Longevity In Real Terms
Are you considering selling your home. Now you have made the decision, but you may have other questions. You realize that the realtor is going to ask about this home. Prepare yourself for the answers to those questions by reviewing some common sense information about how long things in that home are supposed to last. Ok, let's talk about it in real time in real terms.
Most people don't think about the things we are going to talk about. If you think like a buyer, you are getting a head start in the overall selling process, and a heads up as a potential buyer as well. Replacing windows, appliances, roofing, or wood flooring can be very pricey. In terms of a purchase or a sale, what must you do and what not to do is probably a better discussion on both sides. That's where this article comes in. Longevity of a refrigerator or stove, or roof leaks are serious to a new home buyer; and that may determine the priorities on replacement. Do we replace Now Or Later; as the old saying goes.
An educated buyer may factor in replacement costs for aging components when making an offer. An educated seller will want to evaluate it terms of what will make the house sell fast terms. Often this type of buyer will use this type of information to replace a component before they move into a new home purchase for instance. Paint, invasive things like windows, and roof or major landscaping can be done right after close and prior to move in. Useful life statistics are out there, and the National Association of Home Builders does have insight that will help you in selling your home, deciding on a price, and consider building materials that may need replacing as well.
Longevity is a subjective term when discussing any home for sale. The "True Longevity" of a home factors in things like:
- Maintenance
- Use
- Quality of Installation
- Climate Conditions
- Insulation
- HVAC
- Electrical Wiring
- And More
Here are some standard statistics put together by the NAHB Board - The general guide or rule of thumb if you will is as follows for the question How Long Will It Usually Last? Two factors to remember all manufacturere have planned obsalesance not all construction will always be the same. Also considerations must be given to weather. Extreme heat or extreme cold will need adjustments of the figures.
100 Years or More - With General Wear & Tear
- Brick siding: Lifetime of the home
- All wooden floors: Lifetime of the home
- Cellulose insulation material: 100-plus years
50-100 Years - With General Wear & Tear
- Slate, copper, and clay and concrete roofs: 50+ years
- Copper gutters: 50+ years
- Kitchen cabinets: Up to 50 years
- Modified acrylic kitchen sinks: 50 years
- Vinyl floors: 50 years
30-50 Years - With General Wear & Tear
- Thermostats: 35 years
- Wooden windows: 30 years
- Wood shake roofs: 30 years
- French interior doors: 30–50 years
10-20 Years - - With General Wear & Tear
- Built-in audio system: 20 years
- Aluminum windows: 15–20 years
- Cultured marble countertops: 20 years
- Asphalt shingle roofs: 20 years
- Faucets, kitchen sinks: 15 years
- Gas ranges: 15 years
- Interior and exterior paints: 15+ years
- Dryers and refrigerators: 13 years
- Air conditioning units: 10–15 years
- Lighting controls: 10+ years
- Electric or gas water heaters: 10 years
- Air conditioners: 10–15 years
- Furnaces: 15–20 years
5-10 Years - - With General Wear & Tear
- Security systems: 5–10 years
- Heat and smoke detectors: 5–10 years
- Dishwashers: 9 years
- Microwave ovens: 9 years
- Carpet: 8–10 years
Remember every home is going to be different. Style is in particular a very subjective issue for most buyers. Replacement takes on a whole new perspective when you are talking about a renovation vs. a remodel. That is the reason you always have a property inspection on each and every home, along with the appraisal. These two things really determine a lot of things for both the buyer and seller. Your realtor in either position will be able to provide accurately a better evaluation of the specifics after the inspection takes place. Information is always knowledge; and can work to your advantage as both a buyer or seller as well.
Thanks to Melissa Dittmann Tracey as a contributing editor for REALTOR® Magazine who created the basis for this article. Information of this type is always appreciated by realtors, and ultimately keeps you connected to all your clients. The National Association of Realtors is always about keeping you informed in the marketplace. Appliance Longevity: How Long Should It Last? Find out how long those kitchen appliances, flooring, fixtures, and more should really last.
