Structural Issues Due to Fill Dirt and Moisture Problems

 Fill dirt is used under all homes' foundations as a structural component but it can also harm the foundation of a home. According to NAHB fill dirt is the leading cause of structural failures in new home building.

Walt Keaveny, a professional engineer and geoscientist for 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, explains that this is not only the most common cause of structural failure but is also one of the most expensive repairs. In fact, around the U.S. on average it cost over $50,000 and in some states over $100,000!

Keaveny discusses fill dirt problems and tips for minimizing the problems in Let's Talk Dirt. Let's Talk Dirt is a new resource put out by the National Association of Home Builders Construction Liability. Subjects covered in the publication are about fill placement, density requirements, testing, and the benefits of working with a geotechnical engineer.

Another subject explored in the Ultimate Guide to STOP Basement Water Leaks is moisture found in basements. It is said that over fifty percent of all basements have moisture issues. The most common areas where a basement sees moisture problems are leaks in the walls and floors. If water leaks are not resolved, then the soil around the foundation will be compromised, wood framing will rot, drywall and finishes will be ruined and mold will occur.

When purchasing a home, it is best to work with a Realtor who can help you determine if the home you want to purchase has foundation issues.

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Buyers Who Are Looking For New Single-Family Homes Opt For A Single-Story

  According to the US Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) and information gathered by NAHB two-story homes are on the decrease. They found in 2020 the same amount of two-story homes started was equal to single-story homes.

Nationwide, the share of new homes with two or more stories fell from 52% in 2019 to 50% in 2020, while the share of new homes with one story grew from 48% to 50%.  The South region has seen the most increase in one-story homes for three straight years. One story new homes started in 2020 shows the most in West South Central with 62%. The least was in New England with 15%.

The 2020 Survey of Construction shows each region divided by new homes with a single story and new homes with two or more. The Pacific region shows 39% built were one story while 61% were two or more, Mountain showed 51% single while 49% were two or more, West North Central had 57% one story while 43% were two or more, West South Central had 62% one story with 38% two or more, East North Central showed 56% were one story while 44% were two or more, East South Central showed 61% one story and 39% two or more, the South Atlantic came in with 48% one story and 52% two or more, Middle Atlantic with 28% one story and 72% two or more, and New England with 15% one story and 85% two or more.

That means that four of these nine divisions saw the greatest newly-built homes with two or more stories. In fact, two or more story homes were seen in greater amounts in the divisions along the coasts around the country. As far as single-story homes, the Midwest and South won.

A surprising twist to the current home market that might have stemmed from the pandemic. If you are in the market for a new home, call a local Realtor in your area. A Realtor will be able to help you with your home search.

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Ways To Home Stage on a Budget

  One of the most important parts of the home sale process is staging your home. According to industry leaders, staging your home prior to putting it on the market will not only make you more money but will also help your home sell faster.

The National Association of Realtors reported that 96% of realtors believed staging had an impact on the buyer. Here are some great tips for staging your home before you put it on the market.

Go on a Cleaning Spree

For those on a budget, this is a great way to start the process of getting your home ready to sell. Most homeowners do weekly tasks to keep their home clean like dusting and vacuuming. When getting your home ready to sell, go the extra mile by scrubbing the grout in the bathrooms, soaking faucet heads in vinegar to remove limescale buildup, clean the baseboards and deep cleaning all the remaining areas of the house.

Declutter Everything

A big room can look small and cramped when it is filled with clutter. When staging a room, remember less is more. Just think, if you declutter now, there will not be as much stuff to pack when moving.

Keep Flat Surfaces Clear

Shelves, countertops, desks and tables should be cleared. According to top professional home stagers, this is one of the top on the list.  A few decorations here and there are fine, but clean lines are a home staging staple.

Remove Personal Items

A buyer does not want to see that this home belongs to the seller. The buyer wants to be able to envision themselves in the home. Remember you want to showcase your home's potential and keep distractions at bay. Removing family photos, knick-knacks or memorabilia that can distract potential buyers is a must.

Paint Walls with Neutral Colors

Bright or dramatic paint color can give a negative impression on buyers. In order to appeal to the widest range of buyers, repaint your walls in a neutral color. Use color schemes such as white, cream, beige or light gray. Studies show that neutral paint in homes can bring a seller an average of 107% return on investment.

Refresh with Mild Scents

Another sense that buyers use when touring a home is smell. Bad odors such as pets or cigarettes can detour buyers. If your home has been exposed to such elements over time, take baking soda and sprinkle it on soft surfaces such as carpet and furniture. You will want to leave it there overnight and then vacuum it up the next day. Another trick is to wash your windows and clean the walls with mild soap and water. Steaming cleaning your floors will also help with pet odors and stains.

Remove Evidence of Pets

Not all potential buyers are pet lovers. Pets can cause damage to the home such as scratch marks, odors and stains. If these reminders are left, it can detour many buyers from purchasing your home. A tip for pet stains is to treat them with a mixture of vinegar, water, baking soda, peroxide and detergent. If a pet has scratched hardwood floors, purchase a hardwood repair kit to fix the scratches. Just like the sellers leave when someone tours your home, the pets should also.

Let in Natural Light

When looking at home listings many always talk about the open and bright spaces. Letting in the sunlight is a free staging tip and can make a world of difference in a space. Both professional home stagers and real estate photographers believe a well-lit room is a strong selling point for those looking to purchase a home.

Choose the Right Light Bulbs

Most homes still need light fixtures to brighten the rooms. Do not use fluorescent bulbs rather use soft white bulbs that some say mimic natural light. Some homeowners often use daylight bulbs which send a blue hue into the rooms. These work well in kitchens, bathrooms and home offices.

Create More Space with Mirrors

Just like magic mirrors can give the illusion of more space in a room. In order to make your square footage "stretch," you will need to strategically place mirrors. An example would be to take a large mirror and place it at eye level near a light source in a room. This makes the room feel bigger and more comfortable.

Upgrade the Cabinets

Dated cabinets can make your kitchen look old and run down. A way to fix this problem without breaking the bank is to transform your existing old cabinets. To do this you can add a fresh coat of paint and new hardware.

Organize the Closets

Buyers always look at how much storage space a home has. Storage space is one of the top features on the buyer's list. A great trick to use is to organize and clean out your closets. Clear floors and neatly hung clothes can make a closet appear bigger. You want to create the feeling that there is a lot of empty space that can be used.

Rearrange Your Current Furniture

When working on a tight budget, a good solution is to work with what you already have. Make sure your floorplan and furniture create an easy flow for potential buyers to navigate. Change your furniture around to create a nice flow to each room.

Use Existing Items

As mention earlier, use what you got. If you need to purchase something on a budget a great place to find items is at estate sales, garage sales, thrift stores, antique stores, Facebook Marketplace or Etsy.

Place Decor Using the Rule of Three

A great insider tip is to group decorative pieces by three. For example take a large, medium, and small decor piece and place it next to one another on a coffee table. Another great idea is to take a tall vase and place it with two smaller candles.

Buy New Bedding

Worn bedding or mismatched bedding can mess a whole bedroom design. A well-made bed is a plus in staging a bedroom. Use neutral color bedding when staging.

Put Slipcovers on Furniture

Give your outdated or dirty sofa and throw pillows a lift. An easy way to do this is by putting slipcovers over the sofa and throw pillows. A tip is to always choose slipcovers that match the room decor. This is a much less expensive way to update a room over buying all new furniture.

Try Virtual Staging

Sometimes it is hard for buyers to envision a room when it is vacant. A vacant property can still be stage without bringing in furniture and decor. Virtual staging is a great way to stage a home on a budget. Virtual staging makes the area look really staged and can be completed by a virtual stager at $50 per photo.

These tips won't break your bank and will help you get more bang for your buck when you sell your home. It is still wise to hire a Realtor that is experienced in selling a home in your area.

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Pat's Rest A While a New Restaurant in Mandeville

 Chef Pat Gallagher is one of the most accomplished restauranteurs on the north shore. He is known for Gallagher's Grill with the original location in Covington and two additional locations in Slidell and Mandeville and Band's Grocery, a sandwich shop in Mandeville. Now he has opened Pat's Rest A While in Mandeville.

This unique spot opened its doors in January 2021 and has different buildings and interconnected areas — from the cypress-lined main dining room, across the broad open-air
deck, into one cottage turned into a private dining area and to another turned into a cozy, club-like bar. The view from each area of the restaurant is a picturesque scene of Lake Pontchartrain. The lake is definitely the unifying characteristic of this restaurant that serves dishes that you can find at a laid-back beachfront hut to a refined white tablecloth restaurant.

The restaurant is housed in several 19th-century buildings that have been refurbished. Originally the Frapart Hotel, the property became known as the Rest A While when it turned into a summer camp for needy families and orphans.

Unfortunately, when Hurricane Katrina hit, the property was severely damaged. Jill and Barrett McGuire, local real estate developers, purchased the property and raised the elevation on the buildings. When they purchased the property, they pictured it as a restaurant and this came to fruition with the help of Pat.

This unique restaurant has many personal touches and intimate spaces. In the main dining room, there is a beautiful tapestry of local cypress and oak. The bar has a clubhouse feel under open rafters and there are room numbers along the walls throughout that show where the structure was once divided into different rooms. An old toboggan-like sled that used to be on the lake is displayed as well as a photo of a group of women who used to work at the Rest A While.

Patrons and pets alike can enjoy this Mandeville spot. This July an open-air bar opened with water bowls for visiting pets. Come by 2129 Lakeshore Drive in Mandeville and enjoy some local seafood and drinks.

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