1-22-20 Real Estate Weekly

JANUARY 22, 2020 • Volume 15 • Issue 4

RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa

Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly

Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers? Advertise in the RE Weekly.

In print and online.

Call Ali Eernisse 515-663-6956

Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Splash guard

Dive into the world of waterproof hardwood flooring

By Laura Firszt

More Content Now

A

h! Handsome hardwood flooring, the homeowners’ delight. Just one problem — moisture is hardwood’s kryptonite. If only someone would invent a waterproof hardwood flooring. …

Well, guess what? They have! Waterproof hardwood flooring appeared on the home improvement market toward the beginning of 2019, and it’s catching on fast.

Find out why.

The threat to non-waterproofed wood floors While untreated solid hardwood floors can withstand a few drops of water, when doused with larger quantities they start to resemble a sponge.

If you’re too busy to wipe up spills, pet accidents, or tracked-in snow immediately — or if you have an undetected moisture problem (such as an air conditioner leak) — beware!

Eventually all of these liquids will cause unprotected wood flooring to swell, bloat and warp.

A badly water-damaged hardwood floor cannot be repaired; eventually it is likely to rot and/or mold and will need to be completely replaced.

That means unwelcome hassle and expense for you.

What is waterproof hardwood flooring?

Waterproof hardwood flooring is natural hardwood, pine, or bamboo that has been enhanced by technology to make it impervious to liquid.

The tech varies according to the manufacturer. For example, Shaw makes a product comprising a layer of real wood on top of a core of stone polymer composite (SPC).

All producers do add one common element, though — a highly protective finish to guard against both water infiltration and everyday wear and tear, such as scratching and scuffing.

Who’s got it?

A number of America’s largest flooring businesses each have their own version of waterproof hardwood: • Mohawk — RevWood • Shaw — Floorte • USFloors — Coretec • Flooring America/Flooring Canada (FA/FC) — Aquadura H2O • Carpetone — Hydrotek • Innovative Flooring Supply — Noah

The technology is still quite new, but as its reputation spreads, other companies are likely to jump on the bandwagon as well.

Read the pros vs. cons of waterproof hardwood flooring below, then consult a reliable flooring professional for advice on the best type for your home.

Waterproof hardwood flooring pros • Beauty. This new flooring has all the rich luster of genuine hardwood, the flooring most prized by homeowners AND home buyers.

• Versatility. Enjoy hardwood floors anywhere in the house, including rooms formerly “off limits” to real wood floors, like the kitchen, mudroom, laundry, kid’s room or even an elegant master bath.

• Authenticity. Unlike ceramic tile or

laminate, you will never see a pattern repeat in waterproof wood flooring.

• Choice.

Choose your personal favorite from a variety of wood species, attractive finishes (such as handscraped), and plank widths.

• Peace of mind. When your lifestyle includes kids, pets and tons of activity, spills and splashes are impossible to avoid. With waterproof flooring, you can relax — no harm done!

Waterproof hardwood flooring cons • Expense. The cost to purchase waterproof flooring is higher than that of conventional wood.

• Limited selection. Despite the style choices available, there is still a more limited selection than you’d get with traditional wooden flooring.

• Refinishing not an option. Waterproof hardwood cannot be sanded down and refinished, although its durability and high scratch resistance make that less of a minus than you might fear.

Can you waterproof your existing flooring?

First, let’s explore the difference between two frequently confused terms: waterproof vs water resistant. My

Waterproof hardwood floors can be used in any room of the house and are available in a variety of finishes. [shaw photos]

Merriam-Webster’s definition of waterproof is “impervious to water,” but water resistant is defined as merely “waterrepellent,” meaning that eventually the water will penetrate the wood.

If you already have natural wood floors installed in your home, you won’t be able to make them completely waterproof. However, you can use the right treatment to make your flooring more water resistant, with the result that spilled liquids don’t have to be dealt with immediately. If necessary, they can be left for hours before they begin to harm the wood’s structure. Here’s how.

• Sand and clean your wood floor. Then treat with one of the following finishes: • Lacquer • Polyurethane sealant • Varnish • Combination stain/sealant • Linseed oil • Tung oil • Allow the finish to dry thoroughly, according to product instructions, before walking on or replacing furniture on the wood surface.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Januar y 22, 2020 • Page RE3

Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 22, 2020

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 22, 2020 • Page RE5

Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Januar y 22, 2020

When you’re ready . . . and it’s time to look beyond Online photos . . .

Visit a Real Open House!

See This Week’s Complete Open House Schedule with Ames Open Houses Mapped for your convenience!

RE WEEKLY We’re your Complete Open House Resource DIRECT MAILED & ONLINE!

AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 22, 2020 • Page RE7

Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, January 22, 2020

DEAR MONTY

Tips to identify a flipped home An electrician determined the house had 60 amp service to a 100 amp panel and said whoever did the work must have known. Now we have to re-do the wiring to the house. All these “repairs” since we closed are over $5,000. We suspect the seller was a corner-cutting home flipper.

How can we determine if the seller was a home flipper?

R

RICHARD MONTGOMERY eader question: We bought

our current home a year ago.

We realize houses and their systems are always wearing out, but in this house, it feels like the repairs and replacements are inordinate. The latest example is electrical. The electrical panel box was new, but we have had several electrical issues. The home inspector said electrical was satisfactory.

Monty’s answer: Besides a home flipper, your description could point to a home seller who knows little about how a home and its components work and watched too much do-it-yourself television. Or it may be a home seller who knows precisely how a house works and knows how to cut corners. Another scenario is an uninformed homeowner who hired dishonest or unqualified contractors who took advantage of them

and, indirectly, you.

Seven tips to identify a flipped home, from my personal experience: 1. A vague seller condition report:

Review it very critically; it shouldn’t be perfect.

2. Term of ownership: Seller there for less than 18 months; check on the condition report.

3. Talk to adjacent neighbors: Some are very aware of neighborhood activity.

4. Seller name: A corporation or a limited liability company signs condition report.

5. Municipal property records search:

Check with local register of deeds or a title company.

6. No records of service work: Receipts, invoices or contractor information absent.

A relatively new method for a real estate company to gain market share in some real estate markets is to promote the iBuyer concept. Their pitch is to buy directly from a home seller to avoid the hassle of selling. They state they pay a fair market price, fix up the house with their contractors and then resell it.

They charge a “service fee” instead of a commission, and they charge for repairs.

Real estate companies have noticed, and moved into iBuyer-type marketing to protect their market share.

The bottom line is, it is not always easy to identify flipped houses.

Find Richard Montgomery at DearMonty.com.

7. A financial institution is a past owner:

Ask a title company.

Don’t see your home in the

RE WEEKLY

Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.

DIRECT MAIL + ONLINE

AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly