To-Dos: Your September Home Checklist

SOURCE: Houzz

Prep your home for cooler weather with these tasks to do in an hour, over a weekend and during the month

From the first days, which probably still feel like summer, to the last, when you may notice that first chill in the air, September is a time of transition. Get your home ready for the season ahead by ticking off these to-dos, from adding cozy layers to scheduling necessary maintenance — and then curl up in your favorite chair and savor the comforts of home.

Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less

1. Cozy up with warm layers. Have you felt that first nip in the air yet? When you do, think about swapping out lighter-weight bedding for flannel sheets and fluffy duvets. Bring added warmth to the other rooms in your house with throws and pillows in rich fabrics like wool, velvet or faux fur. Thicker area rugs and curtains not only feel cozier, but they also can actually help your home feel warmer — and cut down on your energy bills.

2. Order firewood. Whether you use a wood-burning stove or fireplace for actual warmth or just for coziness, now is a good time to order a delivery of firewood. If you can help it, don’t store large quantities of wood directly against the house, which can encourage pests, but do keep it protected from rain and snow beneath a shelter.

3. Check safety devices. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; replace batteries as needed. Check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher and replace if needed.

4. Set up or improve kids’ schoolwork area. Give children an area to do their schoolwork that is comfortable, attractive and well-organized. Ideally, make a large surface available for spreading out big or messy projects. The dining table can work, but if you have the room, consider adding a dedicated project table or large desk surface and keep the necessary supplies at hand.

Tackle These Tasks Over a Weekend

5. Clean leather furniture. It’s important to know whether your leather furniture has a finish before treating it with any products, so check labels or look up the item on the retailer’s or manufacturer’s website before you begin.

• For unprotected leather (also called aniline), less is more when it comes to cleaning: Wipe with a clean, dry cloth orone slightly dampened with distilled water.

• For protected leather (also called semianiline or pigmented), you can make your own cleaning solution by adding a few drops of mild nondetergent soap to distilled water, or use a commercial leather cleaning product. Apply with a microfiber cloth.

6. Remove window AC units. If you use window air-conditioning units, now is the time to either remove them or cover them outside with protective insulation. Removing the units is the better option because this will allow you to close the windows, minimizing winter heat loss. If you choose to leave them in over the winter, be sure to pick up insulating covers made for this purpose and securely attach them outside.

7. Add weatherstripping. Newer double-pane windows may not need weatherstripping, but it will help most older windows retain heat and stop drafts. Check areas with previously applied weatherstripping and remove or replace as needed.

8. Freshen up your fall wardrobe. If you’ve bought new clothes recently, take this opportunity to sort through the rest of your wardrobe and remove pieces you no longer wear. Collect clothes that need repair and move summer clothes to an out-of-the-way spot so that your fall wardrobe can be front and center. Polish shoes, remove pilling from coats and sweaters, and clean out handbags and totes.

9. Inspect the roof and gutters. It’s generally fine to wait until most of the leaves have fallen in autumn to clean out the gutters and downspouts, but giving these areas a quick visual inspection now is a good idea. Pull out any sticks or other debris blocking the gutters, and make note of any worn-out seals around vent pipes and chimneys. If you do not feel comfortable on a ladder, or have a home of two or more stories, hire someone to do a quick inspection for you. Schedule any needed repairs now so that your home will be buttoned up for winter.

Maintenance and Extras to Budget for This Month

10. Schedule chimney and furnace maintenance. Make sure your fireplace and heating system are clean, safe and ready to go by having a pro look at them now. Having your chimney cleaned will also ensure that you don’t try to start a fire when an animal family (or an old nest) is inside. And if you don’t have a chimney cap yet, speak with your chimney sweep about adding a one. The metal cap with screened sides can prevent critters from getting in and helps protect your roof from burning embers.

11. Maintain the washer and dryer. Cleaning out the dryer vents can be a job you do yourself, but if you don’t feel comfortable doing so (or if you’ve been putting it off), you may want to hire a pro to do washer and dryer maintenance for you. Washing-machine hoses need to be replaced from time to time, and a cracked hose can cause a leak — which can mean costly damage to your home. Clean dryer vents and hoses will help your machine work more efficiently and reduce the risk of fire.

12. Consider beefing up insulation. Looking for a way to save on your energy bills this winter? You may want to think about adding insulation to your attic space or inside walls. This can make a big difference in how well your home retains heat in winter and stays cool in summer.

Tell us: What’s on your to-do list for September? Share in the Comments.

SOURCE: Houzz

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Compass is a licensed real estate broker. All material is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description or measurements (including square footage). This is not intended to solicit property already listed. No financial or legal advice provided. Equal Housing Opportunity. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

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These 3 home renovation projects pay off the most at resale

SOURCE: Homes

Home remodeling is a multi-billion-dollar industry that caters to both homeowners who want to upgrade their living spaces and sellers looking to attract buyers. However, not every project offers a good return on investment, and not every homeowner has the budget for a top-to-bottom makeover. If you're about to list your property and have a limited budget, experts in home remodeling say you should focus your dollars on these three areas:

Swapping out your front door

Homeowners should consider replacing their front door with a steel one with a dual-frame and a half-glass panel. A study from the Journal of Light Construction indicated that homeowners spent $2,355 on average in 2024 to replace their front door with a steel one. Doing so added $4,430 on average to the home's resale value, according to the study. Many homeowners already have steel doors, but they are usually foam-insulated ones with a steel outside coating, said Clayton DeKorne, the journal's chief editor. Those doors do a decent job of keeping out the cold, but they're all one solid unit with no glass in the middle, which is off-putting to some homeowners, DeKorne said. "They have a door that doesn't let in light, and they're dying to get some light inside," he added. Adding the steel door "is an aesthetic thing" that improves curb appeal and signals to prospective buyers that the home is warm and welcoming, DeKorne said. Installing a new door is something homeowners should let a professional contractor handle because it's pretty technical work that involves replacing the trim and jambs and perhaps the door's framing, depending on the home's construction, DeKorne said. The work can usually be finished in a day if the homeowner has the traditional 6-foot, 8-inch door size. It may take a week if the homeowner wants the larger 8-foot door.

Bonus: Swapping out your garage doors offers the best return on investment of all projects, according to the journal, but not everyone has a garage. Homeowners spent $4,513 on average to do this in 2024, and doing so added $8,751 to a home's value. That's a whopping 193.9% return on investment, or ROI.

Banking on that bathroom

Conventional thinking would have homeowners focusing their renovation dollars on either the kitchen or living room, but investment-wise, the best room to renovate is where you shower and shave, one expert said. "Bathrooms consistently are a positive ROI, where you'll get more than what you put in," Liz Young, CEO of Realm, an online marketplace for homeowners to find contractors, said in an interview. That's because bathroom makeovers are mostly fixture work, Young said, including replacing the toilet, sink faucet, and shower head and installing floor tile and a new bathtub. A new coat of paint on the walls finishes the job. Homeowners with one bathroom should do extra planning when renovating because a contractor will often occupy the space for quite a while, forcing the family to find another spot to take baths and brush their teeth. "It's going to be unusable, and there's no way around it," Young said. "And a lot of times, it's for a couple of weeks." The average cost for a bathroom renovation last year was $25,251, and it garnered $18,613 in resale value, according to the journal. To be sure, the actual price of a bathroom renovation depends on the size of the space, the availability of local contractors, the fixtures you pick and cost of permits.

Subbing in stone veneer siding

Many homes in the U.S. have vinyl siding, but DeKorne and the journal suggested replacing a portion of that — particularly at the bottom third of the front of the house — with manufactured stone veneer. Homeowners spent $11,287 on average replacing some vinyl siding with stone veneer in 2024, according to the journal. The work generated an additional $17,291 in resale value, the publication suggested. The key to replacing vinyl siding with manufactured stone is picking a contractor who can install it correctly, DeKorne said. "A good siding job should have some ability for water to drain behind it."Adding manufactured stone is a visual thing, DeKorne said. The veneers are made of concrete, but they're shaped to look like stone. They make the home look as if the foundation is extremely sturdy, he said. As a bonus, cleaning manufactured stone will be much easier than power-washing vinyl siding, DeKorne said. "It's going to be a lot more forgiving to dust that settles in the air from dust storms or traffic," he said. "They tend to be more dirt-colored to begin with, and they're not a single, uniform color."

SOURCE: Homes

Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff

SOURCE: Keeping Current Matters

Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. And, as a result, in early August mortgage rates dropped to their lowest point so far this year (6.55%).

While that may not sound like a big deal, pretty much every buyer has been waiting for rates to fall. And even a seemingly small drop like this reignites the hope we’re finally going to see rates trending down. But what’s realistic to expect?

According to the latest forecasts, rates aren’t expected to fall dramatically anytime soon. Most experts project they’ll stay somewhere in the mid-to-low 6% range through 2026

In other words, no big changes are expected. But small shifts, like the one we just saw, are still likely. 

Each time there’s changing economic news, there’s a chance mortgage rates will react. And with so many reports coming out this week, we’ll get a better feeling of where the economy and inflation are headed – and how rates will respond.

What Rate Would Get Buyers Moving Again?

The magic number most buyers seem to be watching for is 6%. And it’s not just a psychological benchmark; it has real impact. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says if rates reach 6%:

• 5.5 million more households could afford the median-priced home

• And roughly 550,000 people would buy a home within 12 to 18 months

That’s a lot of pent-up demand just waiting for the green light. And if you look back at the graph above, you’ll see Fannie Mae thinks we’ll hit that threshold next year. That raises an important question: Does it really make sense to wait for lower rates?

Because here’s the tradeoff. If you’re waiting for 6%, you need to realize a lot of other people are too. And when rates do continue to inch down and more buyers jump into the market all at once, you could face more competition, fewer choices, and higher home prices. NAR explains it like this:

“Home buyers wishing for lower mortgage interest rates may eventually get their wish, but for now, they’ll have to decide whether it’s better to wait or jump into the market.”

Consider the unique window that exists right now:

• Inventory is up = more choices

• Price growth has slowed down = more realistic pricing

• You may have more room to negotiate = you could get a better deal

These are all opportunities that will go away if rates fall and demand surges. That’s why NAR says:

“Buyers who are holding out for lower mortgage rates may be missing a key opening in the market.”

Bottom Line

Rates aren't expected to hit 6% this year. But when they do, you’ll have to deal with more competition as other buyers jump back in. If you want less pressure and more negotiating power, that opportunity is already here – and it might not last for long. It all depends on what happens in the economy next.

SOURCE: Keeping Current Matters

6 Tips to Make Your Home Look More Expensive

SOURCE: Realty Times

Does your new home fit into your budget, but not your design wishes? Everyone wants to keep up with the Joneses, but not everyone can afford the price tag. Don’t worry, with the tips below you can make your home look expensive without spending big bucks to do so. It just takes a little creativity and a bit of elbow grease, but you can create the home of dreams.

Moulding

Moulding is an easy ways to take your walls from drab to fab without looking gaudy. You can choose a more ornate, Victorian style moulding, or go for a simple piece of wood framing, as was popular in Craftsmen homes of the 1920’s and 1930’s.

Whichever you choose, paint your moulding and walls the same color to provide a cohesive look to your home, and consider splurging to hire professional to help you out. A licensed handyman can not only repair existing moulding in your home, but can also help you add new moulding. A professional can make the new moulding look seamless, like it has always been a staple part of your homes character.

Accessories

Whether you are going for a minimalist or eclectic look, your accessories can provide both interest and elegance to your home.  Things like candles and fresh flowers can bring add points of interest to your home as can throw pillows and blankets.

Get creative and DIY items that can be pricey in stores, such as making throw pillows from fabric scraps instead of spending a lot of money at Target. You can also make your own wreaths, or reupholster chairs to give them a new look.

Save your money for investment pieces, like large artwork that can instantly become a focal point to your rooms. Of course, save money when you can by thrifting these too.

1. Mix Up Your Textures

Experts say a design that is too matchy-matchy – excessively color-coordinated, in other words – can actually make it look less expensive. Instead you should mix and match different textures throughout your home that can help to enliven multiple senses at a time. A faux-fur throw on top of a leather couch, for example, as well as velvety pillows and knit rugs. Each of these items can provide beauty to your home on its own, but when put them together it will give the feeling of a well-thought out and unique space.

Let Someone’s Trash Be Your Treasure

One of the easiest ways to add a bit of class and character to your home is to choose antiques and vintage pieces to put side-by-side with your newer décor. This might seem like and expensive option, since a vintage headboard can cost several hundred dollars or more online, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You just have to know where to look.

Check out your local thrift stores and garage sales to get the best deals on vintage furniture. Many people just want them out of their homes, without considering their value. You can advantage of these pieces, repaint them, or just refinish them to former glory. Your home will instantly look more cultured, and you will help keep items out of the landfill as well!

Make Your Own Built-Ins

I love looking through Zillow, picking out my favorite homes and imagining my family inside of them. One thing I always look for first is built-ins. There is just something about them that screams class to me, and I am dead set that my dream home will have them. If your home doesn’t though, you can improvise. Just make them yourself.

Ikeas hacks are all over the internet, and the one that most often catches my eye are DIY built-ins using Ikea bookshelves. The Billy Bookcase comes in several different heights and colors, making it versatile for your home. Add a bit of moulding to make them truly blend in, and it will look like they have always been there.

You Shouldn’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, but Many People Do

A person’s opinion of your home does not start when they walk through your door. It starts when they are standing on your sidewalk. Keep your yard tidy and pruned, your lawn mowed, and your walkway clean and clear of cracks if possible.

Raised garden beds are pretty to the eye and can help you save money if you fill them with herbs and vegetables. And perennial flowers, such as tulips and peonies, only need to be planted once but will make your garden beautiful year after year.

You do not have to own a million dollar listing to make your home and inviting and expensive looking place for you and your family to enjoy. Even the smallest budgets can have a big impact with a bit of planning and work ethic. Roll up your sleeves and get to work, your only limit is your own imagination!

SOURCE: Realty Times