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Last-Minute Moves to Protect Your Home from Winter Storms

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Here’s how to prevent damage to your roof and pipes, and keep you and your family safe, too.

It’s not too late to take some precautions that can help protect your home and avoid potentially expensive damage. Taking the following steps even a day or two before a winter storm hits can make a big difference.

Keep your pipes warm. Some of the most expensive winter damage comes from burst pipes. Even if the rest of your house is warm, the water in the pipes in your attic, basement, crawl space and in the back of cabinets can freeze. Wrap the pipes in the cold parts of your house in insulation, and open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Also, let water drip slowly from the faucets to help keep the water flowing.

Avoid ice-dam damage. Another cause of winter damage is from ice dams. This happens when the heat inside your house causes water to melt in the middle of your roof and it then refreezes near the edges, creating a dam that can lead to leaks in your roof and damage to your ceilings and walls. If you have icicles hanging from your roof, that may be a sign that ice dams are forming. To help protect against this problem, keep your attic cold -- no more than 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the outside temperature -- by sealing holes from light fixtures and ceiling fans to prevent warm air from escaping into your attic, says Remington Brown, senior engineering manager for the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety. See Preventing Ice Dams on Homes for more information.

Protect the outside of your house. If you have time, clean your gutters so water doesn’t back up and freeze. Check downspouts and make sure water will be diverted away from your house. Trim any low-hanging tree branches that can freeze, become brittle, snap and damage your house or power lines. Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal drafty windows and doors. Disconnect garden hoses. See 15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter for more ideas.

Check your roof. If a lot of snow accumulates, your roof could collapse -- especially flat roofs or the roof over porches and additions. You shouldn’t have a problem with average accumulations or very dry snow. But if heavy snow starts to build up, consider getting a roof rake with a long handle so you can remove packed snow while you are on the ground. Going on the roof to shovel it yourself could damage the roof (and possibly you, too).

Don’t hire strangers going door-to-door offering to shovel roofs. Consider lining up a contractor before a big snowstorm. (Your neighbors may have recommendations.) For more information, see DisasterSafety.org’s Prevent Roof Collapse on Homes fact sheet.

Keep two emergency kits. Keep one kit in your home and one in your car. In case the power goes out, stock flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-powered radio and, if you still have a landline, a phone that plugs into your wall and doesn’t need electricity to run. (If you don’t have a landline, a car charger in your vehicle can power your cell phone and other electronics.) Keep some extra cash on hand, too, in case you have trouble getting to an ATM. The Red Cross also recommends stocking a three-day supply of food and water for everyone in your house, a first-aid kit and a seven-day supply of medications. And don’t forget to have extra food for your pets, too.

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The housing market was on a wild ride this year. Here's what to expect in 2022

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The US housing market has had a white hot year. Home sales are on track to reach the highest level in 15 years, with an estimated 6 million homes sold in 2021.

But whether you benefited from this surge depended a lot on if you were selling a home or buying one.

Homeowners saw average home prices skyrocket nearly 20% through the third quarter compared to a year ago, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. It was the largest annual home price increase in the history of the agency's House Price Index. And, in some hot markets, the price increase was double that.

Homes also sold at a record pace, with sellers often fielding multiple competing bids and all-cash offers. Even homes that were disgusting or burned out sold quickly, and at amounts that were well over the asking price.

For buyers, it was a different story. While mortgage rates kicked off the year at record lows, it was difficult to even find a home to buy. Inventory of available homes reached an all-time low early in the year and competition was extremely stiff.

Many prospective buyers left the market dejected and without a home to call their own. As a result, demand for rentals surged and rents went up across the country.

Without a doubt, the housing market was on a wild ride in 2021. Here's what to expect as we head into the new year.

No more record low mortgage rates

The year began with the lowest interest rates on record, with average rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage at 2.65%. But they didn't last long. By April 1, that had reached a 2021 peak of 3.18%. Rates have fluctuated since, with the 30-year fixed at 3.05% last week, according to Freddie Mac. And we can expect rates to move even higher in the new year.

The Federal Reserve has given several signals that its pandemic monetary policy will come to an end as it works to curb inflation. Ultimately, that will push interest rates higher.

The Fed's revised policy won't put a dent in the pockets of people looking to purchase a home within the next few months, but they might want to act soon, said Melissa Cohn, the regional vice president and executive mortgage banker of William Raveis Mortgage.

"Mortgage rates should remain range bound around 3% through the end of the year and hopefully through the first two months of 2022," said Cohn, who anticipates rates to increase by up to a half a percentage point over the next couple of months.

Similarly, Lawrence Yun, chief economist at the National Association of Realtors, expects the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to increase to 3.7% by the end of next year, but noted this will still be lower than the pre-pandemic rate of around 4%.

"Increased mortgage rates, coupled with inflation eating away at savings, will take a toll on buyers," said Allison Salzer, a Compass agent in San Francisco. "It will affect the lower-priced and median-priced home purchasers more than the luxury buyers."

Inventory will remain tight

Even though more properties became available as the spring home buying season heated up this year, there were also more people looking to buy, creating fierce competition and pushing prices skyward.

There were so few homes, people were taking extreme measures like offering to buy the seller's next home for them, giving thousands of dollars to competing buyers to walk away and paying as much as $1 million over the home's asking price. One home in Maryland received 76 all-cash offers.

Inventory was tightest at the lower end of the market. Homes priced under $200,000 have been hard to come by, with the number of available properties falling 19% this year compared to last year, while there was a 40% annual increase for homes above $600,000, according to HouseCanary, a real estate data company.

While the inventory picture is expected to improve in 2022, it isn't expected to perk up by much. Inventory will remain limited and grow by only 0.3% in 2022, according to a Realtor.com forecast.

As long as that happens, prices will continue to go up.

Home prices will keep rising

Home prices rose nearly everywhere in the country in 2021.

While existing home sales reached a median price of $353,900 by November, up 13.9% from a year ago, new construction home prices were even higher. New construction homes hit a median price of $416,900 in November, according to the US Census Bureau, about 19% higher than a year ago, and another new record.

While we won't see the double-digit gains that were made in the past year, prices are expected to keep rising in 2022 at a slightly more moderate pace.

A group of 20 top economic and housing experts brought together by the National Association of Realtors projected that median home prices will increase by 5.7% next year. The NAR survey participants said they expect the housing market and broader economy to normalize next year as the Fed tries to tame inflation.

"Slowing price growth will partly be the consequence of interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve," Yun said.

First-time buyers will continue to face challenges

The prevalence of all-cash offers, few available homes and skyrocketing prices pushed many first-time buyers out of the market in 2021.

By the end of November the share of first-time buyers had fallen to 26% from 32% a year before, the lowest level since the National Association of Realtors began tracking in 2008.

"We are creating a divided society," said Yun. "People don't feel like they are participating in what they consider to be American life through homeownership. All their work to build up savings can feel less meaningful in the face of rising prices."

Not only were prices rising faster than people could save for a down payment, many mortgage types favored by new homebuyers, like FHA and VA loans, were often passed over for all-cash deals or conventional loans.

The inventory of homes at the lower end of the price range was so tight that the number of sales priced between $100,000 and $250,000 were down by nearly 20% in November, according to NAR.

And while new construction homes are now starting to come on line, most are priced outside of the typical first-time homebuyer's budget.

"Builders are focusing more on high-priced houses, with the percent sold for under $300,000 falling to just 14% from 33% a year ago," said Robert Frick, corporate economist at Navy Federal Credit Union.

But many hopeful homebuyers are saying they will be back in the spring, armed with the knowledge they gained from a frustrated search this past year, according to a recent survey from Realtor.com

"Despite a challenging year, aspiring first-time homebuyers are surprisingly optimistic about 2022," said George Ratiu, Realtor.com's manager of economic research. "They're looking at the new year as a fresh opportunity to make their dreams of owning a home come true."

Read more like this on CNN.

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What Colors Make a Kitchen Look Bigger?

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When it comes to things home buyers look for, a spacious kitchen often tops the list. People want a gathering spot for family and friends, and the kitchen is a natural place to congregate around food and fun. 

According to Kiplinger, an eat-in kitchen is in the top 10 features people want in a home. For second-time buyers, they are a must. While you can likely make space for at least a small bistro table and chairs, it may wind up making a small space look cluttered.

Fortunately, there are some colors you can choose that will make your small kitchen look bigger. There are some obvious choices and some unique surprises that might fit your style perfectly. 

1. White

White is the obvious first choice to brighten a room and make it look larger than it is. Most people are aware that darker colors make a room seem smaller and lighter colors open things up. 

If you have dark flooring or cabinets, you need to keep everything as light as possible, from the paint to the backsplash to furnishings. The contrast between dark and light can draw the eye where you want it to go and add interest to an otherwise drab space.

2. Soft Gray

If white seems a bit too harsh for your style, you can also use a soft gray with some blue undertones. The cool colors can help soften the room, while the paler hue keeps things open. The walls won’t seem like they’re closing in.

Always go for the palest shade on the color strip. In an extremely tiny kitchen, err on the side of the lightest color.

3. Pale Taupe

 With a neutral shade, such as a pale taupe, you can also pull in almost any type of accent you’d like for a pop of color. For example, with a warmer taupe with yellow undertones, go for orange place settings on the table or pillows for the chairs in a brilliant red. For taupe with cooler undertones, add a pop of bright blue.

4. Glass Elements

In addition to paint colors you can use, don’t forget that bringing in glass reflects light and opens up a space. Go with a mirror on one wall. Add windows if possible. Use a glass backsplash in a pale shade of sea foam green or white. 

You can even opt for furnishings with glass tops to make it appear as though there is more floor space than you actually have. Add glass to some of your cabinet door to display your beautiful china or unique collectibles. 

5. Focal Wall

If your room is short and narrow, you can make it look longer by drawing the eye to the end of the room. Add some interest to a far wall so people’s eyes are drawn to that spot and the space appears longer.

For example, add some geometric stripes in deep purple to your back wall. Hang some vivid acrylic pour paintings that perfectly match your decor. Think about what is most interesting to you and matches your style and then add that color and things that will pull interest and give the appearance of a larger room. 

6. Colors with Reflection

Go with appliances that reflect a big, such as stainless steel fridge and stove. Your backsplash is another place you can add metallic colors to make things airy and fool the human eye into thinking there is more space than there is. Go with stainless countertops or a high gloss shine in a light color that reflects the lights hanging from above. 

Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Don’t be afraid to use soft colors in your small kitchen. If you adore green, go for the lightest green mist you can find. If you prefer blue, choose the pale blue of a hazy sky. There are ways to use color and still keep your space looking larger than it really is. 

Think about where you can add pops of color to draw interest and elongate or widen rooms. Even a beautiful antique pitcher on a shelf can trick the eye into thinking there is more space than there actually is.

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As Featured in West + Main Home Magazine: Meet Your Color Expert

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Q + A with Color Expert Kristen Leu

Q: We’re curious, how did you get into this very specialized niche?

I came out of school with an interior design degree, but as I started working in the industry, I really found my calling in color. Working for Benjamin Moore for several years allowed me to hone my skills in paint & color.

Q: If there was one color, or color family that you wished people would NEVER use...

I don’t have any color “no’s”. But, I may steer my clients away from using a specific color for their walls and instead try it as an accent for a pillow, rug, or other design feature.

Q: What is the biggest challenge that you see when it comes to color selection...

Choosing paint colors is hard! Those tiny little paint swatches are hard to visualize in application. There are so many factors to consider when choosing paint colors: lighting, sur- rounding design elements (f looring, furniture, window covering), and use of space. But lighting is probably the biggest challenge. From natural daylight (or lack of), to what type of light bulbs are being used in the space, lighting can change the look and feel of the paint color.

Q: Do you have a favorite project?

I don’t have a favorite project, but what I love about my work is helping people find colors that will speak to who they are and make them feel great in their space.

Q: What is going to trend over the next year or two?

It’s fun to watch other industries, such as fashion, to see what is going to be hot in paint colors. The trends I’m seeing from Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams are earthy, baked colors paired with some nice neutrals. I think green is going to come in strong: from the calming SW Color of the Year 2022 Evergreen Fog to the deep evergreens and olive green.

Q: Are there a few favorite colors...

I definitely have some favorites in my paint bucket! For neutral walls: Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak and Classic Gray. Favorite trim colors: Chantilly Lace and White Dove. Deeps: Salamander, Hale Navy and Onyx.

 
 
 

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How to Handle a Burst Pipe and Minimize Damage

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Frozen or burst pipes during the cold weather months can be one of the most costly maintenance issues you'll face as a property owner.

A burst pipe suddenly flooding your kitchen can quickly become an out-of-hand emergency that could cost you thousands of dollars in damage. A quick and accurate response is key to resolving the issue and mitigating both damage to your property and your out-of-pocket cost.

Steps to Take Ahead of Time

If you own property in an area that experiences cold weather, you need to be aware of seasonal maintenance tasks that will help you protect your property as the weather changes each year. One of the most important steps is to winterize your pipes to ensure they won't freeze or burst when the temperature drops. This includes action items like insulating any exposed pipes, detaching garden hoses and covering outdoor faucets. If the weather gets cold enough, you may even consider leaving a faucet dripping or opening cabinet doors during the coldest parts of the day.

No matter how prepared you might be, accidents and emergencies still happen. You'd be wise to set up a savings account specifically for your property so you have a "rainy day" fund set aside for unexpected expenses. All homes—regardless of age, location or condition—will inevitably need some form of emergency repair.

Steps to Take for Frozen Pipes

A frozen pipe will not necessarily burst, so if you can catch a frozen pipe early on, you could save yourself a major headache. When your area experiences frigid temperatures, be sure to check your plumbing and keep an eye out for warning signs like faucets only releasing small amounts of water or toilets not refilling when flushed. If you do run into one of these issues, you're likely dealing with a frozen pipe.

If this happens, your first step should be to cut off the water supply to that section of the plumbing. Expanding and freezing water can quickly cause damage. Even if the water supply is shut off, you will likely still deal with some leaking from the water that defrosts after the pipe has thawed. Be prepared with a mop, bucket and/or towels to quickly soak up any excess water.

In order to thaw a frozen pipe, you can use a space heater, infrared or incandescent heat lamp, or even a hairdryer to warm up the frozen area. Heat tape is also an option and should be used according to manufacturer instructions. Do not use any sort of open flame to thaw frozen pipes, as it poses a major fire hazard and can damage your pipes further.

Steps to Take for a Burst Pipe

Water damage claims are the second most common insurance claim in the U.S. When you're dealing with a frozen pipe, the water continues to expand as it freezes, which creates pressure that can cause a pipe to burst. When this happens, the crack or leak in the pipe allows water flow from the pipe to enter your home where it shouldn't. If a pipe does burst, you need to act quickly to mitigate property damage and repair cost.

  • Your very first step should be to shut off your main water supply to minimize flooding—typically the most expensive damage to address.

  • Once you've shut off the water supply, make sure you identify the entire area that has been impacted by the leak. Remove as much water as possible—as quickly as possible—using a mop, sponges, towels or a shop vacuum or wet/dry vacuum.

  • To prevent long-term damage due to moisture build-up, run a dehumidifier or fan in the affected area.

  • Contact a licensed plumber to ensure the pipe is correctly repaired before running any water to that section of the home again.

Burst pipes and the associated water damage are something you absolutely want to avoid as a property owner. If you've had to learn your lesson the hard way, don't let yourself get caught in a similar situation during the next spell of cold weather. The best way to deal with frozen or burst pipes is to prevent them in the first place—proactive winter maintenance will save you time, money and a whole lot of stress. - Housecall

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