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Casey Taylor

Putting Off These Home Repairs Could Be Dangerous – Have You Addressed Them?

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For all homeowners, adhering to a regular maintenance schedule and making repairs as soon as they are needed are effective ways to avoid costly disasters. When your home is on the market, however, it is particularly important to resolve problems before they escalate. Damage to the appearance or structural integrity of the property is every home seller’s worst nightmare.

Although there are some fixes – like updating appliances or adding a fresh coat of paint – that are not urgent, other maintenance issues could become dangerous if not addressed. Here are a few home repairs that you need to deal with as soon as possible:

    • A leaky roof. If you’ve noticed your ceiling leaking when it rains, your roof is most likely in need of repair. Not only is a leaky roof a nuisance, but it can cause mold growth and structural damage, and could even start a fire if water makes contact with electrical wiring. At the very least, you could face water stains on the ceiling or walls when trying to show your house – a glaring red flag for buyers. Even if your roof is not yet leaking, it may be a good idea to have it inspected for problems like damaged or missing shingles. Storms and wind can compromise shingles, causing leaks and other problems in the future.
    • Faulty electrical wiring. Seemingly harmless problems like flickering lights or outlets that are warm to the touch may indicate serious threats to your home. If you notice these signs, it may mean that your electrical system is overtaxed or the home is wired improperly – which could cause an electrical fire. Call an electrician immediately.
    • Clogged gutters. Keeping your gutters clean may seem overwhelming, particularly if your home is surrounded by trees. However, if the gutters become full of leaves and other debris, they will be unable to serve their intended purpose of directing rainwater away from the home and preventing damage to the walls and foundation. In addition, prospective buyers may notice the clogged gutters and assume that your home is not properly maintained. Avoid these problems by cleaning out gutters twice a year, and then using a hose to ensure that water properly flows down the drainpipes and away from your home.
    • Pest invasions. Common insects and other pests can cause significant damage to your home. For example, insects like termites can devour wood framing, while rodents can chew through insulation or even wires, creating a risk of fire. Furthermore, the waste left behind by pests may be hazardous to the health of the home’s occupants. If you see, hear, or find damage from critters, assume that you may have an infestation and contact a pest control company.
    • Gas leaks. A gas leak is an imminent emergency, since it could lead to fire or an explosion. If you notice a rotten egg-like odor – particularly in the lowest level of your home – get out of the house and call your gas company immediately.

Home Sales in Bloom

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New Home Sales blossomed in March reaching their highest level in nearly a year, the Commerce Department reported. Sales were up 5.8 percent from February and nearly 16 percent from a year ago. New home inventories edged lower to a 5.2-month supply in March. A six-month supply is considered “normal” inventory.

Existing Home Sales hit their highest pace in over 10 years in March, according to the National Association of REALTORS®, with sales climbing 4.4 percent from February and 5.9 percent above a year ago. However, existing home demand continues to outweigh supply with inventories down 6.6 percent from the same time last year.

New home construction didn’t fare as well. Inclement weather during March in the Midwest and Northeast chilled residential home construction after unseasonably warm weather in February. March Housing Start numbers fell nearly 7 percent from February, per the Commerce Department. The year-over-year picture was still rosy, however, with Housing Starts up 9 percent from March 2016 to March 2017.

Economy, Markets Thunder Along
The first reading on first quarter 2017 Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was anything but rosy, as GDP came in at 0.7 percent. This was below the 1.1 percent expected and below the 2.1 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016.

GDP is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period. It is considered the broadest measure of economic activity. Typically, readings of 2.5 to 3 percent signal strong economic growth.

April also brought uncertainty over the tensions surrounding global events, causing investors to move their money into the safer haven of the Bond markets. This helped home loan rates, which are tied to Mortgage Bonds, hit their best levels of 2017. Stocks around the world also benefited after the French presidential elections in April ignited a global rally.

Despite the volatility, home loan rates remain in attractive territory and still provide many opportunities for homebuyers and homeowners considering a refinance.

Landscape Tips

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The placement of trees around your home can help passively cool your home in the hotter seasons. Planting shade trees on the east and west side of your home will provide shade from the intense summer heat. This is an easier and cheaper way to keep your house cool. Planting deciduous plants on the south side of your home will provide shade during the summer, but in the winter the leaves will fall off and the sun’s warmth can help heat your home.

The amount of watering depends on the size and age of the tree but each water application should be enough to saturate an area as wide as the drip line of the tree to a soil depth of 2-3 feet minimum. As the tree matures, it needs a wider water area. Loose sandy soil will dry out faster and require more frequent watering than a tight soil. New trees that haven’t established a root system will require more frequent watering. You should add an extra day of watering time during the extreme heat where it is consistently above 110 degrees.

Some shade trees that are native to the Sonoran Desert are Palo Verde, Mesquite, Ironwood, Palo Brea, Sweet Acacia, Desert Willow, Texas Ebony and Texas Mesquite.

The Best Decorating Tool for your Home

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Paint can be an inexpensive decorating tool to transform your house as long as you don’t pick the wrong color! When a color is applied to the wall and dries, it can take on a whole different hue and not resemble that little square paint sample. Not using a primer can let the prior color show through giving it a different hue or the color of your furnishings can alter the look as well. Applying the actual paint in a test area and making sure you have the correct finish; semi-gloss, matte or high-gloss will save you a costly mistake. You can also paint a large board to carry around the house to see how it looks in different areas.home-depot-interior-paint-fascinating-home-depot-paint-design-

Curb Appeal in a Time of Drought

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Smart landscaping choices do more than help a yard stand out to buyers; they protect the environment and preserve natural resources. You need to pay attention to rainfall levels, climate issues and the characteristics of your property when landscaping. Appeal to all the senses, rather than assuming buyers just want a lawn. You can plant a colorful arrangement of red lipstick salvia, lavender, Flower Carpet roses, and rosimagesemary in an oversized pots and have a result that will smell wonderful, too. People will respond more to this than they do only to grass.

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