About half of the single-family homes in the U.S. were built before 1980, according to data from the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Home price appreciation averaged 15% in 2021, more than double the 6% appreciation the year before, according to CoreLogic. In the past five years, home values in Raleigh increased by nearly 70%.
The Raleigh housing market is expected to be the third hottest in the U.S. this year. Home values are forecasted to soar by nearly 24%, pushing typical home value to well over $450,000 from the current average price of $391,444. Limited home inventory and high asking prices mean people may have to make, rather than buy, the house of their dreams.
And, in recent years, with more people at home, homeowners have more to repair and replace due to heavier use of their homes.
If you’re like many people who look at their home’s wear-and-tear and lack of housing in the Triangle, you may be thinking about how to protect and improve the living space you already have.
Consider Re-Siding Your Home
Re-siding your home is a great way to bring fresh curb appeal and new life to a fading or damaged exterior. It’s an important part of your home’s protective system, keeping weather and pests at bay.
BEFORE
AFTER
Here are some tips to to see if a siding problem needs professional attention.
LET’S GET STARTED — EVALUATE YOUR SIDING
Obvious signs that professional help is needed are rotting, cracked, or falling down boards. Other problems are more subtle, and a professional can help you evaluate the condition of your home.
SWELLING
Swelling occurs when too much moisture is trapped in the material. This issue is most typical in old Masonite siding. Pay particular attention to seams and areas where the siding has been cut or pieced as swelling usually begins in these places. Swelling may also show up as wavy boards. Stand beside your home and look along the wall to see how much sagging is present.
Check inside your home too. Swelling can be a serious issue if it causes gaps that allow the elements into your home. Unexplained peeling wallpaper and paint on the inside are a sign that moisture is getting in.
CRACKING
Cracked boards are usually easy to spot. Running over your siding with a bright light may highlight defects you might miss with the naked eye. Look particularly near the bottom edge of the siding where damage from swelling or lawn equipment can create that first flaw in your home’s armor.
WILDLIFE OR HAIL DAMAGE
Our four footed and feathered friends, as well as mother nature, can wreak havoc on your siding creating an entry point for moisture. Much of the damage may be cosmetic, but a determined pest may compromise your siding system creating an entry point for moisture and additional pests. Examine areas near the ground along eaves and near gutters and corners, where birds and squirrels frequent.
Over time, colors fade or become less popular. You may notice chipped areas or peeling. You may even sometimes see a chalky residue on the surface. While paint is largely cosmetic – it does provide extra protection and is a bellwether of deeper issues.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR ROOF AND GUTTERS
Smart Exterior Solutions
If you see any of the warning signs of failure on your home’s siding, don’t hesitate to call O.C. Taylor. Owner Brent Taylor will be happy to provide you with a free estimate!
