Water Damage is one of the silent killers of your home.  If you don’t notice a problem the damage it causes will grow.

Water damage can come from a variety of sources: storms, flooding, broken water pipes and lines, leaking washing machines, and more. This can lead to mold and odor problems, and worse. If left unmitigated, water damage can eventually cause structural damage, which can entail significant costs to repair and can even affect a home’s value.

Preventing Water Damage

Prevention is the first defense against water damage. Here are some basics on preventing water damage and its effects:

• Water supply lines to and from washing machines and dishwashers should be regularly checked for leaks. Both the hoses themselves and the connections should be examined. Even a small leak can cause water damage over time, so any leaks should be repaired immediately. If the laundry room is located on the main floor or above, damage to the floor and ceiling below can be especially problematic.
• Tank-style water heaters are prone to leaking, especially after several years of use. Over time, the bottom of the tank can rust out, causing a serious leak. Ideally, an overflow valve should be installed that will conduct leaking water to a pipe that will drain either outside or to an appropriate interior drain.
• Another common source of water leaks is the ice maker supply line; this should be checked as well.
• Be aware that pipe leakage can occur inside the walls or ceiling and may be impossible to detect visually before damage has already occurred.
• Gutters and downspouts should be checked to ensure that water is flowing away from the home’s foundation. Make any adjustments, and check the flow again using water from a garden hose.
• Water leak detectors can be installed at floor level near water heaters and interior air conditioning units. Simple, inexpensive wireless models are widely available and will sound an alarm when water is detected on the floor near these appliances.

Any Action Today?

There are three homes waiting to close (after inspection and other hoops are jumped through). Their heated and cooled spaces were between 1,545 and 2,347. They were built between 1997 and 2003.Their closing prices ranged between $189,900 to $244,000. Average they sat on the market was only 86 days.

We won’t know their selling prices until the closings happen, hopefully within about a month.

Selling in 2011

There were eight homes that closed so far this year in Mentone.

Their heated and cooled spaces ranged between 1,366 to 2,508. They were built between 1998 and 2001. They were asking between $174,900 and $249,000. The average they sat on the market was 177 days.

click to see Homes for Sale in Mentone

What’s for Sale Now?

There are seven homes listed for sale.

Their heated and cooled space range from 1,433 to 2,911. They were built between 1996 to 2004.

They are asking between $168,000 to $335,000. Average days on the market is 68.

What Does it Mean?

There is about a 6 month supply of inventory in Mentone.  That means it is almost a balanced market in this small corner of the Gainesville market (not a buyer’s or a seller’s market).  However, overall the area is in a buyer’s market and that is keeping the market action index (mai) on the buyer’s side.

If you have to sell your home Mentone is a good place to do it.  Make sure you have it looking beautiful and priced well, and plan on marketing your home for 6+ months (based on neighborhood averages)

Activity in the Whole Zip Code

Historical Sales Prices

Any Action Today?

Nothing has gone under contact in the last 30 or so days. The usual time it takes to go thru the closing process from contract to closing for a resale property is about 30 to 45 days.

There are no new “Pended” contracts in Longleaf.

What has Sold this Year?

There have been 9 sales this year.

These homes were built from 2004 to 2011. Their heated and cooled areas were 1,553 to 2,103 sqft. Their sale prices ranged from $205,000 to $241,779. The average days these sat on the market was 102.

click to see Homes for sale in Longleaf

What’s for Sale?

There are 21 homes for sale in Longleaf today.

They range in price from $192,679 to $398,773. They range in size (heated & cooled area) from 1,469 sqft to 3,045 sqft. Their ages range from 2004 to 2011.

The average days these have been on the market is 139.

What does it Mean?

There are about 14 months of inventory on the market in Longleaf if you run the numbers above, but since new homes are also being built that number is bigger – maybe 20 months of inventory.

That is definitely a buyer’s market.  If you have to sell your home now make sure you have it looking beautiful and priced well, because you are competing with builders, short sales, and cheaper homes in Willow Oaks.

Activity in the Whole Zip Code

This is info about Asking prices on the market today:

We received a Letter from the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department – they say that the EPA is finally going to set boundaries so we know what areas are affected and what areas are not.  Hooray!

Test Results

Here are maps & test results recently published by the EPA:

Here is a link to an interactive map that shows the test results for 3 different chemicals. The results are all over the place – be sure to zoom in and OUT to see the different areas of Gainesville.  Click on the 3 buttons for each chemical to get all the info!

http://www.alachuacounty.us/depts/epd/pollution/pages/soildata.aspx

Here are the individual maps for each chemical they have tested for, updated as of  today (6/1/11).

Dioxin Test Results Koppers site

Arsenic test results Koppers site

Bensopyrene (BAPTE) test results Koppers Site

The History

(from http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/npl/nplfln/cabkopfl.htm)

The Cabot/Koppers Superfund site covers 140 acres bridging two properties. It is made up of two sites: the Koppers portion covers 90 acres on the western side, and the Cabot Carbon portion covers 50 acres on the eastern side.

A wood-treating operation on the Koppers portion of the site, currently operated by Koppers Industries, has been active since 1916.  Cabot Carbon formerly operated a charcoal production operation on the Cabot Carbon portion. This portion has been redeveloped and currently contains a commercial shopping mall, car dealership and a series of smaller stores and businesses.

Poor waste handling practices in the past have resulted in contaminated ground water, soil and possibly off-site surface water. Contaminants include arsenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and creosote compounds.

Clean-up started back in 1985 and the site has been in the news on and off over the years.

Want more info?

http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/EPD/Pollution/Pages/CabotKoppersSuperfund.aspx

http://www.epa.gov/region4/waste/npl/nplfln/cabkopfl.htm

http://www.alligator.org/news/local/article_41793e68-3019-11e0-9537-001cc4c002e0.html

What are the top questions a home seller wants answered?  You asked and we made a new website to answer those questions for you.

It’s easy to use, has simple instructions, and you can even print out a checklist or two.

If you thinking of selling your home make sure to bookmark it: SellingAHomeInGainesville.com

If you know someone who is selling their home soon be a good neighbor and tell them about the website.

How’s The Market?		Take a look at the Gainesville Real Estate Market and average home prices. Find out what is happening in your area.
Getting Your Home Ready for Showings		Your home needs to make a great first impression. Follow this checklist to find the most cost-effective repairs.
Pricing Your Home		The right price will let you move on with your life, but you don’t want to leave money on the table. Here are a few things to research when it’s time to pick a price.
Estimate Your Check		If you have an idea of what your house is worth you can get an idea of what you can expect to walk away with.

Real Estate Consultants at Seide Realty

We’re the Experts at Getting Your House Sold

If you own a house you don’t want we can help. Take the first step to moving on with your life – interview us for the job of selling your home.