by Jeanne Huber

Solving wet-basement problems is one of the most important things you can do to protect the value of your home and health of your family.

Some wet basements are easy to cure simply by clearing gutters and by diverting gutter water away from the foundation. But if the problem comes from other sources—water flowing toward the house on the surface, seeping in from underground or backing up through municipal storm drains—you must take more aggressive action.

Here are eight strategies to keep water out of your basement.

1. Add gutter extensions

If downspouts are dumping water less than 5 feet away from your house, you can guide water farther out by adding plastic or metal gutter extensions.

But extensions aren’t the neatest or most effective long-term solution, especially if you’re likely to trip over them or run over them with a lawn mower. Permanent, underground drain pipe is invisible and capable of moving large quantities of gutter runoff much farther from your house.

For about $10 a foot, a landscaper or waterproofing contractor will dig a sloping trench and install pipe to carry the water safely away.

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Labor Day through Halloween is your window for preparing lawns for a lush spring.

“I’m already thinking about next year,” says John Dillon, who takes care of New York City’s Central Park, which features 200 acres of lawn in the middle of Manhattan. “The grass I grow this fall is what will be there next spring.”

Fall lawn care is no walk in the park. It’s hard work, and Dillon guides you through the four basic steps.

1. Aeration

Aeration gives your lawn a breather in autumn and provides room for new grass to spread without competition from spring weeds. Aeration tools pull up plugs of grass and soil, breaking up compacted turf. That allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to reach roots, and gives seeds room to sprout.  more…

1. Keep your garage door running smoothly

Most newer garage doors come self-lubricated or with plastic parts that need no oil, according to builder Fred Cann, owner of JRS Solutions in Melville, N.Y. You’ll need to annually oil older doors with metal rollers, hinges, and tracks. “Use a leaf blower to blast all the grit, grime, dust, cobwebs, and dead bugs from the door’s parts,” advises Mark Secord, brand manager for PremierGarage in Mobile, Ala. Occasionally check the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door. It can harden or chip away from wear and tear, allowing the elements to seep under your door. Replacing the seal costs less than $100. Your door may be hitting the ground too forcefully and jarring all the parts, crushing the rubber seal, or allowing light to peek through at the bottom when the door is at rest. To correct those problems, says Secord, use a screwdriver to alter the travel limit adjustment located on the door opener’s control box. Regularly test the garage door’s sensors to be sure they still prevent it from closing if something—like your child or pet—is in the way.

Before you can decide whether to go ahead with a garage project, you’ll need to make a few decisions.

Zoning and code restrictions

The first step is to determine whether it’s physically feasible to fit a garage on your lot. At your local planning department, find out how close you can build to the edges of your property. Also ask about any special restrictions that apply to garages; some communities require deeper setbacks on sides with doors, for example.

Local rules might also govern driveway design, wall or roof height, and the total amount or percentage of your lot you can cover with impervious surface (roofs and pavement). Local architects and builders usually keep on top of these requirements, as do lumberyards that sell packages that contain garage plans and materials.

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Choosing patio paving materials begins with a decision about what kind of base to install. The base—the material that supports the pavers—must be firm, strong, and designed to stand up to years of foot traffic and weather.

The options include, sand, gravel, and concrete. Sand and gravel perform equally well, and cost about the same to install. Both sand and gravel bases are relatively easy do-it-yourself projects.

Both sand and gravel bases feature “dry set” paver installations—the paving materials are set in place, and then fine sand is swept into the joints between the materials to secure them. Every two or three years, fresh sand must be swept into the joints to replace sand that’s settled out, and pavers that have become loose must be reset. Expect to pay $2 to $3 per sq. ft. for a DIY job, and $3 to $5 per sq. ft. for a professional installation of the base alone.

A concrete base offers greater longevity and stability, with less potential for settling. On a concrete base, the paving materials are set permanently with mortar, and ongoing maintenance is minimal. Expect to pay $5 to $8 per sq. ft. for a professionally installed concrete base.

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Evaluate your yard for a patio by understanding costs, the shape of your property, and variables such as sun and shade.

In addition to helping expand usable square footage, patios add to the salability and curb appeal of your property, according to the American Society of Landscape Professionals. An attractive and functional landscape that complements the home and adds function increases value, too.

Mack Strickland of Strickland Appraisal Services, Inc., in Chester, Va., pegs patio recovery costs at anywhere from 30% to 60%, depending on the region of the country and material choices. “In general, the less elaborate and costly the improvement, the better your return on investment,” he says.

A $2,000 investment in a 12-by-12 foot brick patio, therefore, might roughly return an average of $900 at resale.

Here’s how to assess whether a patio makes economic and functional sense for your yard.

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If you are trying to decide which projects have the best return on investment, Remodeling Magazine

Cost vs Value report shows the top home renovations in 2010-2011 that might add  value to your home. They are:

BASEMENT REMODEL

MAJOR KITCHEN REMODEL

GARAGE ADDITION

ATTIC BEDROOM

WINDOW REPLACEMENT (VINYL)

WINDOW REPLACEMENT (WOOD)

SIDING REPLACEMENT (VINYL)

MINOR KITCHEN REMODEL

DECK ADDITION (WOOD)

GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT

ENTRY DOOR REPLACEMENT (STEEL)…

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Here are 3 new instant search links for my clients. These links will show the brand new property listings in West Chester, Downingtown & Exton. These are homes that were listed within the last 3 days in those areas. Use these links to view these homes before anyone else. You can access these links from Search Homes Section on my website as well as using the links below to access the latest property listings in Chester County.

Real Estate – Just Added New Listings in West Chester, PA

Real Estate – Just Added New Listings in Downingtown, PA

Real Estate – Just Added New Listings in Exton, PA

by Prudential Fox and Roach

As the weather warms, so does the real estate market! What better way to kick of the season than learning about ways to better market your house when selling it?

Staging your house is a necessary step when selling it and many people tend to neglect it.  If done correctly, your house can look bigger, brighter, cleaner, warmer and, best of all, it makes a home buyer want to buy it!

Here are 4 tips to help you stage your home this selling season: more…

by Prudential Fox and Roach

Given today’s buyer’s market, it’s important for sellers to be aware of certain market trends in order to pique the interest of buyers.  In conjunction, it’s equally as important for sellers to be cognizant of their own home’s market value, a concern for many current sellers.  Whether planning to sell in a couple of weeks, months of years, value is crucially important.  If you have concern about your home’s assessment, there are plenty of ways to give it a swift boost before listing it on the market.

Refurbished rooms, such as basements, always go a long way n adding value to your property.  Most basements are empty storage spaces that are rarely seen to any non-inhabitants.  By turning the room into an entertainment area, bar or poker room, you add both value and character to the home — both traits that will be loved by buyers. more…