Vague Real Estate Terms New RoofThe
term "roof" is misleading in that it implies the roof covering plus
the roof sheathing, rafters or trusses. The word "new" is rather nebulous
as well. "Shingles replaced in 1990" is a more accurate description.
Updated WiringDoes
updated wiring mean the size of the service has been increased or additional
circuits have been added? Does it mean that the older knob tube wiring
has been torn out (which is usually not necessary)? Sometimes it means
that the old outlets have been replaced with modern-looking ones, however
the wiring has not been changed at all.
A better approach may be to comment on the adequacy of the incoming service and more importantly the adequacy of the distribution network. Both of these however, are very difficult to assess without a solid understanding of electricity. We all know that you cannot determine the size of an electrical service by reading the sticker on the main box in the basement. It may be best to leave this one alone. Thermal WindowsThere
is really no such thing. The R value (resistance to heat transfer) of
a typical wall in a modern house is approximately R12 to R20. The R
value of a single glazed window is R1. What about a double glazed window?
R2! The window manufacturers call this a 100% improvement! The real
benefit of double glazing is that it increases the surface temperature
of the inside pane of glass so that condensation does not form on the
windows in the winter time.
If the second pane of glass is a separate storm window, there will be a separate frame for the storm. This creates a second barrier to air infiltration and in some cases, it is a better arrangement than a double glazed window in a single frame. Upgraded PlumbingAre
we talking about new bathroom fixtures or new copper pipes? If we
are
talking about new pipes, are we talking about all new pipes within
the house or just the accessible ones in the unfinished portion of
the basement?
When we say "all copper plumbing" do we mean the waste piping as well?
From the mid 1950's to the late 1960's, waste plumbing was also copper.
In the vast majority of houses where old galvanized supply plumbing has been replaced with modern copper, the line coming in from the street has not been replaced. Back in the days when galvanized plumbing was installed, the line coming in from the street was not galvanized steel. Instead it was lead. Recent newspaper articles and television programs have people all in a knot about the lead in houses. This is not to suggest that this is a problem, however, terms such as upgraded plumbing may make purchasers believe that the supply line coming in from the street has been changed as well. Totally RenovatedOne
person's idea of a total renovation is quite different than another's.
If a house has eight year old shingles on the roof at the time of
the
renovation, there would be no need to replace the shingles unless the
renovation includes changes to the roof line. The term "totally renovated"
leads some purchasers to believe that every part of the house that shows
wear has been replaced. Therefore, they expect new shingles and are
disappointed to find that the roof is "older" even though it does not
require replacement.
There
are many more expressions that cause confusion. With the degree of professionalism
on the rise in the real estate community, there is no place for ambiguity.
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