Annual Maintenance

A common expectation of homeowners is to want the components and systems in their home to work when they need them. Periodic maintenance is just as important as having a trusted service provider to make necessary repairs.

Victims of Murphy’s Law can attest that their air conditioner goes out on the hottest day of the year or the water heater fails when you have out of town visitors.

If the convenience of having things work doesn’t justify maintaining your home’s systems, consider that it can be less expensive than the results of neglect causing repairs or replacement.

• Replace burned-out, dim or missing bulbs in light fixtures and lamps. Consider switching to LED bulbs.
• Dryer exhaust vents build up lint even though you may be cleaning the filter regularly.
• Fire extinguishers need to be recharged or replaced after expiration date.
• Establish a recurring appointment on your calendar to change filters in your HVAC.
• Replace missing or damaged caulk around sinks, bathtubs, showers, windows and other areas.
• Clean gutters.
• Schedule an inspection with a pest control a minimum of once a year unless you have a service contract.
• Schedule a chimney cleaning prior to using the fireplace for the first time in the season.
• Keep all tree branches and shrubs trimmed away from the home.
• Pressure wash exterior, deck, patio, sidewalks and driveway.
• Keep levels of insulation in the attic above your ceiling joists.
• Check appliances with water lines for leaks or worn hoses.
  • ice maker  • washing machine   • dishwasher   • others
• Test all GFI breakers and reset.
• Inspect all electrical outlets for broken receptacles, fire hazards or loose fitting plugs.
• Have furnace and air conditioner serviced annually.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change batteries.

The early fall is a great time to take care of these items before the weather becomes harsh.

Motivated Sellers, Better Prices and Less Competition

The Winter Home Buyer Report conducted in the second week of November by REALTOR.com^® revealed the sentiments of current home buyers expecting to buy a house during the winter months.  It appears that there is pent-up demand with buyers who were unable to purchase a home recently.

Most cited as an impediment to purchase was the challenge of low inventory.  Strong demand coupled with short supply explains why home prices have been increasing.

"This summer and spring home buying season was particularly challenging for buyers, especially first-time home buyers trying to compete with all-cash offers and bidding wars because of reduced inventory.  In fact, a quarter of the winter home buyers revealed they are in the market now because they were unable to find a home during this last home buying season," said Alison Schwartz, vice president of corporate communications at REALTOR.com^®.  "While buyers are still experiencing challenges with inventory and approximately one in five buyers plan to put down all cash, there are advantages to looking for a home in the winter. Motivated sellers, better prices and less competition between buyers are some of the top reasons winter home buyers are interested in purchasing a home during the colder months of the year."

Some interesting statistics taken from the report are:

Biggest challenges when searching for a home during winter:

• 34 percent shared that there is not enough inventory on the market
• 29 percent believe that winter weather makes house hunting unpleasant 

Traditionally, the industry has found that the fourth quarter of the year has a lower sales volume and is generally attributed to distractions from the holidays and not wanting to make a move during consistently inclement weather.  Even in areas that are not affected by extreme winter weather, there seems to be a mindset about moving in the winter.

Indications are that it may be advantageous for sellers to put their home on the market now rather than wait until after the first of the year.

Spring 2012 Came Very Early!

 

The rates are starting to rise along with the flowers and for sale signs. Sellers must be committed to selling in this market. Inflated inventories, short sales, foreclosures...lots of competition out there. Time is of the essence. Your first buyer may be your only buyer for a long time. In the long run, a lower initial price may net the seller more money.