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NEW
LISTING
Northfield,
MA
$379,900
OFF GRID
Octogon
2 Bedroom
1 Bath
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NEW
LISTING
Northfield,
MA
$39,000
Off Grid
Buildable lot
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NEW
LISTING
Douglas, MA
$299,900
Colonial
4 Bedroom
2 Baths
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NEW
LISTING
Barre, MA
$254,900
Colonial with Barn
5 Bedroom
2 1/2 Baths
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NEW
LISTING
Worcester, MA
$232,000
Attached
House
3 Bed
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NEW
LISTING
Southbridge, MA
$229,900
3 Family
9 Bedroom
3 Baths
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NEW LISTING
PRICE
REDUCTION
Douglas, MA
$159,900
Greek
Revival
4 Bedroom
2 Baths
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Dear Folks:
Spring is here, according to the calendar! My fruit trees are starting
to bud out, and my seedlings are thriving. Other thriving things that
grow in the spring are home repair projects. I'm sure you're being
inundated as I am with offers for replacement windows, new siding,
patch driveways. I love when they start the call with the line, "Your
home has been selected as representative of your neighborhood…." Obviously,
they've never been here. Thinking of home repairs, I was excited and
appalled to see the article in the March 2007 Reader's Digest. I thought
I knew quite a bit about rip-offs, but boy, were my eyes opened by
the article "5 Biggest Home Repair Rip-Offs." The entire article can
be found by clicking on the link:
http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=34102
One item that surprised me was about leaking roofs. I always assumed
you would need a whole new roof and maybe new decking, too! The article
said that most roof leaks occur due to failed sealing around vent
pipes and the flashing on chimneys. The author, Tom Philbin, said
that all you should have to do is seal those areas. Most contractors,
he said, would tell you that you need a whole new roof, and perhaps
new decking! He pointed out that a whole new deck is needed only one
in 1,000 times. Tom then spoke of leaky basements, termite control
and chimney sweeps. The other item I want to address is on mold. MOLD
- that's right, mold! Con artists are abounding, especially since
Hurricane Katrina. They try to convince you to run expensive tests
to identify the mold, and then recommend a remediation company. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, mold isn't dangerous
unless you're immunosuppressed or have allergies or asthma, says David
B. Callahan, MD. So, it isn't the type of mold - as a matter of fact
the CDC doesn't even recommend testing mold - it's the fact that it's
there, and should be removed. In small areas, just clean nonporous
surfaces with soap and water, followed by a solution of 1 part bleach
to 4 parts water, then rinse. Mold needs 3 things - moisture, food
and a place to grow! Sounds like most areas of the home. Here's a
link to one of the many articles found on the CDC website regarding
mold:
http://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm
I hope that these suggestions help save you the big bucks when it
comes to Spring repairs!
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