When Do I Need a Buyer Agent & What Will They Do For Me?

If you are like many people looking for a new home you may wonder, when do I need to get a Realtor on board, and what will they do for me? In the current fast-paced market in which listings often arrive and disappear within days or weeks, it is important to be well prepared. You should get your agent on board within six months of when you want to be in your new home. This allows time for your agent to inform you of the process, set up your searches, understand what is most important to you and research properties of interest so that you are completely comfortable and ready to act when the home you love come along!

Securing a new home is one of the most monumental life changes you will make. Yet it is not something you do every day, so how would you know what you don’t know?

There are many components to the process that need to be managed including everything from honing in on your true priorities to tempering the emotions and personality types of all parties involved. There is property valuation and strategy when considering your offer terms, especially in the current competitive market of multiple offers. Your agent must work to bring everyone together to work as a team serving your best interests, including the two attorneys, the seller’s realtor, the lender, appraiser, contractors, town hall personnel, the sellers, and you. There is due diligence to conduct and there are pitfalls to avoid. There are laws, regulations, and legal forms. There are incremental deposits that need to be carefully handled. There is a strict timeline that could result in the loss of your deposit if not adhered to and managed. There are a wide range of inspection items to consider and negotiate. And before any of this, there is the process of considering all your lifestyle factors and priorities when choosing a new location, neighborhood and home. 

So my service for you falls under the categories of understanding your wants and needs, providing key information so that you feel comfortable in making informed decisions, and managing the communications, negotiations and relationships to ensure the smoothest possible experience for you.

Here are 50 things I do for my buyer clients.

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Home Warranty vs. Homeowner’s Insurance: What’s the Difference?

Ever wonder what the difference is between a home warranty and homeowners insurance? Here’s the scoop from our experts at William Raveis Insurance!

If you would like to see a brochure for the American Home Sheild Warranty and what it covers, send me a note below.

A home warranty is a great thing to have in your toolbox as a homeowner, especially if you have some older appliances. It can also be of great assistance when selling your home if your buyer’s inspection indicates that some appliances are working but past their indicated lifespan and your buyer wants some reassurance. Likewise, if you’re buying a home and you have concerns about older appliances, an annual home warranty plan can protect you from the expense of needing to repair or replace many elements in the house. Your negotiations will be more attractive if you ask for a credit toward a home warranty instead of a whole new appliance.

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What to Do When the Bitter Cold is Coming!

Yes, definitely reach for the hot chocolate! But first make sure you are proactive about protecting your pipes, especially those that are most vulnerable to freezing. Think about your exterior pipes, pool plumbing and any uninsulated pipes.

Our regional insurance expert, Robert Reade of William Raveis Insurance just sent out the important bulletin below that I wanted to share it with you, especially if this is the first winter you are in a new home or have a new pool.

Good Afternoon, With the temps dropping here in CT this weekend to -35 degrees with the wind chill in some areas I thought it would be good to send a reminder on how to prevent frozen pipes.

Homeowners everywhere in the Northeast need to consider the risks of frozen pipes in their homes. Water damage and freezing claims were the second-most frequent type of claims filed in the United States between 2016 and 2020.

Water damage and freezing claims were the second-most frequent type of claims filed in the United States between 2016 and 2020.

Homeowners who file these claims lose an average of $11,650. About one in 62 insured homes make a claim related to water damage or freezing each year.

Though these are troubling statistics, you can avoid frozen pipes and water damage claims by learning how pipes freeze, taking preventative action, and investing in some tools.

You can avoid frozen pipes and water damage claims by learning how pipes freeze, taking preventative action, and investing in some tools.

No matter where you live, these four types of pipes tend to be the most vulnerable to freezing:

• Uninsulated pipes
• Pipes on the exterior of the home
  • Pipes located in attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other uninsulated areas
• Copper or galvanized steel pipes

There are other areas in homes that are susceptible to freezing, as well. The connectors and hoses on washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters are vulnerable to freezing as they can become brittle and break. Sinks and showers also pose potential hazards.

Outside, spigots, sprinkler systems, and swimming pool lines might not be as well insulated as indoor plumbing and could be the first points to collapse during a hard freeze.

How to prepare your pipes for colder weather:

1. Drain, remove, and store outdoor hoses to keep them from becoming fragile or tripping hazards after a snowfall or freeze. Also, drain water from outdoor lines, such as those connected to swimming pools and sprinklers.
2. Open outdoor hose spigots but close the inside valves that supply them with water.
   • This process causes the water to drain and—in the event of a freeze—expand without bursting a pipe.
   • If you go on an extended vacation, turn off the water to the home and open all the faucets to drain any water remaining in the pipes.
3. Insulate water supply lines and pipes in the garage, basement, attic, and other unheated areas with foam, heating cables, or pipe sleeves. Do the same for pipes under kitchen and bathroom sinks.
4. Make sure your home is enclosed and insulated.
   • Find and seal any cracks, drafts, and holes in the home’s exterior. Even small openings can welcome cold air inside, which impacts pipes and heating bills.
   • Enclose crawlspaces and insulate the attic. The added layer of insulation keeps warm air in and cold weather out.
   • Close the garage door to keep heat inside, especially if it closets water supply lines, the water heater, or a washing machine.
5. Keep the thermostat at a consistent setting—no lower than 60º Fahrenheit—during the day, night, and when you’re on vacation.
   • You might see a higher utility bill, but it’s cheaper than water damage costs.
6. Open the cabinet doors when temperatures fall below 32º Fahrenheit.
   • Opening cabinets allows warm air to circulate around kitchen and bathroom plumbing.
7. Let hot and cold water trickle through your pipes during frigid nights to help prevent them from freezing.
8. Find a local plumber. In the worst-case scenario, you should have the number of a trusted plumbing professional on hand.

There are products out there to help prevent frozen pipes and protect pipes against bursting. The Resideo Wi-Fi Leak & Freeze Detector can be purchased on Amazon for only $80. It can sense your homes moisture, temperature and humidity changes. It’s an early warning system when weather changes and pipes are in danger of freezing. There are many other products out there that can help aid in preventing substantial damage from burst pipes, such as pipe heating cables for vulnerable pipes, insulated pipe tape, outdoor faucet/spigot covers, just to name a few.

If the pipes freeze, it’s tempting to head to the nearest hotel for some running water, but don’t be hasty. Follow these steps to keep a freeze from becoming a disaster:

1. Shut off the main water valve.
2. Call a plumber if the frozen pipe is in an area you can’t reach—like underground or in an interior wall.
3. Use warm air to help thaw the pipes if you can access the frozen pipe. You can use a hair dryer, heat tape, or a quality space heater, but don’t leave it unattended—they can catch on fire.
4. Slowly turn the water back on, watching for leaks. You may need someone to assist you with this step.
5. Repeat steps three and four if the water doesn’t resume flowing immediately.

If a pipe bursts before you can thaw it, immediately shut off your water to prevent a flood. Mop up any mess you can reach and contact a plumber. Once the plumber assesses the damage, get started on an insurance claim.

Be safe and stay warm!  Let me know if you have any questions, 860-690-5052.

Robert

Robert S Reade CPRIA, ANFI, LUTCF, MAOL

William Raveis Insurance

CT, NY, FL, MA, RI, VT, NJ, ME, PA, AZ

860-690-5052 – Cell

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Ticket to Ride!

Like so many others, you’re tired of shelling out money for taxes, maintenance, insurance, and a mortgage for a home that is no longer best serving your needs. Maybe you’ve been waiting on your move due to uncertainty about changing market conditions or your own personal or professional landscape.

You, like many others feel it doesn’t make sense to continue living in a house that is no longer aligned with your lifestyle and current priorities. Your opportunities and needs have changed. Maybe you don’t have the rooms you need for peace, quiet, focus, exercise, or whatever it may be. You’re stressed by the interruptions from kids or dogs. Or maybe you have wasted space that you no longer use. Your commuting needs have changed, and you need or long for different surroundings. Maybe you are simply in need of something new. You have hopes and dreams about a new home but, you are not sure about the path for how to make it happen.

Your home is your ticket to ride!

As a homeowner, you may be surprised to find out how much equity you have available to you. At the end of 2021 homeowners with a mortgage across the United States gained an average of $57,000 in equity since the end of 2020, with some homeowners gaining $90,000 or more!

Click image for quick video

A jump in equity means you can cash out and go where you have been yearning to be!

But you’re thinking, “Why would I want to buy now when there is nothing available, and home prices are up?”.

While it is true that the inventory of homes for sale is at an all time low, what most people don’t realize is that this inventory is made up of mostly new listings! The average market time is short, so there is a fresh selection of homes on the market every day.

Appreciation is forecast to continue for years to come.

More good news: Appreciation is predicted to continue, offering continued equity growth in your new home. Experts forecast additional equity gains of 24 to 63 percent by 2026. So it makes sense to get into your new home ASAP and start enjoying your equity growth there while you embrace your new lifestyle.

You don’t want to sell when the 10-year Treasury and inflation are going up? History shows that home value appreciation has consistently stayed ahead of inflation since the 1970s.

Homeownership has been a hedge against inflation for decades.

But like most would-be home sellers right now, you’re worried about the craziness of the current market, the stress of preparing your home for sale, and the question of where to go once you sell and cash out. This is totally understandable, and everyone who has recently sold and achieved their goals had the same concerns.

This winter provides the perfect storm for you to sell!

Yet this winter market actually presents the perfect storm for you to sell. Not only is your equity at a high, but so is the buyer demand for your house. There are many serious buyers looking for a home right now. At the same, time you will benefit from the low interest rates seeming to have already peaked and buyers getting used to the ‘new normal‘. Add to this the perk of having almost zero competition for your house!

Your qualified agent is here to get you the best terms on your sale and the smoothest process.

That’s what your agent is here for, to find the right strategy for your priorities and wishlist and guide you through the path of least resistance. I have the tools for helping to get your house de-cluttered, spruced-up, repaired, and/or staged. Whatever is needed, I have the resources to manage what it takes to get it done. I can enable you to enjoy the best terms for your sale, the most seamless transaction possible, and the path to your dream-come-true!

If I Sell My Home, Where will I go?

My clients have done a variety of things. Take a look here for some scenarios that worked out great! I am prepared to discuss your plans and how to get you there. Call me today for a no-obligation consultation.

The real question is where do you want to go? Because you have your ticket to ride!

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Financial Stress: 6 Strategies Seniors Can Use to Find Relief

Thank you to our guest writer, Jim Vogel from eldersinaction.org for this article!

Photo by Unsplash

Financial stress is a never-ending problem that can lead to physical and mental health challenges for older adults. While research shows seniors aren’t the group most stressed by finances, they often have unique challenges when it comes to money. Mainly, they have fewer options for finding relief.

If you or a senior loved one is experiencing financial stress, there are some big and small ways to manage the situation. 

1. Get better healthcare and insurance rates.

Now is the time to shop around for your insurance options. You may be paying more than you should or for services you don’t need. Healthcare is a complicated system and can be challenging to navigate alone. You may find ways to save money by talking to an agent. 

We also recommend looking at the costs of other kinds of insurance, like life and homeowners insurance, to see if there are more affordable options out there.

2. Downsize.

The costs of maintaining a larger home can add up. If you’ve got sky-high utility bills and more space than you need, it may be time to consider downsizing. By selling your current home, you may be able to purchase a new home outright and use the remaining money to help fund your retirement. Take a look at this informative Guide to Downsizing for Retirement as you weigh your options. Before putting your home on the market, research how much you can expect to earn from a sale, and make sure you consult an experienced realtor in your area. 

3. Explore alternative transportation.

If you are a senior who is driving less and less, you might be able to save money by changing your transportation methods. If driving isn’t necessary, consider selling your car. This will not only give you quick cash on hand but also save you monthly car insurance payments, as well as routine car maintenance and upkeep. 

Senior support website Daily Caring notes that seniors have many transportation options — some can get everywhere they need to by bus or through a family member, while others take advantage of rideshares or senior-specific public transportation options.

4. Shop at secondhand stores.

Seniors can save a great deal of money by purchasing gently-used items at secondhand stores. There are many upper-end consignment stores that allow seniors to purchase high-quality clothes, furniture, appliances, kitchenware, and other household goods at even greater discounts. Be sure to look and see if there is a certain day or time of day where seniors can take advantage of additional discounts. There are even online secondhand options like Thred-Up and Poshmark. 

5. Take advantage of senior deals and discounts.

Many businesses offer seniors special deals and discounts to help make their goods and services more accessible and affordable. People over 65 can get anything from meals to groceries, entertainment to investments, at special rates and discounts. The Senior List provides one of the most comprehensive lists of senior deals and discounts. These deals can help you enjoy a quality of life that is fun and exciting without worrying excessively about costs.

6. Share meals with neighbors and friends.

Senior isolation can be a serious health condition for people over 65, especially those concerned with finances. They may go out less for fear of spending too much money. However, sharing meals with neighbors and friends can relieve both burdens. You’ll share the financial cost of cooking, while also spending quality, social time with loved ones. Even cooking together can be a social occasion. Seniors who share meals two or three times a week often report a social and financial benefit.

Any health issue can be exacerbated by financial stress and strain, which makes seniors particularly at risk. That’s why exploring these free or low-cost activities can help both the mind and body cope with financial hardships. 

If I can be of assistance to you, please feel free to reach out.

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When’s the Last Time You Had Your Dryer Vent Cleaned?

Raise your hand if the last time you had your dryer vent cleaned was… never!  I would be raising my hand if it weren’t for the call I finally made last week.  Little did I know I was taking a key step in home fire safety and prevention.

Does your dryer take too long to get a load of towels dry, or even require more than one cycle?  Is there more lint around the lint filter compartment than there used to be?  If you go outside and look at the vent while the dryer is on, are the flaps barely open?  Any of these signs can mean that your dryer vent is long past due for a cleaning!

After seeing excessive loose lint around the lint filter, I began to worry that more lint must be collecting somewhere else behind the scenes. I started thinking this was a fire waiting to happen. Our dryer is upstairs near the bedrooms which made me especially concerned about fire risk. So I called Firesafe Chimney Service to ask if they clean dryer vents, and sure enough, this is one of their standard services. So they came out the next day to take a look.

Tom Butkier, the business owner and licensed servicer for the company was on the job.  First, he checked the hose attachment behind the dryer, and then cleaned the lint from the dryer hose to the wall. He removed a good amount of lint there. Next, he turned the dryer onto the air-fluff setting to send air circulating outward and went to check the vent outside.  He climbed up with a ladder and took the vent cover off to look inside. To my disbelief, not only was the vent jam-packed with a trash-bag full of lint, there was also an entire old bird’s nest in there!  It’s amazing that any air was venting through the system at all!

According to the U.S. Fire Administration,

• 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
• Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
• More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

It is recommended by the USFA and FEMA to clean your lint filter after every dryer use and to have your dryer vent ductwork cleaned every year.  

Tom also told me about an excellent wifi-enabled product now available that can alert you via an app on your phone and also send an alert to Firesafe Chimney when your dryer venting is showing signs of being clogged. It can also send alerts for dangers from your washing machine.  This is a key tool for added safety and peace of mind, especially for anyone with rental properties or vacation homes. Simply contact Firesafe Chimney to find out more, then just order it, plug it in, and download the app!

And now that ‘after shot’ I’m sure you’ve been waiting for- Here it is, a spic-and-span dryer duct!

So, if it’s been more than a year… (or 10!) since you’ve had your dryer ductwork cleaned, and assuming you do laundry, I suggest you wait no longer. Free your dryer ducts from the debris accumulation that’s sure to be stuck in there, and eliminate this fire risk from your home.

Give Tom at Firesafe Chimney a call to clean your dryer vents and your chimney as well, (203) 270-9400 and tell him Linda sent you. You’ll be happy you did! 🙂

For questions about this article, properties, or any real estate needs, feel free to send me a note using the form below, and I will get right back to you.

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