5 Things You Should Get Rid of Right Now, According to Home Inspectors

There are lots of things around your house that can potentially cause major problems down the line (hello, damaged tree hanging precariously over your roof line, waiting for a strong wind to blow it down).

Fortunately, you can get ahead of some of these issues by simply kicking your potentially problematic items to the curb — or the recycling center. Because, real talk, you know you have at least one of these things in your home right now. 

Outdated Air Conditioners

If your air conditioner is older than 2010, Autumn Brekke, service director with plumbing, HVAC, and electrical service company Genz-Ryan, says it likely uses freon. Freon, or R-22, is no longer made or imported to the U.S. for environmental protection reasons. 

“Sooner or later it will run out, and the air conditioning unit will need to be replaced,” she says. Getting rid of your old unit now may save you a headache in the future.

Flammable Chemicals and Solvents

Whether you’re holding onto them because you think you’ll use them again one day, or because you’ve forgotten that you stacked them up under the stairs in the basement, those leftover project materials need to go.

 “Get rid of any old paint cans, paint thinners — anything that is flammable,” says Tim Ganey, home inspector with Desert Home Inspections, Inc. These half-empty canisters are a disaster waiting to happen. Just check local ordinances to find out how you can dispose of them.

Old Water Heaters

There are a lot of reasons why your water heater might need to be replaced, including: how your water heater is powered, if it’s a traditional tank or tankless, your water quality, where it’s installed, and how you’ve maintained it can all impact how long your tank will last. 

“The signs that your water heater needs to be replaced include not enough hot water, strange sounds, discolored water from the hot water taps, and leaking from the tank,” Brekke says. Replace yours if you notice any of these signs.

Ancient Plumbing

Dated pipes can create a disaster faster than you can say, “Where’s the plunger?” From pinhole leaks to broken water valves, the damage water can cause is much worse than replacing those old pipes and valves before the issues occur, according to Brekke. 

“Over time, copper pipes wear down inside, becoming corroded with the sediments from the water over the years,” she says. “This puts pressure on the pipe and the pressure creates the pinhole leak.” Getting rid of these compromised pipes is a must if you want to avoid a plumbing emergency down the line. 

Outlets That Aren’t GFCI-Connected

Ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets are the new standard when it comes to electrical outlets, especially in areas where water is used, like bathrooms and kitchens. 

“The GFCI outlet will automatically shut off power to the outlets connected to it when there is a fault that happens, avoiding you possibly being electrocuted,” explains Brekke. “In other words, it’s better to be safe than sorry when upgrading your home’s electrical network.” If you’ve got non-GFCI outlets in your home, it’s time to toss them and replace them with the newer ones.

Keep reading.

Related Links

• Homeownership Rate Increased During the Pandemic, According to the U.S. Census

• Turnkey homes vs. fixer-uppers: The best home for your wallet

• Are You Truly Ready To Downsize? 9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Giving Up Space

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Homeownership Rate Increased During the Pandemic, According to the U.S. Census

• The Q2 2020 U.S. homeownership rate was 67.9%, up from 64.1% in Q2 2019 and up from 65.3% in Q1 2020, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

• The homeownership rate among the age group 35 to 44 increased 4.9 percentage points during the second quarter to 64.3%. This age group experienced the highest gains in homeownership in the second quarter of the year.

• All regions saw an uptick in homeownership rate. The South was the region with the highest gains in homeownership, where it climbed to 71.1%.

• Both rental and homeowner vacancy rates dropped ­in spring showing how strong housing demand is during the pandemic.

The Census Bureau released the Residential Vacancies and Homeownership report for Q2 2020.  According to the release, the homeownership rate increased to 67.9% by nearly 4 percentage points compared to a year earlier1. Low mortgage rates is one of the main reason that the homeownership rate was strong in the second quarter although the coronavirus outbreak.

In addition, the report looks deeper at trends among households with incomes below the national family median, which was nearly $77,000 in 2018. It is interesting to see that homeownership in this group also increased in the second quarter to 55.2% from 50.0% a year earlier. This is a very promising indicator for the real estate market. Compared to pre-recession levels, more low-income households became homeowners during the pandemic.

Homeownership Trends by Age

Homeownership rates rose in all age groups in the second quarter of 2020. Specifically, these gains continue to be concentrated among Millennial and Gen Xer households, though the share of seniors who own their home remains the highest of all age groups.

See the homeownership rate by age group:

Homeownership Trends by Race/Ethnicity

Black homeownership rates continue to increase, elevating their share of households living in owner-occupied units to 47%. Specifically, Black households experienced the highest gains in homeownership rates among any other race. The homeownership rate increased by 6.4% from 40.6% in Q2 2019 to 47% in Q2 2020. In comparison, homeownership rates for White households increased 2.9% in Q2 2020 compared to a year earlier. However, the gap in homeownership rate between White and Black households remains nearly 30 percentage points.

See here the homeownership rates by race/ethnicity:

This was one of the most anticipated reports since it reflects the impact of COVID-19 on housing demand. However, there are some serious questions about the accuracy of this survey. It is likely the results in the second quarter are distorted by the pandemic. Specifically, in-person interviews were suspended for the duration of the second quarter and replaced with telephone interview attempts when contact information was available. As a result, the response rate was lower in this report than the average response rates for April, May, and June 2019. Thus, the current report might show the trend, but we should exercise caution when using the absolute numbers of homeownership rates.

1 This is the non-seasonally adjusted figure for the homeownership rate. Homeownership rate increases by 0.01% on average between the first and second quarters of the year.

---

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

As Featured in the West + Main Home Magazine: Meet Alyson Khan

"The act of taking the time to create is what opens the door for inspiration, connections and new ways of seeing and thinking. You have to take the risk of showing up first."

An interview with Alyson Khan

We sat down with Denver artist Alyson Khan to learn more about her art, creative process and how the pandemic has impacted the art scene.

Q: How long have you been a professional artist...and what motivated or inspired you to pursue a career out of creating?

I have been a maker since 1996, and became a full-time artist in 2015. I didn’t necessarily pursue a creative career, it sort of unfolded on its own after lots of small shows, odd jobs, serendipitous connections, putting my work online, getting some press, and gradually getting noticed by art consultants, gallery owners, and collectors. Eventually it felt like there was enough momentum behind me that I decided to at least try quitting my job and going full-time. When I took the leap, it was actually quite terrifying. But once I made that commitment, my career started to snowball.

Q: It sounds like one of those dream jobs where you get to be so creative and make people's walls + homes more beautiful, but we know that there must be a down + dirty side, too...along with all of the pretty, exciting stuff, what's the reality of your day-to-day?

The reality is that making paintings means spending a lot of hours alone in the studio not exactly knowing what I’m doing. This messy part of the creative process can be very uncomfortable, uncertain and groundless. Another challenge is not putting too much pressure on each painting, and maintaining the sacred space of making the work. I think when you experience some success as a creative, you can get mixed up in wanting your work to be successful before it even has a chance to just be. But the truth is, if the work isn’t originating from a place free of expectations, it won’t be successful--in any sense. 

Q: We're familiar with a lot of your work, because it's often featured in Guest House listings, which is one of West + Main's staging partners! Where else can people see your work + even purchase pieces for their own collections?

The best place to see my most current and available work is my website: AlysonKhan.com

I also have an upcoming exhibition at Space Gallery in Denver in mid-August. www.spacegallery.org

Q: As we're all navigating the pandemic and everything that the past year has brought into our lives, we're definitely seeing people's needs change and evolve...whether they are working/learning from home, needing more amenities, or are just unhappy with how their space is looking now that they have spent much more time than usual in their homes. How has this past year changed for you in relation to your clients + collectors?

Gratefully, I am the busiest I have ever been. And I have heard the same thing from many artists and designers. It seems that being forced to stay at home is not only motivating people to dial up their interiors, but also the pent up longing for travel is being soothed by art collecting. Art can invoke that feeling of something foreign and exciting—like visiting a new place. It can also tap into unknown parts of your imagination and emotions like nothing else. Living with art that you love does more than pull a room together; it can transport and transform you.

Q: If you had one piece of advice to leave our readers with, whether they also aspire to create on a casual or professional level, or if they are looking to invest in works of art for their own homes, what would that be?

If you have the urge to create, go with it. Just start. And also know that a lot of what you make at first will suck. But if you commit to making, it will commit back to you a hundredfold. Another thing to remember is to not wait for inspiration. It is fleeting. The act of taking the time to create is what opens the door for inspiration, connections and new ways of seeing and thinking. You have to take the risk of showing up first.

If you are interested in starting to collect art, go with your heart, go with what you love. Don’t worry about what other people think or the color of your couch. If you are drawn to certain work, trust that. 

You can find Alyson online at:

Instagram: @_alysone 

Website: www.alysonkhan.com

For more remodel inspiration, checkout the first two editions of our magazine here.

Turnkey homes vs. fixer-uppers: The best home for your wallet

What's the budget-friendly option?

There’s a common misconception that fixer-uppers are less expensive than turnkey properties. While turnkey properties come with a higher price tag, they can be a cheaper investment in the long run. 

According to a study conducted by Buildworld, 53% of buyers who purchased a fixer-upper exceeded their budget, compared to 15% of buyers who purchased a turnkey home. While fixer-uppers are considered “budget-friendly,” that’s not always the case. 

Keep reading to learn whether a turnkey home or fixer-upper is the right option for you:

Turnkey Property

A turnkey home is a property that doesn’t require any major repairs or renovations. Basically, it’s 100% liveable and buyers can move in without worry. Some real estate agents use the term turnkey to describe a home that’s completely refurbished. While that’s not always the case, turnkeys are usually updated. That’s why they have a higher listing price than fixer-uppers.

A turnkey property is usually ideal for homebuyers looking for an investment property, or those who don’t want to take on home improvement projects. Buildworld reported that 67% of turnkey buyers purchased their home to avoid being bothered with a fixer-upper. 

Fixer-Upper

A fixer-upper is exactly what it sounds like – a home that needs some work. Not all fixer-uppers are the same and some might require more work than others. While these homes have a lower price tag than turnkey properties, they aren’t necessarily cheap. Even if you’re a skilled handyman, home improvement projects are expensive. Especially if the fixer-upper ends up needing more work than you previously thought (which is a good possibility!)

According to Buildworld, 39% of homebuyers turned to fixer-uppers to save money. When it came to updating their homes, 63% had to re-paint, 59% had to put in new bathroom flooring, 52% updated the kitchen and 51% updated bathroom fixtures. 

The costs to fix up a home varies. But there’s no denying the expenses add up quickly. Renovations are also time-consuming. According to 77% of those surveyed, home improvements took more time than they originally thought. 64% admitted the process was more stressful than planned, and another 57% said it was more expensive. 

Bottom Line

There are benefits and negatives to both turnkeys and fixer-uppers. While turnkeys are considered less work, they’re not always what they seem. On the surface, the home might look immaculate. But it’s important to make sure everything inside works like it should (the appliances, plumbing, etc.).

When it comes to buying a fixer-upper, don’t underestimate the amount of work needed to transform the home. If you go into the purchase thinking it’s saving you more money than buying a turnkey, think again.

---

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Are You Truly Ready To Downsize? 9 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Giving Up Space

There’s a host of reasons for downsizing to a smaller home. You might want to pocket the savings and build upon your nest egg. Maybe you’re ready for a new adventure and eager to move to a high-rise condo in the city. Or finally—the kids have flown the coop, and you don’t need the extra bedrooms and bathrooms anymore.

1. Does it make financial sense to downsize?

Moving into a smaller home doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be saving money.

“Besides the new mortgage, look at taxes, cost of insurance, fixes, and upgrades of the new home,” says Susan Bozinovic, a Realtor® with Century 21 Town & Country in Troy, MI.

There are also homeowners association fees to consider if you’re downsizing to a condo or townhouse. These fees include things like landscaping, maintenance of common areas, trash, and pest control.

“Consider the amount you will spend on these fees, and be mindful that HOAs tend to go up every year,” says Bozinovic.

2. What are the financial implications of selling my home?

There’s more to consider than just how much you’re going to get for selling your home. There’s also local real estate transfer taxes, loan payoffs, home warranty, commission fees, etc., which will affect your bottom line.

That’s why Wendy Gladson, a real estate consultant at Compass in Los Angeles, always does a “sellers net sheet,” so there are no surprises for her clients.

“Sellers need to be aware of how this sale affects their overall financial picture in regard to possible property tax increases or basis transfers and capital gains tax, and how that fits into their long-term financial planning,” says Gladson.

3. What am I most excited about leaving behind?

While moving into a smaller house may have clear advantages—like less cleaning and yard maintenance—it’s essential to ask yourself if you can break the ties with your larger beloved family home. Are you truly looking forward to saying goodbye to the day-to-day chores of maintaining a larger house?

Jared Wilk, senior vice president at the Shulkin Wilk Group at Compass in Wellesley, Massachusetts, says that when clients tell him they’re excited to relax while gardening or sit on the patio instead of cleaning bedrooms and bathrooms they rarely use, then they are probably ready to downsize.

4. Where will I park?

You might not give parking or a garage a second thought when buying a smaller home, but you should, says Leneiva Head, principal broker/owner of Welcome Home Realty in Antioch, TN.

If you aspire to downsize to a city where mass transit is the preferred transportation method, what will you do with your current vehicles? Will you be able to park on the street? Will you have to purchase a garage space if you choose a condo?

And there are considerations for the suburbs, too.

“What if the smaller home has a one-car garage and one-car driveway, yet you have two vehicles?” asks Head. “No big deal right? Until you realize you have to play musical chairs with your vehicles because they’re in the way of each other.”

5. What will I do with all my stuff?

Here’s a twist: “You should really think about what you want to keep instead of what you want to get rid of,” advises Head.

“Do you have a home gym, office setup, a guest room for visitors, or multiple sets of den furniture?” she asks. “Deciding what you really need to keep will help you answer the basic number of bedrooms question. This in turn helps as you decide how small the next home can truly be.”

If you decide to part with your stuff, remember to factor in storage costs.

6. Should I consider a condo instead of a smaller house?

There are pros and cons to both, says Kari Haas, a real estate agent at Windmere Real Estate in Bellevue, WA.

A smaller house can give you more space and privacy from your neighbors—but you’ll still have grass to mow. A condo is typically cheaper, has less maintenance and upkeep, but you might not save as much as you think once you factor in HOA fees.

In addition to the HOA fees, buyers should ask if they can conform to the association rules, which may dictate things like how many pets you can have or what color you can paint your door.

7. Is the floor plan practical for your needs?

When you’re downsizing, every square inch counts, so an optimal floor plan is critical to maximizing space—and your happiness. Yet you shouldn’t bypass a house you deem too small based on square footage alone.

Haas has had clients whose life plans indicated anything but downsizing, but in the end, they opted for a smaller house because of a significantly better floor plan.

8. Where do I want to move?

If you’re one of the many people who can work from home, you might be inspired to set up your home office in a new city or state. But before you pull up the homestead stakes, be sure to find out if your new neighborhood has the services and lifestyle options that are important to you, Gladson says.

If you’re still not sure you’ll jibe with the new location, you might want to rent in the area first before committing to purchasing a home, Gladson adds.

9. Am I ready to downsize?

This is a question that can only be answered once you start looking at homes, Head says.

“That’s when you’ll realize how small smaller really is. You’ll find yourself comparing what you have now to what you’ll have in the smaller home,” she says.

“The bedrooms will be smaller. You may not have multiple living spaces. You may be a lot closer to others in the home than what you’ve grown accustomed to,” says Head.

Being mentally prepared is critical, and you’ll have to be honest with yourself and assess all the factors that will affect your life, or you’ll regret your decision to downsize.

Get more info like this on Realtor.com

Related Links

• Home prices haven’t risen this fast since 2005

• 6 Signs the Seller Cut Corners When Flipping a House

• 6 Ways You Can Improve Your Bedroom in a Weekend

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma