Buying – Page 24 – Crye Leike Pine Belt

Home Maintenance Checklist for the First Year

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2013

After buyers move in to their new home, they should be prepared for some home fixes to present themselves each season, says Rich Escallier, a handyman in Chicago. “If you can go six months without finding something that raises your blood pressure, you’re lucky,” Escallier says.

CBS MoneyWatch recently released a checklist of routine maintenance and small home repairs that home buyers should expect to do their first year to help avoid more costly problems from surfacing later on:

During move-in week: Turn on all major appliances and run them for a complete cycle. Even if the buyer already completed a home inspection, they should test again, experts say. After all, “if you have a minor leak under the dishwasher, that water leaks into the subfloor and you can’t see it,” says Daniel Cipriani with Kade Homes & Renovations in the Atlanta area. “But you’ll start to notice the hardwood floor buckling.”

45 days after move-in: Change the HVAC system filter and vacuum out the air intake vents. “Capturing dirt and dust with the right filter can go a long way toward preserving the new home appeal for a few years,” CBC MoneyWatch notes.

Six months after move-in: Inspect the exterior of your home in both the summer and fall to ensure rainwater is draining away from the home properly. Also, clean out clogged gutters and downspouts. “Landscaping should be negatively graded away from the house,” Cipriani says. “People don’t think it’s a big problem, but otherwise water pools against the foundation and doesn’t have anywhere to go.”

Every year: Inspect the home’s roof for any missing shingles and gaps around the chimneys. Also, check the ceilings inside the home for any water spots and indications of potential leaks.

Experts also note that every two years, home owners would be wise to hire a professional HVAC contractor to inspect their furnace, air conditioner, and hot water heater. A ruptured reservoir could potentially spill 40 gallons of water in a mere few hours so experts recommend home owners install a water alarm with sensors in the collection pan underneath the hot water heater. The sensors cost about $25 and can help save home owners from costly water damage.

Source: “Repairs Every New Homebuyer Should Make,” CBS MoneyWatch (Aug. 26, 2013)

http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2013/10/07/home-maintenance-checklist-for-first-year

Buying

OPEN HOUSE-Sunday,October 13th, 2-4

Join us for open house on Sunday, October 13th from 2-4 at the following listings:

107 ARCHEL Petal , MS 39465 $194,900

4/2 with formal dining, large bedrooms, and huge kitchen.

111 MEADOWOOD Dr. Petal , MS 39465 $199,000

Recently remodeled 3/4 with 2 living areas, exercise room/sauna, and plenty of room to entertain.

127 GARDEN Ln. Petal , MS 39465 $130,000

Spacious 3/2 with storage shed, fenced yard, and in walking distance to lake.

312 PETAL Dr. Petal , MS 39465 $71,000

Remodeled 3/1 with separate formal dining. Great investment opportunity.

23 CHESTNUT Ln. Sumrall , MS 39482 $259,900

4/3.5 with open spacious floor plan, arched openings, and a sunroom.

Call Crye-Leike Signature One Realty for additional information.

Buying

Hattiesburg Real Estate – NEW LISTING

ELKS LAKE Rd. Hattiesburg , MS 39401 $220,000

18.26 (MOL) acres in the Dixie School District, beautiful area for home site with pond included, and convenient to Hattiesburg.

Call Crye-Leike Signature One Realty for more information.

Buying

NAHB Says Housing Will Strengthen in 2014

DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 07, 2013

Despite many headwinds, the housing recovery is expected to pick up in the next year.

“The cards are in play for a decent and fairly strong recovery in 2014 and particularly in 2015,” says David Crowe, chief economist for the National Association of Home Builders. “From the standpoint of GDP growth, housing has been a plus, growing at two, three, and four times the rate of the rest of the economy in recent quarters.”

Crowe made the statements during the Fall 2013 Construction Forecast webinar, hosted by NAHB last week. He noted that a double-digit increase in home prices over the past year has helped spur a housing rebound. But Crowe warned that the steep price increases won’t last forever.

“We expect to see price increases moderate in the next few years as we see additional inventory on the market and investors back away as the bargains disappear,” Crowe said.

The growth in household formations is a bright spot aiding the recovery, economists noted during the webinar. During the recession, household formation growth was delayed as young professionals moved back home with their parents or doubled up with roommates.

During the height of the housing boom, the U.S. was producing 1.4 million additional households each year. However, during the recession, that figure dropped to 500,000 per year. Today, the figure has risen to 700,000.

Still, plenty of challenges remain to the housing recovery, economists note.

“Credit conditions are much tighter now, builders are increasingly facing labor shortages, lot supplies are tight, building material prices are rising, and inaccurate appraisals are hurting home sales.” Crowe said. “You can’t charge more than you can get an appraisal for. Even though we are seeing price increases in labor, land, and materials, 36 percent of builders recently said they had lost at least one sale over appraisals coming in below the cost of production.”

NAHB made some of the following projections in housing starts:

Housing starts in 2013 are projected to reach 924,000—up 18 percent from last year.
Single-family housing starts are expected to rise 17 percent this year and an additional 31 percent next year. NAHB projects that single-family production will surpass the 1 million mark in 2015.
Multifamily starts are expected to rise 20 percent in 2013 and another 10 percent in 2014. Crowe characterized that as a “normal level” of multifamily production.

Source: National Association of Home Builders

http://www.nahb.org/

Buying

Purvis Real Estate-NEW LISTING

219 SHELBY Purvis , MS 39475 $45,000

Great investment opportunity! Well maintained 3/2 on 2 city lots.

Crye-Leike has many investment opportunities available. Give us a call today.

Buying

Petal Real Estate-REDUCTION

107 ARCHEL Petal , MS 39465 $194,900

4/2 in award winning Petal School District. Formal dining, spacious bedrooms, and huge kitchen.

Call Crye-Leike for additional information.

Buying, Selling

What Our Clients are Saying……

“As a first time homebuyer, I would highly recommend Crye-Leike.” Carrie Traxler

“Our agent was very persistent and dedicated in selling the house when past Realtors gave up after a short period.” Rocky & Melissa Smith

” I heard that buying a house is such a difficult process. After my experience with my Crye-Leike Realtor, I find that statement hard to believe.” Donald & Arlene Gavin

“It is rare to have someone’s full attention when talking to them on the phone. We so appreciated feeling we were the focus during every phone conversation.” William & Ashley Powell

Call us to today for all of your real estate needs. At Crye-Leike, YOU’RE NUMBER ONE!

Crye-Leike Signature One Realty, (601) 336-6941

Buying