In this crazy Sellers market Buyers may be willing to do anything to get their dream home. But before you get too excited there are certain questions your realtor should be asking. Depending on the house and when it was built buyers may not be aware of issues that could cause problems down the road in both maintenance and resale value.
Synthetic Stucco:
Despite what you may have heard, Stucco is not necessarily a bad thing. However there are two types of stucco and buyers need to know the difference. Synthetic stucco, aka EIFS (exterior insulation finish systems) and Hard-coat stucco.
Hard-coat, or concrete stucco, usually fine and has no issues and requires minimal maintenance.
Synthetic stucco may be a different story. Synthetic Stucco is adhered to wood or gypsum board and if installed incorrectly it allows water intrusion and causes rot. Also, termites thrive in moist environments and destroy the the framing.
If you do come across a house you love but it's synthetic stucco all is not lost. You can get a stucco bond, by getting a certified company to inspect the house. If repairs are needed, once the necessary repairs are compete, there is a re-inspection and the stucco bond is issued. Another option is to remove the synthetic stucco and re-clad the house with a different material such as Hardi-board or brick. This is much more expensive, but it is a viable option. To be safe always have a re-treatment and repair termite bond on a house that has stucco
for more information on synthetic stucco: https://www.irmi.com/articles/expert-commentary/trouble-brews-insuring-synthetic-stucco-homes
Polybutylene Plumbing
From about the late 70s through the early 90s, millions of homes across the country were constructed with polybutylene piping. Polybutylene is a plastic resin material which made it cheap, flexible and freeze resistant. Over time, these polybutylene pipes began failing simply due to the oxidants of fluoride and chlorine that are in our public water supply. The pipes began bursting and leaking. These pipes were largely utilized across the “sun belt” states so it's not uncommon for homes built between 1978 and 1995, in the Metro Atlanta area, to still have a polybutylene piping system. Polybutylene pipes are normally Blue, Silvery Gray or Black in color and stamped with the letters PB.
In 1995 a class action lawsuit had a nationwide settlement of $120 million and provided some relief to class members with polybutylene plumbing who meet certain requirements.
If you fall in love with a house with PB pipes don't panic. There are many instances where the Polybutylene pipes have held up fine. But you should to get a through inspection from a licensed plumber. Your agent can also negotiate with the seller to change out the PB pipes in the house.
How to identify Polybutylene Pipes https://www.atlantisplumbing.com/articles/how-to-identify-polybutylene-pipes/
LP Siding
Some Builders in the 90s used Louisiana Pacific’s Inner Seal siding, commonly referred to as “LP siding”. The siding is made from chips of wood glued together to make a building material commonly called OSB – or oriented strand board. Louisiana-Pacific used this OSB material and formed it into siding panels and lap siding with an embossed covering meant to look like the natural grain in real wood. The problem with LP’s Inner Seal, is that it fails where exposed to the weather. Water can cling to the drip edge and wick into the bottom edge of the siding. Once water starts to penetrate the drip edge, the siding saturates, swells and delaminates.
LP Inner Seal siding can be identified by the classic LP knot that is embossed into the siding LP’ siding was the subject of a class action lawsuits.
How to identify LP Siding? https://dylanchalk.com/understanding-lp-siding/
Atlas Chalet Shingles
Manufactured by the Atlas Roofing Corporation from the late 90’s until the around 2012. They were the go-to shingle for many homebuilders looking to save some money. From 2000 until they were discontinued in 2010, thousands of homes in and around Atlanta had them installed. They were an economical alternative to architectural shingles and were very appealing to the untrained eye, however after a short period of time homeowners began to noticed a high rate of granule loss. the Atlas Chalet line is susceptible to water penetration which leads to premature blistering, cracking, and excessive loss of granular surface
How to identify Atlas Chalet Shingles https://www.atlaschaletanswers.com/what-do-atlas-chalet-look-like
If you currently own a home and think you may have any of these potential "issues"
Contact me. They don't have to be "deal breakers" when you are ready to sell and I will work with you to find the most cost effective resolution. sallygraef@kw.com 770-750-5554
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