Thursday, January 14, 2021 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
Frozen may work for Queen Elsa in the Pixar movie, but for us mere mortals, ice can register anywhere from frustrating to down right deadly on our "What I Hate About Winter" list. Unless you are strapping on skates right now, you might want to note here some ways to avoid frozen water problems.
ROOF ICE DAMS
Go look at your roof. If there's no snow on the shingles but snow on the overhangs, you're a candidate for ice dams. When a home has a poorly insulated roof, it will melt the snow on it. The resulting water hits cold overhanging gutters and freezes if it's below freezing outside (32 degrees F, 0 degrees C). The result is an ice dam, which backs up water onto and under the shingles. You'll notice it when it starts dripping in the house. Avoid ice dams by Insulating your roof adequately. It it has already snowed, remove snow from the roof as soon as it falls. Use a roof rake or hire a professiona ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, 'urb to 'burb, hudson valley home owners, diy projects, flooding, winter storm warning
Monday, January 4, 2021 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
The new year is often time to look ahead and plan for improving parts of your home. If remodeling is on your wish list, you're not alone. According to Home Advisor, a digital marketplace that connects homeowners with prescreened, local service professionals, 41 percent of homeowners said that making their home better suited for lifestyle needs is a top priority as social distancing continues.
Whether it's a new kitchen, turning a bedroom into an office or creating an outdoor oasis, getting your plans in order in January is a great time to start projects scheduled during the new year. And first of all is deciding how much you want (or need) to spend.
But the problem with budgeting home improvement projects is that unlike budgeting to buy a car or a new cellphone, home renovations come with the possibility of unforeseen issues that must be fixed before proceeding with a project. Rule of thumb from seh ...
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hudson valley home, 'urb to 'burb, hudson valley home owners, hudson valley living, diy projects, home gardens
Friday, December 4, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
The popular DIY (Do It Yourself) TV shows often seen on the HGTV, DIY Network and TLC channels have inspired more people to complete their own renovations, and have changed the way interested buyers shop for homes. Some of today’s consumers are hyper-aware of evolving home trends, so certain aspects of a house, like an outdated kitchen, can turn off prospective buyers. This is commonly known as the “HGTV effect.” In general, many modern house hunters aim to buy a home with turnkey capability and upgraded features rather than choosing a house that has potential.
But other potential buyers aren’t daunted by making repairs and renovations themselves. It seems that popular DIY TV shows have given these homebuyers the encouragement to take on projects they may have walked away from in the past. Imagining a beautifully finished home when you’re standing in front of a ; ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, buying a home, 'urb to 'burb, home investment, diy projects, fabulous renovations
Monday, September 28, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems Real Estate.
Here in the Hudson Valley, the change of seasons means it’s time to get your home and garden ready for winter. Before you decide to go leaf-peeping or getting in that one last round of golf, take care of these pre-winter to-dos.
Have your roof checked by a pro to repair or replace it.
Winter snow and ice take a toll on asphalt shingle roofs. If yours needs repair or replacement, don't wait too long. Asphalt shingles need to be installed at temperatures between 40 and 85 degrees. Any colder and the shingles can become brittle and break apart. Cold temperatures also prevent the adhesive sealant from activating, making it easy for winter winds to blow them away. So if your roof needs a little love, call your local roofer NOW.
Clean and Seal Your DeckYou've been walking on it all summer long, but your deck is one of the most often neglected structures on your home. Check it for safety and get it. ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley home, 'urb to 'burb, hudson valley home owners, first time home buyer, diy projects, home gardens
Thursday, March 12, 2020 / by Vanessa Saunders
By Vanessa Saunders, MBA, MIMC , Broker Owner, Global Property Systems
If you’re planning a home improvement project for spring, keep in mind the impact your project will have on your home’s value. Surprisingly, most major improvements don’t pay for themselves when it comes time to sell.
Here are some of the worst home improvements you can do in terms of their return on investment:
#5. Adding extra garage space.
Unless you don’t have a garage at all, adding to an existing one comes in as the fifth worst improvement you can make to a home. Garages are expensive to build, and some buyers are actually turned off at having room they may not need. The average garage addition only adds 60% of it’s cost to the value of a home.
#4. Master bedroom suites.
Turning the master bedroom into an ensuite by adding an adjoining full bathroom will lose up to 40% of its cost at selling time. If you’re in the mood for a major project, remodeli ...
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hudson valley real estate, hudson valley property, hudson valley home, home investment, 'urb to 'burb, selling your home, house pricing, diy projects, fabulous renovations
