I purposely waited to write this article the first day of spring, March 20, 2017, when home seekers and sellers start the intense prospect of finding the right match. As the spring season is typically optimal for home ownership transition, the facts for the following housing details seemed ideal at this point in time.
However, it is ironic that this year the Purim jest was still hovering and the Wednesday after Purim we encountered a blizzard of ice and state-of-emergencies conditions. Therefore, the outdoor landscape currently looks more wintry with ice and snow rather than the spring atmosphere with flowers blooming and crocuses blossoming, encouraging us all to get out there and start meeting our housing needs in the feel-good, right-time weather conditions we are still waiting for this March.
OK, by next week we’ll probably be all thawed out as “season” logic may have it, but we have learned the hard way, no guarantees. However, time does not stand still and the spring housing market is ticking away.
I write this article not to talk about the erratic nature of our seasons as of late, but rather about housing details. Getting to the meat of my article (or rather the apples) is the discussion of the condition of a home purchase and longevity of its functioning parts. My caution is when considering budget affordability, to take the condition of the home into consideration. So far, I’ve written about oil tanks in the ground, timing to start listing a home to get the most exposure, differences between selling/buying and comparing New Jersey to New York, including the benefits. I realized it is time now to start focusing on the home itself. Spring market is the height of the housing search, and whether the weather is indicative of the season on average, the fact is the transition of changing neighborhoods and houses is ideal for families in the summer months.
The fact is a fact that nothing lasts forever, yet the basic idea of purchasing a home is to get a piece of the rock. Over time and with everything else, one needs to be diligent to repair and replace the aging infrastructure, fixtures and appliances when it’s reached its lifespan of optimal usage and efficiency.
When purchasing, you need to compare apples to apples when making large decisions to fit into one’s budget. Unless it’s a brand-new home, usually it varies which items the homeowner has replaced from house to house, so I caution you to compare and contrast with knowledge.
Let’s get down to specifics:
Asphalt driveways should last 20 years, and when the cost of repairs toward the end of the 20-year cycle approach the cost to replace it, it’s time to replace the whole driveway.
Masonry chimneys last 20-30 years.
Roofs lasts 15-30 years, depending on whether they are pitched or flat. Flat roofs usually last 20 years.
Decks last 15-25 years, but today’s trex deck material is forever durable.
Forced hot air furnace and central air conditioning last approximately 15-20 years, while the tank water heater lasts only 8-12 years.
These are all approximate longevity years and you must consider the professional care provided along the way.
Remember, the rule of thumb is that “nothing last forever,” and your overall goal is to get a good piece of the rock that is right for you in terms of style, location and potential.
An important caveat: I’m only the real estate agent, and not the home contractor, so my facts are purely based on research of approximation. It is always prudent to check with a home construction expert, and that is why you do the home inspection with a qualified, experienced inspector to assess condition. When there is an agreement of purchase price and contracts are fully signed, there is typically a 10-day window to do the inspection, and it is always advisable to go that route. Attorneys will always advise appropriately.
Happy hunting to all and good luck comparing apples to apples. The heart will guide you overall, and your pocket of funds will ultimately allow for the decision-making to happen.
By Ruby Kaplan
Ruby Kaplan is a real estate agent with V & N Group LLC, licensed in both New Jersey and New York. Her passion is to help people meet their housing needs and goals. Having bought, sold and built homes, she has acquired an expertise to represent both sellers and buyers. She is sensitive to her clients’ needs and has a driven commitment to oversee all her transactions with honesty, integrity, knowledge and dedication. Ruby can be reached at her office at 201-692-3700, at the company’s website at www.vera-nechama.com, on her cell at 917-576-4177 or at [email protected].
