Real Estate Advisor: September
The September edition of the Real Estate advisor includes a section of Open House tips geared towards prospective buyers and an introductory guide to home roofing.
Open House-Hunting
Online real estate has greatly altered the way that buyers research and compare properties, as more consumers are using the Internet as a central tool in their home search. As powerful as Internet technology can be, open houses remain one of the best ways to see a property through and through in a casual setting. Here are some general tips for buyers visiting open houses:
1. Visit early - You don't necessarily have to be well into your home search before visiting an open house. While showing agents prefer not to host crowds of people who are "just looking", open houses can be a great way to identify which property features you consider the most important. Often an open house reminds buyers of "must-have" items that they may otherwise have overlooked or forgotten.
2. The Issue of Agency - The showing agent generally represents either the seller or the builder/developer. Always be upfront with the showing agent about any buyer agency agreements or arrangements that you have already set up.
In some cases, the person showing the property may not represent the seller or builder (they may be a licensed assistant or a real estate associate who is doing a favor for the seller's agent). If the person running the open house does not represent the seller, they are likely to be less knowledgeable about the property. It's appropriate to ask the showing representative whether or not they are the seller's agent.
3. The Right Shoes - Just like when flying, it's a good idea to wear comfortable shoes that can be removed without difficulty. Some sellers will request that potential buyers remove their shoes, especially if the home has hardwood floors. A pair of slip-ons with socks is ideal.
4. Sign In -
Some agents will ask visitors to sign in and provide a phone number upon entry. While this may feel a little intrusive, it
has more to do with security than an agent's self-promotion (open houses are sometimes targeted by thieves).
If you don't want to the agent to contact you, simply indicate that you are already working with a buyer's agent.
5. Smile a Little - Many visitors to open houses have a skeptical attitude, worried that they will encounter overbearing showing agents. While some agents get caught up in excessive salesmanship, most simply want to answer your questions and point out the property's strong points. Most showing representatives will appreciate buyers who come with an open mind and a warm demeanor.
6. Get the Skinny - Come prepared with questions for the showing representative, such as:
- How long has the home been on the market?
- Has the owner received/rejected offers (and why)?
- What are the owner's reasons for selling?
- What furniture or fixtures are included?
- Are there any special or unusual costs of ownership?
7. Don't Stop with One - Think of open houses as a property research tool, a litmus test of available properties. Even if you the properties you visit don't end up interesting you, they are a commitment-free way to see what is on the market.
8. Grab a Flyer - If the home interests you, grab a copy of any provided listing flyers for later reference. Flyers often have information that can answer follow up questions, and help you keep listing information organized if you visit multiple open houses.
9. Take a Deeper Look - If you've already seen the property online, use the open house to check out elements that weren't shown. Things like cabinet space, ceiling height and room-to-room flow are hard to convey over the Internet. Pay special attention to any rooms not included in the photo galleries.
10. Check out the Neighborhood - You've come all the way out to view the property, so why race straight home after the open house? Take the time to see the surrounding area to see firsthand what the community has to offer.
Gimme Shelter: A Layman's Guide to Roofing
One of the most vital structures of any home, the roof is also one of the most overlooked. Despite its incognito status, a bad roof can shortchange a well designed home or pose repair woes, while the right roof subtly compliments a home's visual appeal as it protects its inhabitants from the elements
It's All Material
Roofs come in a number of shapes, slopes and architectural styles, but a roof's material makeup is its single most important element. Below you'll find a quick guide to the most popular roofing materials:
Wood Shake/Shingle
Traditional wood roofing is most often made of cedar, and is comprised of a series of shingles or thicker shakes.
Cedar shingles have a typical life span of 15 to 20 years, whereas shingles can last 25 years or more depending on
maintenance and weather conditions. Wood roofing presents easy installation relative to some alternative materials,
is lightweight and is not difficult to repair. The material cost of cedar roofing in most cases runs from $100 to $200
per every 100 square feet.
Composite Shingle
Composite roofing materials have become a popular choice amongst builders and homeowners in every region of the country.
While composition shingles are by their vary nature a combination of various different materials (in layers), the most
common component is asphalt. Composition or composite shingle roofs are extremely versatile and generally last between 18
and 30 years, depending on the thickness of the shingle and the exact material used. Composite materials themselves are
also usually quite cheap, with Asphalt coming in as low as $25 to $30 per every 100 square feet.
Clay Tile
Common in Southwestern architecture, interlocking S-shape clay tile is also found in many houses of Italian and
Spanish-inspired design. The weight of clay tile lends it durability but also necessitates strong support structures,
making installation and repair more difficult than with wood or composite shingles. The cost of the tile itself is also
more expensive at around $300 per every 100 square feet. The higher initial investment is offset by a longer lifespan:
clay tile roofs frequently last half a century before needing replacement.
The best of the rest
Slate was a common roofing material in America's early years, but is seldom used today (composite roofing of stone and
concrete is sometime used as a substitute). Metal roofing is an increasingly popular choice for many builders. Metal roofs
offer strong protection from the elements and some energy efficiency benefits. Fiber Cement is a durable and heavy roofing
material typically used in coastal locations or climates with significant heat and humidity.
Basic Roof Care
The immortal roof is a thing of homeowner's mythology, but a little extra attention will usually help extend the life of your roof (for the purposes of this discussion, we'll focus on the more common shingle-style roofing). Inspect your roof twice a year from the ground with a pair of binoculars. In particular, be on the lookout for warped, broken or missing shingles.
Cleaning your roof is the easiest way to add years to a roof's life*. Buildup of leaves, pine needles and dirt can slow down the natural flow of rainwater and lead to leaks. Use a push broom to sweep buildups away from the top-down, brushing with the direction of the shingle (brushing either against the grain or horizontally across the surface can loosen or crack the shingle). Do not clean the roof surface with a garden hose or pressure washer. Doing so will force water underneath the shingle/shake surface, not to mention create serious footing hazards for anyone working on the roof.
Remove any overhanging tree limbs that scrape the roof or leave a heavy buildup of leaves or needles. It's also a good idea to examine flashing around chimneys and roof vents from time to time.
* Always take the proper precautions when attempting any roof cleaning or maintenance yourself. Take the proper precautions when using ladders, and wear tennis shoes with a strong grip. Step firmly on the center of shingles with your feet flat. If you feel uneasy at the prospect of heights, call a professional.
Minor Maintenance/Repair
Many simple roof repairs can be made without the help of a roofing expert. Again, safety is the first order when tackling
roofing projects on your own. The best time to make roof repairs is during the spring or during periods of cool, moist weather.
Dry summer heat can leave shingles brittle, so limit summer repairs to early morning hours to avoid doing more harm than good.
Typically, do-it-yourself roof repair should be limited to the repair or replacement of individual shingles. If a large number of shingles are damaged or the roof shows signs of widespread mildew growth, leave the work to a professional roofer.
Cracked or curling asphalt shingles can be glued and patched using roofing cement. Replacing bad or missing shingles is a fairly simple process that should take about 30 minutes. For wood shakes and shingles repairs and replacements are slightly more complex, but in either case only basic tools and hardware are needed.
Roof Replacement
As your roof ages, you must pay careful attention to warning signs of widespread problems. In the case of composite roofing, take note of loose fiberglass granules (which point toward the wearing away of shingle surface) or blistering, cracked, or delaminated layers. With wood roofing, extensive warped, curled or missing shingles are all indicators that it may be time for a replacement roof.
When choosing the material for a new roof, the major factors to consider are cost, longevity and ease of maintenance. In addition the material and color of a roof can play a part in a home's energy efficiency, which is a key concern for many homeowners. Not to be forgotten is matching a roof material to your home's style and architecture.
A replacement roof is a significant investment, and the choices you make will affect your home for years to come. Always get at least two estimates when from established roofing contractors.
