Palouse LIVING Your resource for buying, selling and enjoying your home on the Palouse.
JULY 2020
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Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
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2 | July 4, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
How motherhood completely changed what I want in a home By Jillian Pretzel Courtesy of Realtor.com
Motherhood can bring so many changes—not only to your relationship, career, and life in general, but also to what you look for when shopping for a home. I should know: Six months ago, I moved from Los Angeles to New York City for my husband's new job. While I was excited to dive into life in the Big Apple—and nd a quaint apartment in a hip neighborhood— those plans changed dramatically when I discovered I was pregnant. Almost overnight, my short list of prepregnancy home must-haves (a building with character that’s near fun wine bars) had to be tossed out. I suddenly went from being the easiest home shopper, just looking for a cute place to drop my coat, to having more requirements than I ever would have imagined, from a bathtub to a good school district. And although we'd settled in our rental apartment before the novel coronavirus hit in the middle of my pregnancy, I saw
my requirements for a home become even more stringent in its wake. While I wasn't about to pick up and move again given that we'd just settled in, this will no doubt affect what I look for if we ever decide to buy a place, or move to a larger rental elsewhere (more on that below). And I doubt I'm alone. When looking to rent or buy a home, many people might be surprised by how much their priorities in real estate morph overnight once they're expecting. To help them prepare for this seismic shift, here's an up-close and personal peek at how pregnancy changed how I shopped for a home, and where I wanted to live.
I learned to look closely at listing photos
I can’t count how many apartments I walked into, turned around, and walked right out. If you’ve ever shopped for a home, you know that listing photos can be deceiving. In a big way. Not only were these tours often time-
wasters, but in that early stage of my pregnancy, I was exhausted and sick all the time. It was hard to get out of bed most days. So a bad tour was a big blow. In order to save time and energy, I started getting better at analyzing listing photos online. I learned to be wary of photos taken from a weird angle, because I learned that probably meant the room was small and the photographer was trying to compensate. I started looking for how much of the oor I could see in the bathroom photos, realizing that the more oor was shown, the bigger the room probably was. Was there a photo of only the sink? That tended to mean the bathroom was tiny. I also realized that as my belly grew,
I’d probably want a bathtub to soak in. So those shower-only bathrooms I saw in so many apartments probably weren’t going to work for us. My husband loved the style of this bathroom, but I didn't like its lack of a tub. Jillian Pretzel I also started depending more on oor plans and square footage numbers than actual photos. I’d ip through a prole online and, if it didn’t have a oor plan, I’d wonder if they were hiding something. Usually they were, and usually it was a distinct lack of closets. With a baby on the way, I needed a closet. Or three.
Location is still everything, but in a different way
Location can be a big factor in home shopping, especially in a place like New York City. There are so many different neighborhoods with different personalities. Originally, I wanted an apartment in a busy, but charming, part of town that would give me that big-city feel.
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PALOUSE LIVING But after learning of my pregnancy, my ideas of the perfect location changed swiftly. I no longer wanted to be in a bustling area, because I knew that would mean extra noise. I no longer cared about being near fun wine bars or coffee shops, since I couldn’t drink wine or (much) coffee. There were school districts to consider, wide sidewalks for pushing a stroller, plus proximity to doctors' ofces. Plus, in a post-coronavirus age, there's also delivery services to consider. I already knew that walking to the grocery store while pregnant would be tricky. But trying to go to the store while pregnant, during a pandemic, would be downright unsafe. It's a good reminder of just how important it is to be not only close to grocery stores and pharmacies, but also within delivery range.
Old buildings can have unexpected dangers
Back in California, there aren’t many old apartment buildings. I can think of some “historic” apartments in Los Angeles, which were built in the 1950s. Meanwhile, New York City has plenty of apartment buildings that were built at the turn of the century. The past century, that is. Most of them are old buildings that I loved the look of, but worried about living in. The reason: Some old apartments were
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 4, 2020 | 3 built with lead pipes or covered in lead paint. Of course, plenty of those buildings have been refurbished and had the lead removed, but not all of them. And even though their old walls may have been painted over plenty of times in the past few decades, a lead layer could still be buried underneath. A scrape on the wall might expose this toxin that could then nd its way into a toddler's mouth. While I knew that plenty of families were living happily and healthily in old buildings, I decided not to risk it—and to start looking exclusively for newer buildings.
Stairs are a big turnoff
I’ve always been an active person. I love working out and am almost always up for a walk, a hike, or a kickboxing class. During my rst week of home tours, I didn’t bat an eyelash at the idea of a ve-story walk-up. But now, walk-ups weren’t for me. An elevator became a must—not only to help me avoid too many stairs in the last months of pregnancy, but to avoid lugging a stroller up and down later.
A safe and convenient kitchen area
Of course, we'd all like a large, openconcept kitchen with a big island and top-notch appliances, but that's not always
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possible. With a baby on the way, I had to focus my priorities on safety, storage, and convenience. Some kitchens were way too small for a family, and I realized that closed-off galley kitchens might get too tight for my growing belly. I found that the look of the kitchen was often the deciding factor for whether or not we'd tour a home.
We became more budget-conscious than ever
Looking for a home while pregnant made my list of must-haves much longer. But it certainly didn't extend my budget. In fact, my husband and I felt we should try to be saving more, because life was about to get pretty expensive. Because of this, it took us extra time to nd a home. After a month of living in an Airbnb rental followed by a few weeks staying at a cousin’s place, we nally found it: an apartment that was truly baby-friendly. It was hard to go that long living out of suitcases, but the lengthy search was worth it.
Addendum: How the coronavirus changed my priorities, again
priorities in what I wanted in a home yet again. Life in quarantine taught me that there are a ton of things to consider when it comes to staying home with your young family for long stretches of time. One obvious thing to consider would be outside space. While I never liked the idea of yard maintenance, kids need some time outside. If a pandemic ever pops up again, or even if there's a bad u season one year, a big yard or a sizable balcony could be a home's best asset. And if outside play isn't possible due to bad weather or otherwise, I realized I'd want a decent-size play space inside. Being inside all day, a little one would need space to stay active. Granted, such a space would fetch a premium in New York City, but would be doable if you looked for open oor plans where there'd be room to set up a mini slide, ball pit, or safe climbing structure like a Foamnasium (yes, that's a thing). Who knows? Maybe I'll get to put these latest lessons into practice if we decide to move a year or two down the road. For now, I'm happy where I am. Jillian Pretzel is a Southern California writer who covers lifestyle, relationships, home, and money management.
Although we'd already settled in to an apartment by the time the coronavirus tore through New York, I noticed that enduring this pandemic while pregnant changed my
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Selling your home in the age of coronavirus? Here are all your top questions, answered By Larissa Runkle Courtesy of Realtor.com
With every day of this pandemic feeling like it brings a fresh batch of news, you’d be forgiven for feeling confused about the actual state of things now. While many cities start to reopen—and some continue to experience a high volume of new COVID-19 cases—it’s hard to know how any sector of the economy is doing, especially the real estate market. Are things getting back to normal? Is now an OK (or even appropriate) time to consider selling a home? Whether you’re curious about the timing of a sale or the nitty-gritty details of how it will all go down, we’ve got you covered. We’ve gathered advice from the real estate experts to answer your most pressing questions about selling a home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Can I sell my house during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Selling a house should always be based
on a number of factors, particularly with regard to your family’s health and nancial situation. But to cut to the chase: Yes, you can still sell a home during the coronavirus pandemic, particularly now that states are beginning to reopen. In most markets, inventories are low and prices are high—which means you can still make a protable sale. “Now’s a great time to sell,” says Michelle Sloan, a broker and a Realtor® who's with Re/Max Time Cincinnati. “With low inventory and high buyer interest, many homes are selling very quickly—within days or hours in some cases. Interest rates are also low, and there’s serious pent-up demand for homes, especially in lower price ranges.”
Is it safe to sell your home during such an outbreak?
You might be asking yourself if it’s safe to go through the traditional home showing and selling process. Assuming your family members are all in good health,
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there are several precautions your real estate agent can take to safely show your home to interested buyers. “We’re allowing showings, but with safety in mind,” Sloan says. For her team, that means no overlapping showings, no children in the house, masks on, shoes off, and hand sanitizer at the door. She also recommends people leave all of their lights on and doors open (even for closets), since this translates into fewer surfaces being touched.
Are houses even selling now?
Yes! The fact is that people still need to move, pandemic or no pandemic. For instance, in Austin, TX, at least 400 homes “and counting” are closing every single week, reports Regine Nelson with Wealthward Realty. “Austin is low on inventory; we still have more people moving here than we have housing available,” she says. Other markets, like Tampa, FL, are seeing a similar trend in sales. “Houses are denitely selling now,” says Nadia Anac, a Realtor with Reagan Realty. “In my market, I’ve even been in multipleoffer situations.” The key to these kinds of numbers seems to be in the inventory: Markets with low inventory are seeing houses sold quickly. As always, we’d recommend chatting with a local real estate agent to get the pulse on exactly how your market is performing.
Should I sell my house during a recession?
Since this recession is largely dictated by the pandemic, it’s almost impossible to keep the two separate. But if you do decide to sell during this period of economic downturn, take the time to consider your own nancial stability, as well as the conditions of the market you're moving to. “If you planned to sell your home due to relocation, a short sale, or moving for larger space, then I would recommend proceeding—but with caution,” says Nelson. “Do you have another home or area in mind? Always be sure to see if what you are seeking is available or will be available when you’re ready to nd a property to purchase.” And while the buyer pool has undoubtedly shrunk in the past few weeks, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. “Homes are still selling, but lending requirements have tightened, meaning
buyers are more qualied and ready to move forward,” says Karen Parnes, owner of NextHome Your Way.
Will I have competition if I try to sell my house right now?
Even during a pandemic, you can expect some competition from other sellers. Even during a pandemic, you can expect some competition from other sellers. georgeclerk/Getty Images “You’re likely to have much less competition as a seller right now,” Parnes says, since potential sellers are still wary about putting their homes on the market amid a pandemic. (These conditions are expected to change as summer ramps up; more on that later.) But Nelson advises her clients to avoid getting caught up in the competition, and focus instead on the things they can control—like competitive pricing, getting their home in a good state, and having a solid marketing strategy. Another point to remember? Competition happens on both sides of the street. “Once you sell, you’re way more likely to have competition as a buyer,” says Parnes.
Should I expect to sell for less right now?
Not necessarily. Although the economy’s experiencing a recession, that doesn’t mean prices are going down. “There are less buyers, but there are also a lot less homes on the market,” says Parnes. “The old rule of supply and demand still holds.” While some predicted a price drop for 2020, experts now expect the summer home-buying market to be much hotter than expected, as many Americans feel more secure in their jobs and can physically step into the homes they are considering. While you might not have to drop your price, Anac reminds her clients that they may need to be more patient in pursuing a good sale. “If your house is priced correctly, and depending on your market, it may just take a little bit longer to sell,” she says.
How can I sell my house without allowing buyers to walk through?
If you're selling, now's the time to make the most of virtual tours.
PALOUSE LIVING
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 4, 2020 | 5 live with someone who’s considered high-risk, talk with your real estate agent about the possibility of virtual showings. Otherwise, consider just cleaning up thoroughly after would-be buyers leave.
Should I stage my house?
It may be the safest option, but it's not the easiest to pull off. Understandably, buyers want to see the home they’re buying in person. And no, telling them they can walk the property without entering won't help matters much. “It’s mostly impossible to sell your home
with no showings or [prospective buyers] in the home at all,” says Parnes, although she admits "real estate transactions are still happening in states where showings are not allowed and being done completely virtually.” If you have special health concerns or
“Staged homes always sell faster,” says Anac, “but especially in times like these.” The real question isn’t whether you should stage your house, but how you should stage it. With more tours and showings happening online, you might consider having your home virtually staged rather than actually inviting people into your home to decorate it.
How can I prepare my home for a virtual tour?
from companies such as Matterport. But for the most part you want to prepare for a virtual tour the same way you would for a still-photo shoot—by decluttering it, upping the curb appeal, and making sure nothing is broken or an eyesore. “Make sure everything is clean, all lights are turned on, fans are off, blinds are open, surfaces are cleared, and everything is put away,” advises Anac.
How can I close remotely?
States are handling remote closings a little differently, so the short answer is to ask your real estate agent. The long answer: The way settlements are being handled varies quite a bit. “Some, but not all, states have remote settlements,” says Parnes. “Some have approved it temporarily, and those that don't are typically splitting the buyers and sellers at settlement and having only the essential people involved at the table.” Looking for more advice on selling your home in the age of COVID-19? We've got you covered. Larissa Runkle is a writer living on the road. She specializes in nance, real estate, and branded content creation.
A virtual tour can run the gamut from a live walk-through with an agent on FaceTime to a sophisticated 3D rendering
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7 wall projects for the home you should know how to do By Jennifer Kelly Geddes Courtesy of Realtor.com
Lately, weekly meal prep, work meetings, and kids' activities have all been taking place inside the same four walls. So you might have caught yourself staring at one of those walls and wondering how you can upgrade its look and improve your view. Fortunately, there are loads of wall projects out there for DIY-savvy homeowners looking to put a new spin on their decor. And DIY jobs are a smart twofer: You'll feel accomplished by completing a task with your own two hands, and you'll save money—and who couldn't go for that right now? To help you get started with some wallthemed home improvements, here are seven ways to x up and beautify your surroundings, including the tools you'll need and the time it'll take. What are you waiting for?
1. Patch a wall
Unsightly holes from your kid's posters and other random wall hangings need to be addressed pronto. "Patching drywall to clean up your walls takes just a few minutes," says Hunter Macfarlane, a Lowe's project expert. "All you have to do is scrape away loose debris, ll the hole, and then smooth the area once it's dry." Time for project: A few minutes to patch, plus some drying time (up to two hours) Tools required: Spackle, taping or putty knife, old rag, sandpaper, and, if you plan to repaint the wall, paint supplies (brush, roller, pan)
2. Install a shelf
Whether you're embracing the red-hot trend of open shelving or you just need a single slab in the bathroom to hold a few personal
items, hanging a shelf is a quick and easy task. "Hanging shelves is fairly easy because you can do it without the assistance of a second person and it should take just a few minutes per shelf," says Aimee Bahs, brand manager at Mr. Handyman. Time for project: Less than 30 minutes Tools required: Shelf kit (bracket, hardware), power drill, level, pencil
3. Hang a picture
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Perk up your walls with a single piece of art, or curate a gallery of photos you already own. Either way, you'll create a stunning tableau that costs very little except your time. "Hanging a picture is a rather fast task, but it takes some prep work, especially if you cut out frame sizes from craft paper and tape them to the wall to plan the look," says Macfarlane. "Depending on the frame type, the supplies can vary. A single nail or screw usually works for smaller pictures, while heavier artwork requires an anchor screw," says Bahs. Time for project: A few minutes per picture, one or two hours for a gallery wall Tools required: Stud nder, level, claw hammer, nails, hanging wire, D-rings
4. Paint an accent wall
Painting all your walls is denitely a worthy DIY project, but picking just one to highlight is a ne place to start. An accent wall infuses a space with a shot of much-needed color while adding dimension and, in some cases,
highlighting an architectural feature like an archway, exposed brick, wall paneling, or angled ceiling. Time for project: A full day, plus overnight drying time Tools required: Plastic dropcloth or old sheet, painter's tape, buckets for paint, roller, trays, angled brushes
5. Hang wallpaper
Hanging wallpaper may seem like a job for professionals, but it's actually a DIY project that many homeowners can take on. And it's made even easier if you use peel-and-stick wallpaper. But for the regular kind, keep in mind that you'll need a helper. (It's tough to accomplish solo, says Macfarlane.) "Preparing to install pre-pasted wallpaper can be the most time-consuming part, but the length of time really depends on the size of your room and whether there are a lot of 'interruptions' to the wall (like windows, doors, and outlets), which can slow the process," notes Rebecca Breslin, design manager for Wayfair Professional. Time for project: A weekend Tools required: Dropcloth, ladder, paint scraper, measuring tape, utility knife, scissors, paint roller or brush, smoothing brush, pan, and adhesive paste if your paper isn't prepasted
WALL
continued on page 11
PALOUSE LIVING
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 4, 2020 | 7
Transform your basement into a teen hangout and make the whole family happy By Wendy Helfenbaum Courtesy of Realtor.com
The ways we use our home evolve as our families do. One day you're setting up a Pinterest-worthy nursery, and, after what seems like just a few years, you've got a teenager who just wants to spend time in his room texting with friends and blasting music late at night. If you're lucky enough to have a basement space, you may have the solution to your problems. The basement can offer teens the privacy they crave and space to hang out with their friends, while keeping the rest of the home more tranquil— especially desirable if you also have a baby or young children. Here are some key considerations if you want to transform your basement into a teen-friendly space that will make the whole family happy.
Create a cool hangout that also brings in good return on investment
As the mother of four teenagers, Brie Fowler knows all about relegating the chaos to the basement. “I have two teenagers living in our basement right now, and they love having their own bedrooms and shared bath down there. They're always playing video games and watching movies with their friends,” says Fowler, a Realtor® with the Fowler Group at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Erie, CO. In the past, basement remodels didn’t always give homeowners the best resale bang for their buck, but that’s changing, adds Fowler. Today, having a bedroom-bathroom combo below denitely boosts property values, especially in the eyes of buyers with growing families. “Today’s basements are very customized, and it’s a great idea to have a safe environment for your kids to sleep and relax,” says Fowler.
Make the necessary structural changes
Often, basement windows are below grade, so make sure the bedroom window is the right size for someone to exit in case of re, and get permitting for any changes you make to ensure everything is done to code, suggests Kim Trouten, a Realtor and designer with Allen Tate Realtors in Charlotte, NC.
You also need proper ventilation. "If you've got high moisture in a basement or changing temperatures because the heating and cooling isn't quite as effective in the lower level, then you may need a dehumidier," Trouten says. Get rid of any old drop acoustical-ceiling tiles and splurge on high-quality insulation to mufe the impromptu jam sessions and late-night gaming tournaments. Trust us, it’s worth every cent. “It's OK to have different ceiling heights, so if you have to drop it down in one section to accommodate ductwork or pipes, you can create intimate ex spaces or builtins,” adds Trouten. A basement doesn't need to be a dim lair, either. Put in some recessed lighting and hang some mirrors strategically to brighten it up. And since teens are so device-dependent, install smart outlets throughout the space.
Plan for tons of storage space
Your basement might already serve as a catch-all for sporting equipment, musical instruments, school stuff, and more. So if you want to turn it into a more efcient space, you'll have to corral that clutter. If you’re planning to put up some walls to create a bedroom, build in as much closet space as possible, suggests Fowler. Consider hanging an oversize barn door that can hide the mess when needed, and install plenty of shelves, cubbies, and hanging rods. Swap out your teen’s childhood twin bed for a double or queen mattress set atop a platform with large drawers underneath to store clothing and shoes. Put up oating shelves and hooks so books, guitars, and collectibles stay off the oor. (Well, a parent can always hope, right?)
Carve out space for a full bathroom
We doubt your teen is going to want to traipse up and down the stairs to shower and use the bathroom, so having a full bathroom in the basement is a must, says Trouten. “This bathroom does not have to be large, and from a reselling point of view, I wouldn't spend a lot of money on it,” she says. “Make it as simple as possible, with a single-sink vanity and a shower. And make sure there are lots of hooks and good storage.” And, of course, ventilation is also key in a bathroom.
Divide and conquer (the space, that is)
The rest of the family should still be able to enjoy the basement, and setting up ex spaces that can serve multiple purposes will allow them to do that, says Trouten. You can have a family-style room for watching TV and gaming, or just a recreational area for kids, that might share a bathroom with a bedroom. Just make sure the bathroom can be accessed from the bedroom without having to walk through the family room. Still, Fowler warns against making the layout too choppy—most buyers still want an open concept, even in the basement. “Teenagers love having a big, open space where you can put a pool table or a pingpong table, and throw in some beanbag chairs,” suggests Fowler.
Add some key pieces of furniture
Invest in a large sectional sofa—perhaps with a pull-out bed for buddies who want
to spend the night—and pair it with an oversize ottoman that doubles as storage for blankets and pillows. Put up shelves to ank a wall-mounted TV, so video games, DVDs, and stereo equipment can be neatly stored. If you have room, set up a refreshment corner with a minifridge stocked with snacks and drinks, and a oating counter with stools that can slide underneath when not in use. The teen years aren't all fun and games, though. Your teen will also need a study space, so provide a desk in a neutral material and hang a large bulletin board above that runs to the ceiling. Elsewhere in the room, you can add punches of color with bedding, decorative pillows, and posters. Encourage your teen to personalize the space, like by printing a collection of seles with friends that you
BASEMENT continued on page 10
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Laundry room updates you’ll love Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Does it seem like your hamper is always full and the washing machine is running constantly? You may not be imagining it. Laundry Butler for You, a wash, dry and fold service, says the average household washes 50 pounds of laundry a week and 6,000 articles of clothing every year. Families with children at home are doing laundry most often, and those with pets may nd there is ample laundry to wash as well. With so much laundry being generated, homeowners may want to consider paying extra attention to the space in the house where their clothing is being cleansed. Laundry room renovations may not top homeowners’ priority lists, but it may be time to give these rooms another look.
Assess your equipment If your appliances are aging, a laundry room renovation can start with an investment in new appliances. New models have large capacity loads, tend to be energy-efcient and could have innovative features that help t with your laundry
lifestyle. Purchasing front-loading models also can free up design space, as you can install a counter directly above the units, saving room for other items like drying racks.
into a utility sink. This sink also provides a convenient place to hand wash items, clean tools or paintbrushes, or store items that perhaps you do not want to bring into a bathroom or kitchen sink.
A laundry room need not be limited to laundry only. Many homeowners make large laundry rooms catch-all spaces that can serve as utility or mud rooms, pantry overows, or off-season storage areas. Consider the functions you want the room to serve and include those ideas in your designs.
This utilitarian space need not be boring or bereft of design elements. Mirror your
Figure out your room needs
Add some natural light
If possible, include a window in your laundry room. Natural light can help make the room more enjoyable. It also can help you identify stains on clothes that need to be addressed and make it easier to fold matching items like socks.
Think about a utility sink
Many washing machines drain out directly to waste pipes in the oor or wall, but you also can opt to have them empty
3RD ANNUAL HOMES FOR HEALTH P U L L M A N R E G I O N A L H O S P I TA L
Local brokerages, realtors and lenders are rolling out the welcome mat for generosity. This summer, investing in a home means investing in your health. Your local participating real estate professionals have teamed together by donating a portion of the proceeds from each home sale to Pullman Regional Hospital.
Pullman Regional Hospital
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Include some flair
home’s style in the laundry room, and include wall hangings, plants, accent items, and even task lighting. Play up certain features with a bold oor tile or brightly colored walls. Updating laundry rooms can be a great way to make doing laundry more enjoyable and efcient.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 4, 2020 | 9
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10 | July 4, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
Signs your gutters are in need of repair Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Fall is a great time to tackle projects around the house. The weather each fall allows homeowners to make improvements to their homesÕ exteriors without worrying about extreme heat or cold, while interior projects like painting are made easier because homeowners can open the windows to allow for proper ventilation. Fall also marks a great time to prepare for upcoming projects that can make winter work that much easier. For example, fall is a great time to take stock of your gutters so you can address any issues before leaves begin to fall or the rst snowstorm touches down. Compromised gutters can contribute to water issues in basements and adversely affect a homeÕs foundation if not addressed immediately, so it behooves homeowners to learn the signs that gutters are in need of repair or replacement. • Gutters hanging off the home: Gutters were once installed predominantly with spikes. However, many industry
professionals now install gutters with hanger brackets. Why the change? Spikes loosen over time, leading to the gutters hanging off the home. That can contribute to serious issues if left untreated. Gutters hanging off the home need not necessarily be replaced, but rather secured to the home, ideally with hanger brackets instead of spikes. Brackets hook into the front of the gutter and are then screwed into the fascia of a home. A professional who specializes in gutter repair can perform this task relatively quickly, and itÕs an inexpensive yet highly effective solution. • Gutter separation: Gutters that are no longer fastened together can leak and contribute to issues that affect the homeÕs foundation, siding and appearance. Clogs and the accumulation of debris can cause gutters to separate because they are not designed to hold too much weight. Replacement of separated gutters may or may not be necessary depending on how big the problem is and the condition of the existing gutters. If replacement is
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not necessary, separated gutters may be remedied by securing the joints, another relatively simple and inexpensive x. • Peeling exterior paint: Paint that appears to be peeling off of your home may indicate that water is seeping over the edge of the gutter closest to your home. When that happens, water is coming down the side of the house, causing the paint to peel. In such instances, replacing the gutters is often necessary. • Basement ooding: Not all signs of
deteriorating gutters are outside a home. Many a homeowner has been ummoxed by ooding in their basements, and such ooding can be caused by aging, ineffective gutters. That’s because deteriorating gutters sometimes allow water to leak near the foundation of a home, contributing to basement ooding. Fall is an ideal time to inspect gutters and have any issues xed before leaves begin to fall or harsh winter weather arrives.
BASEMENT
“Make sure whatever you do can shift and ex as your family changes or you move and somebody else moves in,” says Trouten. “Maybe it will someday function as an ofce, an exercise room, or an in-law suite.”
continued from page 7
can frame as collages and hang throughout the space.
Focus on the future, too
As parents know, kids grow up fast—plan your basement space in such a way that it can adapt when they move out, or if someone else moves in.
Wendy Helfenbaum is a journalist and TV producer who covers real estate, architecture and design, DIY, gardening, and travel. Her work has appeared in Woman's Day, Metropolis, Costco Connection, Garden Collage, Parenting, Canadian Living, Canadian Gardening, and more. Follow @ wendyhelfenbaum
PALOUSE LIVING
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | July 4, 2020 | 11
5 tips to prepare for window replacement Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Winter is coming, and for millions of people who reside in areas of the country that see the mercury drop considerably between December and March, that means prioritizing staying warm. Inefcient or aging housing materials may compromise your ability to do just that. Drafts from doors, poorly protected attics and basements and aging windows may force heating systems to work extra hard to maintain interior temperatures. Replacing old windows can make a home quieter by blocking out exterior noises. Consumer Reports also notes that new windows are often easier to clean and maintain than older varieties. Many homeowners are interested in replacing their windows, but may not know where to start. These guidelines can help the process along. 1. Get several estimates. Ask for recommendations from neighbors or other people in your area on which companies they used to install their replacement windows. When you interview the prospects, ask several questions about how they go about installing the windows. Questions can include: • How long will the project take? • Will I need to remain home during the process? • Do you discard of old debris? • What is the protocol for installation during inclement weather?
WALL
continued from page 6
6. Add crown molding Want to add glamour and elegance to your room's walls? Decorative molding is your go-to for this DIY project. And even if you don't know your dentil molding from egg and dart, all you need is a quick stop at a home improvement store for supplies. "If you have a fairly standard room shape and you have a handle on cutting and installing the pieces, installing crown molding is pretty straightforward," says Breslin. "Simply follow the line of your ceiling and match the next piece to the previous one." Time for project: A day Tools required: Stud nder, power drill, handsaw, tape measure, level, sandpaper, crown molding pieces, paint or stain to match
2. Research permits. Most home renovation projects need to be approved by the local municipality. Go to the permit ofce and nd out the requirements. Some window contractors will include securing permits in the cost of the project. After the project is completed, an inspector will come by and ensure the work was done according to code. 3. Change up the appearance. Look at the type of hardware you have around the home and other xtures. Choose windows that have locks or latches that can match those features for continuity of style. Think about choosing a different style or frame color of the window, or a different type of window to improve efciency and function. 4. Research top window manufacturers. It’s tempting to purchase windows based on price alone, but replacement windows are often a decision that only has to be made once or twice for the life of the home. Invest in durable windows that will have staying power. Consumer Reports offers unbiased reviews on various window brands and can help homeowners make sound decisions. 5. Prepare for installation. Clear pathways, remove window treatments and disconnect window alarm systems. Plan for one to two days of installation, advises Andersen Windows and Doors. Keep pets and children away from work areas. Replacement windows can be a smart investment. New windows can improve the look of a home, reduce heating costs and can keep interior spaces comfortable.
7. Repair stucco Don't forget about your exterior walls, especially cracks in stucco. Fix them up fast, and you'll enhance your curb appeal. A stucco pro will charge you hundreds of dollars, but you can apply new stucco to awed patches by yourself for much less. Time for project: 1 hour per patch Tools required: Work gloves, eye protection, chisel, hammer, patching compound or premixed stucco, notched trowel, nishing trowel, tool for texture such as a sponge, and ladder if the aw is out of reach Jennifer Kelly Geddes creates content for Livestrong. com, the National Sleep Foundation, American Airlines Vacations, Oxo, and Mastercard. Follow @jkgeddes
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12 | July 4, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
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