Life Under the Roof – Leaving my Mark

Life under the Roof – Leaving My Mark on My Neighborhood.

I love the idea of improving neighborhoods, especially mine.  In 2009, I had the opportunity to acquire a home in my neighborhood, to be exact, the home right next door.  The home had stood for over 130 years but unfortunately, it was in very poor shape and would have cost more to renovate than it was worth.  It pains me to see any home that has stood the test of time face the wrecking crew but it gives me great pride to know that I’m leaving my mark on my community by helping shape its future. 

 The town was founded in the mid to late 1830’s and still has a number of homes that date from around the 1840’s, including mine.  Front porches, understated features, and a traditional style of architecture are featured on most.  At one time, the town had several mills that processed anything from lumber to grains, all powered by the lake the borders the town which is the main reason for the town’s existence.  It has been and hopefully will continue to be one of the many treasures in South Jersey that many overlook on their destination.   

The home I had demolished was about 2400 sqft and featured 5 bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room, dining room, family room and a huge kitchen.  It sat on about 1 acre of flat ground that supported 8 good size trees and a small shed.  On December 31, 2010, it all came down and became a huge pile of debris.  It was amazing to watch from the first grab of the excavator’s claw to the last pass of the bulldozer putting the final touch on the lot’s new grading.  All of this was necessary to help provide a clean slate for two new homes that will be built on the ground. 

I learned a lot so far from this project including the real costs of dealing with the municipal and county government, costs and timeframes of demolition, surveying, and along the way have found a renewed desire to run for an office in my town…eventually.  I’ve experienced a sense of accomplishment knowing that I have forever changed the look of my neighborhood for the better, a feeling few can say they have done.  Although the fun part of the job is complete, I am still learning and look forward to the next steps in this project; the construction of the new homes, sale of the properties, and the welcoming of new neighbors. 

Bill Nelson
Real Estate Investor
New Jersey Real Estate Broker

1-9-2011

Life Under the Roof – Windows

Ahh, its fall, and some like it, others with a lot of trees loath it and you know the shoveling of snow will not be too far off in the future.  As many take treks to the Poconos and other areas to follow the beauty of nature’s fall colors, I take the time to ensure my home will make it through another winter.  Trust me, I’d rather be taking a bike ride through one of the many parks in our area enjoying the cooling temperatures and the show provided by nature but unfortunately, my home has stopped calling me and has started to shout at me over what it needs.  Over the next few articles, I’ll try to paint a picture of the most often overlooked things that could make your home a little easier to own over the winter months and beyond.

When you get a few minutes, take a good look at your windows.  No, I don’t mean how clean the glass looks but the overall condition of them.  Are the seals at the bottom and sides dry and cracked?  Are there any seals to prevent drafts?  Windows are a huge source of heat loss in a home.  For an investment as low as $10 per window, you can buy replacement seals and install them yourself in a matter of minutes…even if you’re not that handy.  Simple tools like a pair of scissors and a razor knife are all that you need to complete the job.

While you’re focused on the windows, look at the exterior frame and sill.  Although I don’t
recommend painting in the cooler temperatures (although you can buy exterior paint rated to near freezing temperatures), you can use caulk and putty to help stabilize or repair a damaged frame or sash.  Pay attention to the joint where the siding meets the capping or frame.  This area should be caulked and many (I’m guilty as well) forget that the caulk doesn’t last forever.  If your home was sided about 5 years ago or more, inspect this area and replace the caulking if needed.  This will help seal out water from getting behind the siding which could cause a list of other issues.

Remember, practice safety during all repairs, read and follow all directions on the tools and materials you are using, and let me know your results and solutions on maintaining your best investment, your home.  Treat it right and it might be around for generations to come.

Bill Nelson is a real estate professional who holds a NJ real estate brokers license with Coldwell Banker Elite and is also a managing member of F&S Rental Properties,
LLC.  He has over 13 years of experience in the real estate industry in Southern New Jersey.  He can be reached at bill@billnelsonrealtor.com or by phone, 856-466-2502.