We received a photo and question from one of our clients today. She wondered whether the ivy climbing up the sides of their old, brick-faced building should be removed. For several reasons, we said, "Yes!"
Here's why:
Crumbling mortar, cracks, and loose
bricks can be invaded by ivy roots, which can widen existing cracks and
allow moisture to penetrate.
The quality of mortar has improved
over the years, so the older the building, the greater the risk of weakened
mortar. Structures built before 1930 need particular caution, as older,
lime-based mortar is softer than modern, cement-based mortar.
In addition to the problems ivy can create on a brick building, there are several other types of finishes that should be kept ivy-free:
Wooden surfaces: Ivy can easily work its
way between boards, opening the joints and damaging the structure. The
roots can also penetrate small weaknesses and cracks in the wood grain,
increasing the risk of rot. And, if that’s not enough, ivy can harbor
wood destroying insects and other pests.
Siding: Any siding or shakes with seams are
vulnerable to penetration by ivy roots, which can cause damage both as
the ivy’s growing and when it’s pulled off.
Stucco: The main problem with stucco comes when the
ivy is pulled off, because it can pull off paint or even chunks of
stucco, and the tiny roots can permanently discolor the surface.
Painted Surfaces: As with stucco, the ivy roots may damage the paint when pulled off.
Unsound Structures: Ivy is very heavy, and it can pull down weakened or improperly-built structures.
For these reasons, we suggest that all ivy and climbing plants remain trimmed back, away from exterior walls. Premier clients, ff your building has any plantings climbing up the walls of your buildings, please contact us right away.
Source: TodaysHomeowner.com
On May 9, 2015, a 4-alarm fire destroyed 22 units at one of our properties in Meriden. Reconstruction is in full swing, and we hope to have everyone back home very soon!
It used to be that everyone young person's dream was to get married and buy a "starter" home. They hoped to build equity in the home then, years later, sell if for a large profit. Then our country experienced the financial crisis of 2008, when the U.S.
housing market suffered widespread losses. While we still have a desire to have our own space with the freedom to remodel it as we wish, the effects of the housing crisis may have
prompted a more cautious approach by buyers who are more realistic about
the level of equity they can build in their homes. Homeowners and prospective
homeowners are now looking more closely at the costs and benefits of such a
large transaction. While a home is still a good investment, many financial experts still caution against purchasing a
home for the sole purpose of making lots of money.
For many Americans with active lifestyles, renting is a great way to free up time that would normally be spent maintaining a house and yard. Renting also provides the freedom of being able to pick up and move without the burden of having to sell a house.
Here are a few more benefits of renting:
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Flexibility. Renting allows you to explore an area
before making the longer-term commitment to homeownership. From schools to shopping to neighbors, each neighborhood had benefits and drawbacks that may not be obvious during the relatively quick home buying process.
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Career uncertainty. If you think you might need
to move in the near future, or are considering job changes that may require relocation, you might want
to rent.
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Income uncertainty. If you expect a pay increase or decrease in the near future, that can change your borrowing ability as well
as impact your ability to make mortgage payments.
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Poor credit. Creating a history of on-time rental payments can help you build the type of credit you'll need to qualify for a home loan.
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No maintenance expenses. When problems arise, you simple call the landlord.
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Utilities. In some
instances, the landlord may pay for many utilities such as water, sewer, trash removal, maybe even heat and hot water.
Whether renting or buying is
more cost effective depends on your market, where you choose to live
and whether you like to do home improvement and maintenance projects
yourself. Should you decide that renting is for you, give Premier Property Management Services a call at (877) 208-4570 and let us help you find the perfect apartment!
We have a new apartment available on West Street in Hartford! It's in
the process of being renovated, but it's available to be shown. 2
bedrooms, 1 bath, larger sized rooms, both bedrooms have double sliding
door closets, screened-in private porch off of the living room. The
building is secured with off street parking. Each floor is secured and
the elevator is also secured, requiring a key in order to select a
floor. Every floor has it’s own laundry room. The rent is $900 a month,
which includes heat and hot water, and we require 2 months security
deposit. In order to apply, applicants must provide a $25 fee per adult
applicant along with proof of income (copies of 2 recent pay stubs) and a
recently printed credit report (www.creditkarma.com is a free credit report service)
Looking to brighten up your outdoor space? Want to have some fresh vegetables and herbs? Space can be short in apartment and condominium complexes, so container gardening might be for you! Check out these tips from Hudson Valley Seed Library and start growing you own container garden this weekend:
1. The bigger the plant, the bigger the pot should be.
2. The longer the plant takes to mature, the bigger the pot.
3. Fruiting plants (tomatoes, peppers etc.) need more soil and more nutrients than greens (lettuce, Tatsoi etc)
4. Don’t over crowd. You can plant varieties a bit closer than normal
in a pot, but crowding leads to weak spindly plants. One tomato plant
in a big pot will actually produce more tomatoes than 4 tomato plants in
the same size pot.
5. Pots are thirsty. They dry out quickly. Keep pots evenly moist,
trying not to let them dry out between watering or get too saturated.
6. Make sure there are drainage holes. (Some folks say gravel or sand
at the bottom helps as well.)
7. Container plants still need lots of sun. If you have part shade stick to herbs and greens.
8. Rooftops can be windy. If you’re growing containers on the roof,
consider setting up some kind of windbreak, like lattice, that won’t
cast shade.
9. Use a light potting mix but make sure you have nutrient rich compost mixed in.
10. Succession sow. Since you are growing in a small space, plant some
seeds, let them grow, eat your harvest, and plant some more. Just make
sure to add compost and nutrients between sowings
Now that summer’s here, you’ll want to prepare your condominium or apartment for the onslaught of summer heat. These simple chores will help keep your home happy and healthy.
Check detectors. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re functioning properly. Change all batteries.
Inspect air-conditioners. Remove and clean the filters before turning on the AC. If you have central air-conditioning, consider a professional servicing.
Clean ceiling fans. Wipe ceiling fans with a damp rag. If you have high ceilings, a ceiling-fan duster can help you de-grime hard-to-reach blades.
Clean your outdoor cooker.* For gas grills, turn the heat up to high and let the grill cook with the lid closed for about half an hour. Allow the grill to cool, then brush it off with a grill brush. Wipe down the exterior with a damp sponge and a gentle cleanser. Clean the grill’s drip pans.
Analyze your deck. Look over your deck for signs of rotting and nails that are poking up. Report any unsafe conditions to your management company. Consider brightening up your deck with some large pots filled with flowers or herbs. Wipe down patio furniture.
Wash your windows. If you didn’t tackle window washing in the spring, now’s the time to get your glass clean.
Stop dirt at the door. Keep summer’s mud and muck outside with not one, but two doormats at your main entry door. Place a coarse mat at the outside and a softer, cloth one on the inside to catch the most dirt. Better still, instruct family members to remove their shoes upon entering.
Now that your home is ready for summer, go out and enjoy the beautiful weather!
* Check your condominium maintenance standards for rules about grills and outdoor cookers. You can also check with your local Fire Marshall.
We are pleased to announce that Melissa Odelius has joined Premier's staff as a Property Manager.
Melissa has over 13 years in the administrative/customer service field, and was most recently employed with a CPA firm, assisting with accounting and tax preparation.
She is very excited about working with Premier because it will give her an opportunity to be an active member of the community, working daily to make people's lives a little easier. As a renter herself, she understands how frustrating it can be when things are not taken care of properly, and she hopes to ease others' frustrations as much as possible.
During her training period, Melissa will be working on Premier's rental side, advertising properties available for rent and showing units at Park Street in Manchester, May Street in Hartford, Stanley Street in New Britain and West Street in Bristol.
We are very happy to have Melissa on our team, and are excited about the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the position.
