Advice-related stuff from the random bin:
Jim the Realtor
Jim is a long-time local realtor who comments daily here on his blog, bubbleinfo.com which began in September, 2005. Stick around!
Advice-related stuff from the random bin:
Jim,
Straight talking, insightful commentary videos like these are my favorite of yours. There are so many small little things to look out for when buying a home that people often overlook. I think it might even be wise to befriend a home inspector or contractor and bring that person along with you to the open house to get a second set of eyes on potential problems.
I have a square shaped outdoor BBQ island with a stucco base that needs to be repainted every couple years because the sides can’t take the rain. I spent a couple hours on home improvement type message boards and no one seemed to have a solution on a stucco primer or product that could prevent stucco peel. If anyone has found such a product, please let me know. I also read that cabinets at big box stores have as much mark-up as jewelry, so it pays to shop around and negotiate. Also, definitely beware of Chinese cabinets because some can be toxic:
http://www.corpwatch.org/article.php?id=14169
Make sure you purchase or have kitchen cabinets with this seal on them (usually located on the inside door) KCMA.
http://www.kcma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=visitors.welcome
Since you mentioned “flippers,” if I knew a house was bought and re-sold by a flipper, I’d be extra cautious and want to hire two home inspectors, a contractor and a guy with the water meter you had in a video a couple months ago. Before any “flipper” gets on my case, I’d like to say that I have nothing against flippers and I actually applaud you for being resourceful and trying to earn a living in this era of 20%+ real unemployment. However, since the modus operandi of a flipper is to minimize cost and maximize profit (which is perfectly normal and fine) the average buyer has no idea who the flipper is and his/her standard of ethics. We all know that contractors cut corners (again, not all but a lot do) by using inferior products and material so the average buyer has to be wary. Often, it’s difficult to uncover without tearing things apart, whether any inferior components were used (hence the adage, hiding a lot of sin and problems with a high shine) and I wish there was a way to have this more transparent. Same for paint, countertops, tile, etc. How does the average homebuyer know that quality of product used by the “flipper?”
Happs- The stucco that needs to be repainted… my dad mixed house paint with some sort of liquid polymer sealant (I was a little kid, so sorry I can’t remember and be more specfic, but think along the lines of a car paint sealant) and after 30 years of midwest weather, that stucco house still does not need to be repainted.
This video is absolute proof why Jim is simply the best! When I think of a trusted real estate advisor, I think of JtR. Why choose anyone else?
To JIm
I stand corrected sir,
After my last comment on water rising I put a piece of sheetrock (high quality gypsum plaster sandwiched between two pieces of kraft paper) in a sealed jamjar half full of water. After leaving it in a cupboard for two months there was a tide mark 3mm ABOVE the water level, so yes it does wick. Capillary action anyone?
Wow – 3mm after 2 months? How could you measure?
I’d like to take the credit but I’ve never tested it – thanks andrewa!
I see planters next to houses very often. One solution is to not over water, and avoid spray on the walls (maybe drip irrigation). What are some other options that you’ve seen against the exterior walls?