Vacation Homes, Furnace Breaking, & Home TLC

Tell me if I'm right:

I bet the last time you were on vacation, you thought, “we should buy some property here."

And while vacation homes can be an amazing investment, there are a few questions to consider before you start buying beach or mountain themed decor for your dream property. ??

??Who will maintain the home?

??Do you need rental income in order to pay the mortgage? If so, will you hire a property manager?

??Does the community or HOA allow short term rentals?

??How often will we (actually) use it?

Bottom line? Do your research and really think through your options before you even consider buying a second home.

Where is your favorite place to vacation? Share your recommendations in the comments! ??

?? Party in the city where the heat is on... (except …when the furnace breaks ??)

WHY does the furnace always go out on the coldest day of the year!?

Before we talk about the next steps, remember: the average lifespan of a quality home furnace in our climate is anywhere between 15 and 18 years.

? If your furnace is over 15 years old, you should have it cleaned and inspected for safety, which can also help identify issues before they arise.

And if your furnace *does* call it quits during a cold snap ?? call an HVAC specialist–they're used to getting these calls!

Next, warm up!

?? Find that old space heater, fire up the fireplace, and bundle up!

?? Oh! And turn on your oven! While you should NEVER use it as a heat source, you've now got a great excuse to make a batch (or 5) of cookies! ??

?? To keep your pipes from freezing, turn on the faucets at a slow drip.

?? And if you have them, place space heaters where pipes are vulnerable, such as in the basement. But never leave them unattended!

?? Lastly, open cabinets, closets, and other spaces that contain plumbing to help circulate warm air.

?? Once you've done everything you can to stay warm and protect those pipes, take a look at your home warranty (if you moved in within the last year.)

And if the broken furnace is related to a weather event, your homeowner’s insurance might be able to cover it!

Have you ever had a furnace go out in the middle of winter?

So, you bought a home that needs a little TLC ??

Approaching a home renovation can be overwhelming, so today I'm breaking down the project I always suggest my clients do in order of importance:

?? Always fix any structural or safety issues first. If there are items from your home inspector that your seller didn't fix, focus on the safety related ones first, no matter how small they seem. The smallest chores, like changing an HVAC filter or cleaning your dryer vent, can become big headaches if you put them off.

?? Replace essential appliances before you make cosmetic updates. No, you won't get the same gratification from a tankless water heater that you'll get from remodeling the kitchen, but where you can live without a smart fridge, you need hot water! Do the big stuff: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, before the fun stuff.

?? Focus on the room(s) you spend the most time in. Kitchens and bathrooms are big ROI drivers, but they're also the rooms you spend the most time in and will probably get the most use and satisfaction out of.

?? Decide what you can DIY and where you need a pro. If you need contractor or handyman recommendations, I'm always happy to give you some names - I know all the pros!

?? Consider seasonality. If you're moving in now, your landscaping and backyard renovation can probably wait until spring, but you're going to want to have a cozy bedroom and living room to make it through the winter!

Now I have a question for you: if you were going to renovate your current home, which room would you do first: kitchen or bathroom?