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Each decision you make will affect value and
play a role in what the house is ultimately
worth in a re-sale. Make your choices carefully.
Do your research. Talk to realtors about what is
in demand in your area. A good example of a
value choice is the use of brick and stone
masonry for your exterior. In American
architecture, nothing evokes feelings solidity
and permanence like masonry.
Have you ever read through the classified home
listings, or seen a realtor’s flyer and read the
words, “four sides brick?” There is a reason
that real estate professionals market a home
this way. It is a signal of quality to a potential buyer. While stucco and siding are both
attractive options for cladding the exterior of
your home, brick and stone masonry will increase
the value. Upon arrival at a perspective new
home, a buyer will usually begin assessing it
from the minute that they turn into the
driveway.
Stucco
When applied properly
hard coat stucco can be an effective exterior
cladding while also providing flexible design.
When purchasing an existing stucco home, a buyer
should have two thoughts in mind.
1. Is this house a
hard coat stucco or EIFS? (a synthetic stucco
system)
2. Will an inspector need
to be hired to examine the condition of the
exterior and locate any moisture behind the
walls?
Already there are roadblocks
in the buyers mind about purchasing the home. Both questions would
need to be answered. You need to know what type
of stucco it is, and a specialized, professional
inspector is always a good idea no matter the
type. A professional stucco inspector can
determine where there are problems and check for
moisture behind the material, while suggesting
the extent of damage and remedies in a thorough
report.
Siding
Siding tends to have fewer stigmas than stucco.
While it does not have the solidness of brick,
when installed correctly, it does an excellent
job of protecting the interior of the home from
moisture. Houses clad with siding seem to have a
certain charm and appeal to Americans as it is used from
coast to coast. With a siding home, again, it is
a good idea to have a thorough inspection to
uncover any moisture that has found a path into
the interior. A proper inspection will reveal
if the siding was installed correctly. Make sure
your inspector examines the following areas of a
siding clad home where there may be problems.
1.
The seams at door and window openings
2. Around vents, such as a dryer vent, and pipes that must pass through to the interior
3. Any area where siding might meets the ground
4. The connection of a siding clad chimney to the house structure
5. Areas where landscaping touches the home
Also, it is a good idea to determine the type of
siding... There are several types in use today:
wood, cement fiber board and vinyl. Wood siding
is beautiful, but will ultimately require
maintenance due to exposure to the elements. You
will eventually need to replace boards, nails
and frequently paint to keep it in the best
condition. Cement fiber board is an excellent
choice. It is very durable, emulates the look of
wood, but will stand the test of time. The
advantage of vinyl siding is the ease of
maintenance. When properly installed, vinyl
siding will only require cleansing from season
to season with a mild solution and water to keep
it looking new.
Brick and Stone Masonry
Brick and stone masonry has stood the test of
time in our culture. While wood sided homes have
come and gone over the decades, we know that
homes in the Northeastern United States built at
our country’s inception are still standing
today. Brick and stone products inspire a
feeling of solidity and permanence. There are
very few problems associated with brick or
stone. They protect the interior of your home
like a fortress, withstand the elements and
bring great resale value as it passes confidence
along from one owner to the next.
When you have
a masonry home inspected, make sure note is
taken of any cracks that have appeared in the
mortar, which might be the result of settling or
another stress on the wall. Check the system of
weep holes which are used to drain moisture from
behind the walls. Make sure these holes are not
obstructed. Additionally, check ground level
areas where weep holes could actually perform
the reverse function and take moisture in during
flooding rains.
Fortunately brick and stone masonry, for the
most part, are maintenance free, durable, and a
value addition to any home. Today there are many
choices in masonry and a visit to a local brick
and stone company will make selecting a color
and style a breeze. Many have small mock ups of
what a wall would look like in each product that
they sell. One of the most fun ways to select
your new brick or stone is to take a drive
around neighborhoods you like and focus on brick
colors and the shapes and
variation in the stonework. This way you would
better be able to envision what the exterior of
your finished home might look like.
Whatever the material you choose for the
exterior of your home, installation is the key
component. Take the time to ensure all proper
procedures are followed for the specific
material. When buying an
existing home, hire an inspector! No question
you might have about the exterior cladding of a
home is a bad one. You are protecting a very
large investment. |
