storage systems. 
 

Hardwood flooring:  While not an inexpensive project, consider putting hardwoods or less costly engineered wood in the entryway and living space. 
 

Security:  Front-door video cameras, plenty of outdoor lighting as well as smart lighting features are all great for starters.  

- Coffee containers 

- Milk jugs 

- Laundry detergent/bleach jugs 

- Disinfectant or baby wipe containers 

- Soft drink bottles 

- Cat litter jugs 

- Root vegetables like carrots, onions, beets 

- Most herbs:  basil, parsley, sage, dill, rosemary, chives 

- Tomatoes can be grown inside, but that job is best for Winter, as a sunny window can get too hot inside. 

- Houseplants do not have to be only green in color! Add a burst of color to your interior with African violets, begonias, kalanchoe, jasmine, and geraniums. 

- Leafy veggies like lettuce, celery, or bok choy will sprout new plants from the base. Placed cut-side up in a dish with about ½” of water in a sunny window will soon produce new leaves, and eventually, a full-grown plant ready for the table! 

- Try the other side of root vegetables, the greens, by placing the cut-off top of a beet, turnip, or other root vegetable into a dish of water. Leaves can be sautéed or used in a salad. 

- Many have seen how to grow a pineapple plant from scraps, but other fruits may need more care and patience.   

- Seeds from peppers will produce plants, just be sure to use seeds from the red fruit; the green peppers, though delicious, are not ripe, and neither is the seeds inside. 

- Planting seed from fruits like apples and even citruses can be fun to watch grow into a small tree, but all take years before producing any yield. Avocado trees, for instance, can take up to thirteen years before producing.