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Dry Rot Repairs Before the Home Is Listed? Is This a Good Idea?

By
Home Builder with Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 CSL#642819


 

“I need to get a dry rot problem repaired before we list our home for sale, when can you start”

Rotted wood siding and trimI have been getting several calls like this one, homeowners wanting to have their home fixed before putting the home on the market. Is this a good idea? I don’t know, call your realtor. I’m not real sure what is driving this trend, but it is something that is growing in the Sacramento area. I have a few opinions about this trend.

It is good that the owners want to get the property ready and in tip-top shape from the very start. I have seen property inspections and termite reports done even before choosing an agent to sell the home. Maybe this helps the owner feel like they are a part of the sale of the home, or that they can be more prepared for any surprises that may come up. On at least one occasion this week, I have suggested that the seller find an agent before going any further. (I heard some things here at ActiveRain that needed to be expressed to the seller)

White trim on sidingAnother thought that comes to mind has to do with the agent listing the home. We choose a real estate agent for a number of reasons. They are experienced with all the particulars of the transaction, including the property and dry rot repairs. The agent has a list of property inspectors, termite companies, and contractors who they know and trust. They know financing, market values, and will do their best to sell the property. The agent is willing to do all of this for a small percentage of the sale, why muddle up their jobs by helpingJ

Personally, I’ll do the work whenever asked. It just seems like an interesting trend – Doing the dry rot repairs before finding an agent.

Comments (47)

Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

And the "worse" happens pretty quickly Richie.

May 05, 2012 04:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

lol

Peg, I am embarassed to say that it wasn't until my current home that we ever did large improvements to our home, until we decided to sell the home. We never got a chance to enjoy it ourselves. that has changed.

May 05, 2012 04:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Interesting situation Ellen. Is that why you called today?  :)

Hope you got the answers you needed.

May 05, 2012 04:06 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Quicker and at a better price... sounds like to good reasons to get those dry rot repairs done early Praful.

May 05, 2012 04:07 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

That makes a lot of sense Amy. The buyer needs to have a good feeling about the home.

May 05, 2012 04:07 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Good point Bill. Would your answer be different in a sellers market?

May 05, 2012 04:20 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

 

Well said Kathy, cash management is very important at this time. Ideally, handling all the maintenance and emergencies thoroughout the time in the home is best. the costs are spead out and when it's time to sell, the seller is ready!

May 05, 2012 04:20 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

It does show the the seller is willing to get the home ready for sale doesn't it Gretchen?

May 05, 2012 04:20 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Thanks for the kind words Myrl.

That double whammy doesn't sound like it is good for the buyer. Maybe we should get things looking its best right away instead.

May 05, 2012 04:30 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

You bring up a good point - if it is financially possible. This whole conversation changes if the seller can't afford to do the work William.

May 05, 2012 04:31 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Sandy, I like what you have said here. Not to be blowing my own horn, but a professional job shows. Too often a homeowner gets an inspection and whips up some of the repairs that do more harm than good.

May 05, 2012 04:31 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

There are excellent sources of finding good contractors to do this type of work Maureen.

May 05, 2012 04:31 PM
Kevin O'Rourke - Keller Williams Miami Beach Realtor
Keller Williams Miami Beach Realty - Miami Beach, FL
CDPE Miami Short Sale Agent 305-520-9436
In a normal market and when a seller has equity in their home, I would encourage them to do an inspection before listing and make necessary repairs. With so many homeowners needing to do a short sale nowadays, I would not advise them to do the same. It is probably better to invest as little as possible in repairs, they may need the cash to close.
May 05, 2012 08:37 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Obvious issues that are visible to any casual looker will be a factor in the desirability of the home as well as the offering price.  Best practice is in fact to take care of these issues up front.

May 05, 2012 09:44 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Tom, in a perfect world, the sellers would have a pre-listing inspection done by a pro, and take care of most of the issues. That way, when the buyer comes along, they'll not have to deal with it, plus, it will show more value to the home.

May 06, 2012 01:17 AM
Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

Think it is a great idea. One less thing to deal with. I have found when you talk to a seller about issues in their home they always seem to know when there are issues.

May 06, 2012 03:49 AM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

The level of repairs may be the difference in whether or not the home sells, those are some tough choices Kevin.

May 06, 2012 02:45 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

I would agree with you Gabe, but convincing the seller that it is important to fix the problems with their home now, may be a challenge.

May 06, 2012 02:48 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

The improvements and repairs will add value to the home Eric.

May 06, 2012 02:49 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

True Bill, and I think deep down they know which things need to be a top priority.

May 06, 2012 02:49 PM