Local Summer has begun.
The yearly residents of Cape May County can finally relax and enjoy their beautiful shore towns with a quick easy parking spot and short lines. Life is good.
Locals have entered their favorite season but it is not all pizza and ice cream. September has begun and so has peak hurricane season. I think it is safe to say that the average homeowner in this area is checking the hurricane forecast (https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) frequently. Cape May County homeowners, yearly and seasonal residents alike, have started thinking about hurricane preparation. There are many important precautions homeowners can take to protect their home from damage due to weather. If you want to learn areas of weakness in your home it is a good idea to hire a home inspector.
Although we are seeing a lot of new construction all over Cape May County, we still have a large majority of homes that are 30,40,50+ years old. As a realtor, I tour homes of all ages and stages of existence. What I have noticed is that homes that are between 30-40 years old are the homes where the major problems start to accumulate. From top to bottom repairs are needed. In addition to the mechanicals and materials starting to fail, the trees are covered in English Ivy and starting to hang over the roof. Yikes! You think to yourself “How did I let it get this bad?”. Time to get to work and take back control of your property.
Something I think the average homeowner should utilize more often is hiring a home inspector. If you have been living in your home for 30 years, it is a good idea to start keeping an eye on potential issues. Hiring a home inspector is an inexpensive way to have a professional tell you about any active leaks, unsafe electrical issues, evidence of mold, and much more. For example, I have seen numerous home inspectors point out foundation cracks in crawl spaces and basements. This is something that if caught early enough, can be a minor and inexpensive repair. It could be as simple as adding a gutter extender to your downspouts to keep water away from the foundation. Over time, these issues get larger and start causing noticeable damage. If the homeowner had hired that home inspector 5 years ago it is likely some of this damage would not exist. An investment of $500 can teach you a lot about your home and the condition that it is in.
Everyone is aware that trees can cause major damage to structures. Some of the original trees that were planted when the home was built are now overgrown and out of control. A home inspector would be able to point these out to you. He/she would give a detailed report pointing out any shrubs or trees that are concerning. The English Ivy is a major issue in our area. Once established this ivy can be very labor intensive and expensive to eradicate. Not only will this vine crawl and cling to your home causing damage to your siding, but it suffocates our trees. Ivy will cover tree trunks and climb all the way up even the highest trees in our area. The ivy consumes all the nutrients from the soil, leaving nothing for your tree. Eventually, the tree is unstable and not looking so good. If only the homeowner had gotten out the garden clippers and cut the vine at the base of the tree this tree may still be thriving. Small amounts of Ivy can be beautiful, but too much can be harmful to your home and property. Snip Snip!
Drones have changed the way we care for our roofs. For obvious reasons, it is not a good idea for anyone but roof contractors to go on a roof. That is why drones have become commonly used by homeowners and home inspectors to check for damage or debris.. Chimneys are also easy to inspect now. Drones are incredible tools that use a Go-Pro camera to take clear photos and videos that the home inspector will share with their customer. The drone can help uncover pests points of entry, damage to flashing, missing ridge caps, and more. Physically being on your roof is the best way a professional can examine your roof, but the use of a drone is very accurate and much safer.
If you bought your home around the year I was born (1991), it is a good idea to have it inspected. Home inspectors take hours examining your home from top to bottom. Much of what inspection reports bring to light are preventative maintenance items that could save you thousands of dollars in the long run. The ultimate way to be prepared for extreme weather is to get to know the condition/age of your major mechanicals and home features. Ignorance is not always bliss.
Happy local summer, and let me know if you need a recommendation for a good home inspector.
(609) 675-6889
