Buying A Home

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Is Your Home Heating System Up to the Task?

When winter’s chill arrives, you want your home to be cozy and warm. Certain practices around the house can keep you toasty, while others can give you the shivers. Here’s what you need to know about your home heating system....

A home heating system should keep the cold air outside.

Keeping outside air from infiltrating the indoors is crucial so your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system isn’t constantly fighting back the outdoors. Keep these tips in mind:...

- Your attic insulation should be at least R-38, the median for any climate, and closer to R-60 for colder areas of the country.
- On a cold day outside, run your hand along the edges of windows inside to see if cold air penetrates. If so, reinforce caulk around the outside edges of windows. Check the weather stripping seal at the bottom of the sash and replace it if worn.
- Check the edges of doors to the outside with your hand. Replace the weather stripping around the door frame and the bottom as needed.

If your home is on a pier-and-beam foundation, do you have insulation between the floor joists under the house? This prevents hard surface floors from giving you cold feet.

Best HVAC practices

Keeping your HVAC system operating optimally is essential to indoor air quality....

Keep return air filters cleaned or changed once per month.
Invest in a smart thermostat and learn how to use it for the most efficient air handling.
Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to create an updraft that will push warm air down from the ceiling. Conversely, in summer, running the fan in a counter-clockwise manner creates a cooling downdraft.

Personal practices

Heating your home reduces indoor humidity, which can dry out your nasal passages and chap your skin. To replace the moisture, run a hot shower for a few minutes and let the steam escape the bathroom into the house. You can also use a humidifier.
Cover windows with heavier drapes in winter or insulated window shades.
Wear layered clothing, mainly made of wool, so you do not have to depend solely on your HVAC.
Use area rugs on hard surface floors.
Fireplaces draw vast quantities of indoor air right up the chimney. Use a glass fireplace screen to get the warmth of a fire without the unintended heat loss.

Buying a Home, Financing a Home,

Should You Wait Until Interest Rates Drop to Buy a House?

Today’s mortgage interest rates are a good bit higher than those of a few years ago, and that’s keeping many buyers on the sidelines, waiting for a better rate. Should you wait until interest rates drop to buy a house? Experts generally say no. Here’s what you need to consider....

No crystal ball of interest rates

Unfortunately, no one can predict what interest rates will likely do over the next few years. Although rates were 2 to 3 percent just a few years ago, historically, rates have generally been higher than today’s current rates. It’s possible that if you wait a year or two to buy, interest rates may be even higher than they are today. So, experts say that as long as the home you pick is within your budget, the possibility of a lower rate in the future is not a sufficient reason to delay your purchase....

Why are you buying?

Homebuyers are in the market for many reasons. Perhaps they are first-time buyers who are ready to stop renting and start building equity. Or they may be young parents who don’t have room for another child in their current home. They may be retired empty-nesters who are ready to downsize and/or move closer to children and grandchildren. Whatever the reason, people shopping for a home have a need they want to fill. ...

If you find a home that meets that need, you could lose it if you wait for a better interest rate. There’s a saying in the real estate industry: “Date the rate and marry the home.” If you find your dream home and choose to finance it at today’s higher rates, you can always refinance if rates drop in the future....

Keep rising prices in mind

Though there’s been some variability, housing prices have mostly skyrocketed in recent years. Today’s low housing inventory makes it likely prices will continue to leap. It’s possible you’ll be priced out of the market by the time interest rates drop (if they do)....

Other considerations

Delaying a home purchase to wait for a better interest rate keeps you from reaping two benefits of home ownership: tax benefits and the chance to build equity. The sooner you buy, the sooner you can take advantage of these factors....

Home Improvements, Selling, Staging Your Home,

When It’s Time to Hire a Professional Organizer

Is your closet so stuffed that you’re secretly hanging new purchases in the back of your kids’ closets? Have you purchased a new stapler in frustration after searching for hours for one of the two you already own? Do you trip over piles of books in the hallway because you’ve run out of room on your bookshelves? Have you tried before to purge and organize your belongings but gave up in frustration?...

If you answered yes to any of the above questions — especially the latter, it’s probably time to call in the pros. And yes, there are certified professionals who can expertly help you organize your home, your office, your life, and your calendar....

When to call a professional organizer

Professional organizers aren’t just for hoarders. They work with down-sizing seniors, students, people with disabilities, folks who are putting their homes up for sale, busy professionals whose offices need extra attention, overwhelmed parents, and the list goes on. In today’s busy, consumer-oriented society, it’s not uncommon to need a helping hand in the organizational department....

Decide on the services you need, and then contact a few to find someone who has experience in those areas....

The pros are especially needed when your own efforts have not brought the results you wish. A professional will keep you on track, be objective about hard-to-let-go items like sentimental keepsakes, and help you remove things from your home. Some professionals will assist with garage or estate sales, arrange for donation pickups or hire someone to haul trash to the dump....

The National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) is a certifying organization that lists its professionals on its website. It also lists helpful questions to use as a starting point when interviewing organizers. It’s important to consider your budget and their personality before hiring someone to help you sift through all your worldly goods. Since the process will likely be emotional at times, make sure you’ll be comfortable with the person you choose....

Education and training

A NAPO-certified professional organizer is accredited after completing a combination of on-the-job experience, continuing education units, and a high school or college degree. In addition, applicants must agree to adhere to a code of ethics and pass a board-administered exam. Recertification requires continuing education....

What to expect

A professional organizer should clearly communicate a strategy and plan of action. He or she should aid inefficient decision making and help discern how to get you the results you want. Certified organizers will also help you deal with emotional attachments you may have to your stuff....

Cost to hire a professional organizer

Fees vary by region and level of experience. Inquire about hourly rates or any packaged services offered at a discount. While hourly rates may seem high, remember that you’re likely to complete the job more quickly with professional assistance. Another money-saving approach is to hire an organizer for an initial consult that includes specific “homework” assignments for you to complete on your own. Then make periodic follow-up appointments to check your progress and maintain your enthusiasm....

Related – Hiring the Pros to Organize Your Garage...

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Home Technology, Ownership,

Have Landlines Gone the Way of the Dinosaur?

Is it still beneficial to have a landline telephone? Though smartphones offer more advanced technology in your palm than the computers that powered the first lunar landing, landlines retain some advantages....

Advantages of the old, reliable

Landlines are instrumental for home security services and medical alert sensors. Some personal alarms, known as telecare equipment, still rely on a landline connection.
A landline may also be a good option if you live in an area with poor mobile reception, offering a more consistent connection. Landlines connected via a fiber-optic phone service include benefits such as higher call quality and increased 911 service reliability.
Mobile network service outages can leave tens of thousands, maybe millions, of customers without phone, text, or internet service, sometimes for hours.
Sound quality for phone calls is superior on landlines. Mobile phone manufacturers consider audio quality a low priority next to internet data management, screen clarity, and camera pixel prowess.
Dropped calls and spotty coverage are only landline issues if the person on the other end uses a cell phone.
In an emergency, landlines almost always work.
Fiber optic cable has mostly replaced old copper telephone wires, so a telephone line can now supply high-speed internet and fax capability.

Disadvantages of landlines

Landlines do have their vulnerabilities:...

Though they don’t fail in mobile network outages, a power outage does cut power to the base station, disrupting phone usage.
Fewer home builders are installing telephone wiring and jacks, favoring equipment for ethernet cables instead. You may have to request telephone wiring and jacks if you plan to use them.
Carrier service plans are not as cheap as you might think, with some ringing in at $50 monthly.
Though spam calls are increasingly common on mobile phones, they are an epidemic on landlines. Also, many research survey companies still rely on landline calls. However, fiber optic networks often offer robocall-blocking features.

Related – Faxes Without a Home Phone Line...

Home Improvements, Ownership,

Preventing a Frozen Pipes Disaster

When temperatures plunge, the risk of frozen pipes rises. How can you keep pipes from freezing in your home and what should you do if it happens? We’ve got this down cold!...

Vulnerable to winter’s onslaught

Pipes are at risk when the temperature falls below 20 degrees for more than a couple of days. Plumbing near the end of its lifespan are particularly vulnerable to freezing during winter blasts. Pipes in older homes are also more susceptible because these homes often have poorer insulation and drafty leaks around windows, doors and under sinks....

While frozen pipes are obviously more common in the northern United States, homes in southern states are also at risk during the inevitable cold snaps winter brings, which send southerners scrambling to the home improvement store where insulation supplies vanish quickly from shelves....

Giving plumbing a warm coat

Last-minute measures may prevent frozen pipes, but the better time to prepare for frigid temperatures is before they come. Exposed pipes that are not wrapped or are in a poorly insulated part of the house are most vulnerable. Target pipes in these most vulnerable places first: the attic, the basement, or exterior walls....

To protect exposed plumbing, foam insulation wraps that are split lengthwise are available at home improvement stores for less than a dollar per linear foot. Cut the wraps to length and tape them securely. Be sure to wrap and cap outside faucets with foam covers as well....

In the attic and basement, wrap the pipes as described, but also make sure you have plenty of insulation throughout the rafter spaces. If you don’t already have an insulated layer called a radiant barrier on the underside of your home’s roof decking, consider getting it. The barrier also keep your attic cooler in summer....

If you have an older home, examine windows, doors and under sinks for leaks, and caulk or replace seals where necessary....

Drip-drip beats gush-gush

Where the plumbing is in an outside wall, drip water from interior cold water faucets when icy temperatures arrive. You may not like watching water drip into the sink, but that cost is pennies compared to the thousands of dollars you’ll end up spending to repair damage from a burst pipe. Also open cabinet doors below sinks to allow warm air in. Set ceiling fans to spin in a clockwise direction and run them at a low speed to draw warm air down to floor level and inside opened cabinets. Keep room doors open so heat can circulate throughout the house....

In a chilled basement or garage, use a space heater if you can safely do so. Keep it well clear of any flammable material....

Keep your home’s thermostat set at least in the 60s, even at night. If you go out of town, don’t lower it below 55....

Thawing frozen pipes

If you turn on a tap on a cold morning and little or no water comes out, you may have a frozen pipe. To thaw it, first try turning on hot water to thaw the frozen spot. If that fails, turn the water off at the meter or main supply valve to limit any possible leak. Then apply a heating pad or warm towels fresh from the dryer to places where the freeze might be. Do not use high heat from a hair dryer, space heater or an open flame....

Call a plumber if you cannot thaw a pipe, if the pipe is inaccessible or if you have a leak....

Leak detection alarms alert you when water starts leaking, before major damage can be done. Place them under sinks, in the attic and basement, and near the water heater. These alarms are inexpensive but could catch a leak early and prevent costly damage....

Selling, Selling Your Home,

What to Repair Before You Sell Your House

It generally isn’t financially wise to undertake major renovations just to sell your house, but repairs are another story. Most buyers don’t want a “fixer-upper,” and you’ll sell faster if you’ve already undertaken the fixes. Yet your budget for preparing your house for sale probably isn’t unlimited. So what are the most important items to tend to? Here’s a checklist of what to repair before you sell your house....

Where to begin

Let’s face facts: If your house is in disrepair, it will make a bad first impression, and you will not get top dollar for the home. Even if you’re listing in a seller’s market, or your buyer doesn’t initially notice a problem, the home inspector and/or appraiser likely will. Their findings could keep your deal from closing. So the issues to address first are the ones that could stop your sale. A pre-sale inspection can help you identify those problem areas, which may include:...

The roof. If you’ve got leaks, missing shingles, and the like, repair them before you sell your house. Replace the roof if needed, as a would-be buyer won’t want to do it.
The heating and air conditioning system. Replace the system or needed components if they’re on their last legs. Otherwise, make sure your HVAC is clean, leak-free, and working well.
The electrical system. All aspects need to be brought up to code before you go on the market.
Plumbing. Fix leaking pipes and faucets and take care of clogged drains.
The foundation. Undertake whatever repairs are necessary to make sure yours is structurally sound. If there are cracks in your walls or seriously sloping floors, it’s advisable to consult with a foundation specialist to determine the nature of the problem and repair it.
Damaged areas. Whether it’s rotten wood on your fascia and soffit, broken tiles in the bathroom, or a door the dog has chewed, fix what’s been damaged. Your buyer won’t want to.
Things that are broken. Kitchen appliances, light switches, windowpanes, electric sockets, and the like must be in good working order.

Trust your agent

Your real estate agent can tell you what else to repair before you sell your house. She will be familiar with the state of repair of homes in your area and what buyers are willing to overlook and what they won’t. Here’s a list of additional areas that will likely need repairs....

Walls. Patch gouges, cracks and nail holes. Repaint walls that need it. Even if dark or brightly painted walls are in good shape, it’s best to repaint them a light, neutral color that will appeal to many buyers. Papered walls don’t appeal to many buyers, so remove wallpaper and paint those walls.
Floors. Buyers love hardwood floors, but not if they are scratched or damaged. Have them redone if they’re not in good condition. Replace torn or worn carpet.
Kitchens. You likely don’t need to remodel your kitchen completely, but your existing one should look its best. Touch up flaking paint on cabinets, and make sure doors and drawers open and close smoothly. Deep clean tile grout. Replace dated hardware as well as hinges and handles that are broken.
Bathrooms. Make sure bathroom plumbing fixtures work properly. Replace or resurface the tub if it’s peeling.
Water heater. Repair any leaks. Replace it if it’s near the end of its lifespan.
Doors and windows. Replace broken hardware or damaged weather stripping. Mend torn screens and broken windows.

Buying, Buying a Home, Selling, Selling Your Home,

Home Title Theft: Selling Property for a Steal—Literally

Fraudulent property sales are a growing problem nationwide. With home title theft, criminals work in two ways. They either commit a fraudulent title transfer of a property to an alias name or a third party, or they commit identity theft (by creating fake IDs and documents) of the actual owner and then list the property for sale. An unsuspecting buyer can then purchase a property that’s been stolen from its legitimate owner unawares. Here’s how to guard yourself from getting ripped off in a fraudulent purchase. ...

Who is most at risk for home title theft?

Criminals committing these brazen acts usually target unoccupied properties with an inattentive owner. This could be a property with a home that is vacant or an undeveloped piece of land. The fraudster may list it through an agent or as for sale by the owner, which lowers the thief’s risk of a vigilant real estate agent sniffing out the fraud. If a buyer takes the bait and buys, especially in a sale-by-owner transaction, the buyer’s funds are sent to the crook’s bank, usually overseas. The property’s legitimate owner is also ripped off in a fraudulent title transfer, although unaware of it at the time....

How do fraudsters commit home title theft?

The thief finds a vacant or undeveloped property, looks up the owner on public records, and then extends his online search for personal information on that owner. He then commits identity fraud, creating a false ID using enough identifying details to fool a county clerk, a real estate agent, or a title company into believing he is the legitimate owner. Who the crook deals with determines how he intends to cash in on his purloined property....

The simplest method is for the crook to download and complete a quitclaim deed form, use the fake IDs posing as the legitimate owner at a county clerk’s office, and fraudulently transfer the property to a bogus third party, after which he can monetize it in various ways, including selling it to an unsuspecting buyer.
The fraudster could pose as the legitimate owner and hire a real estate agent to sell the property and collect the equity from the proceeds. This is the preferred scam with vacant properties.
The crook could pose as the legitimate owner or use the quitclaim method to list the property as a rental and receive the monthly rental income.

Watch for these red flags!

Be attentive if a vacant property or land is offered at a price too good to be true, especially if the seller wants a quick closing.
Often, these scams originate from overseas, though the fraudulent owner will claim to be in the US, just not nearby to meet in person. Ask to meet the seller in person or for an online video meeting. It’s a major red flag if he will not meet, won’t let you see him on a video, or only uses a still photo.
How long has the current owner had title to the land? If the current owner listed recently acquired the property in a title transfer and is selling the land quickly, this is a huge red flag.
Be attentive in email communications from the seller for grammar and syntax flaws indicating a foreign actor.
Ask for details the owner should know about the property, and be very cautious if he cannot answer correctly.
Research the owner on social media and look for photos. If you’re able to get a photo, see if the seller matches the person on the video call.

Useful links

You can spot an overseas operation with these resources:...

You can confirm the seller’s telephone number via https://phonevalidator.com.
Check an IP address with https://whatismyipaddress.com.
Verify passport information with https://emvlab.org.mrz/.

It is also essential to report incidences of home title theft to the following platforms: www.reportafraud.org and https://complaint.ic3.gov. Time is of the essence!...

Home Improvements, Money, Retirement,

Multigenerational Households: Crucial Considerations

Nearly 20 percent of today’s American households are multigenerational. A multigenerational household is defined as two or more adult generations living in one home or grandparents living in the same household as grandchildren younger than 25. The lifestyle can be positive for all concerned, but multigenerational living presents certain issues. Before you add that in-law suite, take a look at the important relational, financial and legal factors you need to consider....

Matters to talk about in multigenerational living

Parents often move in with adult children to get help with difficult circumstances, such as pressing financial or medical needs. The rising expense of assisted living facilities may be out of reach and make an in-law suite or other living arrangements an attractive option....

If you are considering multigenerational living, here are just a few of the issues each generation should discuss openly with the other....

What are the expectations of both the parents and the younger generations?
How will costs and household duties be shared? Financial issues need to be discussed particularly candidly. Keep in mind that utility costs, insurance, and maintenance expenses will all increase as the household expands.
If there are grandchildren, will the grandparents help with their care?
Will the adult children need to provide transportation for Mom and Dad for errands, doctor’s appointments and similar activities?
What will happen as Mom and Dad become more dependent? Are you prepared to care for your parents? Will one spouse be able to quit their job if necessary to care for an elder? Will the caretaker be able to manage other family responsibilities while caring for this person? What will you do if a parent develops a condition requiring care beyond your ability, such as Alzheimer’s?

Depending on the situation, other details need to be ironed out before everyone moves in together. An expert mediator, such as a senior housing adviser, can help address concerns that the family may not anticipate. Decisions about these issues should be written down, perhaps with help from an attorney — not because the parties don’t trust each other, but to avoid later misunderstandings....

Creating the living space

You can create an in-law suite in several ways. Perhaps the garage can be converted, or consider adding on to your home or building a new structure on your property. For the sake of privacy, segregating your parents’ living space from the rest of the household benefits everyone....

No matter the situation, important financial and practical considerations will arise. A garage conversion may begin at $10,000, whereas adding an addition or a separate cottage could top $100,000. One-story living is always best for aging adults. Their living space will need features that accommodate declining mobility, such as wider halls, lower counters and faucets, lipless showers, and lever door and faucet handles....

You will need to research and apply for the necessary approvals and permits from your homeowners’ association, zoning board, and city building inspectors. Some areas restrict the development of structures that aren’t attached to the main house on a lot....

Legal considerations

Consult an attorney if you plan to deed any portion of the in-law suite to your parents. Be aware this decision could affect the future sale of your house. You can expect to get back about two-thirds of your in-law suite investment when you sell your home....

Buying, Buying a Home, Selling, Selling Your Home,

What Does it Mean to Have Clear Title?

Having clear title to a property is a crucial part of any transaction between buyers and sellers. What does it mean to have clear title, and why is it important?...

Definition of clear title

A clear title in real estate means that the owner has unrestricted ownership of a property. The property is not subject to encumbrances such as a mortgage, a lien or levy in favor of a creditor to whom the property owner owes money, or even a wayward fence. These encumbrances are known as clouds on title....

Why it is important in a real estate transaction

Clear title means that no other party has a claim against the real estate. Without clear title, a property owner will effectively be unable to sell the property. (Technically, the owner can transfer ownership, but if he doesn’t have clear title, the buyer will be unable to obtain a mortgage.)...

When a buyer and seller enter into a sales contract on a property, a title company searches public records to determine what entities may have a legal claim against it. The title search could reveal one of the following....

Liens

A lien against the property as collateral is the most common type of cloud on title. The owner selling a house may have a mortgage, home equity line of credit (HELOC), or home improvement loan in which the property in question is security for the debt. Even if the original mortgage has been paid off, the owner may have secured a loan of some sort with his equity in the property. Unpaid contractors from the past may also file mechanics’ liens against a property....

Sellers typically pay off mortgages, HELOCs and home improvement loans with the proceeds of the property sale, clearing the lender’s lien. These encumbrances must be paid off before the buyer’s mortgage company will fund the loan he needs to buy the property. If the seller owes more than sales proceeds will cover, he must pay the difference out of pocket....

Levies

A levy is a financial assessment against the property made by either a taxing authority or a bank. It is placed on the property when the owner has unpaid tax or loan debt. The difference between a lien and a levy is that an entity with the power to levy can legally seize the property to sell it and pay the obligation....

Encroachments

Encroachments occur where an owner of property adjoining the seller’s property builds a fence or structure on the seller’s property. Encroachments also include situations such as where an easement has been granted that crosses the seller’s property, or a previous survey mapped out an incorrect property line....

Other title issues

Title problems can arise also in situations where a prior owner’s heirs still have some claim to the property. For example, a previous owner may have granted a part of the property to an heir, but the heir never filed the deed with the county clerk’s office and therefore the current owner is unaware of the heir’s claim....

When couples who jointly own a property separate but do not divorce, neither can sell the property without involving the other as a joint owner....

A property owned by a trust or other legal entity requires special attention by an attorney knowledgeable in title transfer....

Title insurance

Title insurance protects the parties to a real estate transaction against title issues. Title companies issue policies to buyers to insure them against any undiscovered or unresolved encumbrances that may be discovered. They issue policies to mortgage companies for the same reason, protecting the lender’s financial stake in the property....

Indoor Living, Ownership,

Closing Your Bedroom Door Could Save Your Life

One simple action — closing your bedroom door before going to bed at night — could save your life. A practice known in the fire safety field as “close before you doze,” that simple act gives you precious minutes to escape in a catastrophic house fire....

The facts about fire

Today’s building materials and furnishings are more combustible than in the past because they’re made of synthetics. Additionally, modern homes are bigger than in past generations. These factors have cut escape time during a fire from almost 20 minutes a generation ago to about three minutes. Simple steps can make a big difference in survival. ...

Preventing house fires

No one wants to contemplate the horror of a devastating fire. But with simple preplanning, much can be done to prevent that calamity....

Do not allow flammable material near sources of heat and flame. No kitchen towels and hot pads near the stove, nothing stored close to the water heater, nothing that can ignite next to the fireplace. Do not run electrical cords under carpet, and do not overload plugs into a power strip. Never operate a grill inside the home.
Purchase and place fire extinguishers around potential fire areas: the kitchen, garage and outdoor grill.
Each year, there was no working smoke detector in half of all residential fire deaths, so make sure yours are working. A high percentage of deaths occur in the overnight hours when people are sleeping, making working smoke detectors vital. Test detectors, both for fire and carbon monoxide, several times per year and keep the batteries fresh. Your alarms should be interconnected so that if one alerts, they all do. Replace alarms that are 10 or more years old.
Develop an emergency plan before a fire strikes. You and your family members should plan one or preferably two escape routes to the outside from every room of the house. Coordinate a meeting place for all family members outside. Carry out surprise fire drills to test each person’s readiness.

What to do when disaster strikes

Having your bedroom door closed makes a huge difference in the time you have to respond to a fire. If your alarms are interconnected, a fire elsewhere in the house will sound the alarm in your bedroom....

The temperature in a room with a closed-door can remain at 100 degrees, whereas with the door open it can soar quickly to 1,000 degrees. Smoke and carbon monoxide also skyrocket with an open door. Smoke tends to stay higher in rooms, which means there is less smoke to pass under a closed door. ...

Here are some additional steps to keep your family safe....

Place unrolling ladders in the windows of upstairs rooms to use if escape routes through the house are cut off.
If a pet or family member does not make it outside, do not go back in the house to rescue them. Alert firefighters and they will find the loved ones. They are trained and have the protective gear to do so.

Related – Watch Out for Dryer Fires!...

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