Homeowner News

Fall Maintenance Tips

September 24, 2013 by admin

Fall has arrived, and already the mornings have been brisk. Along with the arrival of colder weather are a number of key maintenance tasks homeowners should tackle in order to save energy and keep their home’s systems running properly.

By completing these tasks now, you will allow plenty of time to sit back and enjoy all the fun activities typical of the festive autumn season:

– Clear debris from your gutters, even if you have a covered gutter system. Any leaves or other materials left in the gutters can freeze and damage the gutters themselves, and could also force freezing water up under your shingles and damage the roof.

– Have your heating system serviced before the cold weather sets in.

– Check your heating ducts for air leaks. Leaky ductwork can significantly increase your heating bills.

– Cover or remove window air conditioners.

– Adjust any light timers to account for shorter daylight hours.

– Lock all your windows to make them more draft resistant.

– Protect your outdoor air conditioning unit from icicles and snow by placing a sheet of plywood over the top and draping a drop cloth over it. When doing so, don’t create a fully enclosed space, as that can trap moisture and offer a cozy winter home for rodents.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

A Finished Basement Adds Value

September 10, 2013 by admin

A finished basement is a desirable feature for homebuyers, and can add to the value of a home. In addition, it expands the livable space of a home by adding room for children to play, an extra bedroom and/or a recreation area for all ages. While finishing your basement sounds like a great idea, not all basements lend themselves to a remodel.

The first things to consider are the requirements laid out by the International Residential Code (IRC). Specifically, a basement living space must have a clear, floor-to-ceiling height of at least 7 feet (6 feet for bathrooms). There is also a requirement that the staircase leading from the home’s main level to the basement include a handrail and stairs with proper width, tread and riser dimensions. Lastly, there must be at least two means of egress from the basement via doors or windows for exits in an emergency.

If your home does not meet these requirements, it may still be possible to finish the basement; however, it will involve added expenses. For example, if the ceiling is not high enough, it is possible to raise your house and build up the foundation around it, or lower the floor, to gain the ceiling height you need. If the stairway isn’t wide enough or the steps aren’t to code, the staircase may need to be rebuilt.

Other considerations to make a basement a usable living space include heating and cooling, as well as controlling moisture. A contractor can tap into the existing HVAC system and then add vents or upgrade the system as necessary to comply with building codes. Any moisture problems can be solved by waterproofing walls and floors, grading the yard so water falls away from the foundation and/or installing a sump pump or drains around the foundation.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Roof Maintenance

August 23, 2013 by admin

A home’s roof is an important part of its curb appeal, and is something that will quickly catch a homebuyer’s attention when assessing your home. Because they are also relatively costly to replace, roofs tends to attract a very critical eye. You can protect the investment you’ve made in your roof, prolong its life and help ease buyers’ concerns by performing regular maintenance.

First, be sure to clean your gutters twice a year – in the fall and spring. Clogged gutters can lead to a multitude of problems, including damaged paint on siding, a wet basement and even major roof damage. If your gutters are full of leaves, water is forced upward where it can be absorbed by, and even rot, roof sheathing and rafters.

In addition to the gutters, you should also remove leaves from roof valleys and from around chimneys. Leaves that are left on top of the roof will trap moisture and decompose, allowing moisture to build up on the roof and possibly lead to weed growth. There are many ways to remove leaves, including a roof rake, blower or hose. Just take care not to use a pressure washer which can force water under the shingles.

You should also have overhanging branches trimmed regularly so they are 10 feet away from the roof. Not only will this help keep leaves and moss off your roof, but it will also help protect your roof from damage from branches blowing in the wind, as well as from squirrels and other rodents who can no longer gain access to your roof from the trees.

Above all, be constantly checking the roof for curling, loose or missing shingles, especially after a storm. If anything appears to be wrong, call a roofer as soon as possible to limit damage.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Staging Your Home’s Exterior

August 15, 2013 by admin

Spruce Up Your Homes' Curb Appeal - Wallingford PA Real Estate - Wallingford, PA 19086

Make A Good First Impression From The Curb

It has been said time and time again that you only get one chance to make a good impression, and that a prospective home buyer begins forming an opinion of your home as soon as they drive up to the property. With that said you need to make sure that you home’s exterior is at it’s best for a potential buyers vital first impression.

These four exterior areas of your home can be easily staged – just like the interior of your home – in order to maximize your curb appeal.

EXTERIOR: Peeling paint is an is an obvious item to check for. Scrape and repaint any areas that need attention. Do you also know that financing such as FHA insured mortgages requires that all peeling paint be remedied? Exterior hardware, such as house numbers and door latches should be shining, or replaced if tarnished beyond help. Does your roof have any missing shingles? If your vinyl siding is dirty, have it power washed. Your windows should be sparkling clean both outside and inside. Your gutters should be free of debris, preferably with nothing growing from them, and while you are at it make sure your downspouts extend away from the foundation.

PATIO AND DECK: Rid your patio of any weeds or moss build up. Pressure wash bricks, pavers, and outdoor furniture that is looking dingy, and make a clean sweep of the patio. In warm weather add some flower pots or planters to add a splash of seasonal color. Do you have a patio table with an umbrella.? Why not open the umbrella and set the table for an outdoor meal? Make sure you patio, walkways, and deck are swept clean of debris. If your wooden deck is in bad shape replace any badly split decking and consider repainting or resealing the deck for a fresh look. Home Depot has some new deck restoration products that can easily remedy neglected decking.

DRIVEWAYS AND WALKWAYS: Is your driveway in good condition? Does it need a fresh sealcoating? Your driveway serves as the initial entry point to your property and should be in the best condition possible. If you have sidewalks, are they in good condition, are the concrete blocks level with each other and free of cracks? Many municipalities will require you to make sidewalk repairs as a condition for obtaining a Use And Occupancy permit if they are judged to be in poor condition, so if you are going to have to do it anyway you might as well make any necessary repairs before you start showing your home. Brick or paver walkways should be kept clean and examined for uneven surfaces.

YARD: You will need to mow and weed the lawn regularly in the warmer months, and keep on top of leaf removal in the fall and snow removal in the winter. Overgrown shrubbery should be cut back or removed to prevent blocking the view of your home from the street. Laying down fresh mulch is an inexpensive way to spruce up your borders and flower beds, and complement the flowers that you have planted.

It will take a little effort to stage your home’s exterior, but it is gratifying to see the improved curb appeal that these relatively simple tasks can bring to your home.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

No Maintenance Lawns Rise In Popularity

July 27, 2013 by admin

As August approaches, many people are becoming tired of the weekly grind of mowing their lawn in the heat, or paying for a lawn service. Not to mention weeding and watering, and it takes a toll on one’s body and one’s wallet. If this is you, you may want to consider synthetic grass, which is growing in popularity due to its lower maintenance needs and long-term cost.

Synthetic grass is made of nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene filaments that are colored to look like various species of grass, and threaded into a backing that lets water through. Beneath the backing is a drainage layer, usually compacted gravel. The grass is fastened along the perimeter and then leveled out with recycled crumb rubber or sand to keep it from blowing away.

While artificial grass has a higher upfront cost, it is free for the next 15 to 25 years thereafter. This compares to natural grass, which must be watered, fertilized and mowed. It is estimated that on average a person installing artificial grass will pay for the investment in seven years.

As with most things, there are some negatives to artificial grass. For example, it is not 100 percent maintenance free, and may require some blowing or raking of leaves. Additionally, synthetic grass radiates heat to surrounding people, pets, trees and buildings; however, like with real grass, shade trees will prevent fake grass from getting too hot.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

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S. Clark Kendus