It may be cold outside, but it's no time hibernate when it comes to home maintenance. Have you ever wondered how some friends or neighbors live in older homes that are still in good working order? This isn't just a lucky coincidence.

Houses require careful attention, especially in the Winter, in order to keep in good working order. If you take the extra time each season to check your home over and perform the necessary maintenance, then you'll be sure to have a sturdy home for years to come.

First, it's important to keep your family safe and warm when it's chilly outside. Do a twice yearly check on your windows and doors for air leaks. Under most circumstances you can easily fix these with caulking. Are your windows in need of a more energy efficient upgrade? Have you thought about installing storm windows and doors? These are important questions to ask yourself. If you have older, non-insulated windows it may be time to replace them. You can even deduct some of these upgrades from your incomes taxes!

If you find leaks, then take the necessary action to fix them pronto. You may find that some doors continue to leak air even after you've made them "air-tight." This means it is time for Plan B. Storm doors work wonders for keeping out the elements. Many stores also sell draft blockers that sit at the bottom of you doors.

Next, schedule a time to service your heating system. Central heat and air units need to be checked over. When a unit is well-serviced it will save you fuel and thus money.

If your home is older, then you might consider a trip to the attic to check ductwork. You never know what critter has chewed through ducts or what parts have become disconnected.

While you're in the attic take a hard look at the state of your insulation. Is it adequate for your region? Is ductwork well-insulated? Older homes can sometimes be completely devoid of attic insulation. If so then it's time to bring in some reinforcements. Insulation is relatively inexpensive and can save you big in the long run.

Do you heat using a wood burning fireplace? Is it imperative for your safety to have your chimney cleaned and checked multiple times during the Winter season if you use your fireplace regularly. Chimney fires happen all the time.

There are smaller issues to attend to as well. Did you know that your ceiling fans have two settings for the blades? You want to be sure to reverse your fan in the Winter so that it pushes the hot air (which naturally rises) back down into your living spaces.

Gutters become full of leaves and other debris. If you fail to clean your gutters they can begin to hold water which can eventually rot away the siding and roof of your home. When the weather drops below freezing you need to keep your pipes from freezing. Let faucets drip and unhook all outdoor hoses.

Finally, every responsible homeowner is stocked with the proper tools. Keep sand or salt on hand to de-ice slipper steps and sidewalks. Invest in a heavy duty snow shovel or snow blower. Your home is your biggest asset and literally keeps a roof over your head. Be kind and take care even during the chilly Winter months.

Carla Hill, Realty Times Published: January 19, 2012

Sales volume reached $84.4 million for the month compared to $75.5 million last year, an increase of 12%. This activity generated an average sale price for November of $115,700, down just .45% from last year. The median sale price was up 1.4%, $91,250 compared to $90,000 a year earlier.

Sales year-to-date through 11 months now total 20,610, compared to 23,201 last year at the same point, down 2.7%. Before the recent streak of five straight increases in year-over-year sales, year-to-date sales were down 13.7%. This improvement is a very encouraging sign as we near a new year of activity.

Sales volume for single-family and condo sales year-to-date is now well over the billion-dollar plateau at $1.2 billion. The average sale price is currently remaining steady and shows a figure of $116,404 through November, still down 4.73%, compared to November 2010. The median sale price year-to-date is $94,900, down 8.7%, compared to $104,000 in 2010.

Single-family and condo listings submitted in November totaled 1, 247, down significantly (14.7%) from the 1,463 listings added during the same period in 2010. The January-November listing total has now reached 20,610, down 11.2% compared to 23,201 in 2010.

Overall MLS inventory at month’s end had declined to 7,683 compared to 8,245 in October and 8,010 last year at the same time. The supply of available active listings, based on November’s sales pace, stands at 10.5-months, up from a 9.5-month’s supply last month. This slowdown from last month is normal this time of year as the winter months and the holiday season draw a number of potential buyers toward other priorities.

That thought can make some sellers cringe. The thought of spending money to fix up a kitchen in a home that they're about ready to sell is unpalatable. However, it could make the difference between a buyer making a higher offer or even any offer at all. Kitchen makeovers don't need to make your blood boil and break you out in a sweat, fearing the loss of money that will soon be drained from your bank account. You can tidy up your kitchen and even give it a fresh, stylish, updated look, on a frugal budget. Let me show you how. It starts with simple things. The kind of tasks you can do yourself.

Deep cleaning. Nothing beats a deep cleaning. This means pulling the refrigerator out from the wall, moving furniture and giving the floor, baseboards, crown molding, walls, back splash, counters and all surfaces a good scrubbing. It's amazing how much crumbs and other debris accumulate in the kitchen (even in a well-cared-for kitchen there's usually a fair amount hidden in between appliances).

Scrub down the appliances. It's so unattractive when you walk into a listed home and you can tell what the family had for dinner just by opening the oven. Think buyers don't open your appliances? Think again! They're considering your home as their own. They will check out your refrigerator, oven, kitchen cabinets, and your closets. So, be careful what you stuff inside them. I often caution sellers to remove medication from your cabinets before having an open house. I know it's more work but it's safer and retains your privacy.

Buy hardware in bulk. You don't have to hire a remodeling company to come in and resurface your cabinets or replace them; that can be very costly. Giving them a deep cleaning or painting them (depending on their surface) can be an excellent way to freshen them up. Then, if you have worn-looking or outdated hardware, buy some knobs. When you buy the hardware in bulk you can often get a better price and easily replace them to give your cabinets a better look.

Experiment with custom high-end additions. Sounds like I'm talking about high-priced additions but actually you can head to a mass retailer and find additions like trim and even plate rack shelving that has a custom, high-end look at a moderate price. Then clear the clutter out of those cabinets and shelves and display beautiful plates in a spacious plate rack. Think of what you're used to seeing in a print or TV ad for home decor. It's like a computer ad that shows the solo computer without all the wires - clean, elegant, attractive.

Add molding to your cabinets. This can turn an every-day looking cabinet into a chic kitchen look. Painting your cabinets can give the entire kitchen an upscale look. However, be sure you know what kind of paint will adhere to your cabinets. Custom hood range. Adding a custom hood range–again it doesn't have to be outrageously priced–can really complete the look of your kitchen. It's a subtle difference that makes it look and feel more like a high-end remodeled kitchen.

A bit of planning and careful budgeting can go a long way in creating a kitchen that sparks an interest in prospective buyers.

By Phoebe Chongchua, Realty Times

Published: December 2, 2011

Cold weather, rain, and snow won’t keep a good buyer down. There are great deals to be had all year round. Buying doesn't always happen on schedule. It can take weeks or months to find the perfect house, you may need to move suddenly to follow a new job opportunity, or move to be closer to ailing parents.

Buying happens for a myriad of reasons and during every month of the year. Yet, buying during the holidays can be challenging, especially if you're a family with lots of traditions or with children.

If you have children, then here are some tips to make a move during the holidays a big deal in a good way!

First, children follow the lead of their parents. If you are depressed about missing out on Aunt Sue's famous turkey or daily noting the bad luck of buying during the holidays, your children will likely pick up on this. So start by adjusting your attitude first. Focus on the positive aspects of the move. Try to keep a cheery, upbeat attitude.

Will a child be getting their own room? Will their new room be "awesome"? These can be reasons to celebrate! Talk up all the great new area parks, restaurants, and kid-friendly attractions.

Older children may be a harder sell, especially if you're moving them away from their school or friends. Do a little research and find out more on area malls, sports teams, or youth groups that your child may be interested in.

Also consider rewarding children especially well for their good behavior during a move. Maybe now is a time for that allowance raise (if it doesn't seem too much like a bribe), to let them select the new decor for their new room, or to have one extra pizza night this week.

Communication is key for getting through a move, regardless of the season. Have a family meeting to discuss concerns and fears, or have one-on-one talks with each kid to assess their feelings.

Finally, make every attempt to keep traditions alive. This is important for adults and children alike. If your family loves having a fully decorated tree, then you might have to set it up twice this year -- once at your current home and then quickly again when you first arrive in your new home.

Boxes and chaos aside, you can still sit down for a fun family dinner or for an evening of singing songs and opening presents. Keep your traditions alive and your move this holiday season will be an easy one!

By Carla Hills, Realty Times  Published: November 8, 2011

For the third month in a row, home sales in the Miami Valley have improved over last year, according to the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS®’ Multiple Listing Service data released today.  Single-family and condominium sales registered in the MLS database for September showed 921 transactions, a healthy 95 unit or 11.5% increase compared to September 2010. These sales generated a dollar volume of $109.7 million, a 12% increase over last September. This translated to an average sale price of $119,133 and a median sale price of $98,000, also increases of 0.7% and 1.5% in year-over-year comparison.   

Sales through the first three quarters of the year have now reached exactly 8,000, down 5.6% from last year’s 8,475 during the same reporting period. This is a marked improvement from the first two quarters of 2011 when the figures showed a year-to-decline of 13.7% at the end of June.  

Total sales volume through September reached $928.6 million, down 11% compared to the end of the third quarter last year. The year-to-date average sale price per unit stood at $116,078 while the median sale price hovered at $94,500, declines of 5.8% and 10%, respectively.

Single-family and condominium listings added in September totaled 1,606, a drop of 15% compared to September 2010 when 1,896 submissions were tallied. Listings year-to-date totaled 17,783, a decline of 11.3% compared to 20,048 listing posted at the same time in 2010.  

The overall MLS inventory after three quarters shows 8,575 listings available for sale. This is the lowest inventory level MLS has shown since January of this year. The supply of properties for sale stands at 9.3-months based on the pace of sales during September. This is a slight increase from last month’s 9-month supply, when the sales pace was slightly higher.  

 Statistics provided by John Junker, MLS Data Specialist

Also, economists call the 15-year fixed mortgage drop to 3.28% the lowest ever for that loan. It appears they could go even lower as the Federal Reserve announced that it will push long-term rates down further. These historically low mortgage rates aren't necessarily rapidly selling homes. Across the country contract signings have been down. According to USAToday.com, “July's index fell 5.8% in the Northeast, 3.7% in the Midwest and 2.4% in the West. It rose 2.6% in the South.”

The index of sales agreements, tracked by the National Association of Realtors, showed a 1.2% drop down to 88.6 (100 is considered healthy). Still the opportunities for homeownership keep getting better. Some markets are more affordable than ever; prices have been cut in half in some metro areas. Of course, getting a loan can be part of the barrier to entry in the housing market. These days, to qualify for a loan a 20% down payment coupled with a high credit score are required by some lenders.

Now, a new credit score service being introduced in November claims it will give lenders a more accurate picture of a borrower's outstanding debts. The company's website has a countdown to the release of CoreScore (credit report from CoreLogic). It touts the system as a way to “see borrowers as you've never seen them before.”

Some lenders are being extremely strict because they have difficulty determining previous credit behavior. But according to CoreLogic, everything will soon change. The CoreScore credit report is a supplement, not a replacement for the current credit reporting systems.

According to the company, “The supplemental information the CoreScore credit report provides will expand your view of borrower credit profiles and deliver important insight into unseen risk and opportunities.”

Among the information that the CoreScore report will deliver to lenders are the following:

1. Properties owned—with and without debt obligations Mortgage obligations with companies that may not report to traditional credit reporting agencies

2. Property legal filings, such as notices of default

3. Property tax amounts and payment status

4. Estimated market values on all U.S. properties owned

5. Rental applications and evictions

6. Inquiries and charge-offs from pay-day and online lenders

7. Consumer-specific bankruptcies, liens, judgments and child support obligations

With mortgage restrictions tighter than ever and more supplemental information being offered to lenders about borrowers' debts and credit behavior, it's vital for borrowers to understand the most important qualifying factors that influence lenders.

The chief concern is the ability to repay the loan followed closely by the willingness to repay. Borrowers can place themselves in better standing with lenders by doing two key things: paying off as much debt as possible before applying for a mortgage. This is always good as it lowers the debt-to-income ratio. Secondly, lenders examine borrowers' track record of repayment to determine how they will behave if they are issued a loan. Making sure that credit behavior is monitored and any discrepancies are handled before applying for a loan will help borrowers have a cleaner record and increase the chances of qualifying for a mortgage.

Published: October 7, 2011 Realty Times

Sales figures for the first eight months of 2011 remain lower in year-over-year comparisons. There have been 7,022 single-family and condo sales reported through August compared to 7,625 in 2010, a decline of about 8%. A year-to-date sales volume of $811.5 million has produced an average of $114,689 and a median of $93,700, declines of 7.5% and 12.4%, respectively.

Listings submitted during August totaled 1,987, 15% fewer than last July’s 2,339. The first eight months of 2011 have seen 16,188 single-family and condo submissions made available for sale. This compares to 18,250 in 2010, a decline of 11%. Total MLS inventory as of month’s end showed 8,981 listings for sale, a decline of 380, or 4% from last month. Coupled with Augusts’ increase in sales, the supply ratio has dropped from 10 months in July to 9 months of available listings in August.  Last year at the same time, the supply was also 10 months.

Statistics provided by MLS Data Specialist John Junker.

Have you heard about the government's "green" homeowners incentives? Take a moment to see how you can upgrade your home and get money back!

There are two basic tax credits available for those interested in making energy efficient improvements to their homes. First, the Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Fuel Cell Tax Credit. It's good for both existing homes and new construction, when used for a homeowner's principal residence. Homeowners will received a credit totaling 30 percent of their cost for improvements put into service between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011.

Here's a list of what can qualify:

• Geothermal Heat Pumps 
• Solar Panels 
• Solar Water Heaters 
• Small Wind Energy Systems 
• Fuel Cells (on this item the credit may not exceed $500 for each 0.5 kilowatt capacity; other limits apply in the case of joint occupancy)

The second notable credit is for Qualified Energy Efficiency Improvements, which gives a 10 percent credit for purchases that were "placed in service" this year. This particular credit does have a limit, with "the maximum credit for a taxpayer for all taxable years being $500, and no more than $200 of such credit may be attributable to expenditures on windows. This rule means that taxpayers who have claimed $500 or more of this tax credit in prior years, particularly 2009 and 2010, can no longer participate in the program." (NAHB)

Let's take a look at what qualifies, according to the National Association of Home Builders an item qualifies if it:

• meets or exceeds the prescriptive criteria for such a component established by the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code as such Code (including supplements) (or, in the case of windows, skylights and doors, and metal roofs with appropriate pigmented coatings or asphalt roofs with appropriate cooling granules, meets the Energy Star program requirements);
• is installed in or on a dwelling located in the United States and owned and used by the taxpayer as the taxpayer’s principal residence;
• the original use of which commences with the taxpayer; and
• that reasonably can be expected to remain in use for at least five years.

These items can include building envelope component, insulation materials or systems, exterior windows, skylights, doors, storm windows and storm doors, metal or asphalt roofs, advanced main air circulating fans, and qualified natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces or hot water boilers.  

Perhaps most important is how one goes about filing these claims. First, keep every single receipt, along with make, manufacturer, and model number on items. You can file these credits alongside your taxes using Form 5695. If you have lots of credits and deductions to take, it might be wise to enlist the help of a tax professional. Also check out energystar.gov/taxcredits for more information!

Published: September 16, 2011 Carla Hill, Realty Times

Fall is a welcome reprieve from the oppressive heat of Summer. It also offers homeowners all across the country a chance to ready their homes for cold weather, hard rains, and all that cold seasons have to offer.

As the seasons change, once again it's time to perform some home maintenance. Here are 10 yearly tasks that will help keep your household in working order when the temperatures drop.

1. Clean Gutters: Do so frequently. Clogged gutters can result in standing water and roof damage. Plus, if you clean them frequently, you're less likely to have to deal with decomposing leaves.

2. Mow and trim: It seems counter intuitive, but Fall is a wonderful time to both fertilize and reseed your lawn. A maintained lawn improves a home's value and saleability. Use this time to trim shrubs and grass one last time so that your yard stands out, even in a dormant season.

3. Prune trees: With Winter comes ice. With ice comes broken limbs. Take advantage of nice weather and cut back or remove precarious limbs. It only takes one heavy snow or ice to weigh down a limb and damage property.

4. Powerwash: Driveways, sidewalks, decks, and patios can get quite grimy during the summer months. Invest in a powerwasher and you'll be surprised how clean you can get them!

5. Outdoor Living: Some furniture is made to be stored during rainy or snowy seasons. Clear a place in your garage or shed for the items. Consider covering them with a tarp and storing cushion in vacuum seal bags.

6. Heating Systems: Check furnaces and change filters. Not only will it boost efficiency, but it will also save you money in the process.

7. Check for Leaks: Recaulk around windows and doors to help prevent heat from escaping.

8. Fireplace: You don't want a chimney fire. Be sure to have your chimney swept or cleaned each year.

10. Piping: Check pipes for insulation to prevent freezing and bursting.

Every season holds different responsibilities for a homeowner. Be sure to stay on top of tasks each season to maintain your home's value!

Published: September 7, 2011  by Carla Hill, Realty Times

Single-family and condominium sales statistics for the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® MLS showed some encouraging numbers in July. A total of 932 properties changed hands, which was 99 units (nearly 12%) better than last July’s 833 sales. The total sales volume for July reached $119.7 million, compared to $104.6 million one year ago.

The average sale price came in at $128,424, a 2.22% appreciation over last July’s $125,640 figure. The median sale price was also up slightly at $106,000 compared to $105,000 last July. This was the first time in 2011 and only the second time in 13 months that we had an increase in home values.

Year-to-date sales through July totaled 6,001, still down 10% from the 6,668 reported last July. A sales volume of nearly $686.4 million produced an average sale price of $114,670 and a median price of $93,900, down 7.36% and 12.5%, respectively. 

The number of listing entries for July numbered 1,868, down 21.7% in year-over-year comparison. During the January through July period, 14,227 single-family and condo units were added to the inventory, a 10.6% decline compared to the same period a year earlier.

The inventory at month’s end showed 9,361 properties available for sale, which translated as a supply of 10 months. This is a slight decline from June’s 9,409.  The supply at that time was 9 months when sales were slightly higher.

Single-family and condominium sales reported to the Dayton Area Board of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service reached 1,058 in June, the highest total so far in 2011.  Compared with June 2010, this represented a decrease of 113 units, or 9.6%. However, with the beginning of the summer home shopping season underway, the rate of decline was a much slimmer drop-off than last month’s 18.8% year-over–year decline. June’s transactions resulted in a sales volume of $131.4 million, an average sale price of $124,374 and a median price of $101,900. Average and median were both high water marks for this year, albeit declines of 8% and 7.3% compared to a year earlier.

The six-month sales total showed 5,014 sales, down 13.7% year-over-year, and a total sales volume of $558.8 million. This translates to a January-June average sale price of $111,448 and a median sale price of $89,000, declines of 9.6% and 17.4% respectively, compared to the same period a year earlier.

Single-family and condo listing submissions in June totaled 2,126, 9.3% less than June of 2010 when 2,344 were entered. Year-to-date listing entries showed 12,367 added to the inventory. This represents an 8.8% decline in listing activity compared to the 13,560 added by the end of June last year.

There were 9,409 available listings in the inventory at the end of June, down from May’s 9,486 listings. This represents a supply of 8.8 months, also down from May when the available supply was at 9.2-months. This decrease in inventory and the supply ratio are both good signs going forward, as this indicates increased sales activity and a greater demand for homes. This pace is comparable to last year, when the supply sat at 8.4 months.