Category: repairs

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The cost of doing nothing – deferred maintenance and home values

HousesIf you want to have one of the faster home sales in the area, you’re probably going to have to wait until you die. According to a 2012 study, “estate sales” sell faster than other homes. Benefield, Rutherford, & Allen’s study compared time on market and price of estate sales to regular sales, and quantified what many ostensibly know: estate sales sell about 3.4% faster and about 3.6% less than other homes (Justin, D. Benefield, C. Rutherford Ronald, and T. Allen Marcus. “The Effects of Estate Sales of Residential Real Estate on Price and Marketing Time.” Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics 45.4 (2012): 965-81).

Although the study is one of many recent studies raising awareness about real estate outcomes in our aging population, one of the main considerations for the rapid time frame and discounted sale price is deferred maintenance; and the issue of postponing home repairs and updates is prevalent among all age groups.

Before Kermit Baker wrote “The Return of Substandard Housing” for the Harvard Joint Center of Housing Studies, it was not quite known how much less home owners spent on home maintenance during and immediately after the Great Recession. However, the 2012 study indicated that “improvement spending” decreased 28% between 2007 and 2011, which essentially “erased” such spending during the housing boom (housingperspectives.blogspot.com).

And as the economy slowly improves and home prices increase, you might expect that home owners will reduce deferred maintenance and once again spend on home improvements. According to Craig Webb (Remodeling Activity Rose Again in 1Q, RRI Shows Nation remains on track to hit record remodeling pace this fall; May 18, 2015; remodeling.hw.net), the Residential Remodeling Index (RRI) increased 1.4% in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the previous quarter, indicating that improvement spending is indeed on the rise (albeit below the 2007 peak).

But what’s the cost of doing nothing? Deferred home maintenance is cumulative, and its effects can be wide ranging. For many, having put off home maintenance and repairs has impacted home sales in recent years, and may continue to be a factor in years to come. Although average home prices have increased, many home owners have found that a lack of home maintenance, repairs and updates over the years is an impediment to selling their homes at higher prices – or even at all.

A mindset exists among many home owners, and even real estate agents, that years of deferred maintenance can be overcome with some updating and minor repairs just before a home sale. And although improvements will certainly make your home more appealing to home buyers, it won’t necessarily increase your home’s value as much as you think (or as much as you’ve been told).

Before undergoing any project, crunch the numbers and determine the value of your repairs/updates, and how that might realistically affect your estimated sale price. Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report (costvsvalue.com) can give you an idea of the return-on-investment (ROI) for improvement projects. Getting back to your expectation of adding value – most improvement projects will only return a fraction of the cost in today’s market.

If you are making improvements, you should consider hiring reputable, licensed contractors who are familiar with the permitting process and building code requirements; because ROI is not always determined by the amount spent on the project, but on the quality of workmanship as well.

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2015/06/12/the-cost-of-doing-nothing-deferred-maintenance-and-home-values/

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Copyright © Dan Krell


Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

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Negotiating home repairs

During the housing boom last decade, it seemed as if problems that killed real estate deals were rare. Appraisals almost never came in low, and if it did the buyer gladly paid cash for the difference between the sales price and the appraised value. Loan denials were also rare, because mortgages were easier to obtain. And of course, the home condition almost never seemed a problem because many people forwent home inspections.

Today, however, buying and selling a home feels different than it did in those halcyon days. Although the process remains the same, the rules have somewhat changed. Buyers are more apt to ask the seller to address issues that arise along the way, including problems with the home’s condition. Both the buyer and seller need to be aware of property condition issues that may arise as well as being prepared when encountered.

Home buyers are looking for their perfect home, while sellers already view their home as such. Because of this subjective view, it seems as if home buyers are “walking away” more often these days because they cannot come to terms with the seller on property condition repair items.

Home sellers generally have progressed over the last few years such that they are more open to a buyer’s request to address reasonable and necessary repairs. However, it is not uncommon for repair negotiations to end in a “take it or leave it” scenario when the buyer’s request is deemed excessive by the seller.

The termite inspection can also create tension between buyers and sellers, even though sellers usually treat infestations and/or repair resulting damage. Many buyers and sellers do not realize that the termite inspection is somewhat of a misnomer because the inspection not only checks for termites, but searches for evidence of any wood destroying insects (such as: termites, carpenter ants, and powder post beetles) as well as reporting damage. Infestation of termites and other wood destroying insects can occur anytime in the life of a home; if left untreated, an infestation can feast on a home leaving behind costly damage and in cases left untreated for many years- possibly an uninhabitable home.

Another source of a property condition inspection, that most buyers and sellers are unaware of, originates from the buyer’s lender. Mortgage lenders require the home to meet minimum condition standards, which is reported on the appraisal; the appraiser will “inspect” the home for the lender. For conventional mortgages, the appraiser will rate the overall condition as well as possibly noting condition flaws (such as structural deficits and utility connections). A poor rating will typically raise a red flag for the underwriter to require repairs prior to closing.

FHA and VA appraisers not only rate the home’s condition, they will also list all deficiencies that do not meet minimum underwriting condition requirements to be addressed prior to closing. The list of deficiencies is provided to the buyer, who in turn typically addresses with the seller. The seller can agree or refuse to make repairs; however, the contract is sometimes voided when neither the buyer nor seller agrees to make the repairs.

When it comes to property condition repairs, buyers and sellers should be prepared for extra rounds of negotiations. However, surprises and further negotiation can be minimized if both sides are prepared and understand the scope of the required property condition repairs.

By Dan Krell
Copyright © 2011

This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

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