TIPS TO KEEP YOUR HOME AND FAMILY IN TOP SHAPE FOR CHANGING SEASON

Change the batteries in the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and RVs. Upgrade to detectors with a 10-year battery life and you can scratch this item off next year's to-do list. Prepare for winter storms. Check the batteries in your emergency flashlights and lanterns, stock up on emergency supplies and update your home insurance inventory to include any new household items you've purchased this year. Go through your medicine chest and remove all the expired medications. Don't flush old medications down the toilet. Take the medicine out of the original container, mix it with coffee grounds or kitty litter, put it in a sealable bag and then throw the bag in the garbage. Restock the first aid kits in your home, cars and RVs. In warm weather climates, adjust your irrigation clock settings for the dry season. Looking to save money and conserve water? Use a rain sensor to shut down your irrigation system when your lawn doesn't need water. Your water company may offer rebates on sensors. In cold weather climates, check your supplies of ice melt, then put snow removal tools and winter emergency kits in your cars. Schedule annual tune ups for your heat pump, furnace or boiler to keep those systems working efficiently. Stock up on furnace filters so you've got them on hand for monthly changes. Clean your dryer vent to prevent fires from lint buildup. If you have a flexible foil or plastic dryer vent, replace it with a smooth metal vent. The flexible vents can collect dangerous amounts of lint at low points.

IS IT REALLY A GOOD TIME TO BUY?

The renting versus homeownership debate will continue as long as housing is a requirement. For those making the most significant financial commitment and investment of their lives, moving from renter to owner can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. The current market suggests that today is a new dawn for homeownership and there are many long-term and immediate benefits to take advantage of. Home prices are rising in most markets, and in the long run, home values typically enjoy modest gains. Yearly home appreciation is a benefit that renters will never experience. Real estate tax exemptions and deductibles are helpful as is the ability to barrow against equity for home improvement and to pay for education. For many Americans however, the decision to buy a home is more of an emotional decision based on the desire to have a place that they can call their own. Many simply want to be their own landlord, and own a piece of the American dream. To them, that’s the greatest benefit of all. Right now is an optimal time to take the leap from renting to homeownership. While home affordability and mortgage rates are still historically very low, prices and mortgage rates are rising. In September, home prices doubled again. According to the National Association of Realtors®, the national median existing-home price for all housing types was up 11.7 percent in September compared to the same time last year. This is the 10th consecutive month of double-digit year-over-year increases. Check the attached market data to see if this is happening in the community of most interest to you. The good news, more home owners are now above water with their mortgages. According to CoreLogic, 2.5 million U.S. properties emerged from underwater or negative equity in the second quarter of this year. With more home sellers in the market, more inventory and selection offers more opportunity. To find out if buying a home is a viable goal for you, please contact me and I will assist you as you weigh your options. I can provide data on local home prices and sales, and help you analyze the statistics and determine how they affect you. I can also guide you as you search for a home and neighborhood that best suits your needs. Taking the leap from renting to homeownership can be a tough decision. With my guidance and expertise, I can help make the process much easier.