Big Waves

Bill Martin Meteorologist

Today I was planning on discussing earthquakes and real estate, but for now all the buzz is about the big swell due this weekend, and the Mavericks contest planned for Sunday. As Bill Martin, Channel 2 weatherman and surfer points out "This weekends big surf is being generated from thousands of miles away. Oceanographers refer to this distance as a "fetch" We get some of the biggest waves in the world because we have one of the largest fetches in the world."

So, regarding coastal real estate, as I've said before, do consider rising sea levels, high tides, big swells before you make that offer, and in the meantime, may the best man win.

The Skinny

Perhaps because I am feeling anything but, skinny seems to be my word of the day.

C A Home and Design

Though I am indoors eating still more treats and hiding from the wet windy weather, I will spare you more weather and extreme weather references. Since everyone else in the whole world has discussed Solstice from every possible perspective, I'll also spare you more of that. Today I am randomly loving this collection of skinny buildings in San Francisco, and this more international collection, and the news that skinny storefronts enhance walkability. Plus they are just fun. Oooh, here's some more.

Cocomale

Happy Holidays Everyone! 

Why Winter is a Great Time To Be Looking at Property

Though it may not be a convenient time to buy a home, there are some really good reasons why winter is an excellent time to look at property.  This article lists several advantages from a real estate perspective. As your microclimate obsessed Realtor, I must point out that this close to Winter Solstice, the darkest time of the year here, the truth of how much light and warmth is available in a given location is easy to see.

All too many home owners have bought homes in late spring, when the home is bathed in light, only to discover that by September, the home is in the cold shadows by 2 in the afternoon. While you can make educated guesses, based on slope and aspect of a home site, at this time of year no guessing or visualizing is necessary, just cruise the neighborhoods you favor in the morning and evening and you'll see where the shadows are. 

Here we see holiday elves standing on the North facing South side of the street at around 2:00 in the afternoon. Dark and cool, even on a bright sunny day. I'm guessing the folks across the street have smaller heating bills. In a free standing single family home the same will hold true, south and west light will bath a home all day, unless it is blocked by a hill, or other buildings.

Then there is the moisture/flooding factor...  I've been hearing stories of several homes in escrow that leaked during the last big storm- it was a doozy and if leaks were ever going to happen they happened then. So much better to learn about potential flooding or water intrusion issues before you buy a home. Winter buyers are less likely to be surprised than summer buyers. Just sayin...

San Anselmo Fairfax Patch

Here Comes the Rain

Stormy weather this way comes.


What a sky this morning, the gold and pink cloud lid so glowing! Red skies at morning, sailors take warning. We've got a day or so to clean out gutters and furnace air filters, plant and mulch, maintain trees, bring in the bicycles and deck chairs, before "THE SEASON`S FIRST SIGNIFICANT STORMY WEATHER". If you work outside, or have some other burning need to know more about how the weather will go, here is the discussion of NOAA meterologists from a few different perspectives, and here is your satellite animation.

AlYoung.org

Not to go all school marmy on you, but this is one of those "stitch in time saves nine" moments. As a Realtor I've seen how astonishingly expensive it can be to defer your roof and siding maintenance. Once your buildings shell is breached, dry rot can set in, You can get more time out of your roof and window frames if you remove accumulated leaves etc, so they don't rot in place, stopping moisture from flowing away and clogging your drainage systems, allowing moisture to collect and eventually invade the structures beneath the buildings shell. Once the fungus gets established, it can move into the dryer sections of the building, happily growing through the dry season, and reinvigorating when the rains begin.

Fred Varley

This is why a pest inspection is such a critical part of a buyers investigation of a home, and why sellers should do one up front (and if you happen to be in inspection mode, maybe have an arborist take a look at any trees on the property- first wind/rain events can shake weak limbs loose to wreak havoc). I've seen homes of the same age, in the same neighborhood, with Pest Inspection Section One amounts ranging from $500 to $75,000. So homeowners, now is your chance to be in the first, happier group with solid dry homes.

Stormy Weather and Real Estate

The leading edge of storms come from the south here at the golden gate. So, while your south facing terrace is a boon in terms of warmth and light, you may have south facing windows or doors suddenly blown open when the storm hits. No worries as long as your doors, siding and windows are in good shape. They will take the brunt of sun and rain and storm wind over time though, so good maintenance is key to the integrity of your building.

wunderground.com/

When looking at property, south facing windows, doors and walls merit close inspection by your contractor and pest inspector. Sun bakes this side of the house (when it's not foggy) and weakens it over time, and then wind driven rain can work its way into buildings, causing "dry" rot and deterioration of the structure. 


When it comes to buildings and moisture, "a stitch in time, saves nine". A little scraping, caulking and painting can save you big money by preventing moisture from breaching the exterior. Consistent yearly maintenance, and if necessary, upgrading of windows and doors is good investment for the future of the building. 

Whole Building Design Guide

It's not too late for window maintenance, or to make sure your gutters are clean and flush with the roof, but work that opens up the exterior siding is best done next dry season.  Smart homeowners who want to upgrade their windows will do it well before winter storms (plan now, for next summer!) since often there is hidden water damage under the siding (or stucco), which can be a big can of worms. More moisture from rain is the opposite of what the building needs.