Real Estate: Our Experience with Roofing our Home

We have owned a home since 1982ish. We have owned 4 homes, and all of them have been new when we purchased them. We have either been relocated a time or two, or not lived in a home long enough. Our philosophy is, unless you live in an area like Dilworth, Myers Park, why put your equity back into a home, that now needs maintenance such as new HVAC, Roof, etc – the big ticket items? Normally after 10 years or so, we move and purchase a new home. So, we have never had to roof a home.

Well, we missed the boat on this one – we purchased this home in 1999. Guess we were just comfortable, then the market took a dive. We recently found out that our shingles were made by a company that made sub-standard defective shingles (who knew), and the company went out of business (no recourse). And wouldn’t you know it, our roof started leaking!

So, after much thinking, for months, we have decided to move forward and replace the roof – the whole roof – this is not a small home. This is a bit hard, since being in real estate, I look at my roof and say “there’s nothing wrong with it”, no curling shingles, no nail-pops, it’s only 13 years old years old for goodness sakes. Yet, there’s that leak; we know these shingles were defective; the roofers we’ve had out here (several) all say the same thing, 1-4 years left. Can we wait that long? Probably not – uncertainty.

I have heard it said that all the banging on the roof can make one go crazy. I’ve decided to write about our experience with this company that we chose from Angie’s List. There were many good write ups about this company. I’m a bit concerned (well real concerned) about the tearing out, and then cleaning up of all the materials, especially nails.  What is going to happen with all my plants around the house? This is going to be real interesting.

I’m told that the roofers will show up today or tomorrow. So, I will keep this blog running and let you know how things progress.

The roofers showed up at about 8:00am. I had to go out and was back around 11:30 – most of the roof had been taken off. Then they started sweeping the debris up and banging in the nails that had worked their way loose.

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It’s about 1:30pm; the old shingles, are gone, and our attic looks like there’s a constellation of stars up there, I can see daylight. Who knew all the little nail holes would show up? I guess that’s what the felt covers up, so there’s no leakage.

A couple of items so far – 1) Make sure that the permit is in place; in Mecklenburg County if it’s over $5,000 you need a permit. 2) Pray that the roofer has enough tarp to cover the roof in case a pop-up shower comes along.  And of course with a 20% chance of showers, you know it had to rain. Wonder how well the felt will dry to be ready in the morning? 3) Make sure the contractor has enough shingles. 4) Make sure a person of authority is on site.

The roofers arrived promptly at 7:00am looking to start shingling the roof – told them no way; the felt was all wet and wavy. GAF shingles are to be installed on dry decking. So we made them wait. While they waited, the roofers decided to start cleaning up the mess. As the sun rose, the felt actually started to dry and straighten out. Interesting how that all worked.

We’re feeling better about the whole thing now, but in the morning we felt like we were wasting our time watching the roofers, when their boss should have been there overseeing things. The roof is turning out beautifully.

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Oh, and one more thing, if you’re going to have the power roof vents replaced, make sure that the roofing contractor has an electrician lined up to install them.

The job is done, the roof is beautiful – GAF HD shingles are so the way to go. The debris is all picked up, most of the plants around the house survived the ordeal.

Oh, and yet another one more thing, BEFORE the roofers arrive, go around your home and take pictures of all your shrubs and flowers and your lawn. I wished I had done that. Because all of a sudden, out of the blue, I have 2 large azaleas that have died, lirope that have large areas of spots on them and grass that has something that looks like brown patch (but not) showing up where the roofers laid a tarp to “protect” the plants. I’m thinking the tarp was contaminated with something. Was this collateral damage? Should the roofers be responsible?

But, one thing is for sure, we don’t want to go through another one of these experiences again. We’re done!

Real Estate: May 2012 Newsletter

Kitchen Aid

Pantries come in all shapes and sizes, from walk-in pantries to slide-out drawers under your counters. Some homes feature a built-in pantry, but for those that don’t, creating one can be easier than you think.    

For a makeshift pantry, consider converting a kitchen closet or cabinet into a pantry by adding shelves throughout the space. If you have an empty wall in or just outside the kitchen, consider hiring professionals to break through the wall and install shelves and a door. 

Real Estate: April 2012 Newsletter

Green Homebuying Tips

With energy bills skyrocketing, demand for environmentally friendly “green” homes has grown. Smart homebuyers know that energy-efficient homes cost less to maintain, and they often provide a more comfortable and healthy living space. But

Real Estate: March 2012 Newsletter

Room for Improvement

If you’re getting ready to sell your house, you may not have extra cash to spend on home improvements. But some basic improvements can be inexpensive, and the results are worth it. Minor upgrades, such as painting the living room or changing the hardware on kitchen cabinets, can make a house much more attractive. Consider these simple ideas from Frontdoor.com and HGTV.

Real Estate: February 2012 Newsletter

Neighborhood Watch

The hardest part about moving may be selecting a neighborhood that best suits your lifestyle. Start by thinking about what is most important to you and your family. For example, do you prefer a quiet residential area or do you want to be near busy nightlife? According to Movers.com, buyers should consider several key factors when searching for the right neighborhood.

Real Estate: January 2012 Newsletter

ROI matters

If you’re looking to make some upgrades to your home this year, be sure to think about what makes sense for your  lifestyle as well as what will offer the best return on investment. Start by checking out the results of Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value report.

If you have an attic, you could be using it for much more than just storing holiday decorations and boxes of mementos. According to the report, converting part of the attic into an extra bedroom — which, on average, costs just over $50,000 — can recoup 72 percent of the cost when the home is sold.

On the other hand, the addition of a deluxe master suite (an average cost of $230,000) will only recoup just over half of the investment.

100% Financing is still Available In Charlotte Area Real Estate Market

You know, like many of you, I thought 100% financing had vanished due to the banking debacle. Would it interest you to know that there is still 100% financing available?

You have to have good credit and can’t make more than 80% of medium household income for Mecklenburg County, which equates to roughly $54,000 per year.  And best of all – there is no PMI!

There are a few other requirements – if you are interested in finding out how you can purchase a Charlotte area home with this financing, contact me.

I’d like to be YOUR Realtor of choice for 2012.

Have a GREAT 2012.

Debbie Arriero

Charlotte Area Happenings

Here are some local happenings for the holidays – it’s a great time to get out and see what the Charlotte area has to offer during this beautiful time of year.

Holiday concert by the Matthews Concert Band:

• When: 7:30pm December 15
• Where: Matthews Community Center
  • 100 McDowell St. Matthews
• Admission: Free

Real Estate: December 2011 Newsletter

Home Search Begins Online

Most home buyers begin their search for a new home on the Internet and then contact a REALTOR® to assist them, according to the 2011 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Homebuyers use a wide variety of resources to search for a home: 88 percent use the Internet, 87 percent work with a real estate agent, 55 percent follow up on yard signs, 45 percent attend open houses and 30 percent browse newspaper ads.  

Four out of 10 homebuyers say they first learned about the home they eventually bought from the Internet while 35 percent learned about it from a real estate agent, 11 percent from a yard sign or open house, and 6 percent from a friend or family member.

Real Estate: November 2011 Newsletter

PRYING EYES

Open houses are a great way to show off a home, but they also can open you and your home to privacy concerns. Potential buyers will look through nearly every inch of your home, opening closets and storage areas, to get a sense of the space and where they might store their things. Consider ways to protect your belongings — and your confidential information — with these ideas from About.com.

Go through your drawers and cabinets before others do. Potential buyers have reason to open and pull on them to determine how stable fixtures are, and it’s easy to glimpse personal letters and bills tucked innocuously away in drawers. Remove prescription medication from bathroom cabinets, too.

Your home should read like a clean slate, one that anyone could live in, so be sure to remove diplomas, wedding photos and other personal items from walls and tables. This protects your identity by keeping your name, college or church affiliation undisclosed, and gives buyers a blank canvas.

Shut down your computer. Professional hackers can gain a massive amount of personal information in a short period of time if left alone with a computer, so be proactive. If you still have an answering machine, consider turning it off so that buyers don’t hear personal messages or companies calling the home.

The idea of having strangers in your home is unsettling, so be sure your REALTOR^® is always present and alert during open houses. Also consider talking to your agent about the benefits and drawbacks of you being there during the open house.­

Holiday Hints

Selling your home during the holidays is tricky for a host of reasons. It’s not a popular home-buying time; homeowners often host out-of-town guests, which makes it difficult to schedule showings; and agents and would-be buyers are busier than usual. But it is possible to make a sale during the yuletide months. Consider these tips from HGTV.

Keep decorations to a minimum. No matter your religious affiliation, it’s best not to show it off to potential buyers, who may not share the same views. If you have wrapped presents, consider putting them in a corner, away from view. If you must deck the halls, give in to your decorating urges with more neutral wintry pieces. Consider pinecones or snowflakes instead of garlands and colored lights.
Try not to plan open houses on or around Hanukah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. When you do host an open house, make your home feel warm and inviting: Consider placing cookies and holiday-neutral drinks, such as hot chocolate or apple cider, out on a table for guests to take.

And finally, be sure your agent will be available during the holidays. Discuss up front whether he or she will be in town, on call or will have limited hours.

Fast Fact >> >> >>  The gift wrap industry now accounts for $2.6 billion in annual sales (as of June 2010).

A Penny Saved

Coming up with the cash for a down payment on a new home can seem daunting, but according to CBS Money Watch, saving money for such a major investment can be easier than anticipated. Here are a few easy strategies that can add up fast.

Make it automatic. Create a savings account specifically for the down payment and commit to devoting a comfortable amount out of your paycheck to it every pay period. Whether it’s $20 or $50 on a regular basis, every bit helps. Talk to your employer about setting up an automatic payment that goes directly to that separate account.

Sell things you don’t need online. Whether it’s antiques, furniture or designer bags, chances are someone else is looking for it. Do some research to price things accordingly and post photos at an online shopping site, such as eBay. It’s an easy way to declutter while earning money that can go toward putting you in a new home.

Skip the morning latte. It’s true: Those $4 coffees add up to thousands per year. See what other indulgences you can cut from your routine. For example, consider cheaper haircuts, early-bird pricings on dinners and movies, and biking or taking public transportation to work to cut down on costs. Sign up for free reward credit cards that offer money back on your purchases, and set up a separate email dedicated to coupons to help you keep track of them. Check that account before each shopping trip to save more money.

Get rid of your landline. Use your cell phone as your primary means of communication, and check with the cell phone company to see if cheaper plans are available. For instance, if the provider offers free nights and weekends, limit your calls to those hours and cut the extra minutes allotted. Also consider computer video-chatting, which is often free, instead of relying on costly long-distance phone calls.

DID YOU KNOW?  Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires.

HOME SEARCH

Did you know you could search for homes on our web site, www.PropertiesofCharlotte.com? Simply click on the “Home Search” button at the top of the page, or use the “Property Search” window along the left-hand side panel. You can search by zip code, price range, area, MLS #, etc.

REMEMBER, if you are considering buying a home, either new construction or resale, we can help you as your Buyers Agent. As your agents, we will protect and defend your interest and advise you throughout the entire process. The agents that sit in the model homes represent the builder/seller, they do not represent you. And, the builder pays the commission! There’s no cost to you! Give us a call to find out how we can work for you! “Treating You like Family.”

Debbie Arriero, Office (704) 451-3895, www.PropertiesofCharlotte.com, DebbieArriero@windstream.net, http://twitter.com/UNC_NCSU_Mom

BROUGHT TO YOU BY YOUR REALTOR^®, A CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST