I showed a Cary home last week with a feature that I don't see often enough. Pointed it out to the clients, and they agreed it was pleasant.
The stairs. The staircase was not endowed with hand-carved balusters or tacked-on mass-millwork MDF trim. It was not a dramatic sweeping complex curve of exotic woods.
It was just "gracious to the gait." Easy to walk on. You got to the second level without feeling like you climbed a ladder. It felt, well, "classy."
See, there is a little science to stairs, and sometimes common stairs forget the pleasing aspect of that science.
As you climb stairs, you are moved up and forward. "Up" is because of the "risers." "Forward" is because of the "treads." Treads and risers are laid out in equal increments for the entire run of the staircase. A change in height or forward motion in one step tricks our minds. We are mentally programmed for all the steps to be equal in run and rise. This comes into play when hardwoods are added to floors where the stairs are not calculated to allow for a change in rise. The first step on either end can be traumatic when we are fooled and stumble. It happens often on porches and decks, when the stringers are good, but the bottom step is onto uneven ground, stone, or concrete.
Stairs in residential applications are classically laid out so that the riser and the tread dimensions total 17" to 18".
A high riser and short tread makes for a steep staircase. A longer tread makes for a more gradual angle to the stairs.
Here are photos of utilitarian basement stairs:
The basement stairs have a 7 1/2" rise, and an 8" tread. So, for every 7 1/2" you go up, you go forward 8". You climb 101" in a 102" walk. That steep staircase is nearly a 45 degree angle, and a little daunting when viewed from above.
And here are photos of a stair step from first to second floor of a common tract house.
The house stairs have a 7 7/8" rise, and a 9 1/8" tread. So, for every 7 7/8" you go up, you go forward 9 1/8". You climb 126" in a 140" walk. That staircase is just a little less daunting when viewed from above.
The home I showed last week is a custom-built colonial from the 1960's. I did not measure the risers and treads, and have no photo, but I would guess that the risers were 7" - 7 1/2" and the treads were 9 1/2"-- 10".
It was a very comfortable staircase, and, yes, gracious to the gait. It costs more to build like this. More materials. And it consumes coveted square footage.
When so many folks are looking to downsize into senior housing, or at least to one-level living, I wonder if more accommodating and less daunting staircases wouldn't help some remain in their beloved homes a little longer.
Gotta love it.
I get it most every week from Tim Minton, the Vice President of the HomeBuilders Association of Raleigh-Wake County.
Folks just send him their good news; be it a new baby, three homes under contract, new building permits, whatever, and Tim aggregates them into GOOD NEWS, HBA Style.
I love it and feel guilty that I haven't contributed. My project over the next week.
I love the fact that despite a slump in new builds, the folks at HBA are keeping their eyes on the ball, keeping their heads up, and their chins up, and boosting morale. It is definitely a positive morale boost when I get GOOD NEWS in my email each week.
Wow! NINE (9) CONTRACTS IN RENAISSANCE PARK IN TWO WEEKS.
KEEP ON SMILING!
It always seemed odd to me that the client had to offer a signature on a detachable panel to confirm that the agent had discussed the role of the real estate agent with them as required by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission.
And the agent signed nothing, but took the detachable signature panel as a record of that conversation. I always felt that the client should hold a signature, or at leas the agent's name and firm's name.
So I printed signature panels and had customers sign them, and left the panel in the brochure attached for the client.
I also always put a business card decal on the front of the brochure so that person has easy access to my contact information.
In 2009 the NC Real Estate Commission revised the form. Someone had an epiphany that brought their thinking into line with mine. They have also placed a form on the main body of the brochure for the agent to enter information for the client.
Seems fair to me, and reduces the awkwardness of tearing off signatures and leaving the customer empty-handed.
Cary, Raleigh, Wake County and Beyond! North Carolina Realtor. Real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty. Helping Buyers and Sellers attain their goals. Land, Homes, Investment Properties.
In my 12th year in the Raleigh, Cary, Wake County area. No GPS needed!
A dear client told me, "You're a real person, Mike."
How rewarding! A Real Person! The coveted "ARP" designation.
I promise I'll be a "real person" for you, too!
Elevate!
Land, farms, building lots, rehab homes, rental property, estate homes, golf course homes, townhomes.
Are you trying to sell a "Problem Property?" No fear here. Call me, and let's see what you need.
I have a hands-on construction background, which I think benefits my clients.
First-time Buyers and Seniors are among my favorite home-buying clients.
Real estate investment is a powerful component in a successful investment portfolio. I enjoy "doing the math" on investment homes, multi-family properties, and land, and helping folks build wealth with real estate.
If you need to buy or sell an acre, or a thousand acres, a farm, or transitional land, give me a call.
And Historic Homes? Honoring the past through preservation can be very rewarding. Having renovated two homes for myself, I know the sacrifices and the rewards of opening Pandora's Box. It can be a trap...or a treasure chest!
Thanks again for the successful sale of our house. We appreciate your help, patience and understanding. Keep in touch!
Bev and Bob
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Mr. Jaquish
I would like to thank you for the work that you are putting into selling our mothers home on P....... Rd. I looked it up on the internet and was pleased to see what you have done. It brought back such a good feeling in my heart when I saw my moms house, I hope that things will work out and we can let someone feel the warmth that anyone who walked into that home felt when my mother was living.
Thank you,
Robin O.
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Thanks again for your time and assistance Mike! You're the best! Kim
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Although I've never had to sell a property before, long or short distant, you made what I thought would have been very difficult, possible, and I thank you.
My Sisters and I are satisfied as I hope you and the buyer are.
I truly believe you were sent to us.
THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING.
Carmen
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Prospective Clients of Mike Jaquish:
As recent homebuyers, with Mike as our agent, we offer this letter in the highest recommendation of Mike Jaquish's services.
Being first time homeowners, we had done as much research into the prospect of owning our own home as we could but fell far short. Luckily for us, with Mike as our guide and representative, the process proved to be one of refreshing honesty, clear vision, endless patience and selfless dedication on Mike's part.
Once the three of us determined what we wanted and what we could afford, Mike utilized this information to locate and present only the properties satisfying our needs, avoiding the wasted time often spent viewing homes above our budget or below our spatial expectations. His expediency in locating properties as soon as they hit the market allowed us to bid quickly and his expertise and candor in interpreting the home reports prevented a couple of purchase disasters.
As we moved toward purchase, Mike worked flawlessly with our loan agent (Kevin Martini), leaving very little for my wife and I to worry about.
We now own the home we wanted in the place we wanted and consider Mike Jaquish in our circle of friends. We're sure anyone hiring Mike will feel the same.
Sincerely,
James and Ali
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We were put in touch with Mike when my wife got an aggressive job transfer from Atlanta and a friend of a relative referred him. Even though we were only looking for a six month lease, Mike treated us as if we were property buyers. Within two days, and only five tours, we located a property to match our needs until we could get settled into Raleigh. He was great! We plan to use his services again when we are shopping for a real home this fall.
Hans and Stephany
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Mike Jaquish is a fantastic cohort in the Cary KW office. If I am too busy to get ahold of (not likely :) Mike would be an excellent choice to get a difficult question answered.
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Hey Mike. Thanks!!! I sure wish we could do more deals together. You are a great agent to work with!! :~) Maybe in the future. Kel
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