New Braunfels | July 2022

GUIDE

Local businesses oer home improvement tips

2022 REAL ESTATE EDITION

COMPILED BY LAUREN CANTERBERRY & ERIC WEILBACHER HOME IMPROVEMENT AND MAINTENANCE

ASK A ROOFER

Ami Feller, owner of Roofer Chicks, shared some tips to keep in mind about the condition of a roof when purchasing a home.

more than likely cover most of the costs of replacement. So that’s a real good thing to gure out before you buy the house. IF SOMEBODY WAS LOOKING INTO NEW ROOFING OR BUYING A NEWLY BUILT HOME, WHAT ARE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE? “For most builders the roof is one place where they save money. We don’t do new construction because the prices are so low. The quality of the roof is easily pretty low. Even on million-dollar houses. They go out and they look for crews, and the crews aren’t necessarily roofers. They know how to nail shingles but they’re not real good at all the details. And so again, I would encourage people to have the roof inspected at least before you sign o and accept that.”

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO

ASK A REALTOR

HOMEBUYERS, BOTH NEW BUILDS AND OLDER HOMES, TO LOOK FOR? I usually tell people it would behoove them to have a roong contractor actually look at the roof; a lot of home inspectors, they’re not specialists; they’re generalists. So a lot of times when they’re looking at the roof, they don’t really know what they’re looking at. Honestly, 50% of them don’t even get on the roof. They just kind of either take pictures from the ground or put their ladder up and take pictures from a ladder. So I would get a roong contractor [to] come out and take a look at the roof; like we charge $185 for a real estate inspection, and it’s well worth it for the peace of mind. The big thing is to make sure that it doesn’t have hail damage, because if it has hail damage it needs to be replaced, and the seller’s insurance would

Sarah McDaniel, owner and operator of Greenbelt Realty, shared some of her recommendations for buyers and sellers in the current New Braunfels housing market.

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOMEBUYERS RIGHT NOW?

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOME SELLERS RIGHT NOW? “Because inventory continues to climb during this time of year, one big deal is always making your house the best it can possibly look. … Our strategy is always list it within sight of where the home could reasonably appraise … it gives your agent a better shot at negotiating better appraisal language. … Even though the market is so hot, still list your house within a reasonable amount that it could actually appraise for, like, don’t go crazy.”

Have high trust in the [real estate agent] that you’re working with. Two, I think something that’s practical is don’t necessarily shy away from some of these lending programs like homeward.com. … This time last year 65% of every deal that most mortgage brokers did was renances. And obviously with interest rates going up that’s not the case. So lenders are hurting, too. … Now’s not the time to mess around with part-time agents, and don’t shy away from nontraditional methods for nancing.

Sarah McDaniel Owner and broker Greenbelt Realty

Ami Feller Owner Roofer Chicks 808 W. County Line Road, New Braunfels • 830-783-1328 www.rooferchicks.com

MCQUEENY RD.

147 S. Academy Ave., New Braunfels • 979-308-1385 www.sarah.greenbeltrealty.com

MAINTAINING YOUR HOME The National Association of Home Builders oers routine home maintenance tips for homeowners looking to maintain their homes’ values and ensure their

EXTERIOR

INTERIOR

1 Roofs should be inspected by a qualied roofer every three years, and skylights should be inspected so leaks do not develop. 2 Ensure downspouts and gutters do not get clogged with leaves and other debris. 3 Inspect siding each year to see if it needs repainting, and trim shrubs away so they do not touch the siding. 4 Check for split or cracked caulking on windows and doors annually, and replace the caulk as necessary. 5 Moving parts of garage doors need to be oiled once every three months.

6 Air lters require regular replacement, generally once every three months. 7 Regularly check security alarms and circuit breakers . Check batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. 8 Clean each faucet’s aerator every three to four months. Maintain garbage disposals by running cold water through them. 9 Masonry walls can develop a white powder that can be scrubbed o with water and a sti brush. 10 Hardwood oors without polyurethane need to be waxed with a liquid or paste “spirit” wax. Use emulsion wax on vinyl.

safety. Find other useful homeownership tips at www.nahb.org.

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HOME BUILDERSCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

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NEW BRAUNFELS EDITION • JULY 2022