So we all know that our current housing market is definitely a buyers market. But the big question is: Do buyers want fixer uppers or homes that are move in ready? Local realtors say, the majority want homes that will require light cosmetic repairs. Buyers who gravitate toward fixers are those who either don’t qualify to buy a more expensive home or those who want to make a profit by fixing the home themselves. Most fixer buyers are willing to do simple repairs such as paint the walls, put in new carpeting or replace light fixtures. They typically don’t want to rebuild a foundation or move walls, or deal with residential roofing problems. This means that sellers need to make sure their roofs will not only pass inspection but that they are solidly constructed and newer, rather than older. Realtors say, buyers also love it when they look at a home with a metal roof because they know it means they won’t have to mess with it. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana has been helping homeowners make the switch from asphalt to metal for years, and would love to show you all the pros of metal.
If you have an old roof that needs repairs, keep in mind that fixer-upper buyers will discount the price of the home to allow for the repairs and, for the inconvenience, a bit more. Say, a home is worth $100,000 fixed up, but it needs a new roof. A new roof might cost $10,000. A buyer most likely will not offer $90,000 for this home. Otherwise, they could buy an identical home with a new roof for $100,000 and not have the hassle. A buyer for this type of home might offer $75,000, or even less. In this scenario, a seller would be smarter to pay for a new roof and sell the home for $100,000.
Cold winter months are right around the corner. Aside from high energy bills, many homeowners often worry about excess snow, or just heavy rain on their aging asphalt roofs. It’s no secret that asphalt roofs don’t do well under the elements especially if they are getting old. This is one reason why many businesses and homeowners are turning to Erie Construction in Evansville, Indiana to learn about the benefits of a metal roof.
One benefit is that snow and ice slide right off metal, in a clean sweep. For this reason, it continues to be a very popular roofing choice in even the most cold and snowy climates, including cooler regions of the US and Canada. With metal, you’ll never have to worry about the destructive effects of ice damming which is basically when snow backs up against your roof eaves and forces water into your home under the shingles.
Because metal is designed to shed snow and ice, you’ll also be free from worrying about icicles or ice buildup that can tear down your gutters. This could be an expensive problem to fix.
Local realtors say, a metal roof could be the deciding factor that turns your for sale sign into a sold sign. With so many homes on the market right now, potential buyers don’t want to have to invest in a roof as soon as they move in. Nothing turns off potential buyers more than old, peeling asphalt shingles. When they see a metal, they know it’s built to last, and they won’t have to replace it.
Hands down, asphalt roof shingles are the most popular option when it comes to residential roofing. However, aside from being the most inexpensive, this material has numerous disadvantages. Some of them include thermal protection, durability, and damage from heat and wind. They offer very little thermal protection. Asphalt roof shingles will absorb heat from the sun and transfer it into your home. On cool nights, they will transfer more heat from your home. You will need to make sure your attic space is well-ventilated to the outside to help with this problem. Asphalt roof shingles not only transfer solar heat into your home, they can become damaged by the heat. They may also start to sag if they are put on a steep roof. If your attic is poorly ventilated, they will also bake from underneath.
Wind can also give you problems. Strong winds can uplift or tear them off easily. Tree branches blowing in the wind can also easily damage your asphalt roof shingles.
Moisture presents another disadvantage of asphalt roof shingles. If you live in a rainy area, you may have mildew problems because of the excess moisture. Your asphalt roof shingles may also start to rot if they are located in damp, shady areas of your roof.
One of the final disadvantages of asphalt roof shingles is their durability. Asphalt roof shingles will only last 20 years at the most. After that, you will have to install a new layer of shingles. While asphalt is still the most common material for residential roofing, metal roofs are picking up steam. Many homeowners, are making the investment because they know they won’t have to replace their roof again, Metal roofing is also three times as durable as asphalt. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the roofing industry and can show you why many are opting to ditch asphalt and go metal.
Whether you plan on selling your home, or just want to keep it in tip top shape, you need to act like a buyer. That means walking around your house and taking some notes. Home improvement experts say, there are things that we all live with, and turn a blind eye to. Stop doing that, and take on one project a month. When you walk around “see things” a potential buyers would point out. It doesn’t mean you have to shell out thousands and thousands of dollars and fix everything this week.
First things first, give your house a good cleaning, from top to bottom. This will show you what really needs attention. Get rid of clutter. Discard things you haven’t used in several months. Wash ceilings, walls, woodwork, windows, and floors. Clean grout in your tiled floors, walls, and countertops. Steam clean carpeting, and repair anything that is broken. Replace broken light fixtures, patch holes or cracks, fix or replace worn or broken window shades or blinds, patch or replace screens in windows, and replace cracked or broken windows. If your home is in good shape already, this won’t take you very long. If it isn’t, you may need to spend a few months tackling these projects.
Local real estate experts say, exteriors are just as important. If your landscaping is overgrown or doesn’t exist, you need to up your curb appeal. There are so many homes on the market right now, which means you have a lot of competition. If a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see on the outside they will not come inside. Residential roofing is also very important. If your roof is old, faded, and the shingles are lifting up, you should consider replacing it. Realtors say, nothing turns a buyer off more than an old roof that they will have to replace. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the industry and can answer all of your questions. We would love to come out and give you a fast, free, and no pressure estimate.
Planning home improvements that pay you back at the time of sale requires a strategic vision. However, there are certain projects that will get buyers in your home and will provide a good ROI, or return on investment. Curb appeal is the first step in a successful home sale, and installing a beautiful, high quality front door is a simple home improvement project that delivers impact both in buyer drive-bys and online listings. A new entry door will also help lower home energy costs and stand up to weather extremes.
Next up, building a deck is one of the least-expensive ways to extend your living space. Composite decking is a great low-maintenance option, and even building a deck from pressure-treated woodcan bring a return on investment of up to 80 percent at the time of sale. Another area that will really get you a nice ROI is beautiful siding. This is a great way to really score some curb appeal and takes major home improvement worries off a potential buyer’s list. If you have an old and unattractive kitchen or bathrooms, you really need to put your time, energy and money sprucing these spaces up. New sinks, cabinets, and windows will definitely help. Don’t forget, paint, is the cheapest way to transform a room.
Lastly, if you have an old, asphalt roof you may as well place a sign in your front yard that says you have rats. Nothing turns off a potential buyer more than old, falling apart residential roofing. Erie Construction of Evansville, Indiana is a leader in the roofing industry. Let us show you several affordable options that will not only give you curb appeal, but will get your house sold. Plus, a new roof will also get you a pretty decent ROI. Lastly, you’ll get the foot traffic you would not have if you left your roof as is