Do you find yourself ambling around your home looking like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man come winter? If you’re bundled up under layers upon layers of clothing just to keep warm in your living room, it’s probably a sign that the time has come to give your furnace a thorough once-over—and perhaps swap it out for a new one.
While replacing a furnace can be pricey, face the facts: It will be necessary at some point. Putting it off too long can actually cost you money—and can be hazardous.
“When your furnace breaks, not only is it uncomfortable, but dangerous,” says Mark Dawson, chief operating officer of One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning. “Many Americans die every year from exposure [to cold] inside their homes.”
Most furnaces are gas-powered central air systems, which first heat air and then blow it out through ducts and vents. But truly understanding how your furnace works is vitally important. Here are a few telltale signs your furnace is about to go kaput.
1. Your furnace has passed the 15-year mark
A furnace should last about 15 to 30 years before you’ll need a replacement, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. But exactly how long yours will last depends on the brand, furnace quality, and its overall efficiency.
“After 15 to 20 years, a furnace’s performance will most likely start to dwindle,” says Dawson. “While you can make repairs to the furnace, over time it’s more cost-efficient to replace the furnace altogether.”
So if your furnace is more than 15 years old, you should start looking into investing in a new one.
2. You have skyrocketing energy bills
Suddenly getting higher heating bills? This can be a blaring red signal that your system is running less efficiently.
“Over time, motors in the furnace begin to wear and use more energy to do the same amount of work they did when the unit was new,” says Todd Koehler, field manager for American Home Shield, the largest and leading home service plan provider. “This will lead to a pricier bill at the end of the month.”
Another downside to an aging furnace that has not been properly maintained? In addition to the motor, the gas valves and burners can work at a diminished efficiency, which can also cause the furnace to consume more gas.
“We often find a lot of older units showing signs of wear that can lead to inefficient operation up to the point there is a major failure,” says Koehler.
3. You notice elevated dust, soot, or rust particles
Clogged ducts can be the cause of more dirt falling from vents as well as the root cause of improper airflow to parts of the home. Very old systems—especially in homes with pets or smokers—are often in serious need of a thorough duct cleaning. And while a dirty furnace can be a sign of lack of maintenance, it could put you on the express lane to needing a replacement.
“Cleaning the burners for proper combustion will eliminate soot,” says Koehler. “And general maintenance such as duct cleaning and changing the unit’s filters will fix the dust issue.”
Plus, you’ll add to the life of your furnace in general. However, if there’s still a lot of dust after a thorough cleaning, a new furnace may be in order.
4. There’s too much humidity in the home
“A combusting furnace will dry out the air and remove humidity, which is normal,” says Koehler. But over time, the heat exchanger can develop thermal fuel residue. That residue will prevent your furnace from heating up enough to then remove humidity from the air. This can lead to higher than normal humidity—the ideal balance is between 30% to 40%—in the home.
“The opposite issue can also occur if the unit develops heat spots from years of operation,” adds Koehler. “Replacing the unit will help resolve these issues.”
5. Rooms heat unevenly
When your kitchen is hot while your den is freezing, it’s probably time to replace your furnace.
“The furnace isn’t pushing out the necessary heat throughout the home as it should,” says Dawson. “While you could have a licensed professional make repairs to the furnace, it’s a short-term solution—and the bigger problem will eventually have to be addressed.”
A good rule of thumb is if a repair costs about 50% or more of a new furnace, you should get a new one, adds Dawson.
6. Your furnace is noisy
Is your furnace loud? Or making more rattles, buzzes, or hums than a jazz trio? Then cracks, leaks, or other structural issues may be trumpeting that a new furnace is in order.
“There shouldn’t be any odd sounds coming from the furnace, apart from the typical noises a furnace makes when starting up,” says Dawson.
If you do notice things going thump in your furnace, it’s likely time to hire a licensed professional to do a maintenance check. Just keep in mind odd sounds are one of the first indicators that the furnace will need to be replaced soon.
“Cracks in the system or leaks might be more costly to repair than just biting the bullet and investing in a new furnace,” Dawson says.
Whether you’ve opted for a full roast turkey, or the more diminutive turkey crown and turkey breast, it’s highly likely that there’ll be some meat left after the big Christmas dinner, whatever cut you choose. While the humble turkey sandwich of course has its place, the versatility of this lean, mild meat means it can work much harder. From creamy curries to stir-fries and salads, we’ve got plenty of ideas for using up cooked turkey and a range of other leftovers.
1. Leftover turkey fricassee
Winter is the season of comfort, so why not put your Christmas dinner leftovers to good use in this indulgent turkey fricassee? With a creamy mushroom sauce and splash of white wine, it’s sure to keep those post-Christmas blues away. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s delicious served with pasta, mash or rice.
2. Turkey tikka masala
Spice up your leftovers and turn them into a whole new dish that the family will love. Inspired by the nation’s favourite curry, this fragrant turkey tikka masala delivers layers of flavour and gentle chili heat in a rich, creamy sauce. Rather than making a separate curry paste, we’ve cooked everything in one pan, so you’ll have less washing up to do.
3. Next level turkey & ham pie
Looking for a kitchen project to keep you occupied over the Christmas hols? This next level turkey and ham pie is not only a great use for your leftovers, but also a showstopping celebratory dish in its own right. Boost your pastry skills by making your own sage-infused shortcrust case, then generously fill with cooked meats, herbs and leeks in a creamy mustard sauce. This banquet-worthy dish is sure to please a crowd and equally delicious served warm for dinner or cold as part of a buffet spread.
The excesses of Christmas can often leave us craving something a little lighter. This warming and restorative turkey ramen is just the ticket, combining shredded leftover meat with noodles, shiitake mushrooms and eggs. If you’ve got any leftover gravy, this really enhances the broth with a rich, meaty flavour.
Another nourishing meal to keep you feeling good over the festive season. These gluten-free leftover turkey grain bowls are packed full of wholesome ingredients, including avocados, lentils, probiotic yogurt and a crunchy rainbow slaw. Warming spices such as za’atar and harissa balance well with a zesty tahini dressing which brings this whole dish together.
6. Spicy turkey noodles
With so much happening over the festive period, dinner prep can be a rather rushed affair. So it really helps to have a few quick and easy dishes such as these spicy turkey noodles up your sleeve. Ready in just half an hour, this simple stir-fry combines leftover turkey with noodles, spring onions and beansprouts in a zingy soy and lime sauce. We’ve used a red chili to give it some heat but you can easily omit this if catering for youngsters. Throw in extra leftover veg such as shredded sprouts or carrots to make it even more scrumptious.
When it comes to devising the most epic Boxing Day sarnie, we think we’ve come pretty close to perfection. Simply hollow out a crusty loaf of bread, then layer up all your leftovers inside to make this lip-smacking Italian-style muffuletta sandwich. Cooked turkey, stuffing, pigs in blankets, cranberry sauce, spinach and crispy onions are all the perfect elements for your Christmas leftover sandwich. Enjoy with a handful of crispy for added crunch.
8. Leftover turkey casserole
A hearty one-pot to warm everyone up – this simple turkey casserole is ideal for using up all your Christmas leftovers, including the trimmings. Throw in any robust root vegetables, such as parsnips, carrots and celeriac. Simmered in a flavoursome honey and mustard stock, this stew is delicious served with mash or jacket potatoes.
9. Turkey curry patties
Raise your lunch game with these marvellously meaty turkey curry patties. With just one bite, your tastebuds will be hit with a wonderful array of herbs and spices, all encased within a soft and crispy homemade turmeric pastry. These gorgeous golden patties are perfect for the days after the big meal, or you can easily freeze them for later.
10. Roast potato, turkey, sausage & stuffing pie
There’s nothing quite like a bubbling golden potato bake to welcome you at the end of a busy day. This easy roast potato, turkey, sausage & stuffing pie combines all the best bits from Christmas dinner in one. Put it together in just 10 mins and let the oven do the hard work. With a creamy mustard sauce filling and crispy cheesy topping, this comforting dish might even trump Christmas dinner itself.
11. Christmas pizza
Kids will love this festive pizza, topped with leftover meat and, ingeniously, a scattering of stuffing. It might not be one for Italian food purists, but it’s certainly won us round.
12 . Turkey bubble & squeak
One of our favourite post-Christmas fry-ups, these turkey bubble and squeak cakes are the perfect way to reinvent your leftovers. Joe Wicks’ speedy recipe combines cooked turkey meat with brussels sprouts, potatoes, parsnips, gravy and herbs. Served with cranberry sauce, these lean and crispy cakes make a welcome change to some of the heavier Christmas food.
13. Leftover Christmas lunch patties with gochujang mayo
Mix up all your leftover veg, stuffing and turkey meat for these delicious Christmas lunch patties. Simply add herbs and spices to elevate the flavour and enjoy. The tangy gochujang mayo adds a nice heat.
14. Turkey cacciatore with a twist
This Italian-style bake will be a crowd-pleaser thanks to its cheesy breadcrumb topping and rich tomato sauce. Our easy turkey cacciatore is just the ticket when all the festive-themed food gets a bit much.
15. Korean rice pot
Keep things nice and light with our speedy Korean-inspired rice pot. This healthy bibimbap combines diced turkey with spinach and shredded carrots, served on a bed of rice. Top with fried eggs and nutty sesame seeds.
16. Leftover turkey korma
A gently spiced dish, with a nice creaminess to it, this leftover turkey korma is a great alternative meal to a heavy of Christmas dinner. Pair with naan or white rice and mango chutney for a taste explosion.
17. Mini turkey & cranberry pies
If you’re in charge of any post-Christmas/pre-New Year entertaining, these mini turkey and cranberry pies will keep your guests happy – just add a block of shortcrust pastry to your big grocery shop.
18. Moroccan turkey salad
Take a break from belt-busting meals and try this light Moroccan-style turkey salad with fried aubergine, cherry tomatoes, harissa and rocket. Finish with a scattering of pomegranate seeds and mint for a refreshing burst, then enjoy with pitta breads.
19. Coronation turkey with homemade chapatis
This mildly-spiced treat will add a touch of retro charm to a Boxing Day spread. Pick up some roti flour and try your hand at these homemade chapatis with coronation turkey.
20. Leftover turkey slaw
Turn your turkey leftovers and other raw vegetable trimmings into a light and refreshing salad with a punchy lime dressing. Watch our video below and check out this guide for how to make turkey slaw.
21. Turkey cobb salad
We have a healthy bowl of goodness with this turkey cobb salad. Add tomatoes, boiled eggs, pancetta, avocado, chicory leaves and that leftover turkey breast for a light and creamy salad.
22. Jewelled pistachio slaw
A simple salad but one that packs so much flavour. Use up your leftover red cabbage, sprouts and turkey, mix up with pistachios, mint and the silky dressing; this jewelled pistachio slaw makes for a nutritious lunch and a way to prevent food waste post-Christmas.
23. Chicken, sausage and prune pie
This impressive chicken, sausage and prune pie is an easy way to feed a crowd using the leftovers from Christmas dinner. Layering in a ‘flat-pack’ format, you have sausage, bacon, turkey, chicken, stuffing and a layer of puff pastry; it has all the components for a whopping great pie to serve with extra veggies on the side.
24. Turkey and clementine lunch bowl
Keep to the classic festive flavours with this turkey and clementine lunch bowl. It’s protein packed and a great post-workout meal. It is a way to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your balanced diet and is also rich in vitamin c and folate. Eat up leftover veg and turkey breast after Christmas so that you’re free from excess food waste.
25. Turkey minestrone
A wintery soup is always a good choice when using up leftover meats and vegetables. This delicious turkey minestrone is simple to rustle up with store cupboard and leftover Christmas ingredients. It’s the perfect warm pick-me-up meal.
To keep the holiday dinner conversations peaceful, instead of talking politics and religion, talk about REAL ESTATE! Here are your talking points. (Although it could easily lead back to the aforementioned subjects so beware.)
October Existing Home Sales Plunge
Much higher mortgage rates have ensured that this will be the coldest 4Q in quite some time — at least as far as existing home sales go.
According to the NAR, October existing home sales fell 5.9% month-on-month (compared to September 2022) and plunged 28.4% year-on-year (compared to October 2021). This is the 9th-consecutive monthly drop. This is much more than just a seasonal slowdown.
Note: The 4.43 million figure you see in the chart below is a seasonally-adjusted, annualized figure. 4.43 million homes were not sold in October. Instead, it’s telling you that if the pace of sales seen in October (adjusted for seasonality) continued for the next 12 months, you’d sell 4.33 million homes. This figure is just 10% above the May 2020 low of 4.07 million.
Source: NAR
In addition, there continues to be a big difference from region to region. Things were much worse in the West, where existing home sales were down 38% YoY and there was a dramatic contraction (41%-45%) in the sale of higher-end homes. On the other hand, the Northeast is performing the best (smallest contraction of 23% YoY). Also note that the big decline in homes priced between $100–250K across the US is at least partially due to fewer homes listed within that price range thanks to rapid home price increases.
October 2022 Existing Single Family Homes Sold
By Region and Sales Price
Source: NAR
Mortgage Market
After the big decline two weeks ago, average 30-year mortgage rates have hovered around the 6.6% level. This means that monthly mortgage payments are $100–200/month lower than they would have been in mid-November when rates were at 7.25% (with no points purchased).
1. Add Some Sparkle & Fun
Hungry Happenings has a great tutorial on how to create a colorful and sparkly turkey out of pie dough to add to the top of your pie.
2. Gorgeous Whipped Cream Topping
For the truly adventurous and artistic out there, there’s the whipped cream rose topping from i am baker. I’m still swooning over how beautiful this is. You can even simply pipe those roses on top of a regular pumpkin pie, skipping the sides.
3. Decorative Crust
The leaves and pumpkins decorating the crust on this pumpkin pie from Wild Wild Whisk made my jaw drop the first time I saw it. It has the right amount of rustic elegance for the holiday table.
4. Autumn Leaf
Lovely Little Kitchen has a ridiculously simple decoration that will take you seconds and will also use up any extra pie dough. Simply cut out a large leaf from the leftover pie dough and place it in the center of the pie!
5. Leaves and Vines
If you’re making a slab pumpkin pie like this one, or are merely looking for a less pie crust heavy decoration for your pie, try decorating with dainty leaves and vines made from pie dough.
6. Nuts about nuts!
It can be as simple as a topping of chopped walnuts to take a plain ol’ pumpkin pie to the next level, like this one from Midwest Living. Plus the extra crunch is a great surprise, especially when served with extra whipped cream.
7. The Best of Both Worlds – Pie Crust and Whipped Cream
I’ve saved the best for last… Why not go with both whipped cream AND pie crust decorations? Primal Palate’s pie boasts a two-topping knockout of a pie! I know there are many of you looking to one up the other pies on the dessert table and this is the way to go.
8. Pastry Leaves
This beautifully decorated pumpkin pie from Lemon Blossoms is topped with perfect fall pastry leaves.
Pastry leaves made out of pie crust are is my go-to pumpkin pie decoration year after year. They are simple to make and look so pretty. You can also see them on my Vegan Pumpkin Pie, though they don’t puff up as nicely with almond flour pie crust.
9. Turkey Decorated Pumpkin Pie
Take the fall leaf pumpkin pie decoration idea a step further and make a turkey! This Turkey Crust Pumpkin Pie from Kudos Kitchen is just too cute!
10. Sugared Cranberries
Sugared cranberries are one of the most festive holiday treats. They are tasty and beautiful and a wonderful pumpkin pie decoration. We used them on our Vegan Pumpkin Cheesecake, pictured above, along with some pomegranate arils and fresh mint leaves.
11. Nuts & Seeds
For a natural aesthetic, you can’t beat nuts and seeds. Toasted pecans and pepitas are a natural fit for pumpkin pie decoration. Candied pecans or almond brittle broken up into little pieces is tasty too.
Alternatively, but also with chocolate, dark chocolate shavings could be piled up in the center of a pumpkin pie or over freshly whipped cream.
13. Edible Flowers/Leaves
Loria Stern uses edible hibiscus leaves on her Maple Fall Cookies. To use this idea for pumpkin pie decorations, top your baked pie with a few of these cookies, or top the pie with pressed edible hibiscus leaves.
14. Piped Whipped Cream and Coffee
Addicted to Dates topped this lovely vegan pumpkin custard pie with whipped coconut cream sweetened with maple syrup with instant coffee. Cocao powder or cinnamon would work well for dusting too.
15. Freshly Whipped Cream
Pile pillowy freshly whipped cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free) on top of your pie for a beautiful contrast in color. This lovely Pumpkin Pie From Scratch is from Flavor the Moments.
HOW TO MAKE FALL LEAF PUMPKIN PIE DECORATIONS
The trick to making beautiful pastry leaf pumpkin pie decorations is to use cutters that are made for this purpose. You can find them at cooking stores such as Williams-Sonoma, or get them delivered quickly with Amazon Prime.
Simply roll your pie crust out as usual, then use the cutter to cut out your fall shapes. Brush lightly with an egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment and bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes until golden. Top your pie with the pastry leaves after it has baked and cooled, or serve them separately to place on whipped cream. Learn How to Store Pumpkin Pie first.
✅ VA Loans can help make homeownership possible for those who have served our country.
✅ These loans offer great benefits for eligible individuals and can help them buy a VA-approved house or condo, build a new home, or make improvements to their house.
✅ Homeownership is the American Dream. One way we can honor and thank our veterans is to ensure they have the best information about the benefits of VA home loans.
Our friends at Old Republic Home Protection share these safety tips to keep our families and our homes protected.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 51,000 electrical home fires occur annually, resulting in nearly 500 deaths, more than 1,400 injuries, and over $1.3 billion in property damage. And, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 400 people are electrocuted each year.
How can you keep your family safe from household electrical dangers?
1️⃣ Extension cords should be used as a temporary fix, not as household wiring. Keep them free of knots and tangling around other objects.
2️⃣ Do not attempt to force plugs into wall sockets if they don’t fit. Move to an outlet that will accommodate the plug securely and correctly. If plugs won’t stay in a socket, the outlet may be damaged and should be repaired or replaced.
3️⃣ Use lightbulbs with wattage that complies with the lighting fixture.
4️⃣ Keep all electrical appliances away from water! If an appliance does fall in water, unplug it before retrieving it.
5️⃣ Unplug all appliances during an electrical storm to prevent damage from power surges.
6️⃣ Keep a distance of at least three feet between space heaters and rugs, curtains, furniture, and other flammable objects.
7️⃣ Always use power strips with surge suppressors on delicate equipment, such as computers and home entertainment devices.
➡️➡️➡️ For more home maintenance tips, follow us on FB/IG @carealestategroup
Even in Los Angeles, there’s just something about the holidays that make you feel like ice skating outdoors; call it hometown nostalgia, call it a desperate desire to cool off from all this heat — whatever works! And you’re in luck because there are multiple places you can go ice skating in Los Angeles, even while wearing t-shirts and shorts!
Ice Skating here in SoCal can give you a taste of winter fun without the cold — thank goodness! We have our elves out there looking for more places, so stay tuned as we make updates! Here’s a list of the 11 best places to go ice skating in Los Angeles. Have fun!
For the first time in two years, the Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square is returning to Los Angeles! Offering lots of winter fun, it’s the city’s largest outdoor rink, welcoming over 54,000 skaters each year. The rink will be open from November 23rd, 2022, through January 1st, 2023. Tickets are available online starting October 3rd, 2022, and must be purchased in advance.
Town Square Park 41902 Main St., Temecula, CA 92590
Drive to Temecula for some ice skating fun! “Temecula on Ice returns with a state-of-the-art ice rink, rental skates, Bobby skating aid, and its own radio station playing the best skating music.” The ice rink is open daily from December 15th through January 8th, 2023, including Christmas Day and a special New Year’s Eve skate. The minimum age to skate is 3 years old. Details and advance tickets are available online.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village: A Nostalgic Christmas in the Woods 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, CA 92385
There are so many things to do at Santa’s Village — tea with Mrs. Claus, breakfast with Santa, shows, and ice skating! “You might even catch Santa out there practicing his moves in between visits to his house and workshop.” Skate rentals are included, or you can bring your own. Recommended for all ability levels, ages 2 and older. Details are available online. They’re open from November 17th until January 2nd, 2023.
Hotel del Coronado
1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA 92118
If you feel like scheduling a little getaway, think about the famous Hotel del Coronado. From November 17th through January 1st, 2023, “the iconic resort shimmers and shines as its signature red turrets are draped in thousands of sparkling lights with magical Christmas trees, snowy surprises and garlands galore filling the property with holiday cheer.”
Their special Skating by the Sea Package includes overnight accommodations and two passes to The Del’s legendary beachfront ice rink. Details are available online.
Ocean Lawn at Paséa Hotel & Spa 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
For a fun getaway option, you’ll find an outdoor skating rink at the Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach. “This secluded skating experience is complete with holiday cocktails and bites, theme nights, evenings honoring first responders,” and more. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes of skating. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available online.
Ken Dyda Civic Center
30940 Hawthorne Blvd., Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
Families can have some fun ice skating while enjoying a view of the ocean! Skating in the Park opens Friday, December 16th with a special Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. The festivities also include holiday music, inflatables, on-site food trucks, and crafts.
The skating rink will be open throughout the months of December 2022 and January 2023. Reservations are recommended as drop-ins are limited. Check the website for hours, prices, and special themed nights happening throughout the month including Ugly Sweater, the 80s, Under the Sea, and Winter Wonderland.
Huntington Beach Holiday Ice Rink 325 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Huntington Beach is the place for Surf City Winter Wonderland. From November 18th through January 8th, 2023, families can ice skate “with an unobstructed view of the pier, sand, and sea.” It’s an only-in-Southern-California opportunity. Get the cameras ready! Tickets and details are available online.
The Cube Santa Clarita
27745 Smyth Dr., Valencia, CA 91355
The Cube Santa Clarita invites families to participate this holiday season as they share the tale of the Grinch whose heart was “two sizes too small”. The fun begins on Saturday, December 10th with show times at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm. Tickets are available online for this special experience. Check the website for details including regular public skating session hours.
Kana Okubo skating at Pershing Square in 2019, photo used with permission
You can skate under the stars at the only 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink on the Westside from November 16th – January 16th, 2023 and attend their grand opening on November 16th. There are no timed sessions and no limits. All-day skate passes include re-entry.
Irvine Spectrum Center
670 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618
From November 4th through January 8th, 2023, families can take a drive to the Irvine Spectrum Center for the chance to Skate Under the Stars! The popular ice skating rink is located in Giant Wheel Court and is open daily. Thirty-minute skating lessons are also available on Saturdays. Check the website for prices and details.
Civic Center Plaza 717 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701
The City of Santa Ana is hosting Winter Village, a family-friendly holiday attraction, from December 8th through January 8th, 2023. The festivities include live entertainment as well as an outdoor ice skating rink. A tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 10th at 5 pm. Ice skating is offered for ages 3 and up. Space is limited; advance purchase is recommended and can be done online.
While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home.
As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends that may benefit you when you go to buy a home today.
1. More Homes To Choose from
During the pandemic, housing supply hit a record low at the same time buyer demand skyrocketed. This combination made it difficult to find a home because there just weren’t enough to meet buyer demand. According to Calculated Risk, the supply of homes for sale increased by 39.5% for the week ending October 28 compared to the same week last year.
Even though it’s still a sellers’ market and supply is still lower than more normal levels, you have more to choose from in your home search. That makes finding your dream home a bit less difficult.
2. Bidding Wars Have Eased
One of the top stories in real estate over the past two years was the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But today, things are different. With more options, you’ll likely see less competition from other buyers looking for homes. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined. This September, the average was 2.5 offers per sale. In contrast, last September, the average was 3.7 offers per sale.
If you tried to buy a house over the past two years, you probably experienced the bidding war frenzy firsthand and may have been outbid on several homes along the way. Now you have a chance to jump back into the market and enjoy searching for a home with less competition.
3. More Negotiation Power
And when you have less competition, you also have more negotiating power as a buyer. Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal or inspection, to try to win a bidding war. But the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the percentage of buyers waiving those contingencies is going down.
As a buyer, this is good news. The appraisal and the inspection give you important information about the value and condition of the home you’re buying. And if something turns up in the inspection, you have more power today to renegotiate with the seller.
A survey from realtor.com confirms more sellers are accepting offers that include contingencies today. According to that report, 95% of sellers said buyers requested a home inspection, and 67% negotiated with buyers on repairs as a result of the inspection findings.
Bottom Line
While buyers still face challenges today, they’re not necessarily the same ones you may have been up against just a year or so ago. If you were outbid or had trouble finding a home in the past, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to start the homebuying process today.
Water can damage a foundation in countless ways, so homeowners should look to experts for the dos and don’ts.
Water is not always our friend. Sure, we drink it, swim in it, and need it to survive, but when it comes to homes, it can destroy the foundation, says home inspector Thomas Dabb of Immaculate Home Inspections in South Orange, N.J.
Water can enter a home from the exterior and interior, so buyers and homeowners need to keep their eyes open for signs of its presence—or worse—its damage.
The good news is that there are many experts available to spot and diagnose a problem and suggest the best fix. Water expert Steve Barckley with Exceptional Stone Products in Livingston, N.J., believes that homeowners should start by doing everything possible on the outside of the homes to correct problems and divert water away from a foundation.
Share these seven solutions with clients to help them minimize a foundation’s damage in various scenarios.
1. Improve grading. The slope of a property may direct water toward the base of a single-family house or multifamily dwelling rather than away. Cracks or openings in the foundation then allow it to enter, as well as through higher-level walls, the roof, and other entry points. Fix: “Be sure the grade slopes away from the house,” says Bill Coulbourne, a structural engineer whose eponymous company is near Annapolis, Md. A berm of soil or a swale with planting can prevent water from making its way to a foundation, says Cary Jozefiak, a home inspector with HomeTeam Inspection in Chicago. Caveats: This approach requires periodic maintenance to be sure the berm doesn’t erode. “It also needs to be directed so water doesn’t move toward a neighbor’s property,” Coulbourne says. Using a French drain to allow water to dissipate slowly from near the foundation into the landscape is more environmentally friendly than introducing it into the street to wash away, says Barckley. French drains also require some preventive maintenance to avoid clogging, Jozefiak says.
2. Waterproof a foundation. Keeping the foundation dry will prevent moisture from accumulating on the outside or entering inside. Fix: If wet, the best fix is to waterproof the exterior perimeter and interior walls of a basement or crawl space to prevent capillary action from building up, says New York City architect Victor Body-Lawson of Body Lawson Associates. “What we try to do is create an envelope around a building so water can’t enter through its skin, sometimes with a rain screen that drains water down and out to a storm drainage system,” he says. A sump pump will help if there’s moisture and water inside. It must drain far enough from a house, so water doesn’t recycle back inside if the property slopes or there’s an opening. Home inspector David Rose of Astute Home Inspections in Plainfield, N.J., suggests the drain be at least 5 feet from a house. A backup battery will prove useful if power fails.
3. Install gutters and downspouts. Water flowing off a roof will land near a house and possibly cause damage over time. Fix: A good line of defense is to have both gutters and downspouts installed around a home or building’s perimeter. The downspouts should extend far enough to carry away the water rather than have it sit near a foundation. Jozefiak recommends six feet away from a house. To keep gutters and downspouts functioning, they must be cleaned. How often to do so may depend on the trees near a house, Coulbourne says.
4. Keep large trees and bushes away from a house. Tree roots and other plant materials try to grow toward water, which can destabilize a structure and penetrate foundations, says Rose. Fix: If large trees already grow near a house, check that plumbing lines are free, and confirm there aren’t foundation cracks. If problems arise, the tree may need to be taken down or bushes transplanted, Body-Lawson says. Sacramento, Calif.-based landscape designer Michael Glassman suggests consulting a licensed arborist to check roots, stability, and if the tree should be removed. “The best time to remove trees is in winter when they are dormant,” Glassman says.
5. Don’t ignore diagonal cracks. Movement, temperature changes, and time may cause foundation cracks to develop. But large diagonal ones require attention from a structural engineer to avoid bigger issues. “Visual clues appear before structural inadequacies do,” says Madison, Conn.-based architect Duo Dickinson. Among the problems are moisture and salt destroying anything made of steel and non-pressure-treated wood, which may rot, Dickinson says. Fix: Cracks suggest settlement and send a red flag that something might be wrong with a foundation, says Body-Lawson. “It might have sagged but it may not deteriorate further. However, if it continues to do so, the foundation needs underpinning.” Cracks that appear in foundation walls due to settlement may be visible in a first floor’s interior, too, says Coulbourne. Hairline cracks are common, but when it’s a quarter-inch in width and V-shaped, it may indicate pressure on an exterior wall.
6. Check for significant leaks and stains, especially efflorescence in a basement. “An unfinished basement is the best basement because it’s easier to see problems,” says Rose. Fix: When a basement is finished, experts recommend looking for clues. For example, a rust color that shows through paint can be a sign of moisture, says Barckley. Efflorescence—white powder left behind from minerals in water—may also appear. Coulbourne says that mold is another indicator, most likely visible at the base of a wall where moisture accumulates. Use your nose, too, he says. “If you walk into a damp basement, you can smell that,” he says. Sometimes areas covered over need to be checked. For example, Rose may pop open ceiling tiles to examine what’s behind them.
7. Learn why interior or patio floors may slant. It could be that a house is settling, which happens over time, says Body-Lawson. “Old houses may sag a little and then stop,” he says. But if the floor or patio was level and now slants, it might be time to hire a structural engineer, says Jason Chang of Jersey Inspections in Verona, N.J. Fix: Floorboards, tiles, and carpet can be picked up, joists shimmed, and a new layer installed, says Body-Lawson. If water gets under pavers outdoors, they may need to be taken up, the pitch of the patio checked, a membrane or drainage system installed, then pavers put back, Jozefiak says.
Plan ahead with your holiday shopping and visit one (or all) of these holiday boutiques in Orange County! The Old World Christmas Market in Huntington Beach opens today! What better way to start off your holiday season and experience the coziness of fall than with a cup of steaming cocoa or Glogg (hot Swedish holiday drink) in a winter wonderland or European Christmas Market! We can’t wait to visit some of them ourselves!
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