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As winter descends, it’s vital to fortify your home against the cold and potential hazards that the season brings. Beyond the charm of snowy landscapes and the warmth of indoor coziness, winter demands a proactive approach to maintain your property’s integrity. Here are essential tips to safeguard your investment during the winter months.

Inspect and Clear Your Gutters

The remnants of fall, like leaves and debris, may have settled in your gutters. Kickstart your winter home maintenance routine by giving them a thorough inspection and clearing out any accumulated material. This simple task prevents the formation of ice dams and ensures proper drainage through unobstructed downspouts.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

Detecting and sealing gaps and cracks in your home is crucial to prevent drafts that can compromise its warmth. Take a stroll around your property, paying attention to windows, doors, and walls. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any openings, promoting energy efficiency and reducing heating costs.

Service Your Heating System

Before the cold sets in, schedule a professional service for your heating system. Regular maintenance ensures optimal efficiency, keeping your home comfortably warm. Don’t overlook the importance of changing air filters regularly throughout the winter to maintain peak performance.

Protect Your Pipes

Frozen pipes can lead to costly repairs. Safeguard your plumbing by insulating exposed pipes in colder areas of your home. Disconnect and store garden hoses, and consider installing frost-free hose bibs. During extreme cold, allow faucets to drip, and open cabinet doors to facilitate warm air reaching pipes under sinks.

 

Check Your Roof

Your roof bears the brunt of winter, so ensure it’s up to the task. Inspect for loose or damaged shingles, addressing any issues promptly. Remove debris, like leaves and branches, to prevent ice dams. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional roofing service for a comprehensive inspection.

Inspect Your Fireplace and Chimney

Prepare your fireplace for cozy winter nights by inspecting the chimney for obstructions. Hire a professional chimney sweep to clean and inspect the flue, ensuring safe and efficient operation.

Prepare Outdoor Spaces

Extend your winter maintenance to outdoor spaces. Clean and store outdoor furniture to protect it from the elements. Trim overhanging branches that could pose a threat during snow or ice storms, and promptly clear walkways and driveways to prevent accidents.

Stock Up on Winter Supplies

Prepare for winter emergencies by stocking up on essentials like rock salt, sand, snow shovels, flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items. Keep emergency kits easily accessible for unforeseen situations.

Conclusion

Investing time in winter home maintenance safeguards your property and guarantees a cozy, stress-free season. By addressing potential issues before they escalate, you can revel in the winter wonderland outside while staying warm and secure within the comfort of your well-maintained home.

We, as real estate industry professionals, know first-hand the benefits of home staging. We see it over and over. In fact, before the current seller’s market, we have seen homes sell for substantially more than the list price and we believe that home staging is the primary reason.

It makes sense when you realize that something as simple as cleaning your home will bring you an 872 percent return on the money you invest in the process, according to studies by homegain.com.

After making needed repairs, cleaning and getting rid of clutter is among the first steps to take when contemplating hiring a stager.

What is home staging?

Not everyone understands what home staging involves, so here’s a quick rundown for our readers.

In real estate, first impressions are everything, which is why increasing your home’s curb appeal is so important. Think of it as staging the exterior of the home. It’s that first impression that will either compel potential buyers to look at the home’s interior or send them to the next home on their lists.

If the home has been staged and buyers decide to venture forth to the interior, they should see a home that appears roomy, bright and inviting. It should make potential buyers feel that the home has been well-maintained and that they can move right in.

The costs and benefits of staging a home

The services of a professional home stager can cost anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the home and how much staging is required.

There are also numerous ways to DIY your staging and you can find inspiration and instructions on the internet.

Did we mention that the homegain.com study reckons there is an average 586 percent return on investment for homeowners who stage their homes?

Additional benefits of a staged home include the fact that these homes sell faster than homes that aren’t staged. In fact, “95 percent of staged homes sell in 11 days or less,” Glendale, California professional home stager Betsy Wilbur tells Forbes’ Vanessa McGrady.

We absolutely recommend the staging process to our listing clients

Water heaters are the unsung heroes of modern living, providing the luxury of hot showers, sanitized dishes, and clean laundry. Yet, their maintenance often takes a back seat until issues arise.

Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure their longevity, efficiency, and safety. Tucked away in the garage, as most are, the water heater is easy to forget about. Until it isn’t.

Before you start your maintenance, familiarize yourself with your water heater’s manual and the manufacturer’s recommendations. Different heaters (electric, gas, tankless) may have slightly different maintenance requirements.

 

Flush the tank

Over time, sediment and minerals can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater tank, reducing efficiency and causing corrosion. Perform an annual tank flush to mitigate these problems:

• Turn off the water heater and disconnect the gas or electricity supply.
• Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the tank’s base.
• Direct the other end of the hose to a suitable drainage area.
• Open the drain valve to allow water to flow until it runs clear.
• Close the valve, remove the hose, and restore the water supply.

Inspect the anode rod

The what?

The anode rod is a vital component that prevents corrosion by attracting minerals that would otherwise end up in the tank. Regularly inspect the anode rod, usually located on the top of the water heater. If the rod shows signs of significant corrosion or wear, consider replacing it. This simple step can significantly extend your water heater’s lifespan.

Turn down the heat

Check the temperature setting on the unit. If you haven’t ever fiddled with it, most likely it will be set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lower it to 120 degrees. Not only will this save on energy costs, but you’ll be less likely to have a scalding incident in the home.

Test the pressure relief valve

The pressure relief valve is a vital safety feature that prevents excess pressure from building up in the tank, reducing the risk of dangerous explosions. To test the valve’s functionality:

• Turn off the water heater’s power and close the cold-water supply valve.
• Position a container under the discharge pipe connected to the valve.
• Carefully lift the valve’s lever for a moment to release some water. If water flows freely, the valve is working correctly.

If you’ve no idea where the pressure relief valve is located or even what it looks like (hey, I didn’t either!) check out this YouTube video from the pros at Rotor-Rooter.

Wrap your water heater

Wrapping your water heater with an insulation blanket and insulating the hot water pipes can help retain heat, reducing energy consumption and lowering utility bills. Ensure not to cover the thermostat or the top of the heater with the insulation blanket.

“Water heater insulation could reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45% and save you about 7%–16% in water heating costs—and should pay for itself in about a year,” suggests the U.S. Department of Energy experts. They even offer a handy walkthrough of the process, including how to measure the water heater to ensure you get the correct size blanket.

Detecting leaks early can save a bundle

Regularly check your water heater and the surrounding area for any signs of leaks. Even minor leaks can escalate into major issues if left unattended.

Address any water accumulation or dampness promptly to prevent further damage.

Call in a pro

While DIY maintenance is important, scheduling an annual professional inspection is equally essential.

Trained plumbers can identify potential issues that might be beyond your expertise. They can also perform more complex tasks such as checking gas connections, evaluating burner efficiency, and inspecting electrical components.

Water heaters are the unsung champions of comfort in our homes. By following these essential water heater maintenance tips, you can ensure their durability, efficiency, and safety. This means a steady supply of hot water, energy savings, and peace of mind for you and your family.

Ok, so you got an offer on your home. Although this is the right time to heave a sigh of relief, we’re not yet ready to pop open the champagne.

We don’t mean to sound like Debbie Downers here, but there are several potential hazard areas on the way to closing.

One that is seldom discussed is the title report. So, today we walk you through the process. “Knowledge is power” is a saying that pertains to every real estate transaction – so let’s bring you up to speed.

Just what is “title” anyway?

The word “title” in real estate refers to the parties who hold legal ownership and have the right to use and dispose of a piece of property.

The word is used the same when it comes to your car. When you sell your car, you’ll be signing the title over to the buyer.

But, what if you aren’t the true owner of the home, yet you’re attempting to sell it?

This is where the title company comes into play; searching public records to ensure that you are the legitimate owner of the property and that no other party has a claim to it.

Once they’ve assured that you are, indeed, the owner, they will issue a title insurance policy to the lender, to protect it against future claims against the property.

While the lender’s policy is a requirement of getting the loan, there is a separate, owner’s policy available to purchase, but it isn’t a requirement.

Title issues

“Title companies report that in more than one-third of all real estate transactions they must undertake ‘extraordinary work’ to address title issues,” according to Sandy Gadow in the Washington Post.

Some of this work involves searching far back into the public records, looking at divorce proceedings, bankruptcy filings, old deeds, wills and tax records.

If they find an issue, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, it becomes what is known as a “cloud” or “defect” on the title and it must be cleared before the sale of the home can be finalized. Some of these issues include:

• Unpaid property taxes
• Fraud and forgery
• Missing signatures on the title
• Previous owner’s heir making a claim

You can find a list of common title defects online, at firstam.com.

Dealing with clouds on the title

When the title search is complete, the title company issues a Preliminary Title Report. In it, you’ll find information about the ownership of the property and any outstanding liens and encumbrances against it.

The report provides the seller the opportunity to not only learn about previously unknown defects in the property’s title, but to cure them as well.

After all, no sane buyer will want to continue with the purchase of a property with title issues.

Note that the Preliminary Title Report may not list all existing liens and encumbrances affecting title to the property.

It simply states those it was able to unearth and that the company will exclude these items from coverage in a subsequently issued title insurance policy, if they aren’t remedied.

Think of it as an “offer to insure,” according to the California Land Title Association.

Sellers need to carefully examine the preliminary report and, working with their agent or attorney, take action to clear up any problems.

For instance, one of the most common problems title companies see is an old mechanic’s lien. These are routinely placed on a property by a general contractor before starting a rehab or other home improvement project (to ensure he or she is paid).

In an ideal world, the contractor will release the lien upon payment for his or her services.

But, as you know, the world isn’t perfect and contractors often neglect releasing the lien. While it’s typically not difficult to resolve this title defect, it does take time, so the closing date may have to be extended.

The insurance

If the title search doesn’t find any problems, or you clear up those that have been found, the title company will issue a lender’s title insurance policy and, if purchased, one for the new homeowner.

Unlike other forms of insurance, title insurance only requires one payment, at closing, and it lasts for the life of the loan.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the title insurance process or anything else real estate-related. We’re happy to answer questions.

I have a friend in another state who wants to sell her home. And, whether a blessing or a curse, she has the luxury of taking her time.

In other words, she doesn’t need to relocate for a new job, she’s not getting a divorce and she’s not in escrow on another home.

So, suffering from “analysis paralysis,” she drags her feet. She also burns up her cellphone calling me for news on what the market is doing.

She’s waiting for that perfect time. You know the one—when home prices are the highest they’ll get.

Sound familiar? If so, keep in mind these famous words from a not-so-famous real estate agent (me):

“Trying to time the real estate market is crazy.”

By the time you learn that home prices have maxed out, it will be too late – they’ll be on the downhill slide.

But, if you insist on trying to time the sale of your home to the optimal time, here’s more advice – this time it comes from just about every real estate agent with a heartbeat:

“Now is the best time to sell your home!”

Yeah, I cringe when I read that too. But, right now, the advice actually has merit. And, here are 3 reasons why.

The inventory of available homes is scary-low

In fact, one of the major online real estate portals finds that in 2017’s fourth quarter, the nationwide inventory of available homes fell by 10.5 percent, which is the steepest drop in inventory since 2013.

The biggest drop was in starter homes but move-up homes are also experiencing a dearth of listings.

What does this mean for you as a homeowner thinking of selling? If the inventory remains suppressed as we head into the spring homebuying season, and demand remains high, you’ll be very happy with your home’s current market value.

Home prices are high

“Listing prices have once again begun their seasonal climb and have quickly reclaimed historical highs,” claims a new report from realtor.com®.

The data also suggests that homes are selling nearly 10 percent quicker than they did last year at this time, despite the price appreciation.

The shrinking inventory is expected to continue to drive up prices throughout the spring homebuying season.

Consider this: list your home soon and you’ll be in the driver’s seat, not only because you’ll get more for your home now than if you wait, but you will also have the luxury of dictating the terms of the purchase agreement.

Need to wait to close until the purchase of the new home is finalized? You’ll find a buyer willing to accommodate you. If you wait until the market changes to a buyers’ market (which it can do on a dime), you lose this advantage.

Interest rates WILL go up

If there is anything that acts as an impetus for homebuyers to speed up the home search it’s news that mortgage rates are set to increase.

A recent study by a large real estate corporation shows that only 6 percent of potential homebuyers will cancel their plans to buy a home if interest rates rise above 5 percent and 21 percent say that the increase would cause them to speed up their plans to purchase.

The more alarming statistic, however, is the 27 percent who say that an increase that high will cause them to slow down their search until rates come back down.

If you need to sell your home, losing more than a quarter of the buyer pool is bad news. The more buyers that drop out on the demand side of the supply/demand equation, the quicker the market will change.

And, if you’re planning on buying another home, a rate hike between now and then could put a real pinch in your budget.

Count on mortgage rates continuing to climb this year. “The 30-year rate has been on a tear in 2018, climbing 48 basis points since the start of the year and increasing for eight consecutive weeks,” according to a statement by Len Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac.

If you are planning on selling your home this year, do it now, before the market turns against you.

We’re happy to offer you a free evaluation of your home’s current market value.

Don’t let a skimpy homebuying budget stop you from kicking your landlord to the curb. When even the most basic of starter homes soar in price, there’s always the trusty condo to fill the void.

If you’re opposed to even the thought of condo living, consider the purchase a stepping stone – a way to build equity to use for your forever home.

Read on to learn about more good reasons to consider buying a condo.

1. Cheaper than a house

Unless you lust after the penthouse unit in the city’s premier condo community, you’ll pay less for a condo than a single-family home. And, if you shop wisely, even that homeowners association fee tacked onto the mortgage payment won’t put you outside your comfort zone.

If you’re extremely low-budget, we can help you shop for a condo with low HOA dues. These are typically condos in low-amenity communities. In other words, you generally won’t find low HOA fees in a community that offers valet parking, private elevators and high-end fitness facilities.

2. On-site amenities

On the flip side, if the private elevator, valet parking and high-end fitness center is on your wish list, you’ll find condo communities that offer these amenities (and more) with homes far less expensive than buying a single-family home with the same amenities.

Yes, the HOA fees will be higher, but, again, your final monthly payment as a homeowner will be less than it would be if you owned a single-family home with similar amenities.

3. Low maintenance living has its perks

While there are some condo communities that offer homes with private yards, most don’t. This means no lawn to mow, weeds to pull, leaves to rake and trees to prune.

Part of your HOA fees cover the cost of common area landscape care. If the community has a pool, the HOA takes care of its maintenance, too.

Think of all the free time you’ll have compared to your friends who own single-family homes. Your weekends will be maintenance-free.

4. Be social, or don’t

Ask any of your single-family-home-dwelling-friends how many of their neighbors they know. Sadly, the answer will most likely be anywhere from none to very few.

Sure, there are vibrant neighborhoods with connected neighbors, but by and large, most Americans tend to isolate themselves from those who live nearby.

In fact, a Pew Research study finds that only 28 percent of people living in a neighborhood know their neighbors by name.

Condo living puts you in closer proximity to your neighbors. Whether that’s a positive or a negative depends on how sociable you are. If you like getting to know your neighbors you’ll love this aspect of condo life.

5. Building equity and more

We touched earlier on buying a condo as a stepping stone. Not only will you build equity to put toward a future purchase, but owning a home has tax advantages as well.

Yes, tax laws are in flux right now, but you will still receive homeownership benefits that you won’t have if you continue renting. 

6. Feel safer

Many condo developments offer security features. Whether it’s a gated community or one with a roving guard or even a community with camera surveillance, security is a feature lacking in many single-family homes.

This is especially important to people who live alone and may feel vulnerable. Even a community lacking robust security features will feel safer simply for the fact that you live in close proximity to others, so seeking help in an emergency is far easier.

7. Convenience

If your aim is to live in the heart of the city or within walking distance to popular area amenities, you’ll find few single-family homes from which to choose. But, this is where the condo market shines the brightest.

Ditching the commute—or even the car—is a distinct possibility with urban condo living.

Do reach out to us if you’re considering purchasing a condo. We’re happy to walk you through the process and show you what’s available now.