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NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2019
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Palouse Living is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
HOLIDAY HOSTING IN SMALL SPACES TRANSITION SMOOTHLY AFTER RELOCATING
2 | November 9, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
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Holiday hosting in small spaces G
Courtesy of Metro Editorial
atherings of family and friends are a big part of the holiday season. Hosting such gatherings can be a great way to show loved ones how much you appreciate them, and hosting also saves hosts the trouble of traveling during one of the most hectic travel seasons of the year. When hosting a large crowd at home, space can be a difcult hurdle to clear. However, a few helpful strategies can help space-starved hosts pull off a holiday soiree where everyone is comfortable. • Pare down the menu. Holiday feasts don’t have to resemble medieval banquets with excessive amounts of food and drink. Hosts with small kitchens and tiny dining quarters can pare down the menu, limiting offerings to just a single entree and a few simple side dishes, so everyone feels comfortable at the table and has ample room to eat. A small menu also gives hosts more time to spend with their loved ones during the festivities. • Don’t overdo it on drinks, either.
When planning the drinks menu, avoid offering cocktails, which take time to prepare and often require guests to visit the kitchen for refrigerated ingredients. Limit drinks to wine, beer, water, and soft drinks, storing cold beverages in a cooler kept outside on a front or back porch or in an area outside the kitchen so cooks can work without interruption. • Move some furniture. If your main living space is small, consider moving some bulky furniture into a bedroom or ofce where guests won’t be spending time. Then make better use of the open living space by placing folding chairs or other accommodations to ensure there’s ample seating for everyone. A single recliner can only be enjoyed by one person, but removing it from a room may create enough space for as many as three folding chairs.
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Photo Courtesy of Metro Editorial A few helpful strategies can help space-starved hosts pull off a holiday soiree where everyone is comfortable.
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I PRINT: Palouse Living is IN published monthly, with 7,000 p ccopies distributed in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News M aand Lewiston Tribune, and at participating advertiser locations. p ONLINE: Check out the latest O digital edition online at d DNews.com — just click on D tthe Special Sections tab. To advertise your business or T sservice, contact Sally Imel at ssimel@lmtribune.com, Faith EEvans at faith@inland360. ccom, or call your local marketing consultant today! m
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | November 9, 2019 | 3
Prepare the fireplace for holiday decorating A
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jolly holiday season can be made even more merry with a roaring re. Homeowners often build holiday tableaus around the replace to serve as festive backdrops. The mantle and the replace itself also may be a prime spot to dedicate to decorating this time of year. Even though Christmas tree res are rare, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, when they do occur they’re likely to be serious. That is why trees and other ammable decorations need to be kept clear of gas and woodburning replaces and stoves. In addition, many other guidelines should be heeded to ensure replaces and holiday decor safely coexist this season. Read labels on decorative items carefully before decorating. Be sure to only select items that are ame-resistant or retardent. Cherished collectibles and other items should always be kept far away from open ames and heat. It pays to have a replace inspected and cleaned for use prior to operation, advises Doherty Insurance Agency. Rely
on a trained chimney sweep, and have the replace and chimney inspected and cleaned at least once per year. Even though it may be picturesque, do not place wrapped packages or gift boxes near the replace, as they tend to be highly combustible. Keep presents and other ammable items at least three feet away from the replace. Do not be tempted to dispose of wrapping paper, boxes or even a Christmas tree in the replace. Wrapping paper contains additives that make it burn at high temperatures. A Christmas tree hasn’t been properly seasoned and could be a re hazard and potentially contribute to excessive smoke and creosote. Keep decorations that kids will be tempted to touch away from the replace so kids do not hang out near the heat and open ames. Fireplaces are often a focal point of holiday decorating and entertaining. Homeowners who want to incorporate their replaces into their holiday decor must emphasize safety when doing so.
Photo Courtesy of Metro Editorial Many guidelines should be heeded to ensure replaces and holiday decor safely coexist this season.
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4 | November 9, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
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Home repairs that can sink budgets fast A
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home is the most substantial investment many people will ever make. Once down payments have been made and closing costs have been paid, homeowners may still be staring down sizable expenses as they begin to tackle any repairs that need to be made. Home maintenance and renovations involve a certain measure of trepidation. Even after vetting contractors and establishing budgets, homeowners may worry that repairs will unearth problems that snowball into expensive xes. Planning ahead for such projects and learning to recognize issues that tend to be costly can help homeowners weather any storms that may arise. • Foundation issues: A strong foundation is key to any home. If there is a problem with the foundation, it can be unsafe to live in the house. The foundation repair company Foundation Experts advises that foundation xes can range from $4,000 to upward of $100,000 depending on the scale of the job. Clogged gutters and water pooling around the
foundation can contribute to damage, so water issues must be remedied rst. • Roof damage: A roof is a key barrier between the indoors and outdoors. Roofs must remain in tip-top shape. The home improvement resource HomeAdvisor says that a roof repair or replacement can cost between $3,000 and $12,000. But homeowners also must budget for the cost of removing the old roong materials and xing any damage to the interior of the home. Inspecting the roof and making repairs as you go is key to avoiding a big headache. • Siding replacement: Another costly project can be replacing the siding. Siding may need to be replaced if there is water/ wind damage or penetration from insects. Spot repairs may be relatively inexpensive. However, the home improvement resource Modernize says the average siding installation project can cost between $5,500 and $15,000 depending on the materials homeowners choose. • HVAC update: Keeping a home at a comfortable temperature is also a matter of safety. If a system gives out, homeowners
may be scrambling for a solution. Yearly inspections and upkeep, which includes changing system lters regularly, can help identify potential problems. Neglect is one of the main contributors to the failure of heating and cooling equipment. Based on national averages, a whole-house
HVAC system can cost between $4,000 and $12,000. These are some of the more costly repairs homeowners can expect. Keeping on top of the home will help mitigate damage and could extend the life of major home components.
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Photo Courtesy of Metro Editorial Planning ahead for such projects and learning to recognize issues that tend to be costly can help homeowners weather any storms that may arise.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | November 9, 2019 | 5
Transition smoothly after relocating P
Courtesy of Metro Editorial
eople move for various reasons. Some have outgrown their existing homes and need something bigger, while others move to downsize. Regardless of why people move, moving occurs more often than you might think. The U.S. Census Bureau says one in nine people relocated in 2015 to a new neighborhood, a new state or even across the country. Relocating, whether it’s around the corner or miles away, affects people’s lives in many ways. A smooth transition to a new place involves understanding the process and getting the support necessary to make the move a success.
Research potential destinations
Give ample thought to where you might live before uprooting yourself and your family if you have one. The career resource Change Recruitment suggests using the internet as much as possible to learn about the location. Sites like Niche can paint a picture of an area, providing information regarding its demographics, points of interest, schools, and much more. However, an in-person visit will be needed to get a true feel for the neighborhood.
Understand the costs
Apart from the fees associated with buying a home, relocating involves hiring movers, unpacking belongings, temporary storage rentals, charges to turn on/off utilities, repairs for the new home, and several other expenses. If you’re moving because of a career opportunity, the
Photo Courtesy of Metro Editorial A smooth transition to a new place involves understanding the process and getting the support necessary to make the move a success. company may contribute to some of the moving costs. Check with a human resources professional to determine if the company provides relocation compensation.
Get out and meet people
Use every opportunity to meet neighbors and people with shared interests. Attend community events and/ or school functions. Some employers may have meet-
and-greet events. Online services like Meetup list groups of like-minded people who may periodically meet up in your community. The sooner you make friends and acquaintances in your new town or city, the more likely you are to feel at home. With some planning and a little assistance, relocating can go smoothly.
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6 | November 9, 2019 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
Should You Buy a Stale Listing? By Terri Williams | realtor.com
A real estate listing can tell you an awful lot about a home, beyond just the price—essential stats like the year the property was built and the price per square foot. But one of the most important numbers to be aware of is the days on market, or DOM, the amount of time the home has been listed for sale on the multiple listing service. The DOM gives you an idea of how other buyers are reacting to the property and whether it's priced high or low. Properties with a high DOM are commonly referred to as stale listings, meaning the house has been languishing on the market for a long time. Depending on the specics of local housing markets, experts consider that a house starts becoming stale around three to ve weeks—and it usually causes one of two possible reactions. Some buyers think such homes are a bit tainted, while others believe they'll have more bargaining power and can get the house at a steal. Which is more true?
Buyer beware?
First of all, let’s dispel the myth that there’s always something wrong with the house when it doesn’t sell quickly. There are a lot of factors that could come into play.
For example, Dolly Hertz, licensed associate real estate broker at Engel & Völkers in New York, says there’s a backlog of unsold inventory in the greater New York market—both city and suburbs. Hertz says some homes have languished on these markets for two or even three years. Shawn Breyer of Breyer House Buyers, in Atlanta, tells us he’s seen a lot of great homes that are simply overpriced. “As homeowners progressively lower the price on the home, the perception is that something is wrong with it—and this perception sometimes keeps would-be buyers from looking at the house,” he says. Sometimes, a high DOM may be due to factors out of the seller's control. “Perhaps the seller accepted a contract at some point, but it fell through because the buyer couldn't qualify for nancing,” says Shafaq Chawla, a real estate professional with Compass in Los Gatos, CA. But the problem could also be the home itself. Outdated interiors or big-ticket items in need of repair can scare buyers away. Some people would never gamble on buying a house with roof damage.
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“Buyers are also turned off by homes that need a new paint job, landscaping work, and upgrades to decks, oors, and appliances,” Hertz says. Location is yet another factor that could stall a home’s sale. “Houses on busy roads or in a ood zone typically have longer days on market,” says Sarah M. Drennan, at broker/ manager at Terrie O’Connor Realtors, in Allendale, NJ. And, of course, bad listing photos can tarnish buyers' opinion of the house before they even set foot inside.
Deal or no deal
Does a high DOM give buyers more bargaining power? Sometimes. “Remember, market value is what a buyer is willing to pay for a home, not what a seller expects,” says Chawla. When there is no demand for the home, she says sellers and agents may be willing to accept less than the initial asking price. “Many deals may be found by salvaging stale listings,” says Michael Kelczewski, a real estate agent with Brandywine Fine Properties Sotheby's International in Wilmington, DE. “To see if I have any bargaining power, I tend to suggest presenting a low offer to see how the seller will react.” Just be aware: Sellers aren’t always desperate, regardless of how long the home has been on the market. “Some are just shing for the highest price they can get and won't sell unless they get the price that they have in mind,” says Breyer. He recommends asking your real estate broker to nd out why the homeowner wants to sell, since this can help you determine if you have any bargaining power.
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continued from page 2 • Go small on decorations. If you know you’ll be hosting in advance of the holiday season, decorate with guests in mind. That might mean skipping a six-foot Christmas
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For example, the sellers may just be testing the market and not desperate to sell, and Drennan says they may not be willing to take less than they’re asking. However, if circumstances dictate that they have to sell the home, you’re dealing with a motivated seller and can negotiate accordingly.
Proceed with caution
Finding a house with a high DOM that actually meets all of your criteria may feel like nding a designer blouse at the bottom of a bargain bin, but don't get excited just yet. You may be able to strike a deal, but the rst move is to understand why the house is overpriced. “Is it the location, a major defect, repairs needed, or difcult sellers?” asks Breyer. If you do make an offer, be sure to include house inspection contingencies in the contract. “The house may seem ne, but there may be issues that are not immediately apparent,” Hertz says. A home inspector will reveal the house's aw that may cost you an arm and a leg to repair. But a contingency will give you the right to back out of the sale if something looks shy.
Terri Williams is a journalist who has written for USA Today, Yahoo, the Economist, U.S. News and World Report, and the Houston Chronicle. Follow @Territoryone tree in favor of one that takes up less space. Avoid leaving any fragile decorations out, as adults or overexcited kids may knock them over as they try to navigate a cramped space. Holiday hosting can be fun, even in small spaces. A few simple tricks can make even the smallest spaces accommodating.
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WISHING YOU THE VERY BEST OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
Happy Holidays! Mark Blehm (509) 336-9935
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