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Buyers
Are Advised To Evaluate Costs In Advance
It is certainly no secret that the cost of home ownership
is pricey. Everything these days is expensive including
the cost of remodeling a kitchen, improving an existing
bathroom or adding central air conditioning. These are
all costs to make desired improvements, all of which
will enhance the home and make it physically more enjoyable
to own and live in.
Then there is the other side of the story; cost of repairs
that no one ever sees and that most potential Buyers
just won't pay extra for. Unfortunately these are often
the costly unexpected traumas faced by the uninformed
Buyer. Areas to be aware of are plumping, electrical,
heating, foundation and the roof.
Then even more important is the issue of the fireplace
and chimney, drainage, slippage, sliding and hillside
issues. The cost to stabilize a hill, to add a retaining
wall, sink casings and to properly anchor a foundation,
add shear walls etc can all be costly events. Jacking
up sloping floors and fixing a sinking foundation is
not an expense you would normally expect to face, nor
would adding a french drainage system to divert runoff
water. Trying to fix a leak that cannot be located even
after the installation of a new roof can not only be
an expense, but a huge frustration. Trying to locate
a mysterious moisture problem without a clue of where
it is coming from is a similarly intolerable frustration.
Moisture, leaks, hillside issues, settlement issues,
drainage issues and complicated leaks leading you in
circles can cost you a pretty penny in cash and many
sleepless nights as a homeowner. Be sure to have an
adequate physical and geological inspection. If necessary,
obtain estimates from reliable licensed contractors
during your inspection periods. When estimates range
in price, expect the high side of most estimates and
add another 5% for the unexpected, just in case. Being
informed from the onset is the key issue allowing you
the knowledge from which you can comfortably navigate.
~~ This article was written by Ron Wynn - 8/2000 ~~
Copyright© Ron Wynn 2000
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