When we read or hear that Charleston property values continue
to be on the rise, it’s a relief. No matter what else is going on, at least our
real estate investment’s back on track!
That comforting
thought has a less reassuring sidebar, though, having to do with time and its
effect on our investment. As every homeowner learns soon enough, regardless of
the general trend toward rising property values in Charleston, SC, that’s only going
to hold when the underlying investment—your home—is not allowed to deteriorate
over time.
Protecting gains in Charleston area property values by
preventing the kinds of deterioration that time (and wear and tear) threaten to
wreak doesn’t have to be expensive.
One good example applies to homes with a wooden deck. Dean
Bennett, owner of a Colorado-based design and building firm, points out how
simply applying a fresh coat of stain every three years yields a high ROI.
That’s because the weatherproofing effect can be quantified. The stain costs
anywhere from $40 to a few hundred dollars— plus a few hundred more if you seek
professional help. But a well-stained deck can last at least 20 years (sometimes
much longer). Wholesale replacement is, comparatively, a high-ticket item.
Most property owners pay attention to cooling and heating
only in parts of the house where people live. But head up to the attic in
summer or winter, and if too much cold or heat is apparent up there, proper
venting and insulation can relieve temperature extremes that sometimes cause
structural damage. The bonus: simple, inexpensive maintenance efforts in the
attic can quickly recoup costs by lowering heating and cooling bills.
Similar property value protection accompanies vigilance to
smaller issues like gaps and cracks around windows, garage doorframes, and at the
foundation. It only takes an occasional quick visual survey to spot them—and a
can of spray foam to fill them. Drafts under doors are a similar situation,
curable by inexpensive weather-stripping. According to Bennett, a $15 length and
a few nails can save up to $160 in annual heating and energy bills.
If you are considering taking advantage of the upcoming
spring selling season, any rise in property values in Charleston, SC is no
abstract matter. I hope you’ll give me a call to discuss the latest market activity!
Interested in selling your
Charleston area home? Visit: www.jeffcookrealestate.com
Interested in buying a Charleston
area home? Visit: www.discovercharlestonareahomes.com
-Jeff Cook
Jeff Cook
Real Estate
Charleston,
SC
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