GotZoom
Senior Member
Ok, I have sat by when people talk about 'property values' and decided not to put in my .02c only because I don't fee like starting the conversation.
I worked in the mortgage industry for a little over 3 years. In that time, I learned what does and does not increase proprty value because I worked with actual appraisals daily, and I just had my house done as well for our refinance.
The following improvements/changes WILL affect property value:
Type of home (single, multi-family, townhome, condo, etc)
# of bedrooms, bathrooms, and house sq footage (duh)
FINISHED inside house sq. footage
yard/land size (duh again)
location in proximity to the nearest largest metropolitan area (desirable location)
type of street home is on (cul-de-sac homes tend to fetch a larger sale price)
school district and closest school proximity
garage space and whether it is attached or not
permanent fencing
concrete driveway vs asphalt
In-ground pool and some kinds of above-ground pools (not inflatable/insta-pools)
number of trees (size and type do not come into play)
decks
remodeled/updated kitchen/bathrooms (not including appliances except bathtub)
Nearby wooded areas
Is your property on a flood plain? Fault line?
Near a golf course, park, or other rec area with wooded trails?
water features such as a pond, lake or river (garden ponds MAY count, depending on type and how 'permanent' it is)
Things that do NOT affect actual property value, only curb appeal:
New roof
new carpet
painted walls or panelled walls
new doors
gardens of any kind (this includes flagpoles which are considered a garden item)
childrens playsets
kitchen appliances
garage door opener (you wouldn't believe how many people think this affects the value)
New siding
fresh exterior paint
seamless gutters
So to argue that the flagpole brings down property value doesn't work. This has nothing to do with that.
Now as for the city telling him to take down the flagpole, they DO have the right to enforce the height of buildings and objects (even trees) on your property. This usually has to do with safety if it were ever to fall due to a storm or other reason. My city has a 'height' ordinance on things like that as well as buildings, and if you want or need to go above the limit, you have to present your case as to why, and get approval from the city.
the way I see it in the article, it wasn't the flag itself that was the problem, it was the fact this guy put a pole up that is taller than allowed-he should have checked with the city regarding this, but most people don't realize there would be such a thing. Really, it kind of is nitpicking but I also see the city's point. What if it ever fell on someone or someone else's property during a storm or other reasons? There could be serious problems.
Excellent points! I think people throw the phrase "property values" around too easily.
A flag pole does not have any positive or negative influence on an appraisal.
It will when it comes to re-sale. Then again, if someone likes your house enough, they will remove the flagpole or have you remove it before closing as a condition of the sale.
I am all for people displaying the American Flag. Make no doubt about that. I do think that if the pole is, for example, 3 feet higher than it should be, just replace the flag pole.