What you need to know about the 2020 housing market

It’s about the time of year when we see the increase in questions such as “How can I understand what the market is doing and what steps I should take to get myself and my home ready to sell this year?”

There’s no simple answer to the first part of the question. To understand what the housing market is doing and where it might be headed requires an understanding of the local economy, for it’s one of the major forces at work on the housing market.

For a basic understanding of the real estate market, however, let’s look at three indicators.

Employment

When an area’s labor market is weak, people typically don’t buy homes. This includes not only those who are unemployed, but those who feel their jobs may be in jeopardy. Weak employment numbers therefore equal soft housing demand.

But — right now at least – the country’s unemployment rate is 3.5 percent, a 50-year low, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Employment increased in a number of segments, including healthcare and leisure and hospitality (both segments saw the addition of 45,000 jobs), professional and technical services (31,000 jobs) and several other areas.

The truth is, across the country, states are facing labor shortages in construction, manufacturing, cyber security and many other industries. Some municipalities are creating marketing plans to lure full-time residents in the hopes of filling these jobs.

New residents need homes.

Home affordability

While unemployment is closely aligned with affordability, it isn’t the only factor that determines whether or not people can afford homes in the local real estate market.

In fact, there are three components to home affordability, according to Phil Pustejovsky, author of “How to be a Real Estate Investor.” These include:

  • Home prices
  • Household income
  • Interest Rates

Home prices are largely a result of supply and demand, something that is easy to determine either by asking your real estate agent or reading the local news.

In fact, we’re seeing this principle at work right now. With more buyers wanting homes than the market can supply, home prices rapidly increase. Then, there’s the opposite, when there are few buyers in the market and many homes for sale (known as a “buyers’ market”), prices tend to soften.

Household income must be high enough to afford homes. The median household income in the U.S. in October of 2019 hit a record high at $66,465. It took a dip in November, however, to $66,043.

The median price of a home, nationwide, is $271,300.

Lenders want to see a monthly housing payment that takes up no more than 28 percent of your income (pre-taxes). In this case, the median wage earner has about $1,541 a month in income to go toward a mortgage payment.

Interest rates, however, are key to affordability. As you can imagine, nobody really knows what will happen with mortgage rates in 2020. Some economists are forecasting an increase, others say the opposite. Keep an eye on interest rates because when they increase, the homebuyer pool shrinks.

Getting ready to sell

As you’ve probably guessed, nobody has a crystal ball when it comes to forecasting the future of the housing market. But, being ready for anything will put you in the best position.

Ready the home for the market by making basic repairs, painting and cleaning. We’re happy to walk through the home and help you decide which tasks to tackle based on a likely return on your repair dollars.

If you’ll also be buying another home, it’s not too early to choose a lender. Then, when the time comes to obtain your loan pre-approval, you’ll be ready to jump right in.

Again, feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We’re happy to help.

Starter Homes vs. Forever Homes

It’s so easy to assume that the home you’re shopping for is the one you will live in for the rest of your life. As we all know, however, times change, tastes change and, yes, people change.

Nests empty out or become fuller. Jobs may be relocated. A neighborhood can change and may no longer be the dreamscape it once was.

While keeping an eye toward the future is always a good idea when making any major financial investment, unless your name is Nostradamus, your predictions may be hit or miss.

Buyers looking to make their first home purchase are faced with a difficult choice: Should they buy a starter home or a forever home?

Here are a few things to consider.

Define “starter home,” please

Starter homes tend to be small–just one or two bedrooms–and valued below the median price for the area’s market. The least expensive starter homes are often fixer-uppers that require substantial work and renovations.

People move into starter homes with the intent of selling them several years down the road for a profit, and using the equity to move into a larger house.

Other folks prefer to hold off buying until they can buy their “forever” home. They may strategically save their money until they can afford their dream house, and, although it is seldom the case that they remain in that home for life, it is their intention to live in the home for the foreseeable future.

Pros and Cons to Buying a Starter Home

Starter homes require less of an initial investment than their larger, fancier counterparts. There is also a chance that the value will increase faster than that of the larger forever home. A good example of this is happening now, with so many homebuyers flooding the starter home market, values have skyrocketed. It’s a great time to sell a small home.

A smaller home is also far less stressful on a homeowner’s budget, beyond the smaller down payment and loan required to buy it.

Your monthly house payment may turn out to be less than what you currently pay in rent and the cost of maintenance and monthly utilities will be far less than they would be in a larger home.

Since you’re saving money every month, put some aside for renovations to help boost the home’s value.

On the flip side, it’s easy to outgrow a starter home when you’re young and growing a family.

As well, starter homes are often older and may require more frequent repairs.

Holding out for that “forever home” may be tempting but not wise. With interest rates so low, the time to buy a home is now and, although the inventory of starter homes is low, we’ve had great success helping our clients find them.

The important thing is to jump into the market soon so you can start building equity. That’s not going to be easy when you’re paying a larger house payment each month, more property taxes than those of a smaller home and increased utility bills.

Questions? Feel free to reach out to us.

Looking for a quick bathroom update for the new year?

If you have a few days off over the holidays, there’s a chance you’ve walked through your home considering all the different ways to improve your property.

It’s not unusual. It’s also typical to experience frustration when your ideal upgrade and the budget available don’t match.

Thankfully, there are a few rooms that don’t require a huge sum of money to revamp, including the bathrooms in your home.

And, many of these fixes are so simple and inexpensive you could get them done before Valentine’s Day.

Deep Clean

No one enjoys cleaning the grouting in their bathroom, but committing the time to this task will instantly transform the way your bathroom feels.

Get the gloves out and give this room a top to bottom deep clean, including light fixtures, hooks, and under the counter. You’ll feel better immediately.

Need some time-saving yet effective tips? Check this out.

Consider your cabinets

Paint – it’s a miracle worker. Whether it’s put on the walls or on your cabinets, fresh paint instantly transforms a room.

The predicted hot colors for 2020, according to the Milan Design Show, include champagne, light yellow, and pumpkin red. Since these are rather “in your face” colors, consider painting the walls a color that’s a little less intimidating and use the aforementioned colors in your accessories.

Painting your bathroom vanity may seem like a huge job, but watch a few DIY videos and you’ll have it done like a pro, and in no time. Here’s a good walkthrough and you’ll find another here.

You can’t grow wrong with gray, ebony or white paint for the vanity, according to TheFlooringGirl.com.

Check out Benjamin Moore’s Kid Gloves (and see it in action, here) and Sherwin-Williams Lazy Gray.

Deep pockets?

If you have a decent budget, consider some of the trends that designers are forecasting for 2020:

  • Brass finishes
  • Deep soaking, freestanding tubs (make it a black tub if you want to be on trend)
  • Travertine or limestone floors

New Accessories

A fresh shower curtain will infuse new life into your bathroom, but that’s not the only purchase to consider.

A proper waste basket (not a cheap plastic solution) can make a big difference. There are also new lighting fixtures, faucets, towels and rugs to consider.

Take some time to browse the internet for ideas and create a décor scheme that works for you… and your bathroom… before heading out to shop.

Think Outside the Bathroom

Most people only look in the bathroom section of the store when considering the appearance of this room.

When you add unusual objects to this space (treating them accordingly for the moisture in the bathroom), you can make a statement while making this room more functional.

Consider a small gallery of framed art, perhaps a dining chair, or lighting designed for a home’s exterior. No matter how small these items may be, they will make everyone smile.

Just remember to take stock of everything you want before leaving the house, and create a budget before shopping. It will keep you on track as you update your home’s bathroom.

Speaking of shopping

Consider attending yard sales and shopping at thrift stores for the aforementioned accessories.

As you shop, remind yourself that a drapery rod finial can make an interesting accent piece when set next to a potted plant or other décor and that cute glass and brass espresso cup would look amazing holding your toothbrush.

HGTV.com offers up more thrift-shop-finds-as-bathroom décor, here.

Then, hit the dollar stores in your area. But, first, watch this brilliant video of a DIY bathroom makeover with products purchased from those discount stores.

Pretty but deadly holiday plants

Bringing the outdoors in can help chase away winter’s “cabin fever.” The problem is that some plants don’t play well with kids and pets.

Both cats and dogs can be attracted to munch on any houseplant, whether because they are lacking something in their diets, as an instinctive way to help cough up a fur ball or the plant just smells irresistible to them.

What happens after the plant is ingested depends on the type of plant, how much of it the pet ate and the age and size of your pet.

Keep in mind, however, that even mildly toxic plants can be deadly if they are covered in pesticide.

Non-toxic holiday plants

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a non-toxic alternative to other holiday plants, safe for both dogs and cats.

 

Mildly toxic holiday plants

Christmas Tree

Surprised? The pros at PetMD.com suggest that fir trees produce oils which can irritate your pet’s mouth and stomach. When ingested, they say, the tree’s needles may cause a puncture, obstruction or stomach irritation.

Then, there’s the water sitting in the tree’s stand – if it builds up mold or bacteria and the pet drinks it, they can become quite ill. PetMD suggests keeping the water covered to avoid problems.

Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima)

The poinsettia’s sap can be irritating to the mouth and stomach and the pet may vomit after ingesting it. The National Institutes of Health, however, can find no cases of human or pet deaths from poinsettia.

While this quintessential holiday houseplant is considered mildly toxic, if it’s been treated with pesticide, the story changes.

“Severe reactions to the plant or to the pesticide it has been treated with include seizures, coma, and in some cases, death,” claim the pros at PetMD.com. The younger and/or smaller the pet, the more severe the reaction.

Holly

There are two types of holly used in holiday décor in the U.S., American (Ilex opaca) and English holly (Ilex aquifolium).

According to the ASPCA, both the leaves and berries are mildly toxic to our pets. If ingested, your pet may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and depression.

The experts at the National Institutes of Health claim that the leaves are not toxic to humans, only the berries.

“Poisonings most often occur in children, and most cases are harmless,” they said. “In adults, one must eat 20-30 berries before becoming symptomatic, whereas children only have to consume 5.”

As in all cases of plant toxicity, if a large enough volume of the plant is eaten, the reactions may be quite severe.

Moderately toxic holiday plants

Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.)

A popular potted gift plant, ingesting parts of the amaryllis causes vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hyper-salivation, anorexia and tremors.

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum)

Cyclamen is such a winter staple that many homes have at least one growing indoors.

This plant grows from a rhizome (an underground tuber-like structure) which produces a toxic substance (triterpenoid saponin).

While the leaves and flowers are considered mildly toxic, the rhizome, if ingested, may cause “severe vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by significant fluid loss from the body. It may also cause heart rhythm abnormalities and seizures, according to Linda Crampton at DenGarden.com.

She goes on to let us know that the tubers are bitter tasting, so one bite may be all your pet needs to back off.

“The Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University considers cyclamen to be ‘toxic only if large quantities eaten,’ she concludes.

Highly toxic holiday plants

Mistletoe (Phoradendron flavescens)

While the two legged get kissed beneath a sprig of mistletoe, the four legged are attracted to it and, if ingested, the plant causes gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular collapse, dyspnea, bradycardia, erratic behavior.

In some cases, the pet may suffer from low blood pressure and death.

Lily (Lilium spp.)

The gorgeous lily may cause kidney failure in cats. “Eating even a small amount of the plant will have a severe impact on a cat’s system, causing severe symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues, arrhythmia and convulsions,” according to PetMD.com.

They suggest removing the plant from the home – take it to the office to provide cheer while you work.

Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

A popular holiday gift plant, daffodils are especially dangerous to cats. Just a few munches of the flowers’ petals can cause kidney failure.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)

These diminutive white flowers are frequently included in winter floral arrangements. When ingested, the pet may vomit, experience an irregular heart beat and low blood pressure, disorientation, coma and seizure.

If you suspect poisoning in a human, call the Poison Control Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. The ASPCA offers help via the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435.

The Pros and Cons of Paying off your Mortgage Early

If you can afford to pay extra on your mortgage every month, it seems to make sense to do so, right?

Surprisingly, the experts are divided on whether it’s such a good idea. Like many things in life, paying off your mortgage early has its pros and cons. Let’s take a look at some of the most significant.

Why you might want to consider paying your mortgage off early

Financial experts who agree that hacking away at your mortgage every month is a good idea point primarily to the interest you’re shelling out.

The president’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, however, has changed that scenario. First, the cap on interest has been lowered. Next, you’ll need to itemize your deductions on your taxes to get the benefit of the mortgage interest deduction. This means foregoing the new, increased, standard deduction.

Obviously, this is something you want to run by your accountant or tax specialist.

Other than that, those who think paying the loan off early give good reasons for suggesting it:

  • Peace of mind. What would you do with the money you’d have every month if you didn’t have to make a mortgage payment? That’s one heck of a feeling of security.
  • The more you pay off every month, the more equity you’ll earn. This is especially important for older Americans. With high equity, or owning the home outright, comes the ability to qualify for a reverse mortgage, which is a safety net for many on a fixed income.
  • Do it for the kids. When the home is owned free and clear, there’s a better chance it will remain in the family. Regardless of whether this is important to you, it creates a “forced savings” plan for your heirs.

Reasons to reconsider paying your mortgage early

  • Earlier we addressed taxes and your mortgage. Keep in mind that “if the interest on your mortgage is less than the standard deduction, you aren’t getting an additional tax benefit,” according to Forbes contributor Nancy Anderson.
  • The extra payments shouldn’t take priority over other sound financial strategies, such as building an emergency fund and another for home maintenance needs.
  • Some financial experts claim that a better use of the extra money every month is to put it toward getting out of credit card and other debt with high interest rates.
  • “the amount you save in interest likely won’t exceed what you would earn in other long-term investments, such as stocks and real estate,” according to the pros at BankRatecom.
  • In the event of an economic downturn it may be important to have a portion of your money in liquid assets, such as the aforementioned stocks. A home isn’t considered a liquid asset.

Sometimes the choice that makes sense doesn’t always offer peace-of-mind. Regardless of is more important to you, we urge you to speak with a financial planner to determine the best course of action.

Can I afford to buy a home?

It typically starts as a fleeting thought – in and out of your brain before you can really grasp it.

But, as time goes on, as the landlord becomes more demanding or the threat of yet another rent hike becomes unbearable, the idea of owning your own home may become so overpowering that you finally look into the feasibility.

Can I afford it?

It’s not as hard to figure out as you may think. Get out your calculator and let’s crunch some information.

Get in the right mind-set

One mistake we frequently see with our renter-to-owner clients is that they use more caution with their monthly budget when buying a car than they do when buying a house.

Think about it: The amount of your car payment is the leading factor in deciding how much you’ll spend on a car, right?

Since a house payment is far larger, you should use this same yardstick when determining how much you are willing to pay for a house.

Even if you’re approved for more, stick to looking at homes priced within your monthly budget.

Your finances

Before you know how much you can spend, you need to get crystal clear on your income and your debt. How much comes in every month and how much goes out? And, is there a chance that either will increase or decrease in the future?

For instance, if you’re planning on starting a family, your debt level will increase. If you’re finishing up a college degree for that better job you’ve been hankering for, your income may increase.

Get clear on not only the full picture of your current financial reality, but how it may or may not change down the line.

Start with your current income

Dig out last year’s tax return or your pay stubs to figure out how much money you have to spend each month (your take-home pay).

Do the same for any other income earners who will be co-borrowing with you for a home.

How much of that income is spent on debt?

Now let’s figure out how much of that income is spent every month. Add up your payments for the following:

  • Credit card payments – since these sometimes vary, use the minimum monthly payment amount listed on your statements.
  • Alimony payments.
  • Child support payments.
  • Installment loan payments (such as for a car, personal loan or student loan).

These are the debts the lender will scrutinize, but, for budget purposes, you need to know the total amount of money you spend every month, so also add in:

  • Commuting expenses
  • Groceries
  • Dining out
  • Clothing
  • Entertainment
  • Pet expenses
  • Gifts
  • Vacations
  • Donations
  • Any other routine expenses

Don’t include your current mortgage payment or rent. Subtract the sum of your expenses from your income.

This is how much money you have every month to pay for housing. Financial experts typically recommend spending no more than 30 percent of your before-tax income on rent or a mortgage payment.

If your result appears to be too low to afford a home, look for ways to trim your budget. Then, visit your accountant or tax specialist.

He or she can run the numbers on different scenarios that include the tax benefits of homeownership which may paint an entirely different picture.

Looking good?

If, on the other hand, your finances appear to be set for homeownership (and your credit profile as well), you’ll need to ensure that you have enough money for the actual purchase process. This includes a down payment and closing costs.

The amount you’ll need for a down payment depends on the loan program you decide to use. If you’re a qualifying veteran or you use a USDA Rural Development Loan you may not have to pay anything. Otherwise, plan on paying from 3.5 to 20 percent of the loan amount as a down payment.

The amount of money you’ll need at closing depends on a number of variables. For instance, many home sellers will pay a portion of the buyer’s closing costs. In 2016, homebuyers paid, on average, $3,815 for closing costs, according to ATTOM Data Solutions.

Home prices have skyrocketed since 2016, however, so plan on paying more than that (unless the seller agrees to help you pay closing costs).

A note on the down payment

If you’re short on cash and long on the desire to own a home, you may want to consider trying to qualify for one of the many down payment assistance programs available.

Reach out to us with any questions. We’re happy to help.

 

Wild Weather is no Excuse to Hibernate in Winter

The most common New Year’s resolution is to exercise more, according to NPR and The Marist Poll. Losing weight and a vow to “eat better” came in third and fourth, respectively.

All of the above certainly rank high on our lists, which is why we decided to take a break from talking about real estate and homeownership responsibilities and talk fitness as we head into the new year.

While the aforementioned survey didn’t say why 80 percent of us fail to keep our resolutions, when it comes to fitness and losing weight, the weather could have something to do with it.

Baby, it’s cold outside

Sure, there are some die-hard outdoor enthusiasts who will jog in any weather, but for most of us, winter means moving the fitness routine indoors. Whether your favorite activity is a sport or a rigorous workout routine, we’ve scoured tips to help you burn calories, indoors, on the cheap.

Runners

There are indoor tracks in most major and many smaller cities. Check out the YWCA or YMCA. If all else fails, take to the treadmill at the local gym.

Bikers

Fortunate are those bikers who live in a town with a velodrome, such as that offered in Blaine, Minnesota’s National Sports Center. Lacking an indoor bike facility, again, hit the gym.

Skaters

Trade the summer wheels for blades at an ice-skating rink. Open skate sessions are typically inexpensive and hours convenient to practice your axel to your heart’s content.

Don’t want to give up your wheels? Indoor roller rinks are ideal.

Swimmers

Burn those calories indoors at a YMCA pool.

Bend it like Beckham – Indoors

Blue skies and balmy temperatures make for ideal soccer weather. Don’t let the fact that we don’t have year-round futbol weather prevent you from working on bending that ball like David Beckham.

Indoor soccer is the solution. Not only can you keep your skills up but enjoy an excellent cardio workout with some core work as a bonus.

Many parks and rec facilities offer indoor leagues and practice areas when there aren’t games.

Strollers

If walking is the way you stay fit you can still do it, even in the dead of winter. Community centers are the place to find walking tracks but don’t overlook the local mall.

Just don’t wreck your workout session with window shopping and noshing.

Try Something New

If your workout-routine of choice doesn’t involve a gym during the mild weather months but you just can’t face the thought of joining one during the winter, consider trying something new that’s not related to sitting on a stationary bike in a room full of sweaty people.

For strength training and cardio, consider swinging kettlebells. You can pick them up at any sporting goods store, Walmart or Target.

Then, in your own living room you can blast away 20 calories per minute, with a 20-minute routine being “the equivalent of running a 6-minute mile pace,” according to a study published at AceFitness.org.

Of course, you’ll need a cool routine, so search YouTube videos for “Kettlebell Workout Routines.”

With any of these suggestions you can emerge from winter with your hot and healthy body ready for spring.

Two deadly homebuyer and seller mistakes

While selling a home isn’t quite the massive challenge many try to make it out to be, as with any process, there is always the possibility something may go wrong.

Our experience has taught us where these possible pitfalls lie so we’re pretty good at avoiding them.

Two in particular, however, are solely in the seller’s hands. Sadly, and either of them can be deadly to the successful sale of your home (or the purchase of your next one).

Here are two we see most often.

1. Not taking the seller disclosure statement seriously

The seller disclosure statement is something that the buyers can, and will if the need arises, use in a court of law.

Grab your attention?

Good, because this is one document to take seriously. Regardless of how busy you are, find a block of time to devote to completing it, in a quiet spot, where you can consider each answer you provide.

You’re not expected to know what’s lurking behind the walls of your home (unless you do, then you need to disclose it), only problems that you are aware of.

If you are less-than truthful, and something goes wrong that the buyer can prove you knew about, you may be liable for both monetary losses and, in some cases, punitive damages.

In some instances, buyers have been able to cancel the sale – even after living in the home – and the seller is forced to take it back and return the buyer’s money.

If what you fail to disclose results in injury or death, you may even end up in prison, on criminal charges.

Yes, it feels odd to disclose the home’s flaws to the very person you are hoping will find it flawless, but protect yourself and be completely honest on the seller’s disclosure.

If you have any questions about it, please ask.

2. Not understanding the mortgage process

If you’re buying a home to replace the one you’re selling, get to know the loan process. Unfortunately, too few mortgage professionals take the time to explain even the most basic parts.

A common misunderstanding shared by many homebuyers is that loan approval means they’re in the clear and, once the contingencies are removed (such as the home inspection and the appraisal), the home is pretty much theirs.

What they haven’t been told is that the lender will do one final “pull” of their credit to ensure that nothing has changed since they accepted the borrower’s application. It’s known as a “soft pull,” because it doesn’t impact the borrower’s credit rating.

Changes, such as applying for credit, will show up on this report, impact your score or debt-to-income ratio and your loan may be cancelled.

Until you sign the closing papers, don’t apply for credit, don’t switch jobs or move money from one account to another. Leave the financial aspects of your life exactly as they were when you applied for the loan.

As always, reach out to us if you have any questions on the home buying and selling process. We’re happy to answer them.

Home fire season is upon us: Do you have enough insurance?

House fire

Fall and winter see an increase in home fires. It makes sense when we consider that we cook more around the holidays, we light more candles and we place more flammable objects near heat sources (hello holiday tree!).

In 2017 (the latest year for which the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, has statistics), there were 379,000 residential structure fires across the United States. More than 2,600 deaths occurred as a result.

Additionally, fire caused $7.7 billion in damage to homes, or an average per-property loss of $21,463, according to the NFPA.

A home fire can be devastating, to both family and finances. Don’t wait to find out post-fire that you lack adequate insurance coverage to rebuild or repair.

Dig out your homeowners’ policy now and set your mind at ease.

Are fires covered by home insurance?

The standard home insurance policy covers home damage caused by fire and smoke.

A good standard policy will cover damage to the structure, attached structures as sell as your personal property within the home and, often, even landscaping.

An even better standard policy will cover the cost of staying somewhere else while the home is being repaired.

That said, consider the two situations under which a fire is typically not covered in a standard homeowner’s policy:

 Vacant home fire – Homes are typically considered “vacant” if nobody has lived in them for the past 30 days. If you plan on moving and the home will be vacant for that long, or if you own a seasonal rental that sits unoccupied for 30-day or longer stretches, you can purchase vacant home insurance, usually as an endorsement (an addition or amendment) to your current policy.

This, of course, depends on whether your insurer carries vacant home insurance.

Step one, then, is to pore over your insurance documents (or call your insurance agent) to ensure that fire is covered (it almost always is) and that it applies to the vacant home. 

Arson – The person who sets a fire deliberately is known, legally at least, as an arsonist. Not only is this a criminal offense but it may constitute insurance fraud as well.

When you report a home fire to your insurer, the company will first send an investigator to the home to look for the cause of the fire and for signs of arson.

The company will deny coverage if it’s learned that the fire was arson.

How much insurance coverage does the average homeowner need?

The maximum amount that the insurance company will give you to cover a loss is known as the policy’s “limits.” And, since no two homeowners are alike, the limits vary according to your needs.

When considering whether you have enough coverage, think about the following:

The home – Construction material prices and labor costs fluctuate. If you haven’t thought about your insurance policy for years, it’s time to dig it out and ensure you have enough coverage to replace your home.

Don’t make the common mistake many homeowners make by basing your coverage on your home’s current market value.

“The price you paid for your home—or the current market price—may be more or less than the cost to rebuild,” suggests the experts at the Insurance Information Institute (III).

“And if the limit of your insurance policy is based on your mortgage (as some banks require), it may not adequately cover the cost of rebuilding.”

The question to ask yourself isn’t “How much is the home worth right now?” but “How much will it cost to rebuild my home, in today’s dollars?”

Your personal property — In a home fire, it’s not just the flames that cause destruction. The smoke and the water used to douse the fire often destroy personal property as well.

If you haven’t yet taken a home inventory, do so as soon as possible. You’ll find lots of tips and advice online, such as this handy Home Contents Inventory Worksheet at NYCM.com, a walk-through of the process from III and a home inventory Q&A from Farmers Insurance.

If you find that you may need more coverage for your “stuff,” increase the limits for personal property. And, be aware, some items, such as expensive jewelry or artwork may come with lower limits, according to the folks at III.

We all know that homes should have working smoke detectors. It’s also important to consider having several fire extinguishers on-hand.

Some fire-protection additions may even get you a discount from your insurer. These include:

  • Centrally-monitored fire alarm
  • Fire-resistant construction
  • Sprinkler system

Speak with your insurance company representative about your coverage needs before something happens, not after.

5 Tips to Improve Winter Curb Appeal

The weather outside may be a bit frightful, but it’s not so bad that folks aren’t out shopping for homes. And, selling a home in winter is a brilliant idea.

Surprised?

Studies show that homes are far more likely to sell within six months than during any other season.

Of course, we want yours to sell a lot quicker than that, so let’s take a look at some ways to entice those chilly homebuyers out of the nice, warm car and into your home.

Clear the way

A huge pile of snow between the curb and the home isn’t a way to invite people to look closer at the home. It’s not safe, either.

Ensure that the access to the home, whether it’s via the driveway or a walkway, is clear of ice, snow and debris.

Sal Vaglica of This Old House magazine suggests spraying the areas with a liquid magnesium chloride blend before it snows. This, he claims, will “keep ice from bonding to hard surfaces.”

Use 1 gallon of the solution per 1,000 square feet to be treated.

Make the front door pop

In snowy areas, a jolt of color is unexpected and charming. Slap some color on the front door, via semi-gloss exterior paint.

Don’t be shy here – choose a bold but deep color, such as charcoal gray or black. Zillow’s 2018 Paint Color Analysis studies show that homes with black front doors sold, on average, for nearly 3 percent more than homes without black front doors.

“For a seller, painting a front door is one the least expensive home prep projects, but also one that can have a powerful impact on a home’s sale price,” according to Zillow home design expert  Kerrie Kelly.

Anything you can do to add color to the home’s exterior will boost its appeal and the perfect

Don’t stop with paint

How about some new hardware to further jazz up that newly-painted front door? Consider a striking new door handle.

Then, take a look at what surrounds the door and update those items as well. For instance, consider larger, bolder house numbers, a new porch light cover and mailbox.

Gardening, in winter?

If there’s snow, there really isn’t much you can do to spruce up the landscaping. What you can do is tidy it up by removing broken limbs and debris.

Consider adding some potted plants along the walkway or on the porch. Use colorful planting pots and some bold winter-hardy plants. Get ideas on what to plant, here.

Other curb appeal-boosting options to consider:’