The Real Folsom Blog

How Long Will It Last and How Much Will It Cost

Keeping with yesterday's theme of home remodeling, I thought I'd share two Web sites that offer information on how long you can reasonably expect different components in a home to last and how much it will likely cost to replace them. This issue is useful when considering remodeling projects but also an important one for the home buyer. Although it's outside the scope of a home inspector's practice to provide the life expectancies of major components, mostly because they don't generally know when the components were installed, it's not unreasonable to ask for an opinion on the existing components. I did find two Web sites both homeowners and home buyers should find of some use. Check out www.pillartopost.com/home-repair-cost-upgrade-guide.aspx for info on how much different remodeling and construction projects might cost. And for a guide to life expectancy of some major home components, check out www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=72475.

Remodels That Bring Good Returns

The market is tough on sellers right now. I won't argue that point. But whether or not you plan to put your house on the market any time soon, it's always a good idea to take good care of what is likely your largest asset--your house. Every year Remodeling magazine publishes its "Cost vs. Value Report" looking at which projects bring the best return on investment. The magazine prepares the report in cooperation with Realtor Magazine and breaks down the results by region. Here are some of the findings, you might find useful if you are planning to put your house on the market in the not-too-distant future:

• Focus mostly on exterior upgrades.  In the Pacific region, these six projects had a cost recovery of more than 100 percent: a wood deck addition, a minor kitchen remodel, fiber-cement siding replacement, wood window replacement, and an upscale wood and vinyl window replacement.
• Projects least likely to give you a good return when you sell included a home office remodel, installing a back-up power generator, and adding a mid-range sunroom.
• Some considerations before you undertake a remodeling project: does the remodeled space reduce the perceived number of rooms or available square footage, what is the condition of the rest of the house, and what is the value of similar homes nearby.

If you are thinking of doing some remodeling (especially with an eye to selling in the not too distant future), start by consulting with a local remodeler about construction costs and then carefully evaluate market conditions and what other similar area homes are selling for.

Need Help Keeping Track of Your Home Maintenance?

I just heard of a Web-based service that can help you keep track of your home maintenance needs. If you're like me, you occasionally get overwhelmed with the stuff life throws at you and forget to tend your house. Then things break and you face possibly costly repairs. HomeMinders.com is an automated service that lets you quickly set up an online profile of your home and then creates a personalized maintenance schedule. The site automaticlly identifies important maintenance to do items, helps you manage and find contractors, and sends you monthly e-mail reminders (for example, change the furnace filter). The site has a number of other spiffy features you can learn about on their web site. At an annual cost of $29, I'd say it's worth checking out this service, especially as HomeMinders offers a trial subscription.