Homeowner News

Delaware County – No County Tax Increase For 2016

October 20, 2015 by admin

Delaware County taxpayers will see no increase in their county tax bills in 2016, the County Council announced last Wednesday. This marks the second straight year without a county tax increase.

A final budget will not be submitted to Council by the executive director until November, and a public hearing is scheduled for early December.

The county millage rate will remain at 5.604 mills.

In practical terms this means that the County tax will be $5.604 for every $1,000 of assessed value. For example the County tax bill for a home assessed at $100,000 would be $560.40.

The median home price in the county is approximately $185,000, which would result in a county tax bill of approximately $700.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Nether Providence Implements Sewer Lateral Inspections

October 16, 2015 by admin

Sewer Line Being Cleaned

Nether Providence Township has made the inspection of sewer lateral pipes a requirement for the issuance of a Use & Occupancy certificate. Item #13 on the township’s U&O requires homeowners under Township Ordinance 782 to conduct an inspection of the home’s sanitary sewer line. The ordinance requires two sewer line tests. Homeowners can opt for either a smoke test or a dye test, both of which can pinpoint areas of the sanitary sewer line where surface water can enter the system, and a mandatory video inspection of the sewer line via a video camera.

Properties that have been built within the last 10 years and properties that have performed a sewer inspection within the past 5 years are exempt, otherwise when you are required to perform sewer lateral testing when you sell you home.

The Delaware County Regional Water Quality Control Authority’s (DELCORA) is urging it’s members to take action to limit the amount of surface water that is entering each community’s sewer lateral infrastructure. However the implementation of a point of sale plan to maintain the sewer lateral infrastructure may not be the most effective way to go. It is estimated that it will take 31 years in Nether Providence Township to fix the issue at the point of sale as properties are sold. To learn more, visit the site sponsored by the Suburban REALTORS® Alliance @ www.thisdoesntmakesense.org.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Older Roofs Face Increasing Scrutiny By Insurance Companies

October 1, 2015 by admin

Wallingford PA Real Estate - Wallingford PA - Roof

Older Roofs Raise Concerns With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are becoming increasingly watchful when it comes to the insurability of older roofs. The trend is for insurance companies to require roof certifications for homes that have roofs older than 20 years in order to obtain insurance.

I encountered this scenario this past week when my buyer called his insurance company to get a quote on a home he has just purchased. The insurance company inquired regarding the age of the roof and was informed them based upon the inspection report that the roof was 20+ years old. The insurance carrier replied that would not issue a policy for a home that had a roof of that age. The only way to insure the roof was to obtain a roof certification from a roofer stating that the roof had at least 5 years of serviceable life remaining, or to replace it.

For those who have had limited experience with roofing contractors getting them to certify the condition of a older roof is an extremely challenging task, and that is if you can even find a contractor willing to come out a take a look at the roof.

I also checked with an insurance broker that represents ten homeowners carriers in Pennsylvania – all but three of them have a 20 year eligibility guideline on a standard asphalt shingle roof meaning if the roof is 20+ years old, they will not insure the home. The other three have a similar guideline at 25 years.

Be proactive it you are considering putting you home on the market. Consider a pre listing home inspection to get in front of issues in your time frame.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Buyers Love To Come Into The Cold

September 9, 2015 by admin

Home Buyers Love Central Air Conditioning

Central Air Is No Longer A Luxury

The heat of summer is making an extended stay this year and if you are a seller without central air conditioning you are at a distinct disadvantage. Central air conditioning, once perceived as an expensive home amenity, has risen to the top of “must have” features on a buyer’s wish list.

In a recent Inquirer article by Al Heavens, with contributions by myself, entitled No Air? That Puts A Chill On Sales, Al discusses the importance of central air conditioning when marketing your home.

The lack of central air in starter homes is an exception but as the price range of a home increases it is an expectation, and the lack of central air can be a deal breaker for many buyers.

Using data from the Multiple Listing Service I found that 77% of homes that sold in Wallingford and Nether Providence Township during 2014 had central air. The questions is do you want to be among the 33% that lack that feature?

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

Knob And Tube Wiring – Outdated By Today’s Standards

May 31, 2015 by admin

Knob And Tube Wiring

Knob and tube wiring was an early standardized method of wiring that was in common use in the country from about 1800 to the 1930’s. A single insulated copper conductor was run within wall or ceiling cavities and through joists via a protective porcelain insulating tubes. Porcelain knob insulators fastened by nails into the structure support the wire over it’s length.

This early form of residential wiring was intended only for lighting purposes and has quickly become outdated as the electrical requirements of a modern home have increased tremendously.

A discussion of knob and tube wiring and it’s impact on homes today is discussed by Al Heavens in today’s real estate section of the Inquirer with some comments from myself – interesting reading – Old Electrical Systems A Setback.

Wallingford PA Real Estate – Wallingford, PA 19086

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S. Clark Kendus