Simple tasks can protect home investments

By Jonathan Priest

Shorter days and colder weather make it tempting to curl up under a blanket and hibernate until spring. It’s a good plan, but before the snow flies, cross these six home improvement projects off your list.

1. Clean the gutters

The first snowfall of the season is not the time to learn your gutters are filled with debris or too loose to handle the weight of the snow.

Falling leaves can create a buildup, and when it rains or eventually snows and the snow melts, the water will need a clear path to run. Making sure you have clear downspouts has the same reasoning, so that debris does not build up.

Clean your gutters, or better yet hire a pro to tackle the job. While you're at it, look for areas where gutters are loose and may have torn away from the house. Reattach them using gutter spikes, brackets or hangers. Clean, well-secured gutters are essential to protect the foundation of your home and reduce the risk of basement flooding.

 
2. Check smoke detectors

When you change the clocks to standard time, change the batteries in your smoke detector. December is a great time to install new batteries as you are preparing your home for colder months. Remember, if your alarm chirps – a sign the battery is low – replace it, no matter the time of year. Once you’ve replaced the batteries, test the smoke detector: It’s as simple as pushing the button to make sure the alarm goes off.

Don’t ignore hardwired smoke detectors; many have battery back-ups and those batteries need to be replaced, too. You should also replace any smoke detectors that are over 10 years old. Alarms are constantly checking the air for smoke, and after 10 years, the effectiveness of the alarm may decrease.

3. Hire a chimney sweep

A chimney sweep isn’t just a character from Mary Poppins. These fireplace pros remove soot and creosote that build up in the chimney and pose a fire risk. A professional chimney sweep, certified through the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), will clean the chimney and inspect the entire fuel venting system for warped metal on the damper, cracked or collapsed flue tiles, cracks in the exterior masonry and other signs of fire damage. The National Fire Protection Association recommends an annual chimney inspection. A clean chimney makes it safer to build a cozy fire in the winter; a chimney that has been swept not only helps prevent chimney fires but will also aid your fireplace to operate more efficiently as the smoke and other flue gases can exit the chimney more quickly.

4. Perform furnace maintenance

Call in the pros before turning on the heat. Regular maintenance ensures that your furnace runs at peak efficiency. Without semiannual maintenance (in the spring before running the air conditioner and in the fall before turning on the heat), airborne allergens may get trapped in the filters, resulting in poor indoor air quality.

Have your furnace inspected to make sure it’s in good working order and change the filters.

Furnaces that are not cleaned at least once a year can wear out more quickly and can stop working.

5. Winterize water pipes

Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that almost 30 percent of homeowners insurance claims were related to water damage and freezing. Make sure to drain outdoor water spigots and winterize water pipes to reduce the risk.

You can winterize water pipes by locating your hose bib shut-off valve, which may be in a basement or crawl space, and turning it off at the source. For extra protection, purchase a Styrofoam cover that attaches over the outdoor spigots to keep them from freezing.

These quick fixes can provide protection against the elements as temperatures drop. You may also want to shut off water to exterior faucets and drain sprinkler systems for extra protection against freezing pipes and water lines.

6. Assess windows and doors

Heat lost through windows and doors can account for up to 30 percent of home energy use, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To keep heat in the house, look for cracks or gaps in the exterior caulking, check seals around exterior door and add caulking or weather stripping as needed. While these DIY fixes can reduce heat loss, a professional energy assessment can provide additional insights into areas where you may be losing heat and recommend fixes. Call your utility company to ask about their services or get a recommendation for a pro.

This article was brought to you courtesy of Farmers Insurance agent Jonathan Priest, with an office at 57 Tandberg Trail, Suite 7, Windham and StaySafe.org. Call him at 207-893-8184 or send him an email at jpriest1@farmersagent.com <

Does the market really sleep in December?

By Lisa DiBiase

A lot of people assume real estate slows down once the snow falls and the holiday season arrives. The common belief is that buyers disappear, sellers pull their listings, and everyone just waits for spring.

In Southern Maine, that’s not the full story.

December looks different than June, of course. There are fewer open house signs on the corners and more wreaths on front doors. But behind the scenes, there is still real activity, especially from serious buyers and sellers who have a clear reason to move.

Here is a closer look at what really happens in our local market this time of year.

Online Browsing Goes Up, Even If Showings Slow Down

Once Thanksgiving passes, many people have more time at home. They are off work, sitting with family, and talking about the future. That often leads to one thing: opening up a real estate app and starting to scroll.

We see a lot of quiet online activity in December, and the traffic to our website hasn’t shown a decline or slowdown. People are:

● Saving listings in Windham, Gorham, Westbrook, and the Lake Region

● Comparing prices between Southern Maine towns

● Daydreaming about more space, a shorter commute, or a move closer to the coast or to our rural towns

Not everyone who browses is ready to buy, but a surprising number of January and February buyers start their search during this “downtime” in December.

Fewer Buyers, But More Serious Ones

Traffic at open houses and showings is usually lighter in December. The buyers who are out in the snow and cold tend to have a real reason to be there.

Common December buyers in Southern Maine include:

● People relocating for a job starting in January

● Families who want to get settled before a new school semester starts

● Buyers who sold in the fall and now have a deadline to find their next home

These buyers are not just curious, they’re motivated and prepared. If your home is listed in December, you might see fewer showings than in the spring or summer, but the showings you do get are often more serious.

Sellers Have Less Competition

Because many owners assume winter is a bad time to list, they wait for spring. That means there are fewer homes on the market in December. If you decide to list now, your home may stand out more. The lower inventory can be an advantage for sellers who are ready to act.

Of course, winter in Maine does come with a few extra considerations. Sellers need to keep walks and sidewalks clear of snow and ice, have lights on and shades open for showings on darker days, and plan around storms and shorter daylight hours. And buyers, remember roofs, decks, and yards can be harder to see when everything is fully covered in snow. A good inspector and local Landing Real Estate Realtor can help you work through those details.

So, Does the Market Sleep?

The market does not exactly go to sleep in the winter; it changes pace. A home in December looks and feels different than one in July, and that’s not always a bad thing! There may be fewer overall listings and fewer casual showings, but there are still motivated buyers and sellers, and many prefer this quieter season.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling, do not assume you have to wait for the perfect weather or a particular month. The right timing is the one that fits your life, your plans, and your comfort level.

The important thing is to go in informed, with a clear plan and a real estate team, like Landing Real Estate, that you trust.

This article was brought to you by Lisa DiBiase, Broker/Co-Owner of Landing Real Estate. Lisa and her team proudly represent buyers and sellers across the Greater Portland, Lakes Region, and beyond. For all your real estate needs, contact Lisa at Lisa@LandingHomesMaine.com or call (207) 775-SOLD. <

Brrrrrrr, are cold temps cooling off the market?

By Matthew Trudel

The temperatures have definitely dropped, and we just got hit with our first significant snowfall of the season. Some of us really enjoy the snow and the change of the seasons, but there are plenty of people who would have been happy if Mother Nature waited a couple more weeks before reminding us of what is to come over the next few months.

The real question this Holiday Season is if it is a good time to purchase a home? Or perhaps you are thinking of selling and not sure if this is the best time to try to sell your house. How does the cold weather and winter conditions affect both buyers and sellers.

Buying a home this time of year can be a really good move for many reasons if you are up for the challenge. Most buyers don’t want to move in January when the sidewalks are ice-covered, snowbanks are tall, and the salt and slush can be a real mess. This translates into fewer buyers to compete against when out shopping for your new house. Less competition among buyers usually will correlate with lower prices and sellers being willing to negotiate a little more on pricing or contribute to the buyer’s closing costs.

Moving during the winter is not the only challenge buyers will face. Another major hurdle is getting the home inspections done this time of year. Yes, inspecting the home on the interior is easy enough, but it is the exterior of the home that can prove to be very challenging. Inspecting the roof is nearly impossible, especially if it is covered in ice and snow. The opening and closing of certain windows and doors can also be difficult. Then there is the septic system to inspect, and when the ground is frozen and covered in several feet of snow that can be very costly to get done.

We touched base on a few challenges for buyers but what about sellers. and is it worth it to list your house now or should you wait until the spring to put your property on the market. Just like most of the buyers who don’t like to move in the winter, neither do sellers.

Sellers also are not a fan of having people go through their house during the holidays tracking in dirt and salt.

So. what are the advantages to listing now, and not waiting? There are fewer homes on the market at this time of year and that means your home will see more interest. The buyers who are out looking are serious buyers and not just tire kickers killing some time on a Sunday afternoon.

Keep in mind that many buyers are moving and buying a house because they have to for various reasons. Sometimes it is work related that forces a move to a new location. Another common reason is for health issues with a family member or loved one. Whatever the reason is for the buyer to make this move is not that important.

What is important is that they get to see your house and then decide if that is the best option for them. If your house is not on the market. then that is a potential sale you definitely missed.

Everyone needs to make those decisions and weigh the pros and cons. Hopefully you have already selected a realtor to work with that can help you go over all of these things. If you haven’t yet, you should find a realtor with plenty of experience who is familiar with your local market area. I’ve covered this topic in a lot of these articles over the past decade or more.

Merry Christmas to all of you and have a very Happy New Year!

This article was written by Matthew Trudel, the Owner of Five Star Realty, Windham, 207-939-6971 or Matt@FiveStarRealtyMaine.com <