I recently was working with potential buyers after a heavy winter snow and they commented on the large icicles hanging off of several homes. I explained to them this was probably an ice dam and can cause minor to major damage in homes. There response was “what is an ice dam?” It made me realize once again it is critical for buyer’s to work with broker’s who know what to look for inside and outside of homes which are exposed to severe incremental weather like snow and freezing temperatures.

The potential of an ice dam is one example of a problem buyer’s would never know to consider when purchasing a home in the summer months. This is one reason for ordering a roof inspection if a home inspection reveals water stains in the attic or rooms in a home.

What is an ice dam? What causes it? What type of damage can they cause? What is the best way to repair and prevent an ice dam?

An ice dam occurs after a heavy snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures. Warm air inside a home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice on the roof to melt. The melted water drains along the roof, under the snow, until it reaches the cold overhang. The overhang tends to be at the same temperature as the outdoors and the melted water will refreeze and form an ice dam and icicles. A result is that a little wall of ice builds up at the edge, and when ice and snow behind it melts and refreezes and melts and refreezes, it is pushed back up under the shingles or slate, leaking into seams and potentially tearing up the roof and leaking into the house. The ice dam can cause damage to the roof, which will result in water leaks to the inside. Frequently the result will be a water spot on the ceiling under the roof damage.

Today new codes require the use of an underlay; homeowners should make sure this is used. If it isn’t, removing the bottom three, four or five feet of your roof can be expensive.

IF you have an older home there is one way to check if you are at risk for ice dams, just noticing how the snow melts off your roof can give you an important clue about your attic.

If there’s a heavy snowfall and you see all the neighboring houses have snow evenly covering there roof and you have a big bare patch where snow has melted, that’s not a good sign. IF snow is melting unevenly or irregularly compared to other homes in the area, that’s a really strong indication that you’ve got an insulation issue.

www.disastersafety.org- recommends that the temperature in an attic should be no more that 10 degrees warmer that the outside air, otherwise, the heat escaping through the roof could encourage ice damming. The floor of the attic should be well-insulated, to keep heat in the house.

Prevention:

Clear gutters and downspouts so that any snowmelt has somewhere to go. Point them away from the foundation so that water doesn’t collect in window wells or lower level stairways.

DON”T get on your roof to solve the problem, it could be dangerous.

Avoid standing on the ground and chipping away at ice icicles. Not only could this cause damage to your roof, but you can be seriously injured by falling ice, debris and tools.

Contacting a roofing contractor to fix your roof leak may not prevent future ice dams. Do hire a contractor who is an energy specialist or specializes in air sealing to do an in-home evaluation. A good specialist will use diagnostic equipment to evaluate the performance of your home and generate a costumed list of improvements.

An experienced real estate broker who knows how to explain the plus’s and minus’s of a home in snow country is an asset to any buyer. Chris and Patti Plastiras are those brokers.

In an article written by Charles McMillan, NAR president, the four point plan submitted to Congress in October, has begun to be implemented by congress and offers a ray of hope for economic stimulus.

Granted it will not happen overnight, but, the Fed’s decision to purchase debt from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and mortgage-backed securities are both positive steps in the right direction. There is more NAR is asking congress to due as outlined in the following Four Point Plan:

(1) Make the temporary $7,500 tax credit for home buyer’s who haven’t owned in the past three years available to all purchasers and eliminate the repayment requirement.

(2) Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent.

(3) Target more of the bank rescue funds on mortgage relief and foreclosure mitigation, and create a federal mortgage interest buy down program to make below-market interest rates available

(4) Permanently bar banks and banking conglomerates from engaging in real estate brokerage and management.

This New Year and new administration faces challenges this nation has never encountered before. Times are difficult for the masses not just a few. We are returning to a more basic lifestyle and rediscovering what is truly important. It isn’t a new car, new house, new clothes…in the end they are just things. A heartfelt conversation with a stranger, reconnecting with your kids, returning a smile to the checker or dropping in money for the foodbank. These may be difficult times but we are a generation to take on incredible challenges, turn them around and learn from all of it.

Trusting others to do the right thing for the right reasons has been abused beyond belief and now the masses are paying the price. Greed has flourished at the expense of so many. Witnessing the collapse of ethics by so many holding positions of power. So now what?

We are all being called upon to help were we can to assist others in need on whatever scale you can. An hour of volunteer time to fill food baskets, purchasing gifts for seniors, a note of concern and encouragement where needed, it doesn’t take much to let others know they are not alone.

History will look back on this time and evidence how we as a nation not only survived but thrived.

Last week we were asking for snow and we got it! It is beautiful and the skier’s are arriving! There are more storms rolling in tonight and tomorrow so pack up the car (you can afford the gas) ,kids, boards, ski’s and enjoy our winter wonderland!

Real estate market:

The National Association of Realtor’s proposal to stimulate the economy.

In an article written by Charles McMillan, NAR president, the four point plan submitted to Congress in October, has begun to be implemented by congress and offers a ray of hope for economic stimulus.

Granted it will not happen overnight, but, the Fed’s decision to purchase debt from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and mortgage-backed securities are both positive steps in the right direction. There is more NAR is asking congress to due as outlined in the following Four Point Plan:

1. Make the temporary $7,500 tax credit for home buyer’s who haven’t owned in the past three years available to all purchasers and eliminate the repayment requirement.
2. Make the 2008 FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits permanent.
3. Target more of the bank resue funds on mortgage relief and foreclosure mitigation, and create a federal mortgage interest buydown program to make below-market interest rates availibale
4. Permantenly bar banks and banking conglomerates from engaging in real estate brokerage and management.

    

This new year and new administration faces challenges this nation has never encountered before. Times are difficult for the masses not just a few. We are returning to a more basic lifestyle and rediscovering what is truly important. It isn’t a new car, new house, new clothes…in the end they are just things. A heartfelt conversation with a stranger, reconnecting with your kids, returning a smile to the checker or dropping in money for the foodbank. These may be difficult times but we are a generation to take on incredible challenges, turn them around and learn from all of it.

Trusting others to do the right thing for the right reasons has been abused beyond belief and now the masses are paying the price. Greed has flourished at the expense of so many. Witnessing the collapse of ethics by so many holding posiitions of power . So now what?

We are all being called upon to help were we can to assist others in need on whatever scale you can. A hour of volunteer time to fill food baskets, purchasing gifts for seniors, a note of concern and encouragement where needed, it doesn’t take much to let others know they are not alone.

History will look back on this time and evidence how we as a nation not only survived but thrived.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow….please!

New Orleans got it, Tennessee got it, and Houston even got some. So where is our portion of the snow quota? It’s coming so says the weatherman. This weekend, next week for sure! But, will it be enough to bring in the much needed tourists and ski enthusiasts to boost this holiday season?

Rental companies are feeling the pinch with warm winter weather! Many second home owners count on the biggest income producing week of Christmas and New Years. Bookings are off as much as 50%. With gas prices down, I’m sure many homeowners who don’t have renters may decide to use their places.

With so many economic downturns, one thing none of us counted on was Mother Nature holding out on the white stuff.

It will come, it always does. I’ve been here when we had storms in October and the ski season seams never-ending It is rare to not have any snow in December. Global warming? Maybe. It only takes two good storms to bring in the skier’s.

I myself am enjoying hiking trails which are usually inaccessible this time of year.

For a fun alternative to skiing there are two ice skating rinks opening, Northstar and Squaw Valley. They both offer fire pits outside to snuggle up to and enjoy a warm drink and conversation. Getting back to and embracing the simple pleasures is what we are returning to and it’s about time.

Think Snow!