Selling Your Home Successfully in the greater Tulsa, Oklahoma area, isn't hard when you know what you're doing!
Today, it's time to talk about wood rot. In Oklahoma, wood rot is an ongoing maintenance issue. This is because we typically use wood and Masonite and other kinds of siding materials in home construction. These types of materials are susceptible to damage from water and moisture.
When it comes time to sell your home, you will be responsible for any damaged wood rot or termite damage to the structure. Let's take a look at various places where wood rot occurs.
Here's a picture of a porch support post that is in good shape. No problems here!
Now, compare that to this one. You can see that the bottom is rotting away due to moisture damage. This will have to be replaced according to code before the house can be sold. Be sure to check the code in your area to know what will need to be done.
Here's an example of 
a home with wood Masonite siding that is in good condition. No problems here.
Here's another one. The back of this home is dirty, but the siding is in good condition. While it needs to be cleaned, there will not be any required repairs to this area.
On the other hand, when you have something like this, you'll have to paint before you can sell...especially if you're looking for top dollar for your home! Missing paint is an invitation for wood rot.
This house has pretty good looking trim with the exception of the horizontal trim board. The paint is peeling and there may be some wood rot. This will have to be repaired prior to selling.
Here's one more example of siding that is good to go. The boards by the garage door take a lot of wear and tear. This home has fresh paint and good caulk.
One final example. This is a shed with both wood rot and termite damage. This is not a good thing! You can exclude this from being included in inspections here in our area. That means you wouldn't have to repair the damage, but once again the question is whether or not you're looking for top dollar.
Here's a few tips in regards to wood rot in our area.
1. Any siding that is wood based or natural material based will be damaged by exposure to water. Plan to perform yearly maintenance such as painting and or replacement.
2. Mortgage companies will not write mortgages as long as there is wood rot and/or termite damage. As a home seller, you will typically be responsible for these types of repairs. Do them ahead of time...before you go to market.
3. Consider having your home pre-inspected. Dont' do this for your buyers, but for yourself. This way, you will know if you have any wood rot or termite issues that need to be addressed.
4. Vinyl siding is a good material that is being used more and more in our area. It is durable and holds up to wet weather conditions much better than wood or natural materials. Vinyl siding and brick are a nice looking, good combination for a home.
5. To test for wood rot yourself, do what the inspectors do. Take a pocket knife or flat blade screw driver and gently push against the wood siding as you go around the house. If there is a soft area due to moisture damage or wood rot, the blade of the knife or the screw driver will go into the wood.
That's tip number six in my series, "Selling Your Home Successfully in the greater Tulsa, Oklahoma area."
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For the most complete information on the Owasso and Greater Tulsa Oklahoma housing market, be sure to check out www.BobHaywood.com
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