Code Violations, take care of them before you list

What a September….the weather is cooperating and the level of activities and events are keeping everyone busy and entertained. From the Champagne and Oyster Fest at New Suffolk to the concert and fireworks at Peconic Landing there has been something for everyone.

The prevailing winds on the bay made for great sailing weather and this month I made my first circumnavigational tour around Robins Island. I’m ready for the Wednesday Night Sailboat regatta!

Now some Real Estate market highlights….

As of the end of September, we have closed 416 transactions in 2013, with Douglas

Elliman leading the effort with over 20% of the revenue volume which is almost double the next

Brokerage. These numbers reflect a 23% market improvement over the same period in 2012.

At the same time, pricing continues flat, as the average price for all houses sold on the North Fork through September has only improved by $3,000 ($440,591). The number of houses on the market remaining high, causes downward pressure on pricing.

So if you are thinking of selling you will need an expert to navigate through the process. Give me a call; take advantage of the number of folks out there looking before they find their house without considering yours. My contact information is below.

If you are a buyer call me; and be assured you will receive the best service that will result in you finding your dream destination.

Either way, feel free to contact me and I will share whatever information you need, at NO CHARGE or OBLIGATION

Now to Blog subject.…. Inspect for Code Violations

Code violations can extend the home-selling process or halt it altogether and that’s after you think everything is OK and you are emotionally done. Therefore, it’s good business to hire a home inspector before placing your home on the market.

A quality home inspector is well-versed in all local codes dealing with electrical, plumbing, building/structural and more, and can help sellers understand any code violations and the steps and costs necessary to meet codes.

Code violations have a way of popping up in paperwork. When the city records a code violation, a fee is assigned to the property, but because the violations don’t appear as a lien on a title search, it can be difficult to ascertain whether a sanction has been assessed that will delay closing.

Here are some of the most common inspection problems:

Bedrooms -- All rooms listed as bedrooms must have an operating window with 30 square inches of clearance for fire escape. Bedrooms also must have heat. If a home is listed with three bedrooms, and one does not meet both these requirements, it cannot be legally called a bedroom. This can seriously change what the buyer expected and cause a deal to die.

Furnaces and Compressors -- Rust in the heat exchange is a common problem that shows up on inspections. So is missing insulation where required by code at the time the house was built or improvement or replacement was installed.

Electrical -- Common electrical code violations include junctions not enclosed in a junction box, a lack of GFI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens or reverse-polarity on outlets. These are inexpensive fixes that can hold up a sale.

Life-saving Equipment -- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are required by law in most states, and by not having them—or having the proper kind—it will be considered a code violation.

Plumbing -- Violations can include everything from dripping faucets to loose toilets to improper drainage.

Structural -- While these can be more expensive to fix, if they aren’t taken care of properly, they can prolong or even cancel a sale. Common code violations include rotting wood trim around windows and doors, rotten or delaminating siding and missing flashing on roofs or above windows and doors.

Extra Rooms -- Many who renovate basements or add sunrooms do so without permits. For the safety of everyone involved, be sure your improvements and additions are backed by the proper permits and resulting inspections.

Don’t hurt your sale because of code violations that can be easily fixed. Get an inspector, make the changes and enjoy the comfort your efforts bring when the closing comes to fruition.

If you would like to discuss the above or need help selling or buying real estate, let me know. I can be contacted at either of the below destinations.

eMail:   egiordano@elliman.com

Tel:         631 298 6131

For those of you so inclined you can also access my Web Site, www.elliman.com/egiordano, where the “In the News” tab will have lots of helpful information for both sellers and buyers.