It’s Monday, February, 1, 2010! Before you know it, spring will have sprung!  Trees will be blossoming, plants blooming and the Fairhaven District of Bellingham, WA fairly bustling with activity. However, the annual Rain Festival in Fairhaven will not be held this year.

Ericka Pizzillo Cohen, a writer for The Bellingham Herald, compiled a list of tips gathered from local real estate agents and inspectors and included them in her July 23, 2009 article, Dealing in Details. These tips will prove valuable for buyers who want to look beyond the surface of a home and for sellers who want the best sales price.

Today we will address the tips for PATIOS as listed by Cohen.

TIPS FOR BUYERS:

• Look for poured concrete patios that direct water away from a home, rather than funnel water towards a foundation.
• Even paver patios built on sand need a slight incline directed away from a home.
• Look for tight joints between pavers in a patio.
• Even if a paver patio needs work, it is easier to fix than a poured concrete patio or even a wooden deck.
• Cracks on paved concrete patios are easy to fix, but a crack that shows shifting of a portion of the concrete might require the entire patio to be removed.

 TIPS FOR SELLERS:

• Even if you can’t afford expensive patio furniture, invest in a few plastic Adirondack chairs that match the color of the house or trim.
• Sweep the patio and remove all fallen leaves and other debris.
• Remove moss buildup with special chemicals that remove moss easily.
• Stage patio furniture with brightly colored plates and glasses to show off the patio as an entertainment area.
• Patch surface cracks on paved concrete patios.

 FROM THE EXPERTS:

“You need to show a patio as livable, outdoor space where people can imagine inviting friends over,” said profession home stage Karri Street, owner of K Street Staging and Redesign in Bellingham.

“The biggest problem with patios is when they slope towards a house,” said David Helm, owner of Helm Home Inspections of Bellingham. “And it’s not an uncommon thing to find.”

 “Paver patio surfaces, although on sand, are not truly a drain. They still need a slight slope to it to keep water off,” said Paul George, landscape architect with Cascade Design Group of Fairhaven.