Home Improvement 2019 by Santa Maria Times

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Improvement 2019

| Home Improvement 2019 / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

Buying a

FIXER UPPER Buying a house that needs work can seem like a great way to save money as homeowners typically ask for less for a house that needs a lot of repairs. For some buyers, this is a good option; it allows them to get many of the benefits of designing a home without building from scratch and means a smaller loan amount and smaller monthly payments. However, don’t be blinded by a smaller loan. Home renovation is expensive, and you’ll either be paying a contractor a fair amount for updates or doing a lot of the work yourself. LearnVest spoke with a real estate agent about what you should consider when you’re thinking about a house that needs some TLC.

Do You Want A Dream Home?

A fixer-upper allows you lots of opportunities to

make the house your own. Since it already needs the work, you can rip up the floors, knock down a wall or two, change the lighting fixtures or baseboards, put a deck in the back, add a window — make it what you want. This is typically less expensive than building a new house.

Can You do the Work Yourself?

Consider your knowledge and ability to do the needed contracting work. How much time the work will take and do you have that time? What tools will you need and will you buy or rent tools?

Do you know what you want the house to look like, and are you able to do the design work?

If you’re going to do any of the work yourself,

including building anything new, making structural changes or doing electrical or plumbing work, check the local zoning laws and get the necessary permits.

Do You Have Enough Money for Renovations?

You might need to budget for some professional work, such as having an architect do the design work or paying an electrician or plumber. You also should look at the type of renovations needed; rooting out black mold, redoing the foundation or replacing the roof are very expensive. A conventional mortgage will not pay for remodeling work, but homebuyers can get a 203k loan, which is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, that allows for renovating.

GIVE YOUR SOIL A

A quick check

You can very quickly and easily determine if your lawn needs to be aerated. Dig up a small section of your yard, deep enough to determine the depth of the root system. If you find that the roots of your grass are sitting just an inch or two below the ground, it’s time to aerate.

What’s going on?

Through the normal wear and tear on your lawn, with everything from extreme dry conditions to heavy downpours, as well as normal foot traffic, your ground has become compacted. As the ground becomes more and more compacted over time, elements that are important to the grass are unable to fully penetrate the soil and reach the roots. This means your grass may not be receiving the appropriate amount of oxygen, nutrients and even water that it needs to thrive. In addition, even beneficial organisms

such as earthworms, whose daily efforts provides easy routes for root systems to grow, won’t thrive in your yard either.

Nitty gritty

Aerating essentially is a process that makes your ground less compacted by removing many small shafts of the soil. By removing these shafts, you are providing an easy route for water, nutrients, oxygen, and even organisms to enter the soil. Aerating can by done in a number of methods. Perhaps the most inexpensive method is by purchasing a small, handheld aerator. While this method is the cheapest, it also takes a significantly longer time than other methods. You can also purchase or rent a motorized aerator, or contact a lawn service company to perform the task for you. Keep in mind that most lawns will need to be aerated at least once or twice a year for the optimal health of your grass. So while it may seem expensive to purchase an aerator initially, the purchase may pay off after just a couple of seasons.

Take advantage

After you have aerated your lawn, you now have an easy route to directly to the root system of your lawn. Take advantage of this by sprinkling organic fertilizer or compost directly onto the lawn and then watering. You will notice a drastic improvement in the health of your lawn in just a couple of days.

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Home Improvement 2019 / Lee Central Coast Newspapers | A3

veryone loves a lush, healthy lawn. A beautiful, green yard does everything from provide the kids a soft, safe place to run around barefoot on warm summer days to give your guests a friendly welcome as they arrive at your home. But as the months pass by, even a wellwatered and well-fertilized lawn can lose its luster. There’s no need to stress about it. The answer may be as easy as aerating your lawn.

BOOST

How to Choose a Plumber

A plumbing problem that can’t be cleared up with a plunger or storebought drain cleaner can be a real nightmare. And those times when you need something stronger, a professional plumber can be a major help. That is where a professional plumber comes in. Sometimes a minor plumbing headache is a symptom of an issue far bigger than you can handle on your own. A competent, experienced plumber will ensure your house stays comfortable and sanitary by diagnosing problems and determining the best available fix. Here are some tips to help you find the best plumber.

Choose ahead of time

First and foremost, don’t wait until you have a plumbing emergency to start finding a good plumber in your town. Waiting until you have an urgent need is a common mistake. Emergencies leave you open to dealing with unscrupulous people. There is also a good chance that you will pay too much for their services. As soon as you can, begin your search for a plumber to service your home.

conclusion.

Compare prices

Cost should always play a role in picking a plumber. Contact at least three different plumbers to get an idea of the differences in labor and material costs. They should be able to provide you with estimates for different services. It is vital that you find a professional who knows what he is doing. Whatever you save up front could turn into extra expenses down the road if the work isn’t done correctly.

Ask questions Ask for recommendations

Friends and family members may be able to refer you to an excellent professional. Good word-of-mouth recommendations are the best way to find excellent service. Look for people in your local area. Sometimes, plumbers may charge extra if you are not in their designated service region.

Search online

Consider looking online for a

good plumber. Just remember that information on the Internet is not always correct. Be mindful of who is giving a stellar customer review. Look closely for complaints about shoddy work or high prices. Dissatisfied customers are more likely to talk about their experiences. Of course, one person’s bad experience may not accurately reflect what you can expect. Look for multiple reports from different sources before drawing a

Asking questions is the best way to form expectations. Not only should you understand labor rates, but you should also know if there are any guarantees on work. Find out how long the plumber has been in business and where he received his training. The bottom line is that you need to hire someone who cares about their customers and their homes. Conducting a thorough search before an emergency will prevent you from being disappointed.

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PREPARING FOR THE MARKET

hile your home does not need to be in brand-new condition, there are many things you can do to help boost the value and make the property more enticing to potential homebuyers. You should make the necessary repairs, of course: fix broken baseboards and cupboards and get leaks taken care of. But much of getting your house ready is helping buyers see their family living in the house, not yours, according to Realtor.com.

roof, foundation, structural integrity of the house, wiring, plumbing and other big-ticket items. Know how old the water heater and A/C unit are and check for mold and termites. Also look for repairs that are quick and easy and can go a long way toward attracting buyers. Be on the lookout for rot around doors and windows, visible cracks in the walls, warping in hardwood floors, broken cabinet doors or door handles, a sliding glass door that sticks, broken light fixtures and more.

Repaint With Neutral Colors

Your house may be filled with your personality — a bright red front door, stars or shapes painted in kids’ rooms, and multi-colored walls. If you want your house to go more quickly and to go for more money, it’s better to paint the walls with neutral colors like tan and off-white. You don’t want buyers to walk away with memories of the paint instead of the house. Even if you don’t have crazy colors, consider the paint job. Is it old or faded? Does it make your house a little dingy?

Upgrade

So much of buyers’ first impressions come at first glance, and you don’t want them to notice the work the house needs before they notice the good qualities of

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Find and Fix Issues

Hire a home inspector to look at the

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Home Improvement 2019 / Lee Central Coast Newspapers | A5

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the house.

A newly renovated kitchen or bathroom, new windows or fancy ceiling fans or light fixtures can make your house look sharper and help attract buyers who are willing to pay more. According to the National Association of Realtors, hardwood floors give sellers a 100 percent return on their investment, and a new roof is more than pays for itself. Figure out how much you’re willing to spend and what will have the greatest net value.

Building Versus Buying It’s hard to find the perfect house; for most people, it’s a matter of finding the house that meets as many of your wants as possible for the price you can afford. However, if you know there are some must-haves that you’re just not finding in what’s on the market in your area, consider building your own home. Realtor.com looked at the pros and cons and building versus buying.

Upfront Costs

Energy Bills

Maintenance Costs

Appreciation

A new home means new appliances, water heater, HVAC system, new plumbing and wiring — all of which are less likely to break down and need to be repaired or replaced, which can get expensive. If they do break down, many of those appliances are likely to be covered by warranties, and builders also frequently offer a new construction warranty with an upfront cost.

Build a new home, and you can get energy smart appliances and a well-sealed house that keeps hot or cold air during the right season. Realtor.com reported that homes built in this century use about 20 percent less energy in heating than older homes. Again, this is a larger payout upfront for lower electricity bills throughout the year.

Building a home is more of a financial gamble, particularly in a new neighborhood. There aren’t enough data to know how a new neighborhood will age or how the style of a new house will work 10 to 20 years down the line. Older houses have a stronger track record on which to base value.

| Home Improvement 2019 / Lee Central Coast Newspapers

The median cost of buying an existing house in the United States is $223,000, which, for the average size lot, is about $148 per square foot. A new home in a comparable market is likely to cost just short of $300,000. However, homes being built today are typically much bigger than older homes; the median size of a new home is 2,467 square feet, compared to the

1,500-square-foot homes of the 1960s. That works just to just more than $100 per square foot. It also means you’re paying only for what you want; hardwood floors increase the value of a home, but if you don’t want hardwood, it’s not worth paying extra for it. Of course, there is no typical real estate market in the United States, so check out your market.

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What to look for when buying

WINDOWS Your home’s windows not only add to its style, they also help keep winter drafts and summer heat at bay. If you have old windows in your home, you may notice cold or hot zones near windows throughout the year. This is a sure sign that it’s time to upgrade to more modern windows. Your energy bill will thank you. If you’re ready to invest in new windows, here are a few topics you need to understand.

WINDOW GLAZING

The actual glass in a window is called glazing. Many homes and older buildings have a single pane of glass within each frame. It is a traditional style; however, it is not energy-efficient. Double-glazed windows are the popular option. There are two panes of glass in a frame. The gap between the panes acts as a layer of insulation. It improves the window’s ability to maintain the building’s temperature. Sometimes, newer structures have triple-glazed windows. They are more expensive, but they also provide additional insulation benefits.

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R-VALUES

R-values measure the amount of heat a window loses through its glass panes. Higher R-values mean more energy efficiency. An R-value of three is very desirable.

U-VALUES

U-values tell you the level at which a window conducts heat. The lower the U-value, the better. People who live in wintery climates should choose replacement windows with strong R-value and U-value ratings to conserve energy.

LOW-E

Low-emissive, or low-e windows, are the latest innovations in the energyefficiency mark. Low-e glass traps heat by placing a thin metallic coating on the appropriate window pane. Indoor radiant heat is reflected back inside, cutting the burden on a building’s heating system. If you live in a cold climate, install a low-e window as a complement to low U-value components. People who live in sunnier, warmer climates can also take advantage of low-e

windows. The summer’s higher levels of infrared rays are reflected back outside, keeping the interior of the house cooler.

UV FACTORS

Blocking UV rays will spare your carpets and furniture from sun damage. That’s why a window with high ultra-violent blockage is recommended, especially for people who live in warm climates.

CASEMENT WINDOWS

When energy efficiency is a key concern, casement windows are the best choice. This simple high-and-crank design lowers air seepage. When the wind pushes against the glass, the seal becomes tight and reduces leakage. Casement windows are hinged on the sides. When the windows have top hinges, they are called awning windows. Hoppers are bottom-hinged windows. Hinged windows must be maintained, as the seal erodes over time. When left unchecked, the erosion can make the window less energy efficient.

OTHER FACTORS

Large differences between interior and exterior temperatures create meddlesome condensation on glass. Always choose a window appropriate for your climate. Window placement is another factor when building a new structure. Consider the building’s position and location as they relate to the sun. Windows facing the south let in more heat than northfacing windows. Properly placed, a window can increase a structure’s passive solar efficiency. Extreme temperatures cause frames and seals to deteriorate more quickly. Windows using warm-air technology and adequate spacers reduce temperature fluctuations, placing less strain on seals and framing. Before beginning any improvement project to your home or business, understand the building codes in your area. You may need a permit to do a major windowreplacement project. If you don’t have the required paperwork in order, you might have to pay a fine and remove the work that’s already been done and start over. Knowing basic terminology and concepts before you shop for windows will save you time and money in the long run. It is really less complicated than it looks.

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SCREENS

Finding a Good

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APPLIANCE STORE Buying a new appliance is a big investment. So you’re going to want to get the best price possible. Shopping around may sound like a hassle—but it can actually be fun. These days appliance manufacturers produce items that have every conceivable feature to make your life easier. Exploring these innovations in home appliance technology can be an enjoyable and eye-opening experience. Before you start your search, determine your budget and needs. Know exactly what you need, what you would like to have, and what you can realistically afford. Now, it’s time to go shopping.

Online

First, do an Internet search for appliance stores in your area. Local stores are easier to work with and you will likely be able to get your appliance much quicker than if you had to go out of the area, or order it. If your refrigerator has stopped

working, this is especially important. Many appliance stores also offer free delivery in the local area. You can get a good idea of the services offered by various companies via business review sites. Don’t dismiss negative reviews but keep in mind that customers who have good experiences are less likely to crow on the Internet. Consumer Reports (www.consumerreports.org) and the Better Business Bureau (www.BBB.org) are also great resources for finding reputable businesses. To qualify for listing on the Better Business Bureau site, the business must be reliable and honest. Many stores also have message boards for customers to leave comments and reviews for the services and the products they sell, which can give you some insight into the business and their products.