5 Tips for Fall Home Maintenance

It’s true that the transition from summer to fall in central Florida can be slow and subtle, but fall will arrive nonetheless. Leaves are falling, temperatures are dropping, and at some point you WILL need to turn on that heater. It’s important to get your house and your pumpkin latte ready!Clean Those Gutters: A ladder and some gloves is all it takes to pull the leaves and debris from your gutters and save your house from water damage and potential leaks. Hire a professional to save your nails.Check your Heating System: Change your filters, clean your vents, and do a test run on the heat settings. Better yet, have an HVAC pro come out and give it a once-over.Seal Up Cracks: Keep out wallet and energy-sucking drafts by checking windows and doors for gaps that might let cold air in. Take care of those with weather stripping and caulkGive Your Fireplace Some Love: You may only get to blaze it up a few time per year, but if you got it, light it! But first, check for creosote buildup and give your chimney a good cleaning. Also, consider having periodic inspections done by a professional.Don’t Forget the Outdoors: Hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30th! Trim back overgrown branches near your house to avoid damage from severe weather. It will soon be getting darker earlier: check your outdoor lighting bulbs and timers to make sure your home stays well let.Source: https://app.homekeepr.com/sherell-joseph-wolford/blogThe post 5 Tips for Fall Home Maintenance appeared first on Sherell Wolford.

Low Housing Inventory Blues: Why Sellers Aren’t Selling

Low housing inventory continues to plague would-be buyers, and keeping property values up at all-time highs.  Even though the pool of buyers has decreased significantly due to high interest rates eating away at affordability, those buyers are still competing for homes, especially in low and median price ranges.According to the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association’s most recent “State of the Market” report for Central Florida, housing inventory was down almost 10% in August 2023 compared to August of last year and almost 7% percent compared to July 2023. Bottom line, there still aren’t enough houses available, particularly at more affordable price points.Seller’s are weighing the pros and cons of making a move right now, and many are deciding to “wait and see”. Here are some reasons why:Can’t find a replacement home – Selling a home means entering the buying market and facing the challenges that buyers are experiencing right now. Low housing inventory now becomes a problem for a would-be seller.They currently have a low-interest rate – Sellers who bought or re-financed at a low interest rate aren’t willing to give that up, and who can blame them? Especially when we consider that interest rates aren’t the only things that went up.Higher property taxes – Some sellers fear that moving would expose them to much higher property taxes. Florida’s portability program can help in this department.Insurance increases – Moving to a larger home or a nicer community could mean higher insurance than what they are currently paying. The truth is, insurance can increase just because. This IS Florida we’re talking about.The real estate market is ever-changing, but rest assured that real estate agents, mortgage professionals and entrepreneurs are working hard to make the market work for you.Inman (09/20/23) Medford, Carl; Orlando Regional Realtor® Association State of the Market Report August 2023The post Low Housing Inventory Blues: Why Sellers Aren’t Selling appeared first on Sherell Wolford.