I've always loved ivy covered walls and chimneys, appropriately enough since I'm surrounded by colleges in Cambridge.
But of course, since I go on so many inspections as a real estate agent, I can't help but think "bad for the building" every time I see it. It's definitely a no-no as far as inspectors are concerned.
But I love the lush, green ivy! And ivy rustling and rippling in the breeze is just beautiful.
Here are a few of the ivy covered sights I've seen recently.
Liz, a couple of things.
First: I find it interesting that you go on the inspections. Around here, agents avoid the inspections like the plague.
Second, those are beautiful. And, even if the ivy can destroy the grout, I would have it if it would grow. There are ways to provide an alternate support system that is independent of the building.
Third: interesting topic. I'm amazed at how many topics are so interesting. More topics than I could have imagined.
Hi Andrew! No kidding! I'm surprised that agents don't go on inspections. Definitely not the case here though sometimes the listing agent won't go.
Aren't they beautiful? And I'm psyched that you would give it a pass! That's good to know though I guess it means you need an arbor or whatever you call those supports.
And isn't it the truth about what you find here? I never knew real estate blogging could be interesting until I found ActiveRain.
Liz
Elizabeth, I absolutely love vines growing on buildings. We don't have ad much of it here in Florida.
Here many agents attend inspections. The ones I have seen who don't work for small brokers or themselves and I think they're more concerned about their liability for e&o. Personally, I think it's good business to be there to see what needs to be addressed.
Definitely the topics are endless. Thanks for sharing these great photos!
Sharon
Hi Sharon - I think that listing agents here who don't attend often choose not to beause they don't want to know what they will then have to disclose. In Massachusetts sellers don't have to disclose things unles asked but agents of course have to disclose what they know.
Liz
Hi Liz!
It is beautiful, but as you say, can be so destructive! I really hate to see ivy growing into trees...you know it is only a matter of time before the tree suffers.
Liz: These vines are just absolutely charming. The old "vine covered cottage" has always held such great appeal for me. I'll take that over all this darn Texas brick any day of the week !
Liz, the other day I walked around the "other" side of my house and I don't know what it is, but something is growing, has reached the top! Guess I should have paid more attention, LOL.
Those are beautiful! I love ivy covered buildings.
I attend inspections with my buyers all the time, have to let them in the house, and do attend as much as I can as the listing agent, much to the annoyance of the buyers agent, but my home owners really do appreciate that.
Hi Paula ~ I don't think I've seen ivy growing into trees around here but wisteria - that's another thing. I had a tree guy cut off some wisteria that was growing into a tree (his idea - I'm not even wedded to that particular tree) and now the stuff grows all over the ground underneath - I'm always tripping over the vines.
Hi Karen ~ I love it too! Wisteria is another one of my favorites. I have favorite houses around town that I wait to see in bloom each year. And I still remember the ivy covered chimney in the first house I grew up in.
Hi Andrea ~ With all the rain and wet days we've had I have barely been in my yard. I was flummoxed when I saw my grape vines - I'm not sure what happened but it's definitely not doing what it's supposed to - it moved down several feet - much closer to the ground which is not a good thing. And as soon as the ground dries - today is the first time I've woken to a blue sky in weeks - I have to go out with Roundup and attack the swallowort - I'm sure it's winding its way all over things in my yard.
Liz
Stunningly beautiful. . .But oh so destructive. I sold a home up in an area called Serrano a couple years back. There was Creeping Fig growing on the exterior. It had actually found a way inside the house around door frames and window frames.
Hi Myrl ~ Isn't it amazing what is can do? I waged a war with bamboo growing next to and under my porch in my first house. The bamboo won one battle when it sprouted inside my ell. Armed with a super-size jug of Round-up I eventually won the war. I was reminded of it when saw a house in Cambridge last year where a vine had come in the second floor window.
Liz
Liz - It is beautiful, and I never looked at things like this any differently until I attended my first home inspection! Now I tend to smile at the sight and sigh.... knowing what's coming on the inspection report! No earth to wood contact either... amazing all the great info and things I have learned from inspectors! I always attend the inspection - as a matter of fact we can't leave the buyer and the inspector in or at the house without an agent there...Now if it is the seller doing his own inspection different story...
Elizabeth - I have a friend who haas a volunteer palm tree that took root in front of his garage door. He couldn't pull it, now has a 30 honkin huge palm tree completely blocking his garage!
Hi Valerie ~ We sure do pick up a lot of knowledge over time from inspections. I like attending them - not that it's not infuriating at times...
Hi Sally ~ That is too much! Right in front of the garage! Around here it's all the little maple trees or sprouting acorns that you have to keep after.
Liz
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