Marianne's Tip of the Week
Help Your Garden Resist the Summer Heat & Drought
Week of June 4, 2023
Summer is gardening season and a great time to add curb appeal to your home with colorful flowers and lush plants. But too much heat and not enough rain can turn your dream garden into a nightmare. Here are some tips to help your plants survive the summer heat.
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Help your plants retain water by adding a thick layer of mulch. Mulch helps keep moisture in the soil by preventing evaporation. It also reduces water-thirsty weeds.
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Water your garden and lawn in the evening instead of the morning. Daytime sun and heat increase evaporation.
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Grow native plants. Plants native to your area are generally more adaptive to the local climate and can withstand the summer temperatures and rainfall amounts common in your area. Visit this site to see which plants are native to where you live.
Have a Safe and Happy July 4th Week!
Week of July 4, 2023
Its July and summer is in full swing! Backyard BBQs, beach days, fireworks, and enjoying the warm weather, are great ways to have fun this week. Here are some resources and tips to help make sure this week is as safe as it is enjoyable.
- When it comes to backyard BBQs and grilling, proper food preparation and storage is a must. Don't reuse marinade from raw foods and make sure meat is cooked to the proper internal temperature. In hot weather, leftovers should be moved to the refrigerator after one hour to stop the growth of bacteria. For more food safety tips click here.
- Nothing says July 4th like an awe inspiring firework display. The safest way to enjoy a show is to leave it to the experts and attend planned, public event. However, if you do plan to purchase your own legal fireworks, the National Safety Council has put together an extensive safety list that can be found here.
- If you're in the Philadelphia area checkout the free concert and amazing fireworks display in our Nation's birthplace. Details can be found here.
- A pet's safety should also be considered this week. PetMD suggests keeping your dog inside on hot days and during large celebrations. Dogs don't sweat the way humans do and can have trouble cooling themselves down. Some dogs are nervous or get overly excited in crowds. Keeping them in a quiet, calm place indoors keeps everyone safe. PetMD also has some great suggestions for pets who are afraid of loud noises and a list of human food that can be harmful to dogs. Check out the site here.
Happy Independence Day!
Help Protect Your Home Against Extreme Weather
Week of July 30, 2023
Extreme weather events are on the rise. The National Association of Realtors recently published an article with some useful tips to help homeowners protect their homes from some of the most common extreme weather events. Following these tips could help you avoid severe damage to your home.
Wildfires
- Clear a space of at least 100 feet around your home and remove dead or dry vegetation and other flammable materials.
- Install tempered glass windows which are more resistant to breaking during a wildfire.
- Cover vents and windows with metal mesh screens to prevent embers from entering the home.
- Install a wildfire-resistant fence around the property to provide an additional flame barrier.
- Ensure that your homeowners insurance covers damage from wildfires.
Floods
- Consider elevating the home’s foundation if it's in a flood-prone area.
- Install backflow valves on all pipes to prevent sewage backup during a flood.
- Seal your foundation.
- Install a sump pump to prevent water from seeping into your basement or crawlspace.
- Store valuables and important documents in a waterproof safe on an upper floor or off-site.
- Purchase flood insurance.
Severe Storms and Hurricanes
- Install impact-resistant tempered windows, doors, or storm shutters to protect against high winds and flying debris.
- Reinforce your roof with hurricane straps or clips to prevent it from being blown off.
- Keep your trees trimmed to remove weak branches that may fall on your house during a storm.
- Have a backup power source, such as a generator, in case of power outages.
- Review your insurance coverage and make sure it covers wind and storm damage.
Extreme Heat
- Install a high-efficiency air conditioning system to reduce energy usage and costs.
- Plant shade trees or install shading devices such as awnings or shutters to block direct sunlight from entering your home.
- Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and ductwork to prevent hot air from entering.
- Use a programmable thermostat to control the temperature and save energy.
Drought
- Use drought-resistant plants in your landscaping.
- Use a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers to conserve water.
- Install low-flow fixtures and appliances to reduce water usage.
- Collect rainwaterin a barrel to use for watering plants.
- Replace your lawn with artificial turf or drought-tolerant ground cover.
- Even with these precautions in place, there is no guarantee that a home will make it through an extreme weather event unharmed. However, taking these steps can reduce the risk of property damage. Consult with a professional to determine the best strategies for your situation.
Common Outdoor Entertaining Mistakes
Week of August 6, 2023
Its August but there is still plenty of time for outdoor entertaining, gathering and lounging. From end-of-summer barbeques, family movie nights before school starts, and fall football tailgates, an entertaining-ready outdoor space means more impromptu gatherings and a more overall serene outdoor space. If your outdoor living area could use some sprucing up, take note of these common outdoor decorating mistakes.
Not space planning
An outdoor living space is similar to your interior living areas. If something about your outdoor space feels off, it may be the layout. Like your living or family rooms, the layout should be the top priority. The layout should include furniture that correctly fills the space, a focal point and various areas, such as outdoor dining, conversation and lounging spots. You can delineate areas with outdoor rugs or planters.
Forgetting the accessories
Like an indoor living area, accessories and accents can unite the whole area. Outdoor decor such as garden stools, lanterns or cordless table lamps, outdoor throw pillows, blankets and plenty of potted plants, flowers and candles all lend to the ambiance.
A lack of greenery and color
The best way to add charm and personality to an outdoor space is with plenty of flowers and greenery. You don’t need to be an avid gardener to make this happen. Potted flowers, shrubs and trees typically only require sun and regular watering but will significantly affect the area’s ambiance.
Uncomfortable seating
Uninviting seating options, such as wrought iron chairs with no cushions, don’t entice you to take a seat and stay a while. Having comfortable and generous seating options with cushions outfitted in outdoor fabric, such as sofas, swivel chairs or inviting lounge chairs, creates a welcoming and inviting relaxing spot.
Nowhere to rest a beverage
When you’re enjoying time outdoors, having a spot to rest a beverage is paramount. Every seat should have an adjacent table to set down a beverage and snacks. Outdoor accent tables or garden stools should be plentiful, so there’s always an easy spot to set down a drink.
A lack of lighting
If your outdoor area lacks lighting, your gatherings will likely end when the sun goes down. Having a layered outdoor lighting plan means your get-togethers can extend into the evening hours, meaning more time to catch fireflies, gather around the fireplace and enjoy the cooler evenings outdoors. Ensuring the walkways are lit, hanging overhead lighting, such as string lighting and lanterns and installing lighting on the home’s structure, such as a chandelier from the outdoor pergola and plenty of coach lamps on the house, will ensure that your backyard is adequately lit. Table lamps and candlelight will add additional ambiance.
Outdoor Projects That Pay Off the Most
Week of August 20, 2023
1. Standard lawn care service: 217% (percent of value recovered)
Project: Complete six standard seasonal applications of fertilizer or weed control on 5,000 square feet of lawn.
Cost estimate: $415
Estimated cost recovered: $900
2. Landscape maintenance: 104%
Project: Mulch, mow, prune shrubs and plant about 60 perennials or annuals.
Cost estimate: $4,800
Estimated cost recovered: $5,000
3. Outdoor kitchen: 100%
Project: Install an inset grill, stainless steel drawers, ice chest sink and concrete countertop with veneered masonry stone.
Cost estimate: $15,000
Estimated cost recovered: $15,000
4. Overall landscape upgrade: 100%
Project: Install a front walkway of natural flagstone; add two stone planters, five flowering shrubs and a 15-foot-tall tree.
Cost estimate: $9,000
Estimated cost recovered: $9,000
5. New patio: 95%
Project: Install a backyard 18-by-16-foot concrete paver patio.
Cost estimate: $10,500
Estimated cost recovered: $10,000
What to Do If You Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Amount That's Less Than What You Were Hoping For
Week of Sept 3, 2023
Before you start looking for a new home, you should get pre-approved for a mortgage. That will let you find out how much money a mortgage lender is willing to give you to buy a house so you don’t waste your time focusing on homes that are out of your price range. If you get pre-approved, but the amount is less than you were hoping for, there are several ways to handle the situation.
Pay Down Debt
A lender looks at multiple factors when evaluating a mortgage pre-approval application. Your debt-to-income ratio is one of them. That’s the percentage of your gross monthly income that goes toward debt.
If your DTI ratio is high, a lender won’t feel comfortable offering you a large mortgage because you might not be able to keep up with the payments. Paying off some or all of your debt can reduce your DTI ratio and help you get pre-approved for a bigger mortgage.
Make a Larger Down Payment
The amount you put down on a house will affect the size of the mortgage that a lender is willing to give you. If you take out a conventional loan and put down less than 20%, you’ll have to purchase private mortgage insurance. That will add to your total monthly housing costs and reduce the amount of money that you can apply to a mortgage.
Putting down 20% or more will let you avoid PMI and free up more money that you can put toward a home loan. If you can make a larger down payment, a lender might pre-approve you for a bigger mortgage.
Try a Different Lender
Mortgage lenders look at the same factors when evaluating applications, but they consider that information in different ways. If you provide the exact same information to another lender, you might get pre-approved for a higher mortgage amount.
Adjust Your Expectations
Maybe you need to rethink your goals. Many people buy an expensive house, put a large percentage of their monthly income toward their mortgage, and become “house poor.” So much of their income goes toward housing costs that they struggle to cover other bills and have little or no money left over for other priorities, such as investing for retirement and taking vacations.
If the amount you got pre-approved for is well below what you were hoping for, it might be a much-needed reality check. You might have to accept the fact that you simply can’t afford an expensive house right now. If you buy a more modest home, you’ll be able to take some time to build equity and pay down debt, then upgrade to a house with a higher price tag later.
Fall Home Maintenance Guide
week of Sept 17, 2023
September 23, 2023 is the official start of the fall season which means its time to start thinking about preparing your home for cooler weather. Fall home prep goes beyond bringing out the cozy throws and autumnal candles. In home ownership, new seasons come with extra maintenance responsibilities to help keep your home in excellent condition and ready to face the upcoming weather challenges. As you prepare for the cooler temperatures, read on for the fall home maintenance tasks every homeowner needs to complete this season.
Change the filters and batteries
The HVAC filters should ideally be replaced every three months. The start of a new season is an ideal time to do so because of the temperature changes. Changing the filter in the fall is especially important so your heater works optimally the first time you need to turn it on, so your home is more energy efficient and keeps your heating bills where they should be.
Batteries on the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be changed twice a year, so changing the batteries in the fall and spring is easy to remember and to ensure that these necessary alarms are correctly working.
Clean the gutters
Over the spring and summer, your gutters fill with leaves, seeds and other debris. Before the leaves fall in the autumn, clean out the gutters so they don’t overflow. This will also help the snow drain better once the first heavy snowfall comes.
Check the doors and windows for air leaks
Drafty windows and doors can be a significant source of heat loss and higher energy bills. One way to determine if your doors and windows leak is to put a piece of paper under the door and if the paper slides around, it’s time to have the doors and windows resealed.
Drain and seal the outdoor spigots
Once the fall gardening season is over, the next step is to drain the outdoor fixtures attached to your house, disconnect the hoses and attach the outdoor spigot covers. If you don’t drain the outdoor spigots and disconnect the hoses, you risk the pipes bursting if the water freezes in the winter.
Protect the outdoor furniture
After your final outdoor fall fire, it’s time to cover up the outdoor furniture. Whether you cover the furniture with weather-proof covers or bring it indoors, protecting it from the upcoming winter weather will ensure you can use your outdoor furniture for many summer seasons.
Repair the driveway
If your driveway has cracks, repairing this damage before the temperatures drop can help protect the cracks from traveling throughout the driveway. When a crack freezes, it can then expand and damage the driveway.
Test the snow blower
If you rely on a snow blower to clear the snow from your driveway, testing it before the first snow will save scrambling to make any repairs when you need it. If it’s not working correctly, have it serviced in the fall so it will be ready to run once the first heavy snow arrives.
Moving Checklist
week of October 8, 2023
Whether you're moving into your first home or moving into your next home, moving can be both exciting and stressful. Following the checklist below provided by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) will help you make a smooth transition to your next destination. A convenient printable version of the list can be found here.
8 Weeks Before
- Call moving companies for estimates.
- Remove and dispose of unnecessary possessions.
- Start compiling an inventory of your possessions.
- Get a floor plan (with room dimensions) of your new home to help you decide which furnishings you want to keep and which room they will go in.
- Start a file of moving-related papers and receipts.
- Locate schools, healthcare professionals and hospitals in your new location.
- Arrange to transfer your children’s school records and family medical records.
6 Weeks Before
- Secure off-site storage, if needed.
- Choose a mover and sign contract.
- Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent about coverage for moving and secure more, if necessary.
- Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home.
4 Weeks Before
- Create a file of important papers, such as auto license, registration documents and title; any medical, dental and school records; birth certificates; wills, deeds, stock certificates, and other financial documents.
- Notify the following of your change of address:
- Post office
- Banks
- Credit card companies
- Relatives and friends
- Insurance agent, lawyer, tax/financial advisor
- Magazine subscriptions
- Notify utility companies of date to discontinue/transfer service and/or establish service at your new home. Also arrange for final readings and bills, including refunds on prepaid services. Notify your state’s department of motor vehicle of your new address.
- If moving from an apartment, arrange for refund of your security deposit.
- Discontinue additional home services (housekeeper, gardener/lawn service, snow removal, and pool cleaner), if applicable.
- Start using up things you can’t move, such as perishables.
3 Weeks Before
- Make travel plans, if necessary.
- Make arrangements with condo or homeowner’s association to reserve elevator usage time if moving into or out of a high-rise building.
- Arrange to close existing bank accounts and open new accounts in new area.
- Arrange for child care on moving day.
2 Weeks Before
- Arrange special transport for your pets and plants.
- Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move.
1 Week Before
- Pack moving-essential boxes—important documents, travel clothes, personal items and prescription medications.
2–3 Days Before
- Confirm all final arrangements with your mover and other service providers.
January 2, 2024
Happy New Year!
As we enter 2024 many people are ready to start packing away their holiday decorations. Here are some helpful tips to to extend the lifespan of your decorations and make it easier to set up and enjoy in the future.
Organize and Cull
Everyone has a few decor items that tend to collect dust. If there are any items in your holiday decor collection that you didn’t take out this year, used but didn’t love, or simply decided you no longer have the space to keep, now is an excellent time to donate those items. After vetting your items, before storing them, take inventory of your seasonal decor. Organize items by type and size. This makes it easier to locate specific items when you need them.
Invest in Holiday-Specific Storage Solutions
Items like Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and artificial trees all can be cumbersome to pack without proper storage. While it may require an upfront investment, opting to purchase specialized storage solutions for specific items, such as wreath storage bags, ornament organizers, and tree storage bags, can make packing simple. These can also better protect your decorations during the off-season, making the investment worthwhile.
Don’t Forget to Label
No one wants to find the perfect holiday tree only to spend hours scouring your storage, unable to find holiday decor. Clearly label each container with its contents. Include details such as the specific holiday, types of decorations inside, and any other relevant information. This helps you quickly identify what’s in each storage tote.
Opt for Clear Containers Whenever Possible
When you have the option, store decorations in clear, plastic containers. This allows you to see the contents without having to open each box. This means that if your label is covered or on the opposite side, you can still easily find what you need. If clear bins are not an option for your holiday-specific storage, try to opt for holiday colors. Red and green make for easily spottable Christmas totes, while blue can be easy to differentiate if you celebrate Hanukkah. Just be sure to store your general items in other colors to keep this effective.
Offer Extra Protection for Fragile Items
Glass ornaments or delicate figurines will need extra protection. Consider keeping their original packaging to ensure they are properly and tightly stored. If you cannot keep the original packaging, be sure to have bubble wrap, tissue paper or newspaper on hand to wrap your items and prevent breakage.
6 Credit Health Tips for Homebuyers
January 19, 2024
Buying a home is an exciting prospect, but there is a lot to think about and prep before you complete the process. If you are considering buying a home, be sure that you are taking the steps to keep your credit score as high as possible.
Pay Bills On Time
This will come as no shock, but on-time bills are key to keeping your credit score healthy. Credit cards aren’t the only thing that will impact your credit health. If you own a business and have a business credit card, your business activities can affect your credit history. Unpaid medical bills can also affect your score. If your hospital outsources to a debt collection agency, the debt collector may decide to notify credit bureaus that you’re overdue on medical payments.
Set Up Autopay or Payment Reminders
Autopay makes it easy to remember to pay your bills each pay period or each month. Since the bill is paid automatically, you can rest assured that you aren’t going to forget an important account. However, some pay period schedules make auto pay a little more difficult; consider setting a calendar reminder to ensure that you don’t miss anything crucial.
Avoid Closing Old Accounts
Your credit history and debt-to-credit utilization ratio are factors in your credit score. By closing a credit card account, you reduce your available credit, which can make it more difficult to hit that key debt-to-credit utilization ratio below 30%. Whenever possible, keep old credit cards open and just utilize them sparingly.
Be Cautious About Co-Signing
Remember that co-signing makes you responsible if the primary borrower should default on the debt. From a credit standpoint, co-signing a loan is no different than you applying for the loan yourself, so be sure to think twice before co-signing for a less-than-responsible party.
Reduce Credit Card Balances
Your debt-to-credit utilization ratio can play a big part in your credit score. Reducing your credit card balances can ensure that you aren’t using too much of your available credit. even with a healthy credit history and consistent loan payments, if you are using too much of your available balances, this can hurt your score.
Avoid New Lines of Credit
Hard credit checks do not fall off of your credit report right away. Avoid opening new credit accounts before applying for a mortgage. Multiple credit inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score and potentially affect loan approval.
February 26, 2024
Multigenerational households are growing in popularity in the United States. According to the US Census Bureau the number of multigenerational households grew from 5.1 million in 2010 to 6.0 million in 2020.
March 2024
Its Smart to Sell Your Home in the Summer
August 2024
Summer. Just saying the word evokes images of backyard bbqs, beach days at the Jersey
Shore, pool parties, fireworks, sunny days, warm evenings, and vacations. It’s the season for
relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. It’s also the best time to sell your home. In fact, according
to an article published by the National Association of Realtors, “Seasonality in the Housing
Market” (Evangelou, 2019), which looked at the housing market over a 19-year period, the peak
season for home sales are the months of May, June, July, and August. Here are a few reasons
why summer is a great time to list your home and some tips to help you take full advantage of
the summer market.
More Daylight
Longer days means buyers have more time to look at homes. Extended daylight hours give
buyers more time to see the outside of your home, see where natural light comes into the home,
and tour the neighborhood. During the winter months it's typically dark by the time most people
get off work. It's difficult for buyers to get an accurate feel of a home and a neighborhood when
the sun is down and most people are indoors. Summer is when neighborhoods come alive,
especially if your neighborhood has amenities such as lakes, pools, or playgrounds.
Sellers should take advantage of the additional hours of natural light and keep shades, blinds,
and window treatments open when buyers are touring the home. If you live in a community with
outdoor amenities, be sure to point them out to potential buyers.
Curb Appeal
Green lawns, blooming flowers, and lush landscaping all add to the curb appeal of your home.
The warmer weather is an ideal time to highlight your yard and help buyers see your deck,
patio, or porch as additional living spaces. Consider adding hanging plants and flower pots for
pops of color. Adding outdoor lighting and seating to porches, decks, and patios to showcase
these areas and help potential buyers picture themselves in the space.
Summer Break
Families with school aged children typically want to wait until the school year ends before
moving and want to be in a new school district by September. This leads to more people starting
their house search in the late spring and early summer with the hopes of moving in before the
new school year starts. Finding a home and moving in during the summer is the perfect time to
get acquainted with new neighbors, get settled in a new house, and start the new school year,
The Home Inspection and Seller’s Disclosure
What Sellers Need to Know
Buying a home is one of the biggest investments a person will make. It goes without saying that
buyers want to make sure they are making a sound investment by finding out everything they
can about the condition of the home prior to the purchase. A Seller’s Disclosure will provide the
buyer with known defects in the home, while performing a home inspection may uncover
unknown defects. If you have lived in your home for a long time and are thinking of selling, you
may be unfamiliar with the process and the recent changes to the seller’s disclosure. Here is
what you should know as a seller to help ensure a successful transaction.
NJ recently passed a law requiring all sellers to fill out a Seller’s Disclosure, even in cases
where the seller never occupied the home. The disclosure must be filled out accurately and to
the best of the seller’s knowledge. The disclosure has a new section for flood risk, which
requires the seller to search their property address on New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection's website. The disclosure is provided to buyers prior to signing the contract.
What to Expect During the Home Inspection
Home inspections can take a few hours or more depending on the size of the home. Homes
with septic systems, pools, and wells can require additional inspections. Buyers may also
choose to test for radon if a home has a basement. With the exception of a well inspection,
which is the seller’s responsibility, you should be prepared to allow the buyers, the buyers’
agent, and the inspectors access to the property during the inspection period. It is
recommended that the seller not be present during the inspection.
A qualified inspector will look at all areas of the home from the roof to the basement and
everything in between. Inspectors will note the condition and age of the roof, appliances,
plumbing, electric panels and wiring, and all structural components of the house, noting any
suspected structural issues.
The Home Inspection Report
Even the most well-maintained and loved homes are not without a few flaws. Don’t be offended
by the report. Even though an inspection report can be many pages long, not every item is a
cause for concern or requires an expensive repair. Many times repairs can be as simple as
installing GFCI outlets in kitchens and bathrooms or re-grouting tiles in tubs and showers.
What Sellers can do to Avoid Surprises
You may choose to have a home inspection before listing your home. Inspections can range in
price from a few hundred dollars and up depending on the size of the home. Doing an
inspection ahead of listing your home will give you time to make the repairs, and the flexibility to
choose contractors. However any defects uncovered must be included on the Seller’s
Disclosure. As always, a trusted real estate professional can help you decide your best options
and can provide you with a list of recommended home inspectors and contractors.