AUTUMN IS BEST TIME FOR VITAL HOME REPAIRS AND HELP BEFORE WINTER

AUTUMN IS BEST TIME FOR VITAL HOME REPAIRS AND HELP BEFORE WINTER

Autumn is here, leaves are turning beautiful colors, all signals that we are heading for winter. Winter plays havoc on houses, and autumn should be a time to take a walk around your house to get that winter chore list in order. Here are few areas to pay attention to according to ERA Justin Realty’s Broker Co-owner Ron Darby.     

 

ROOF VENTILATION

Remember that ice dam on the roof last winter? Remember how hot your attic was when you went up there to check the cable wire last summer? Proper attic ventilation can help with both those problems, and autumn--while it's not too hot or too cold--is an ideal time to take care of any necessary work. Attic ventilation should equal approximately 1 square foot of vent area for every 300 square feet of attic according to ventilation experts, so first figure out roughly how many square feet your attic is, and then divide by 300. The total vent area should be roughly split between high and low vents, so now divide that number by two. Take some measurements to see if you have an adequate amount of vent area in both the eaves and high on the roof, and add more as needed. Also, check the condition of existing vents to see that the screen is intact, flashings are secure and well sealed, and there are no other problems that need correcting.

 

SPRINKLERS

Permanent, in-ground sprinklers are great, as long as they're properly adjusted. Run each set of sprinklers through a cycle, and watch how and where the water is hitting. Adjust or replace any sprinklers that are hitting your siding, washing out loose soil areas, spraying over foundation vents, or in any other way wetting areas on and around your house that shouldn't be getting wet.

 

GRADE

Soil is also susceptible to being washed away or redistributed by heavy winter rains and melting snow. Now is the time to check and see if the grade around the outside of your home has been moved around by winter's fury, which can result in runoff getting into your basement or crawlspace, or running into neighbor's yards where it shouldn't go. Look for areas where soil seems too high or too low in relation to your home, as well as for marks on your siding, foundation, walkways, and other areas that might indicate if soil or water is in a place it shouldn't be. A 4-foot builder's level placed on a long, straight board can help you check grade and slope--redistribute soil so that for every foot horizontally you have at least 1/4 inch of fall away from the house.

 

CHECK YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS

Can someone find your house easily, especially in the dark? Autumn is a great time to check that your house numbers are clearly visible from the street, that they are painted a contrasting color from whatever surface they are mounted on, that they are somehow hit by exterior lighting at night, and that they are not obscured by overgrown foliage.

 

FENCES AND GATES

Fence posts are especially susceptible to ground water saturation, and will loosen up and tilt if the soil around them gets soaked too deeply. Check fence posts in various areas by wiggling them to see how solidly embedded they are. If any are loose, wait until the surrounding soil has dried out before winter's rains, then excavate around the bottom of the posts and pour additional concrete to stabilize them.  

 

SMOKE DETECTORS

As always when it's time to change the clocks, you want to check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries, clean the covers, and test the detector's operation before it's too late. If you have gas-fired appliances in the house, including a water heater, now is also a great time to consider adding a carbon monoxide detector, which are inexpensive and easy to install, and are available at most home centers and other retailers of electrical parts and supplies.

 

Darby concluded, “If you are not personally handy, there are listings under handyman in many of the local newspapers who advertise for jobs big and small.  You may want to phone more than one, ask and check their references for work they’ve done for other homeowners before making your hiring decision. Of course there are others areas to check before winter but it's always good to do repairs before the winter weather prevents you from doing so.”

 

ERA Justin Realty proudly has received the prestigious ERA world-wide ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, as a premier ERA real estate firm from nearly 3,000 ERA firms for their service to their Buyers and Sellers. Their ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor agents can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

 

ERA Justin Realty Shares Do's and Don'ts of mixing architectural styles

Jennifer Darby Metzger, with Lifetime membership in the NJAR Distinguished Sales Club for more than 10 years of Bronze, Silver and Gold NJAR Awards and being a broker co-owner of ERA Justin Realty shares her outreach to the National Trust for Historic Preservations, evident in her report on mixing architectural styles.

ERA Justin Realty Shares Do's and Don'ts of mixing architectural styles

Most of us appreciate the aesthetic value of historic homes, and have even been known to fall in love with them from time to time.

Jennifer Darby Metzger, ERA Justin Realty Broker co-owner is partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and has increased her educational outreach centering on the preservation of historic properties. Having this designation makes her familiar with architecture that spans more than three centuries of history, ranging from stately Federal mansions and handsome Italianate row houses to modest Queen Anne cottages and modest bungalows.

She stated, “As reported in Inman News, not long ago, in a pleasant, sixties-era neighborhood of California ranchers, reporter came across a renovated house that looked all too familiar. The owner had replaced the original front doors, all the windows and the garage door in a style that could most kindly be described as Home Depot eclectic. To begin with, there was a huge, modernistic vinyl picture window. A few feet away were a pair of casement windows bordered with those now-inescapable craftsman style ‘simulated divided lites. The garage door, meanwhile, was topped with a row of little Colonial sunburst windows, while the front doors boasted an elaborate Frank Lloyd Wright pattern done in beveled glass. Just about the only style that was absent, in fact, was that of the original California rancher. Setting aside the wisdom of trying to transform one architectural style into another, any one of these motifs might have worked had it been used consistently and alone. Combining them all together, however, simply yielded a stylistic hodgepodge.”

Metzger Continued, “It's amazing how a single motif can call up a whole architectural style. Motifs act as a kind of visual shorthand -- when we see fishscale shingles, we think Victorian. When we see zigzags, we think Deco. When we see curlicues, we think Spanish, and so on. But this same suggestive power can cause a lot of trouble when it's not used carefully. Few motifs, for example, could be more at odds than those New Englandish sunbursts being played against the jagged lines of Prairie School glass just a few feet away. Probably the most clear-cut dividing line between irreconcilable motifs is the one between traditional and modern architecture. There are always exceptions, but in general, traditional and modern styles spring from diametrically opposed philosophies, and seldom the twain shall meet. This realization might have discouraged our exemplary renovator from mixing in a little Ben Franklin with his Frank Lloyd Wright.

Is all this just stylistic nitpicking? Sure -- but nitpicking is what makes for good design. Nor are such clashing motifs something that would only bother an architect. Lately, more and more homeowners come primed with an impressive grasp of architectural styles -- due, no doubt, to This Old House style TV shows and instant Google searches. Lots of people are able to sense when things don't seem to fit together right. So unless you aim to be eclectic, try to limit yourself to a few favorite motifs, and apply them consistently. If you use segmental arches, for example, don't mix them with round ones -- the first speaks Italian, while the second screams in Spanish. For similar reasons, don't mix double-hung windows with sliders, Art Nouveau with Art Deco, divided lites with glass block, and so on. All of these pairings come from very different eras and sources, and they'll get along none too happily in one facade.

If you're not sure which motif goes with which style, consult some books on the style or period you're interested in. Find five or six examples of buildings you really like, and take note of the motifs they have in common. Then, pay equally close attention to the things you don't find, and you won't be confused by those mixed-up motifs.”

ERA Justin Realty has been recognized by multi-thousands of buyers and sellers since 1950 as their Realtor of choice and is noted as an area market leader. They proudly received the prestigious ERA 2003-2012 Commitment to Excellence Award, a premier ERA award and selected from approximately 2,600 ERA firms from across the nation. For these reasons ERA Justin Realty should be your buying and selling Realtor of choice. They also offer their publication Real Estate Results in Writing featuring more than 700 reviews from their buyers and sellers about their services.

Jennifer Darby Metzger and the entire ERA Justin Realtor salesperson team can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, by office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

Fixer Uppers a Reality for Buyers in Improving 2013 Real Estate Economy

Carol Darby, Ron Darby and Jennifer Darby Metzger broker co-owners with combined real estate knowledge and experience approaching 100 years gives this team the background to lead their ERA Justin Realtor salespersons to continuous success. The firm, a trusted name in real estate since 1950 suggests purchases of fixer uppers as good choices for the Fall 2013 market.

Fixer Uppers a Reality for Buyers in Improving 2013 Real Estate Economy

Several years ago when the housing market was mired in real estate recession, buyers shied away from houses that needed work. The buyers who weren't put off from buying completely were interested only in turnkey homes that were in move-in condition. ERA Justin Realty has worked within all real estate economic landscapes, is well versed, assists its buyers and sellers and has been your trusted name in real estate since 1950. As we enter the Fall 2013 market, there are many buying and selling opportunities for all.

Carol Darby, ERA Justin Realty broker co-owner offered, "It was risky for some buyers to buy a house that needed work. But now the housing market is recovering and buying a house to fix up seems more reasonable, and is happening. There are basically two types of  'fixer' buyers. One is the flipper who buys a house, spruces it up quickly and sells it at a profit. The goal is not to hold the property as an investment, but to find a buyer as soon as possible after the redo is complete.

Flippers should avoid buying houses that have major problems to remedy, which will eat into profits. A way to maximize profit and minimize carrying costs during the rehab period is to understand the lower price market and if possible buy with all cash. Buy in areas where employment and transportation are good so that you will have a pool of buyers for your product when it’s ready to sell."

Jennifer Darby Metzger, broker co-owner added, "Select the neighborhood. Is it conveniently located? Are houses selling quickly? What is the average days on market from list date to sale date? This information is critical to knowing how fast you can turn the property over to a new buyer. The other type of fixer buyers are those who buy for their own use. They do not intend to flip the property, but want to increase the value of the property over time while providing a roof over their heads. This type of buyer may be willing to pay more for a property than the flipper, but the price paid and the amount spent on improvements should be researched before making a purchase. Ask our ERA Justin Realty team for the sale price of recently sold houses in the neighborhood that were similar to the one you’re considering, but in much better condition. Be sure to review how much the renovations will cost."

Ron Darby, broker co-owner concluded, "Keep a close eye on the costs of your renovations while you’re working on the project. There’s always the temptation to improve more than you had intended once you see how good the improvements you have made look. Even though you’re improving the house for yourself, remember that you will be selling someday and hope for a profit on the time and money you invested. It’s a great time to buy at prices that were not possible at the peak of the market. Just make sure you know values for the neighborhood for a property that needs work. Fixer buyers who paid high prices at the peak of the last market cycle possibly didn't make a profit. The housing market has picked up and will hopefully continue to move in a positive direction. However, the house sale market is continually changing and varies from one location to the next.  A well-informed, level-headed approach is the best bet and our ERA Justin Realtor salespersons can provide you with information so you can make an informed decision."

There is a difference in real estate companies and the ERA Justin Realty broker owner's input makes that difference important. In fact, their buyers and sellers have put their reviews in writing about their Realtor salespersons. They have on file for the asking, 'Real Estate Results In Writing,' their report of nearly 800 quotes, testimonials and reviews from their buyers and sellers.

All of the ERA Justin Realtor salespersons can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue, by office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.

ERA Justin Realtor Adrian Tridel offers tips for early spring house repairs after winter damage. A career professional with the firm, he serves buyers and sellers in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson Counties.

 

                   ERA Justin Realty Report:  Get Ready for Spring 2013 House Repairs

“Yes, it's January, but soon we’ll be coming out of hibernation--plants, flowers, lawns, and even your home. Winter plays havoc on houses, and spring should be a time to take a walk around your house to get that spring chore list in order. Here are few additional areas to pay attention to,” according to ERA Justin Realtor, Adrian Tridel. 

ROOF VENTILATION:

Remember that ice dam on the roof last winter? Remember how hot your attic was when you went up there to check the antenna wire last summer? Proper attic ventilation can help with both those problems, and spring--while it's not too hot or too cold--is an ideal time to take care of any necessary work. Also, check the condition of existing vents to see that the screen is intact, flashings are secure and well sealed, and there are no other problems that need correcting.

SPRINKLERS:

Permanent, in-ground sprinklers are great, as long as they're properly adjusted. Run each set of sprinklers through a cycle, and watch how and where the water is hitting. Adjust or replace any sprinklers that are hitting your siding, washing out loose soil areas, spraying over foundation vents, or in any other way wetting areas on and around your house that shouldn't be getting wet.

GRADE:

Soil is also susceptible to being washed away or redistributed by heavy winter rains and melting snow. Now is the time to check and see if the grade around the outside of your home has been moved around by winter's fury, which can result in runoff getting into your basement or crawlspace, or running into neighbor's yards where it shouldn't go. Look for areas where soil seems too high or too low in relation to your home, as well as for marks on your siding, foundation, walkways, and other areas that might indicate if soil or water is in a place it shouldn't be. A 4-foot builder's level placed on a long, straight board can help you check grade and slope--redistribute soil so that for every foot horizontally you have at least 1/4 inch of fall away from the house.

CHECK YOUR HOUSE NUMBERS:

Can someone find your house easily, especially in the dark? Spring is a great time to check that your house numbers are clearly visible from the street, that they are painted a contrasting color from whatever surface they are mounted on, that they are somehow hit by exterior lighting at night, and that they are not obscured by overgrown foliage.

FENCES AND GATES:

Fence posts are especially susceptible to ground water saturation, and will loosen up and tilt if the soil around them gets soaked too deeply. Check fence posts in various areas by wiggling them to see how solidly embedded they are. If any are loose, wait until the surrounding soil has dried out from winter's rains, then excavate around the bottom of the posts and pour additional concrete to stabilize them.  

SMOKE DETECTORS:

As always when it's time to change the clocks, you want to check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries, clean the covers, and test the detector's operation before it's too late. If you have gas-fired appliances in the house, including a water heater, now is also a great time to consider adding a carbon monoxide detector, which are inexpensive and easy to install, and are available at most home centers and other retailers of electrical parts and supplies.

Tridel concluded, “If you are not personally handy, there are listings under handyman in many of the local newspapers who advertise for jobs big and small.  You may want to phone more than one, ask and check their references for work they've done for other homeowners before making your hiring decision.”

ERA Justin Realty has published its report Real Estate Results In Writing, featuring reviews from over 700 of their very satisfied Buyers and Sellers.  They also proudly received the prestigious ERA world-wide 2003-2012 ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’, as a premier ERA real estate firm from approximately 30,000 brokers and agents for their service to their Buyers, Sellers and community.

The ERA Justin Realty full service Realtors can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue.  By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000's of homes at their websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.