Green Real Estate Appraiser

Get Your Dream Bathroom

Posted on November 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Does your aging bathroom feel out of style? If it’s in need of a makeover, a home contractor can make the remodeling process much simpler.

How, you might ask? Well, a contractor could save you time and money – especially if you take on a DIY remodeling project without the proper knowledge.

Will this add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions.

According to Rick Salerno, an Ohio-based remodeler certified by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), when it comes to DIY remodeling projects, “unless you know what you’re doing, you’re going to end up spending more money.”

[Interested in remodeling your bathroom? Click to find the right contractor now.]

So if you are ready to revamp your bathroom with fewer hiccups, hire a home contractor to help with these six remodeling projects.

Project #1: Installing a New Shower or Bathtub

Looking to update your shower or tub? If so, you might want to hire a professional contractor.

Why? Because installing a shower or tub requires you to have some plumbing knowledge, which contractors are well equipped with.

“A contractor will examine your bathroom and run the necessary plumbing to fit your shower or bathtub, which is highly recommended to prevent water damage,” says Graziano Tru, general manager for Deluxe Construction, a New York-based firm that specializes in both interior and exterior home remodels.

In fact, according to Tru, a contractor should have the experience to handle the following key procedures for installing a shower or tub:

Taking measurements of the desired location
Performing a plumbing assessment
Waterproofing walls, ceilings, and floors
Installing an exhaust fan
Putting in ceramic tiles

Without a proper assessment by a contractor, improper installation could lead to leaks and permanent damage.

Disclaimer: for information and entertainment purposes only

Outdoor Chores that Will Pay You Back

Posted on November 15, 2012 | Leave a comment

Once the winter freeze-and-thaw cycle kicks in, a tiny leak in your roof can turn into a crevasse—and a $10,000-plus repair job. Clogged gutters and dribbling spigots can also do a lot of damage. So take advantage of the cooler weather to do home and yard repairs and spruce-ups. The following tips can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs.

Does maintainance add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions

Get some leaf relief

Fallen leaves can kill grass when they’re matted down by snow. Leaf piles can also attract rodents. But using leaf bags means work and waste if they go into a landfill.

What to do: Don’t overlook your mower’s mulching mode. Ground-up leaves feed your lawn and save money. You might need to make a few passes to slice the leaves small enough to decay. (See Consumer Reports’ lawn mower Ratings and recommendations.)

What you save: Along with saving the cost of leaf bags (Americans spend millions of dollars a year on them), you sidestep the stooping and bending of raking and bagging.

A Tool Kit for Home Buyers to Help Avoid Potential Pitfalls

Posted on November 14, 2012 | Leave a comment

So you’re house shopping and you’ve fallen hard for a sweet little gem that seems, well, perfect. The photos are lovely, the walk-through revealed a number of amenities you’ve been seeking, the location is ideal.

This is it, right?

Not necessarily. A house — even a brand-new one — comes with a history and literally thousands of diverse components, some of which could be defective and cost big bucks to fix. A buyer’s ability to diagnose potential problems during a short visit? Limited at best.

Does the appraiser inspect for health and safety? Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your appraisal questions.

As a result, shopping for a home, like any potential relationship, can include elements of uncertainty, surprise and trepidation.

“I’m super paranoid,” says Jacob Moschler, a Hyattsville resident who’s been gradually moving toward homeownership with his wife, Thuan Do, but is nervous about choosing a home that winds up having a host of problems. “That’s one of the reasons we haven’t bought a house yet.”

A buyer, though, doesn’t have to jump wholly unaware into the unknown. There are a number of ways to gain information about the property — both its physical condition as well as its past — before buying.

There are several tools and sources to help you feel a little more secure before signing on that dotted line. Some are mandated by law, while others simply require a little extra legwork.