Pt 1: https://cyndicummings.wordpress.com/2023/01/04/month-to-month-guide-to-home-maintenance/
Pt 2: https://cyndicummings.wordpress.com/2023/04/06/month-to-month-guide-to-home-maintenance-pt-2/
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How Long Will My Home Renovations Really Take?
I think it’s safe to say that most people have projects they’d like to complete around the house. For those who are looking to accomplish a larger-scale renovation, it can be daunting to take on a big project and have your space disrupted for weeks or months at a time. It is virtually impossible to determine exactly how long a project will take due to a variety of factors. There are, however, general estimations that can give you a good idea of what to expect if you’re considering doing any of the following projects we will talk about below.
Keep in mind delays are extremely common with construction. Delays can be caused by a variety of things including material delays, weather delays, shipping delays, permit issues, and more. Going into a renovation expecting delays and some ups and downs can help you get through the process easier. It also generally takes longer for larger spaces or more complicated remodels. Read on for estimated timelines on some top renovation projects!
Kitchen Remodel
Timeline: Typically 4-6 weeks
Potential Contributing Factors: Variety of materials and components required/issues, demolition, plumbing work, electrical work, installation, painting, finishing/touch-up work, contractor delays
Bathroom Remodel
Timeline: 3-4 weeks
Potential Contributing Factors: Potential mold or water damage issues, variety of materials and components required/issues, demolition, plumbing work, electrical work, installation, painting, finishing/touch-up work, contractor delays
Home Addition/Adding a Room
Timeline: 2-3 months, longer if larger addition or multiple rooms
Potential Contributing Factors: Permitting and zoning issues, weather delays, exterior work, building a foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, painting, contractor delays
Guest House/ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
Timeline: 6-8 months
Potential Contributing Factors: Building a guest house/ADU is building a brand-new, separate building, so you’re starting from scratch. You’ll have to build the foundation, framing, and adding all new plumbing, electrical, bathroom, and kitchen. Permitting and zoning issues can also cause significant delays.
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10 Cities Where New Construction is Booming
While the housing market continues to experience ups and downs, one challenge that has remained through all of the changes over the last couple of years is the issue of the lack of housing supply to meet the demand. In addition to the low inventory of resale homes, the demand for new-construction homes is also high, and it has been for decades. While the need for more new-construction homes continues to be an issue in many places across the U.S., there are ten cities where new-construction homes are booming. Do you think your city makes the list? Find out below!
(1) Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 11,550
- Median single-family home list price = $410,000
(2) Ocala, Florida
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 5,318
- Median single-family home list price = $309,950
(3) Salisbury, Maryland
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 4,271
- Median single-family home list price = $508,495
(4) Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 5,435
- Median single-family home list price = $406,400
(5) Austin, Texas
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 20,289
- Median single-family home list price = $544,375
(6) Raleigh, North Carolina
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 12,494
- Median single-family home list price = $459,702
(7) Boise, Idaho
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 5,913
- Median single-family home list price = $573,125
(8) Provo, Utah
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 5,136
- Median single-family home list price = $661,925
(9) Nashville, Tennessee
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 15,189
- Median single-family home list price = $549,945
(10) Gulfport, Mississippi
- Single-family new-construction home permits in 2022 = 3,055
- Median single-family home list price = $298,750
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Month-to-Month Guide to Home Maintenance Pt. 2
We are officially in the spring season, and the spring is a great time to tackle a whole host of home maintenance items. Read on for home maintenance suggestions in April – June. If you missed Part 1 of our month-to-month guide to home maintenance post, you can read it here.
April
- Check Yard for Low Spots: The best time to do this is after a good rain. Take a tour of your yard and look for puddles in the grass. Fill these spots with clean dirt. Good news: you don’t have to worry about the grass – it will grow through a couple inches of dirt. You can also pay a landscaper to do this for you.
- Check Soil Drainage: Water can be incredibly destructive, and you definitely don’t want water pooling around or sloping toward your foundation. Walk around your foundation to inspect and see if there are any areas sloping toward the house. You can measure slope by using a 2×4 piece of wood. This is most likely a job for a professional to check the slope and grade and correct as necessary.
- Prep Garden Beds: If you enjoy planting flower or vegetable gardens, you’ll want to prep the beds by removing leaves and other debris, as well as trimming any dead growth from last year. After completing this, add compost and mulch in advance of planting!
- Check Your Sprinkler System: A lot can happen in the months when your sprinkler system is shut off. You’ll want to check each zone to ensure the heads are aimed appropriately and working properly. In addition, you’ll want to check for and replace any heads or parts. Many companies offer a yearly sprinkler system tune-up if you don’t want to or know how to do it yourself.
- Give Your Mower a Tune-Up: Now is a great time to sharpen the cutting blade, replace the spark plug and air filter, and change the oil. Doing this can significantly extend the life of the mower. You can also hire a professional to do this service as well.
- Check the Eave Vents and Foundation: These vents perform important functions – they let air circulate through crawl spaces and roof framing to help prevent mold and mildew. They also have screens to keep out debris and critters. Check and clean clogged vents along the foundation walls and under eaves, and repair any broken or missing screens. A handyman can complete this for you as well.
- Check Exterior Paint: Inspect your siding and exterior trim for small cracks and chips and repair them before the moisture has a chance to penetrate.
May
- Check Patios and Walkways: Winter can cause significant damage to unmortared brick, stone, and concrete areas, especially if you live in an area that gets freezing temperatures. Check for any shifting, sinking, rising, or loose brick, stone, or concrete. Fixing any issues will depend on what you find, but it may be as simple as prying up a displaced paver, smoothing out with fresh sand, and putting it back in place.
- Nourish Your Lawn: If you want to keep your lawn looking green and lush after the spring rains, consider applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to feed your lawn through the summer and help keep weeds at bay.
- Fix Gates and Fences: Cold, wet weather can be very hard on wood, and can cause it to move, rot, twist, and warp. Check for loose fencing and sagging gates and fix as needed.
- Mulch: If you have garden or flower beds, adding two to four inches of mulch can help insulate the plants and keep weeds at bay.
- Wash Your Windows: Wash the girt and grime that builds up throughout the year and enjoy the gleaming shine of freshly washed windows! This can be a big job, but there are many companies or handymen that can do the job for you.
- Check Your Grill: It’s almost grilling season, so to ensure your grill is ready, give the grill a nice clean to remove grime and debris from last season. In addition, be sure to check gas hoses and connections to make sure they are secure.
- Give Your AC a Check-Up: You may want to do this one sooner depending on where you live, but before the summer gets into full swing, check to make sure your AC unit is in good working order and ready for the summer heat! You can always hire an AC pro to check over and clean your system as well.
June
- Help Prevent Mold: Mold can be an incredibly costly and scary problem as a homeowner. Did you know that mold can build up even in the hot summer months (this is especially true for folks living in high-humidity areas)? Here is one potential way: by not using your AC properly. Many people keep their AC turned up to save money on energy costs. Lowering the temperature can help keep moisture at bay, and could actually end up saving you money by preventing mold. Another tip is to leave your AC fan in the auto position, instead of on because when it is always in the on position, it does not have a chance to drain off and can actually end up blowing the moisture back into your home. It is also recommended to not shut off supply grills as this can cause a build-up of condensation, and potentially, mold growth.
- Get Your Pool Ready: Test your pool water and make sure the pH and other levels are consistently at the recommended levels. Also, begin running your pool pump daily. Running it for an hour per 10 degrees of water temperature each day is generally sufficient to keep your pool from going green.
- Tame Pesky Pests: While it’s impossible to have a pest-free home, there are several things you can do that can help. To reduce mosquitoes, make sure to get rid of any standing water on your property. If you have bird feeders, keep them at least 25 yards away from your home since they can attract rodents. Trim shrubs and bushes, cut back/weed thick vegetation, and stay on top of your fruit and vegetable garden to help reduce a variety of pests. Lastly, yellow sodium vapor outdoor light bulbs are less attractive to mosquitoes and moths.
- Clean Your Fridge’s Condenser Coils: The summer heat causes the biggest demand on appliances such as your refrigerator. To help keep it running smoothly, clean the condenser coils so that they can adequately release heat from the condenser which keeps your fridge cool.
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8 Times To Walk Away From A Home Purchase
You’ve finally found a house you love and your offer was accepted! You’ve scheduled or even completed your inspections, but how do you know moving forward with closing is the right move? It’s possible that you see some things that make you feel uneasy in your stomach, plus you’re making the biggest purchase of your life. So what are things that are more than just normal nerves that might make you want to consider walking away from the purchase? Read on to find out more.
When To Consider Walking Away From A Home Purchase
- Major Concerns on the Home Inspection: Home inspections will always find items that need to be fixed or replaced, but they are generally minimal in terms of cost and amount of required work. If the report turns up something significant with the foundation, for example, you may be facing years of costly issues.
- Concerns About the Quality of the Build: Whether the home is new construction or resale, having a home with “good bones” is important and can save you a ton of money and hassle. Make sure to scrutinize the home and look for areas where the builder or remodeler cut corners. Chances are, if you find an area of concern, there are other areas of concern as well.
- The Title Company Finds an Issue: Title insurance is required in almost all transactions to protect your investment. Title disputes can be lengthy and very costly, and if the title company uncovers an issue, that is cause for concern. Common title disputes include previously unknown heirs who turn up to claim the house or the uncovering of an illegal deed at some point in the home’s history. Especially concerning if the title company will not provide title insurance for your property.
- The House is Too Unique: Many people like things that aren’t cookie-cutter or something you see in every home you walk into. However, making a home too custom and unique may make resale extremely difficult, as the number of buyers will be considerably smaller. Weigh the pros and cons, especially if you really love the home and plan to live there long term.
- Environmental Concerns: When buying an older home, it is important to determine if there are any environmental issues such as asbestos, lead-based paint, or mold issues. Buying a home with any of these issues can cause significant health problems and be extremely expensive to resolve.
- The Neighbors: Before purchasing a home, we recommend driving by the home on different days, at different times, including at night. The neighbors may seem quiet during the day, but may have loud parties most weekends. Or one of your neighbors may leave their dogs out all day or night. Not cliquing with your neighbors can make your life difficult, but it could also impact resale should you decide to move.
- Not Loving the Location: You may absolutely love the home, but it is important to research the neighborhood and area nearby as well. There may be freeways close by or plans for expansion, the neighborhood may be close to an industrial or commercial area you didn’t know about, and so much more. Doing some research and knowing exactly what the location entails can help ensure you don’t find yourself in a situation that can significantly impact the enjoyment of your home, and resale as well.
- You Can’t Really Afford the Home: Buying a home that is a financial stretch for you or your family can be a recipe for disaster. There is a difference between knowing you can easily make your mortgage payments, but cutting back on eating out to make up for the extra utility costs of a bigger home versus not being able to afford to fix an unexpected repair. There is always unpredictability with homeownership, and making sure you have a clear picture of your financial situation and what you can afford is critical.
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The Cummings Home Team 