Home Maintenance Archives

Home for the Holidays: 5 Tips for Selling Selling Home in Winter

by Monique Higginson | Nov 30, 2021 | Home Maintenance

Selling a Home in Winter Market Source Real Estate

The real estate market has been active lately, and it shows no signs of calming down. That makes it a great time to put a house on the market and potentially get top dollar for it.

Are you looking for a new home for the holidays? Do you need to sell your current one first? Learn five tips for selling a home in winter now.

1. Tidy Up

One of the top tips for selling your home in winter is a simple one. Make sure your home is clean and tidy before showing it to potential buyers. Declutter and research home staging tips for selling your house to show it off to its maximum potential.

2. Prepare for Winter Weather Challenges

Putting your home on the market during the coldest season can mean more things to think about in terms of outdoor maintenance. Be prepared for the challenges of winter weather, including snow removal and ice on the sidewalks. You want your home to be accessible to all potential buyers, so keep your sidewalks, driveways, and pathways clear and safe for them to walk on when visiting.

3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint

No matter the season, one of the most helpful tips for selling your home is to refresh your walls with a new paint job. To help your home look more welcoming in the cold months, add a fresh coat of paint in a neutral hue that will appeal to different buyers. Avoid colors that are too loud or dramatic that might put off potential purchasers.

4. Troubleshoot Issues With Plumbing and Electricity

Keep an eye out for signs that there may be problems with the plumbing or electricity. If not caught early enough, these can be costly fixes and could derail a deal if the buyers deem it too troublesome to deal with.

5. Turn Up the Thermostat When Selling a Home in Winter

Keep it cozy indoors. When coming from the chilly outdoors, it makes your home viewers comfortable. This will help it feel warmer than usual and could help seal the deal.

Bonus Tip

Be strategic with the listing price. Remember, the market is subject to fluctuations during the winter and especially the holiday season. Many different factors drive the real estate market each year, so talk about this with your real estate agent to stay on top of things.

Ready To Sell Your Home?

Now that you’ve learned the top tips for selling a home in winter, you can be proactive as you get ready to list your property. Little details can add up to big rewards if you take the time to do them.

Are you thinking of buying or selling a home in the Salt Lake City area? Market Source Real Estate can help you out! Contact us here to learn how we can assist you with everything from rentals to relocation services.

Old House Maintenance: The Complete Guide for Homeowners

by Monique Higginson | Oct 4, 2021 | Home Maintenance, Property Management

Homes are growing gray. The median age for an American home is 37 years. That means that roughly half of America’s homes were built before 1980.

The odds are that you will live in an old home. This means that you must learn about old home maintenance. It’s easier than you think.

What should you do regularly to maintain your home? What should be your primary focus to keep yourself comfortable? What are some threats to your property?

Answer these questions, and you can keep your home as young as possible for years to come. Here is your quick guide.

Draft a Seasonal Maintenance Schedule

It would help if you did different things to stay comfortable in each season. In the middle of each season, write a house maintenance checklist of what you need to do to prepare for the next season.

You should arrange for a tune-up on your cooling system in the middle of the spring. If you wait until June, you may struggle to find a timely appointment. It would help if you similarly asked for help for your windows in the middle of the fall so you can trap heat inside your house for the winter.

Do not forget your roof in your regular home maintenance. Home insurance organizations paid out $13 billion for water damage in 2017.

A primary reason for water damage is a leaking roof. First, check that all holes are filled in and add additional supports, so your roof doesn’t collapse.

Focus On Heating and Cooling

Many old homes struggle with keeping a comfortable temperature. This is often because the heating and cooling system is not working.

But there are many fixes you can make to help keep things comfortable. You should add weather stripping to your doors and windows. You should put insulation into your attic, where most heat escapes an old house.

Try to avoid stressing your HVAC unit too much. It can be hard to find a replacement, especially for an older house. If you need to warm yourself by a few degrees, put on an extra layer.

Watch Out for Pests

One of the main differences between old and new construction homes is building materials. Old homes contain a lot of wood, which can attract different pests. For example, termites like to eat wood, while beetles like to build nests inside of wood.

Pests require indoor and outdoor maintenance. First, inspect the soil against the foundation and walls of your house. If you notice tunnels, you may have problems burrowing into your home.

It would help if you looked through your basement for any signs of pests. For example, you may notice them moving on your floor or building a nest. You should then call an extermination company to remove them.

The Essentials of Old House Maintenance

Old house maintenance involves a few regular chores. You should adjust to the changing seasons and plan out steps in advance. But you must always protect your roof.

You can focus on your heating and cooling system. Try to take some small steps to preserve it, like wearing extra layers.

Be mindful of pests that feed on wood. They may burrow into your basement, so visit it with a good flashlight every once in a while.

Turn to someone who knows about old homes. Market Source Real Estate serves the Salt Lake City area. Contact us today.

How to Turn Your Primary Residence Into a Rental Property

by Monique Higginson | Mar 2, 2021 | Home Maintenance, Real Estate Tips, Rental

Did you know there are nearly 48.5 million rental units in the United States? If you’ve ever paid rent in a big city, you know how profitable a rental unit can be.

Now you own a house of your own, and you’re ready to move. Rather than put it on the real estate market, you’re thinking about making it pay over the long term and converting it into a rental property.

Sounds easy, right? Not so fast. There’s a lot you need to do to prepare your former primary residence for a rental property.

Obtain Licenses and Inspections

Turning your home into a rental home isn’t as easy as listing it for rent. To be a landlord and rent your property, you must first get all the licensing and inspections.

Depending on the state and city your rental unit is in, you’ll need a landlord license to transform your primary residence into an investment property. This licensing may include a business license and/or a rental license.

To turn your house into a rental unit, you’ll also need the proper municipal inspections and permits. An inspector looks at the residence to determine whether the building suits occupancy.

Do You Want to Be a Landlord?

The life of a landlord isn’t just collecting rent. You put your property and your mental well-being at risk.

Appliances break, pipes burst, and roofs leak. Tenants might not pay their rent on time (or at all), and then you’re involved in eviction proceedings.

In other words, owning a rental house and being a landlord is another job. Do you have the personal bandwidth to take this on?

Home Insurance

When you file the proper licensing paperwork to turn your home into a rental unit, your homeowner’s insurance policy covering your primary residence voids.

You’ll need to shop for landlord insurance that includes dwelling insurance, water or flood, and rental income insurance to cover lost rent.

Get Your Taxes Straight

Investment properties follow different tax rules than primary residences. Interest deductions change, and different laws apply.

For example, under current tax laws, you can deduct mortgage interest. You can also write off any other occupational expenses like repairs and maintenance work.

Before you begin renting your home, consult your accountant to get your taxes in order.

Prepare for the Rental Market

To make money, you need to establish the quality of your place so you can charge on the high end of the prevailing rental market.

Make any renovations necessary to make your house more attractive. This might mean updating the kitchen, the floors, and or major appliances.

The next thing you need to decide when you’re offering your home for rent is whether you’ll hire a property manager. If you do, you need proper worker’s compensation

Interest Rates on a Primary Home vs a Rental Home.

Primary home mortgages typically have a significantly lower interest rate than if you tried to buy a property strictly as an investment property. The mortgage company typically requires you to live in the home for 1-2 years before turning it into a rental. Once the 1-2 years is up, you can rent it out while still taking advantage of the lower interest rate. Plus, you can then purchase your new home at a primary rate as well.

Turn Your House Into a Rental Property

Are you planning a move? Rather than sell your house, why not turn it into a rental property? It’s a great way to get involved in real estate investment and make money.

Are you ready to be a landlord? Get your unit on the market with us!

The Spring Home Maintenance Checklist You Need Today

by Monique Higginson | Feb 18, 2021 | Home Maintenance, YourHome

Don’t just spring clean… Get going on your spring home maintenance today!

Spring is in the air and that means that you’re probably thinking about spring cleaning. Hold on though! You also need to be thinking about some key spring home maintenance items as well! Doing these 8 things at least once a year will save you time, money, and a big headache down the road. The goal is to prevent things from going wrong or catching little problems early BEFORE they become major problems.

We created a handy check list of 8 spring maintenance items you should be checking every year. As a matter of fact, you can probably get these done in one weekend and then you don’t have to worry!

1. Check your gutters and down spouts

Gutters and down spouts get all clogged up over the winter with leaves and debris. Get up on a ladder every spring and clear that gunk out. It will save you leaks, breaks, pools of stagnant water and a big repair bill.

2. Inspect your roof

Most roofs will last around 12-25+ years (depending on the material) IF, and only if they are inspected regularly and repaired. While you’re up on the ladder cleaning your gutters and drain spouts, take a moment and climb up on your roof. Look for loose roofing, pooled water, or curling shingles.

It can be very affordable to repair your roof regularly. If your roof ends up leaking during those springtime showers, it can cost you thousands in damages PLUS the money to repair or get a new roof.

It’s a good idea to check your roof both in the spring and the fall. Just to be safe.

3. Check seals on windows and doors

Check and repair any seals on window sills, door sills, and thresholds. Look for damaged or peeling caulk, splinters, loose panes and gaps. While you are at it, check and repair any screens – you’ll be glad to be able to open those windows and air out your home without bugs getting in! Here is a handy guide for how to caulk your windows.

4. Give some love to your deck

Already planning the first BBQ of the season? Better get that deck ready. Just like your roof, you want to inspect it every spring. Look for cracks, greying wood, loose joints and water seeping in. Every 3-5 years you’ll want to stain and seal your deck to keep it from weathering. A final step? Give it a good pressure wash to get it ready for that backyard party!

5. Filter out those dirty filters

Guys. HVAC filters get D.I.R.T.Y. They collect dust, pollen, pet hair and dirt. And then recirculate all those things back through your house if you don’t clean or replace them regularly. This is something you’ll want to check several times a year.

6. Don’t forget about your dryer and refrigerator

When doing spring home maintenance, don’t forget to check your dryer vent. It gets clogged up and makes your dryer work that much harder. Which makes your electricity bill go up.

And while you’re at it, check your refrigerator coils. Chances are they need a good vacuum. Not only are they really gross when they are covered in dust, they also make your fridge less efficient.

7. Drain that water heater

Your water heater should be 100% drained a couple of times a year. The reason? All kinds of minerals and sediment build up in the bottom. Which equals corrosion and water that doesn’t heat as fast as you’d like.

8. Test your smoke detectors

This spring home maintenance item can literally save your life. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and put fresh batteries in. While you’re at it why not make sure that your family knows what to do when an alarm goes off. A household fire drill goes a long way.

Need a hand?

Check out our list of trusted vendors, contractors, supplier and all around handy types who can help you if you run into problems (or they can just take care of this stuff for you). They’ll give you a hand with the whole spring home maintenance thing!

Surviving a Bathroom Remodel

by Monique Higginson | Oct 27, 2020 | Home Maintenance, Real Estate Tips, YourHome

A bathroom is more than a commode. It’s a commodity. When buying or selling a home, the bathrooms are a big deal. And while remodeling a bathroom increases your home’s value, it can be a huge headache. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be.

Here is a quick guide to surviving your bathroom remodel.

Schedule Wisely

First, consult several contractors and ask them questions about their credentials. Once you’ve picked the perfect one, schedule your bathroom renovation for the time that works best for you.

Contractors are generally busiest during the summer, so consider scheduling a fall or winter renovation to gain your contractor’s full attention. Factor into your schedule that your renovation will take at least several weeks, and you may have to adjust your schedule if your contractor needs to perform additional repairs.

Pick the Right Layout

Examine the current layout of your bathroom with your contractor. Tell them what you want to change and keep, and consult their expertise.

Research common layouts for bathrooms and see if there’s one that works for you. Choose a layout that maximizes privacy, safety when leaving the shower and bath, and utility for bathing, showering, using the toilet, and using the sink. Leave plenty of open space, and make some room for storage.

Prepare Temporary Spaces

Make a temporary bathroom before work begins. Utilize your master bathroom or a bathroom in your basement or attic, and stock it with necessary supplies. If you don’t have a second bathroom, portable bathrooms are easily affordable, and even public bathrooms can meet your basic needs.

You will also need to prepare spaces for workers to move through your home, and places to store their tools and equipment. Clear the floors, hallway, and staircases around and leading to your bathroom. Provide a table for their tools, and make sure they can use the electrical sockets in and around your bathroom.

Renovations are still being made through COVID-19, and home improvement professionals are adjusting to the pandemic appropriately. Touch base with your contractor about necessary precautions.

Expect Setbacks

Setbacks occur during nearly every renovation. Don’t panic. Your contractor is a professional, trained to recognize and deal with problems, and they will fix anything that needs repairs.

Check-in with your contractor daily to see how things are going. Consult with a plumber, an electrician, and other home improvement experts to see if your bathroom problems will affect the whole house. If you plan to sell your home after renovations, tell your realtor about delays as soon as they arise.

If additional repairs need to be made, make them as soon as your bathroom renovations are done. This may be an inconvenience, but making sure they’re fixed will raise your home’s value and your comfort.

After Your Bathroom Remodel, What’s Next?

A bathroom remodel is an important step toward increasing the value and comfort of your home. By selecting and scheduling the right contractor, and choosing the right layout and temporary spaces, you can safely survive your bathroom renovation.

If you live in the Salt Lake area, contact us today to get the most out of your home. We can help with more than just your bathroom remodel.

How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

by Monique Higginson | Sep 29, 2020 | Home Maintenance, YourHome

Remodeling a kitchen is a long project, one that seems to take over your life for many months. If you’re not planning, you’re living in the midst of a construction zone or you’re doing clean up.

It can be hard to envision the finished product, and far too easy to get discouraged along the way. If you’re struggling to see how you’ll ever get to the end, there is hope for you. There are ways to find sanity throughout the project and hold onto the finished product as a goal.

Keep reading for ways to survive a kitchen remodel.

Order Supplies Ahead

Be sure to talk with your contractor about the items you’ll need. Order enough that you won’t face a restock partway through the project. This can cause supply problems like backorders or unavailability if you have to match color or texture.

You’ll avoid delays and frustration if you order what you can before the project starts. If storage space is an issue, try getting a small trailer to store supplies outside your home.

Designate a Temporary Kitchen

Plan ahead for your kitchen project. You’ll need a mini-kitchen, or at least a place to prepare meals and store kitchen supplies.

You won’t stop eating while your kitchen is undergoing its transformation, so you’ll need a bare minimum of things like dinnerware (try paper and plastic!) and cooking tools (the microwave is your friend!).

Do NOT Pack Crucial Items

Part of setting up your temporary kitchen is making sure it’s well-stocked. Don’t pack the crucial items you’ll use every day.

Consider keeping your fridge out, or using a mini-fridge. You’ll also want things like your microwave, toaster or toaster oven, and slow cooker.

Make Easy Meals

Eating out more while you’re remodeling is a great solution. It can also be an expensive one, and one that your family will grow tired of quickly. Instead of working through every takeout option in the area, try meal planning for easy, quick options you can cook with your limited supplies.

Scrambled eggs and bacon can both be made in the microwave. Get fun spreads and toppings that don’t need to be refrigerated to dress up toast.

Use your toaster oven for modified grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch, and microwave soup to accompany them. Use your grill outside to handle dinner. Cereal is a great bedtime snack.

How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel without Hiccups: Snack Stash

Keep a stash of non-perishable snacks during your remodel. Put them in an easy-access place in your temporary kitchen. Large containers can work, yet the individually packaged ones are even better because you don’t need a serving dish.

Adults who are trying to prep dinner in the midst of a construction zone will appreciate a no-prep snack while they cook. It’s a lot easier for kids coming home from school if they know what’s available.

Remodel projects add stress to the family dynamic. If you keep quick snacks around, you’ll avoid extra stress that comes from being hangry, a science-backed problem.

A Brand New Space

By the time you get to the end of your project, you shouldn’t feel like you’ve been through a hurricane. If you use the tips above, you should be able to survive a kitchen remodel without pulling your hair out.

From ordering ahead to a no-prep snack stash, communication is key to getting the project done.

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