Posts Tagged "Curt Schultz"

Old Retaining Wall of stacked stone

We are looking at an 80 year plus old home that has what looks like a retaining wall at the front property line, however, it is really just local stones piled on top of each other.  It looks like it is holding back the dirt like a retaining wall of block would.  Is this safe?  [...]

I inherited a home, when should I have estate sale vs. sell house?

I inherited a home when should I have estate sale vs. sell home
My parent’s home was left to me and I am a bit lost as to when the best time to have an estate sell and when should I sell the home.  There are 3 of us and everyone wants to do something different.
P [...]

I need help fixing my cabinets before I sell home.

I want to sell my house and want everything to look the best it can.  I know I need to paint the walls but what should I do about my kitchen and bath cabinets?  They don’t look very good, particularly the areas around the sinks which are damaged by water.  The finish, which is a natural [...]

I am looking to buy a house with unpermitted additions

I am looking at a home to buy which has a large addition that was built without permits.  The Realtor said the addition was definitely built to code and should not be an issue for us should we buy the home.  We asked if the seller is willing to obtain the permits as a condition [...]

My Ceilings are a mess!

My Ceilings are a mess!
I have a home built in the late 40’s and the inside is plastered.  I keep getting cracks in my ceilings, which I patch and a few weeks later they come back.  My neighbor told me I should tape the cracks which I tested out in few places but I can [...]

Does granite countertops need to be sealed again and when?

We bought a home 2 years ago that has granite countertops and our neighbor said we need to be  sealing them.  Is this correct and how often?  With what?
KP
Response
Dear KP,
Granite, like concrete is a porous material and will absorb water. They should be sealed to keep from holding in water and to prevent stains.  Unsealed [...]

I have 1 window that won’t stay open

Our home is nearly 80 years old and still has the original windows.  One window just will not stay open, if we want to open the window we must put a stick in the window to keep top half open.  Do I have to replace the window and if so how do I get a [...]

Do I upgrade appliances and countertops before I sell?

We plan on listing our home for sale soon and it is in great condition except for the kitchen.  The countertops are a 3”x 3” tile with ¼” grout spacing.  The appliances are from the mid 80’s.  We feel if we upgrade these areas the home will be perfect and should fetch top dollar.  What [...]

What do you think about carpet tiles vs. standard carpeting?

I saw an ad for carpeting that comes in 18”, 24” and 36” squares.  They can create great patterns and I think I can install it myself and save some money.  Is there a down side to carpet squares?
Thanks,
Eric S.
Response
Dear Eric S.
Carpet tiles today are intended mostly for commercial applications.  They have minimal padding and [...]

My husband insists on a home with a tile roof

My wife and I are looking at buying a house in Pasadena or Monrovia.  My husband insists on a home with a tile roof and that has made it harder to find a house.  He says a tile roof is better and he doesn’t want roof problems.
Thanks, DF
Response
Dear DF,
There are several factors which would need [...]

Why would my house have different wall & ceiling textures?

My house must have 3 or 4 different wall textures, one looks like an orange and another is clearly the original plaster with the “popcorn ceiling”.  Can you explain this, why the different textures?
Tony B, Pasadena
Response
Dear Tony B,
I am guessing your home is an older home with lath and plaster interior finish and has been [...]

How does the hole in the ceiling over a range in an old house work?

How does the hole in the ceiling over the range work.  I am looking at buying an old house and it seems a strange way to vent cooking smells and smoke.
AL
Response
Dear AL,
This was the typical manner of venting over a kitchen range in an average home before sometime in the early 1950’s.  It is surprisingly [...]

I have an odd wire coming out of an electrical outlet

I have an electrical outlet that has a green wire ran from it to a bracket attached to the washing machine water supply pipe.  The house was built in 1920 and the electrical service panel appears to be no more than 5 years old.  I have never seen a wire from an outlet to a [...]

Q on shower granite

Our shower is made of granite and the color of the stone is spotty and changed.  Clearly, it is wet under the surface and I am afraid there may be standing underneath, especially under the seat if the granite is not sealed correctly.  We have not used it for several weeks and it appears to [...]