MAY 31, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 22
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
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DEAR MONTY
TIPS OF THE WEEK
RICHARD MONTGOMERY
Tips to reduce home-seller anxiety
H
ere are five ways you can reduce anxiety when selling your home: 1. The idea that you need to be in “show ready” condition may be necessary if the selling agent has knowledge of the buyer’s circumstances that are driving the “show ready” request. For example, he may be allergic to animal hair, and you may have animals. You may want to condition future showings on “what you see is what you get,” so he will not be surprised to see that you lead a normal life. Again, there might be some risk to this.
2. If you were able to observe him there, it may provide relief. Another way to look at this is it is very different showing your home to someone who has entered a contract to purchase, then a first time showing to a prospect. To come back again, and again, suggests he is very interested. 3. Here is a different perspective about the amount of time he is spending in the house. Not to frighten you, but who knows what he is thinking? In many areas of the U.S., it is a bit unusual to have a structural inspection unless you are in a
place with known geological abnormalities, such as earthquakes, mudslides or riverbanks. What was the reason for the engineer’s review? Perhaps this inspection, or some other reason, is making the decision to continue with the purchase difficult. 4. Removing the financing contingency could overcome the frustration of the frequent extended visits when you know there are no remaining obstacles. Halting the visits until the loan is approved may cause the buyer to bring some pressure on the lender. 5. Ask your agent why
he returns. Except for the roof inspection, you do not reveal if you know the reasons for the buyer’s visits. It is legitimate to ask why. If you know the reasons and they are logical, it should provide relief. As you are asked to leave, and if you are not aware of the reasons, discovering them may help. Is his agent along with him? Perhaps he is seeking bids from different contractors, such as a flooring company or painter. Send Richard Montgomery questions at DearMonty.com.
What to do at final walk-through
R
eader question: We bought our first home last month. Our inspector found several problems, one of which was a rodent problem in our attic. We trusted our agent when she told us the rodent problem was taken care of when they fixed the roof. We did not know what to look for on our final walk-through. Everything appeared to be OK for a month. Then we had an ant problem, and the extermination service included a general pest inspection. They found an active rat infestation and many entry points. We don’t think we
should have to pay for this expensive problem. However, is it our fault that we did not follow up with the first inspector? Our real estate agent is new and doesn’t know what to do. Monty’s answer: Every state has different laws and rules, and the answers may be in the paperwork you signed during the home-buying process. Whether you have liability at all may be questionable. Liability may rest with the broker, the agent, or the seller, or it could also be all three of them. As far as your agent being
new, being new is not an acceptable excuse for this situation. There is an old quote: “Trust, but verify.” It applies in all facets of life, not just real estate. By the very nature of the real estate license, the consumer can expect a unique expertise to provide the service. “Verifying” is an important part of the agent’s job. At the final walk-through, you should be seeking evidence all the items the inspector discovered were properly corrected. In the case of a rodent problem, which is not readily visible, you should have been furnished a paid receipt
with a description of what work was completed to remedy the problem. Verifying that the condition of the home has not changed since you last visited the property is the other purpose of the walk-through. Richard Montgomery gives no-nonsense real estate advice to readers’ most pressing questions. He is a real estate industry veteran who has championed industry reform for over a quarter century. Send him questions at DearMonty.com.
[PIXNIO]
Tips for getting kids into gardening As you get your own garden ready, set aside a small plot just for the kids to take over. Having their own set of veggies to tend will deepen their connection to nature and teach them to care for other living things. Here are some tips from the American Community Gardening Association: • Keep the design kid friendly with a focus on making it easy for them to complete most tasks: planting, watering, weeding and harvesting. • Accept the dirt, but be proactive: Set up outdoor handwashing and shoe-scraping stations for easy cleanup. • Write and illustrate a journal to keep track of the garden’s progress.
Take photos for a listing A picture can be worth not only a thousand words but potentially thousands of dollars. Great real estate photos can make the difference in how quickly a home shows and sells. It’s best to use a professional photographer but if you can’t afford one, borrow a nice camera and snap photos with the shades and blinds open on a sunny day to allow more natural light in.
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Summer retreat
[BIGSTOCK PHOTOS]
How to get a deck or patio into warm weather-worthy shape
By Laura Firszt More Content Now
N
ow’s the time to get in shape for summer. No, we’re not talking about hitting the gym to French twist or yoga surf your way to a bikini bod, but something equally important … ensuring your deck or patio is ready for fresh air fun. Whether your thing is open air dining, container gardening, or relaxing in the sweet summer breezes, read our tips to get your outdoor on.
Sweep Sweep up surface debris from your patio or deck. I know, I know — you made a herculean effort to clear your outdoor space of all the dead leaves, sticks, and stones just last fall. Unfortunately, winter storms have taken their toll since then, leaving plenty of new debris for you to get rid of. If fallen foliage from overhanging branches is an ongoing headache, you might want to simplify your outdoor maintenance by having the tree professionally trimmed.
Deep clean Once the surface has been swept, use a putty knife to clean out gunk trapped deep down between boards or pavers. Then power wash the structure. Start by applying a detergent appropriate for your deck or patio material (check the manufacturer’s instructions); after that, use the pressure washer to remove both suds and dirt at the same time. Pressure wash with care, so you don’t end up doing any damage to your deck — or to yourself. Consumer Reports outlines some detailed safety tips.
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Repair Take care of any cold season damage inflicted on your deck or patio. In the case of a deck, you might typically have to repair rotting or split wood; problems with the flashing (the metal or plastic between your deck and the house wall, which directs rainwater away from your home); loose or corroded screws or other fasteners; or wobbly railings. A concrete or paver patio may have cracks that need patching or missing pavers that will have to be replaced. Finish Now it’s time to apply the finishing touch — a coat or two of sealer, stain, or paint. These types of finishes will keep your patio or deck looking great all summer long. They’ll also protect against moisture penetration and seasonal damage when (sigh) winter returns once again. For a handsome wooden deck, you might want to choose a clear stain that lets the sun shine through, gradually turning the wood color to gray. Alternatively, a semi-transparent stain will provide an increased level of UV protection. You can also stain concrete. Although more difficult to apply, paint generally offers the best protection; just be sure to choose the correct type for your material — whether wood or concrete — and apply on a dry, mild day. Adding a second coat of stain or paint will give a longer-lasting finish. Extend Need more space for outdoor fun? Extend your deck or patio this year. It’s relatively easy to enlarge a concrete patio, especially if the adjacent ground is level. The process involves careful measurement and soil preparation, followed by form construction, then pouring and curing the concrete. For a smooth join, top the existing patio with a thin layer of concrete as well. An even simpler method, which makes a great DIY project, is to add one or more rows of concrete pavers around the perimeter. Extending a deck is more complex; because the raised structure requires adequate support, you will probably have to have new beams and footings installed. To minimize problems matching the wood, consider replacing your current decking during the construction, or building the addition at a different level. Whichever way you opt for, check with your local building department to obtain any necessary permits and contact a one-call center to make sure it’s safe to dig in the spot you choose. Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.
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