Tag Archives: real estate appraisal

Retaining Walls: Bad Design Could Lead to a Multitude of Problems

Posted on June 3, 2012 | Leave a comment

A badly designed retaining wall can lead to a multitude of problems in your yard.

Given the potential resale value of property, a garden design should always maximise land space to best capitalise on your investment.

On a sloping site, installing retaining walls will provide more usable level space. Not only is this great for families but it can add significantly to the value (contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com to help you determine what adds value to your property) of the property.

A retaining wall levels sloping ground by creating a rapid change in ground level. The wall must not only hold the earth back from collapsing, but also look good.

The most important part of the construction of retaining walls is the engineering of the foundation, all of which is underground.

Any retaining wall more than a metre high needs a builder’s permit to ensure structural integrity. A balustrade may also be required on the upper level for safety.

There are two types of walls – solid and porous.

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California PUC Ruling Boosts Solar Industry

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

The solar industry scored a major win Thursday when California regulators more than doubled the number of homeowners and businesses who will get full financial credit for the surplus electricity that their rooftop panels produce.

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved changes to a policy known as “net energy metering,” which allows solar system owners to cut their utility bills by receiving credit for any excess electricity they send to the state’s power grid.

The California law that established net metering set a limit on the number of people who could qualify within each utility company’s territory, a limit the Legislature later raised. The utilities commission on Thursday changed the way the limit is calculated, greatly expanding the pool of people who will be eligible in the future.

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Beware of Value-Killing Home Renovations

Posted on May 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

That old adage should be a warning for homeowners. What you do to a home — in terms of renovations, furnishings and additions — is all well and good while you sleep under its roof. But if you plan to sell, your efforts could diminish rather than boost its selling price.

Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for your value questions. Remember appraisers determine value and real estate agents sell homes.

A miniature backyard skate park, indoor basketball court or basement lounge complete with a stripper pole and smoke machine are the sorts of extravagances that may not directly push down your home value, but could nevertheless drive away prospective buyers or provide room for them to haggle down the price.