Tag: shreveport

As a first-time homeowner, there are certain home and maintenance-related tasks, to-do’s, and issues you just might not be aware of—and that’s never more true than in the winter months. But not handling those tasks can lead to a variety of winter-related challenges with your home—so understanding what to keep an eye out for in the winter is critical.

So what, exactly, should you be looking out for?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined the (not-so-fun) surprises many first-time homeowners find themselves facing during their first winter in their new home, including:

• Higher-than-expected heating costs. When the temperatures drop outside, chances are, you want to turn up the thermostat inside. But many first-time homeowners are shocked when they get their first winter heating bill—and the number is a lot higher than they were anticipating. If your heating costs are higher than expected, consider investing in a smart thermostat, which better monitors temperature in each room—and can help bring down your energy bill.

• Plumbing challenges. If you’ve never owned a house or lived in a cold climate, you may not know that leaving the garden hoses hooked up outside is a major no-no—as water can freeze in the hose and back up water flow, causing major plumbing issues throughout the house. If you want to keep your plumbing working well all winter long, make sure to disconnect all your exterior houses when the temperatures start to drop.

• Issues with the fireplace. If you bought a home with a fireplace, chances are, you couldn’t wait until winter to get cozy next to a fire. But regular home inspections might miss some fireplace-related issues—which can lead to a fireplace fail come winter. Before you light up your first fire, consider getting a dedicated fireplace inspection and/or hiring a chimney sweep to ensure you can easily (and safely!) enjoy your fireplace all winter long.

The Takeaway:

Knowing some of the unexpected issues first-time homeowners face during the winter can help you better prepare yourself to deal with those issues—and will ensure your home makes it to spring in tip-top condition.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

The holidays are arguably the most festive time of the year. And for many people, part of that festiveness is plenty of festive, holiday-themed decorations. But if you’re selling your home, going too over-the-top with your decorations can put off potential buyers.

So, the question is, can you decorate your home for the holidays without hurting your home sale?

An article from realtor.com outlined the rules you need to follow if you want to get into the holiday spirit with your decorations without derailing your home sale, including:

• Avoid personalized decorations. If you want to sell your home, potential buyers need to be able to picture themselves in the space. But if your home is plastered with personalized holiday decorations, it’s going to be nearly impossible to do that—so while you might love your personalized Christmas stockings or your array of holiday cards from friends and family, keep them packed away until your home is sold.

• Go classic. Classic, elegant holiday decorations are always going to have a wider appeal to buyers than more kitschy, over-the-top decor.

• Look to your neighbors. Your buyers are looking at your neighborhood just as much as they’re looking at your home—so when it comes to holiday decor, look to your neighbors for inspiration. If every home on your block is decked out for the holidays, you don’t want to skip decorating altogether—and, on the flip side, if your neighbors all opted out of holiday decorations, your don’t want to deck your home in bright lights and an avalanche of “Happy Holidays”-inspired decor.

Bottom line? It is possible to sell your home and decorate it for the holidays—as long as you decorate with potential buyers (and your home sale) in mind.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

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If you want your home to make it through the winter months unscathed, you’ll need to take the proper measures to protect it. In other words, you need to winterproof your home.

But if you wait until you’re hearing Christmas carols on the radio to take the necessary steps to protect your home, you’ll be too late. Here are 6 ways to winterproof your home this fall so your home is ready for the cold temperatures, snow, and whatever else the season wants to throw at it:

1. Store patio furniture

Winter isn’t the time for barbecues and dining alfresco, so it’s important that you protect your grill and patio furniture in the winter months — that way, they’ll be ready to roll when the weather starts to warm.

Take your patio furniture and grill and put them into storage. This is especially important if you have aluminum patio furniture, which can rust once the snow hits. If you don’t have a place to store your grill and furniture (or if your furniture is made of a more durable material), you should at the very least cover it up to protect it from the elements.

2. Empty and store hoses

You’ll also want to store your garden hoses before the temperature drops. If you leave your hoses as is, the water in them can freeze, which can cause holes and leaks.

Drain each of your garden hoses and store them inside until the spring.

3. Protect your home from chilly winter air

One of the trademarks of winter is cold air, and if that cold air finds a way into your house, you’re likely to find yourself shivering no matter how high you turn up the heat.

It’s important to seal off your house to keep cold air from getting in. Look for any gaps in the walls or foundation and seal them with foam or caulk (you can also use caulk to seal any gaps around windows). If your home is notorious for being cold in the winter, you’ll also want to check the insulation. Your attic and basement should be insulated, and if the insulation is old or improperly installed, it can cause dropping temperatures in the colder months.

Redoing or adding insulation isn’t cheap, so if you’re unsure of whether your insulation needs an upgrade, consult an insulation professional and get an estimate.

4. Get the right thermostat

One of the most important ways to protect your home in the winter is keeping it at the proper temperature. But “proper temperature” is relative; obviously, you’ll want your house warmer while you’re home, but it’s fine to turn down the heat while you’re out. But if you turn OFF the heat, you run the risk of the temperature dropping too low.

A programmable thermostat will allow you to control the temperature in your home at all times. You can program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when you leave, and raise the temperature before you get home so you get to return to a nice, toasty environment. Many of the new thermostats even connect to your smartphone, allowing you to control the temperature in your home straight from your mobile device.

5. Switch to winter fabrics

When the winter chill kicks in, you’re going to want lots of warm, cozy fabrics to keep you warm. Replace your summer linens with more substantial fabrics, like velvet, fleece, or faux fur, to match the season. Put a throw or blanket in one of these fabrics in each room so you always have something on hand to wrap yourself up with when the temperature drops.

6. Replace your furnace filter

Old, dirty filters will make your furnace less efficient, driving up your energy bills and making your home more difficult to heat. Replace your furnace filter this fall to ensure that your furnace is in tip-top shape when winter hits.

Colder temperatures are on their way, so it’s important to protect your home while you still have time. And with these winterproofing tips, getting your home ready should be a cinch.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here

The process of getting a mortgage can be a complex and confusing one, and all the myths around mortgages certainly don’t make the process any easier.

So, the question is, what are some of the most common mortgage myths?

A recent article from realtor.com busted some of the most persistent myths around mortgages and the homebuying process, including:

• The lowest rate is always the best choice. Many buyers think that the mortgage with the lowest rate is automatically the best option. But that’s not always true; for example, if a loan has high origination fees or early payoff penalties, it might not be as solid of an option as a mortgage with a slightly higher interest rate—but lower or fewer fees.

• Pre-qualification and pre-approval are the same thing. Some buyers think pre-qualification and pre-approval are essentially interchangeable steps in the mortgage approval process—but that’s simply not true. Pre-qualification is essentially having a conversation about mortgage qualifications with a lender. It can be helpful, but it’s not enough to start looking at or making offers on properties. A pre-approval, on the other hand, entails sharing all your financial information (like pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements) with a lender—and it’s a must before you start looking at homes.

• Adjustable rate mortgages (ARM) are always a risk. The 2008 financial crisis made many buyers wary of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs)—often to the point that they won’t even consider one. But ARMs can be a good fit for certain buyers; for example, if you’re planning on moving within 5 years, and an ARM’s rate doesn’t increase before that five-year mark, an adjustable rate mortgage could help you save a significant amount on interest (since initial rates on ARMs are typically extremely competitive).

The Takeaway:

What does this mean for you? If you’re thinking about buying a home, it’s important to get yourself pre-approved prior to starting your search. Once you find a house and get an offer accepted, be open to the various mortgages available to you. And, don’t just jump at the lowest rate a lender quotes you, since it may not be the best overall loan for you and your future plans.

**Ryan Wheeler is an expert real estate agent and military veteran serving buyers and sellers of homes in the Shreveport-Bossier City area.  Connect With Me Here