Buyers • April 11, 2023

Mansion vs Estate: Features of Luxury Properties

by Don Koonce

Mansion vs Estate

If there’s one thing that’s clear about a mansion or an estate, it’s that they’re not your average houses. But what differentiates the two? Are the two terms interchangeable? Mansions and estates actually each have separate characteristics that give them their special classification. Understanding a bit more about what makes them special can help inform your discussions with your real estate agent when looking for a luxury property of this class.

What defines a house as a mansion?

Mansions typically have a larger footprint than regular houses. Added square footage is a hallmark of mansions where the land allows, but a lesser-square-footage property may also qualify as a mansion in areas where space is limited based on its luxuriousness. Which properties qualify as mansions varies by location.

Mansions deal in excess by nature. Accordingly, these properties will have a greater number of bedrooms and bathrooms than what you’d see in a typical single-family home.

They’ll have rooms designed and built for a specific activity or function. For example, it’s common for mansions to have a game room, an indoor sauna or pool room, a home theater, or even a small bowling alley. These properties are the ideal living situation for homeowners who love to entertain. Elsewhere on the property, a mansion may boast any combination of sport courts, pools, gardens, and multiple-car garages.

In terms of their architectural style, many mansions borrow from older design styles to incorporate a sense of grandeur and prestige. The Victorian architectural style lends itself well to mansions while capturing that classic old-world charm. You may recognize Spanish Revival style homes sold by celebrities on the West Coast, and Colonial style mansions on the East Coast. Modern home designs will often incorporate cutting-edge smart home technology, smart home upgrades, and sustainable home design features such as solar power.

A mansion that incorporates elements of Greek Revival home design, with marble columns, terra cotta roofing, and large arched doorways. There is a large blue in the mansion’s front courtyard, with landscaping design woven throughout.

A mansion with an outdoor pool. Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: TerryJ

What is the difference between a mansion and an estate?

Estate properties share many of the aforementioned qualities with mansions. They are both luxury properties that feature several bedrooms and bathrooms with impressive amenities such as pools, saunas, sport courts, etc.

But estates differ from mansions in regard to the land they occupy and the historical context of the property. Estates sit on large, several-acre parcels of land. These extensive grounds are primarily where the mansion-vs-estate distinction can be made.

In England, the usage of “estate” usually means there was some form of income-producing activity present on property supporting the house. American estates typically do not have this same relationship between the property and the house. In the U.S. today, estates are differentiated by their size, grounds, and luxury amenities, but typically don’t yield enough agricultural goods to support the property.

An aerial photo of The Biltmont Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. It is a chateau-style mansion built in the late 1800s. It is massive, with dozens of rooms visible from its front façade. The front lawn extends hundreds of feet out from the house, lined by trees on either side.

The Biltmont Estate in Asheville, North Carolina – Image Source: Shutterstock – Image Credit: ZakZeinert

To learn more about the mansions and estates available in your area, contact a local Windermere agent:

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: hikesterson

Buyers • April 6, 2023

Buying a New Construction Home

by Don Koonce

You’ve got several options to choose from when buying your next home. With existing homes, it’s in sellers’ best interest to spruce up their properties, so they’ll usually complete some kind of upgrades, curb appeal projects, and remodeling before hitting the market. A new construction home, however, has no previous owner; it comes brand new. Learning about the new construction buying process will help you understand how it differs from other types of housing, such as existing single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, etc.

What is a new construction home?

New construction homes are kick-started from two primary sources: the homeowners themselves and developers. When a homeowner is having a home custom built, they work with contractors to build it to their desired specifications on a lot they’ve purchased. This tailored approach comes at a price; building a custom home generally costs more than purchasing a new build from a developer.

When going the developer route, buyers have options to choose from, namely tract homes and spec homes.

Tract homes make up new neighborhoods on land bought by the builder. They bear a strong resemblance to each other but may offer customizable floor plan and design options to tailor the home to the buyer’s liking.

Spec homes are finished, move-in-ready new builds. Though they offer little to no customization, they may be the right option for you if you’re looking to move right away.

There are four component parts of building a new construction home: land, labor, materials, and regulation. Builders combine those costs to determine what price they need to sell the home to make a profit, accounting for local real estate market trends. However, if the market is driving up those costs, builders are less likely to continue building. As a buyer, keeping tabs on the housing market will help you understand the landscape of available new construction homes.

A row of tract new construction homes in a newly developed suburban neighborhood. The home in the foreground is finished, the rest in the row are framed but without siding.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: jhorrocks

Pros of a New Construction Home

New materials, appliances, and fixtures
Customization without having to remodel
Less maintenance than an older home

Cons of a New Construction Home

Custom home costs can be high
Move-in date dictated by builder’s timeline
Market conditions can drive up prices/halt production

Buying a New Construction Home

The financial preparations you’d take for purchasing an existing home apply to buying a new construction home. You’ll get pre-approved for a mortgage early on and form a saving strategy for how to make a down payment.

There’s less room for negotiation in new construction home transactions, so you and your agent should thoroughly discuss what kind of offer you’re able to make. Your agent is your greatest asset during this part of the process; lean on them to understand how to make an offer. You’ll also want to know whether a home warranty comes with the purchase of the new construction home and its cost structure.

Even though these homes are brand new, it’s still worth it to get a home inspection to discover any outstanding repairs that need to be made and begin a dialogue with the builder about fixing them before you move in.

Going into the buying process, it helps to know which new construction homes you’re able to afford. This allows you and your agent to work together to find the best candidate properties. To get an idea of what’s affordable, use our free Home Monthly Payment Calculator by clicking the button below. With current rates based on national averages and customizable mortgage terms, you can experiment with different down payment amounts to get estimates of your monthly payment for any listing price.

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Kirk Fisher

Design • April 4, 2023

Eclectic Interior Design

by Don Koonce

When decorating your home, it can be hard to decide on just one aesthetic. Maybe you’re a fan of mid-century modern interior design but its minimalistic approach leaves you wanting more. Maybe you love the clean look of a farmhouse style interior but wish it had some of that classic Art Deco flair. Fortunately, there’s an approach you can take where you don’t have to limit yourself to the principles of just one line of design thinking. Eclectic interior design is a smorgasbord of home décor styles that allows your imagination to run wild.

What is eclectic interior design?

Eclectic interior design is a blend of different styles, patterns, eras, and all things home décor. By pulling from seemingly contrasting sources of inspiration, it allows homeowners to create an interior that’s uniquely personalized and lively. Eclectic interiors are inherently busy, so it’s important to focus on leveling the dynamic energy among the pieces and artworks you select to create balance, scale, and proportion.

A kitchen and hallway decorated with eclectic interior design. There is a patterned rug hanging on the wall, a small gallery in the kitchen, colorful patterned pillows on a bench in the hallway, and modern industrial lights hanging above a breakfast bar in the kitchen.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: xavierarnau

Decorating with Eclectic Interior Design

With so many shapes and colors at play, creating harmony is vital. Choose a color palette for your home and select pieces that reinforce that section of the color wheel. That way, when you decorate with accent pieces throughout your home, you’ll have a solid base to work from. This will also help you select which neutral colors will best help to balance out your interior spaces. For example, if you’ve settled on blues and browns as your foundational colors, beiges and creams will act as complimentary neutrals while creating a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

When it comes to textures and patterns, you’ve got far more leeway with eclectic interior design than many other styles. Have you been waiting to extract your patterned vintage furniture from your storage space? Still waiting to find a home for that ornate gold-framed mirror? Eclectic design may be just what the doctor ordered. With this style, vintage design can pair with modern furnishings and vice versa. Textures help to create contrast throughout your spaces, but even with eclectic design, repeating a texture in a few spots helps to create cohesion. Similarly, make sure your textural pieces fit somewhere within your color palette to create consistency throughout your home.

Create a Gallery Wall

A living room decorated with eclectic interior design. It has a gallery wall above the couch with a variety of framed photography and hand drawings. The living room carpet is made up of dozens of pastel cubes, there are colorful pillows and houseplants throughout, and the furniture is minimalist.

Image Source: Shutterstock – Image Credit: Ground Picture

A gallery wall is naturally eclectic, making it a perfect way to use up empty wall space while reinforcing this unique home décor style. Create a gallery wall at home by selecting the wall space you’d like to use and mapping out your desired gallery pattern. Once you’ve sketched out your plan, pay a visit to your local framing or hardware store so your artwork can hang professionally and evenly. Assemble your tools, hang your pieces, and admire how a gallery wall can really snap a room together visually. Experiment with different frame colors, designs, and textures that reinforce the rest of your interior. Here’s more on how to curate artwork in your home.

For more info on the various interior design styles, home décor tips and more, visit the Design page of our blog:

Windermere Blog – Design

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: IPGGutenbergUKLtd

SOLD • March 30, 2023

SOLD: Central District duplex + SE Seattle Craftsman

by Don Koonce

402 20th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98122

Sold: $1,000,000
Listed: $939,800
Sold for 6.4% over asking
Days on Market: 4
Offers: 3
MLS #2035559

Move-in ready duplex in prime location close to all the amenities in popular Central District. Two bedroom plus sunroom in each unit. Historically significant early 1900’s details supported by modern updates for comfort & efficiency. Soaring ceilings, picture rails, 5 panel fir doors, classic orig. millwork, all carefully preserved. Durable plank flooring, dbl paned windws, versatile-use sunrooms with eastern morning light, and full-size W/D in each unit. Updated electric/plumbing/6yr roof. Ideal owner-to-occupy with instant income stream! Nearly 6000sqft. corner lot, RSL zoning, Buyer to investigate/verify future development potential. Basement area w/ separate entry ready for finishing/building out more living space. Opportunity spelled with capital O!

More info

5311 46th Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98118

Sold: $710,000
Listed: $689,000
Sold for 3% over asking
Offers: 4
Days on Market: 7
Beds: 2
Baths: 2
1,460 sqft
MLS #2037254

Bright and cheerful craftsman in superb location! Curb appeal to spare and artful interior finishes just spell HAPPY here. Honey-colored oak hardwds, classic craftsman trim, mullioned windws, French drs, arched entry ways for style; modern systems for structure. Updated kitchen is centerstage, slate-gray tile, SS appliances, lots of storage and prep space, gas cooking. French doors open to fantastic backyard with pretty brick patios, winding paths, wisteria arbor and spring color ready to pop. Finished basement has bedrm, office, recroom, bath & W/D. Fully efficient w/ 2022 gas furnace, gas water heater, dbl-paned windows. Orca K-8 school same block, close to all the fun in Columbia/Hillman City, Lk WA & Seward Park. Just smile & move in!

More info

Real Estate Listings • March 24, 2023

NEW LISTINGS: Pin-tight Columbia City Bungalow + mild Seward Park fixer

by Don Koonce

4019 38th Avenue S
Seattle, WA 98118
$639,980

MLS #2044945
Beds: 3
Baths: 2
1,380 sqft

Pin-tight, move-right-in bungalow at affordable price point! Substantial upgrades have been completed by this careful owner, making this home an ideal launching pad for beginners or smooth landing for right-sizers. HardiPlank siding, hi-end vinyl double windows, gas heat and cooking, roof installed 2016, & many appliances new in last 5 yrs. Artistic period details, hardware, crystal doorknobs, etc. honor sophisticated ‘40’s architecture. Sweet yard professionally landscaped with patios & composite deck for relaxing and entertaining, securely fenced backyard. Great location: Columbia City Light Rail, restaurants, shops, parks & LK WA -everything needed for easy living is within 1mi. radius. Pre-inspected. All is ready-just bring your stuff.

Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.

4841 S Raymond Street
Seattle, WA 98118
$530,000

MLS #2044948
Beds: 3
Baths: 2
1,100 sqft

Golden opportunity to get a foothold in popular Seward Park neighborhood! Mild fixer in superb location needs someone to finish the polishing. Hardwood or fir flrs thru-out, big picture windows, tall ceilings, spacious country kitchen, clever floor plan w/ flex-use sunroom & den, and bedrms are thoughtfully distanced from primary living areas. Brand new designer bath has luxury vinyl plank flooring, new fixtures, tile tub surround, speaker system for calming music. Fun & fashionable lighting, some windows replaced, gas heat, dry storage in basmt. Extra LG lot has amazing evergreens, good spaces for outdoor entertaining. Less than 1mi to Café Vita, shops, restaurants & Lk WA. Move in w/ instant equity-make it your own kind of fancy!

Information provided as a courtesy only, buyer to verify. For more, go here.

Sellers • March 23, 2023

8 Tips for First-Time Home Sellers

by Don Koonce

You’ve seen “For Sale” signs around your neighborhood, but what does it take to actually put your home on the market? First-time home sellers often enter the selling process unaware of what’s to come, their heads full of questions. Understanding the selling process will inform your conversations with your real estate agent and will help you stay organized and on schedule as you sell your home for the first time.

Preparing to Sell Your Home: A Complete Checklist

8 Tips for First-Time Home Sellers

1. Know the Costs of Selling a Home

Though you’ll eventually walk away from the sale of your home with a lump sum in your pocket, the selling process isn’t without its costs. Real estate agent commission costs typically account for five to six percent of the sale price, but they’re not the only expense you’ll encounter on your selling journey. Between repairs, home upgrades, staging, escrow fees, Capital Gains Tax and more, it’s important to budget for these costs before listing your home.

10 Costs Associated with Selling Your Home

2. Find the Right Agent

A successful selling experience starts by working with a professional real estate agent. Real estate agents specialize in keeping up with local market conditions, they have the tools to competitively price your home, and they understand what is driving buyer interest in your area. But beyond these qualities, it’s important that first-time home sellers choose an agent who understands their goals and cares about their happiness. Selling a home can be an emotional roller coaster and having a trusted expert beside you will help you navigate its ups and downs.

Working with a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home

3. The Importance of Home Staging

Whether you hire a professional or decide to stage your home yourself, what’s important is that you make the commitment. Staging your home creates universal appeal, capturing the attention of the widest possible buyer pool. If your interior is too personalized, it makes it harder for buyers to see themselves in your home. Staging makes financial sense as well, as it often equates to higher sales prices. According to a 2020 survey performed by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®), of the 13,000 homes surveyed, 85% of staged homes sold for 5-23% over list price.¹

4. High ROI Remodeling Projects

Remodeling projects cost a significant amount of money; there’s no way around it. This is where your agent’s expertise can help you spend wisely: they can inform you of which home features and upgrades are driving buyer interest in your area. Target the high ROI remodeling projects that increase home value to get the most bang for your buck and know which remodeling projects to avoid when selling your home.

A young Caucasian man lays on his back in a bathroom with white hexagon tile flooring and white subway tile walls. A first-time home seller, he uses a wrench to turn the drainpipe under the bathroom sink as he prepares to sell his home.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Hispanolistic

5. Pre-Listing Inspection

Anything that could potentially give your home a competitive advantage over other listings is worth discussing with your agent. One such strategy is conducting a pre-listing inspection before putting your home on the market. Not only do pre-listing inspections give sellers a better understanding of what repairs may be in order, but they also streamline the selling process by transparently disclosing the details of a property’s condition to the buyer. These reports are especially helpful in competitive markets, since buyers are more likely to waive inspections.

The Benefits of a Pre-Listing Inspection

6. How to Price Your Home

Of all the information coming at you during the selling process, you’ll likely have your mind set on getting the best price for your home. Determining home value is one area where real estate agents excel; their Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) will help them set an accurate and competitive figure. It’s important to separate your emotional attachment to your home from your agent’s calculations. In your mind, your home possesses a certain value, but that may not match what it can realistically fetch on the market. Sometimes it may be even more than you thought!

The Difference Between a Comparative Market Analysis and an Appraisal

7. Safety Tips for Open Houses

The more buyer interest you’re able to drum up, the better. Open houses play an important role in the selling process in that they allow buyers to experience the property firsthand. Making this connection requires opening your doors to strangers, which is cause for taking the appropriate safety measures. Remove all prescriptions from your medicine cabinets, lock up precious belongings and personal information, make sure all doors and windows are locked at the end of each day, and discuss your buyer screening process with your agent so you’re on the same page.

Staying Safe When Selling Your Home

8. Moving Timeline

The planning doesn’t stop once you’ve sold your home. Before the ink is dry on your real estate contract, your gears will be turning about how to efficiently move into your new home. We’ve created an interactive Moving Checklist with a step-by-step guide to the moving process, from twelve weeks before moving day all the way up until you make your move. The list is also available as an interactive web page and downloadable PDF here:

Moving Schedule and Checklist PDF

For more information on the selling process from list to closing, visit our comprehensive selling guide here:

1: Real Estate Staging Association (RESA®). “The Consumer’s Guide to Real Estate Staging.” Realestatestagingassociation.com. 2020.

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Hispanolistic

Design • March 21, 2023

What Is a Tudor Style House?

by Don Koonce

One look at a Tudor style house and you’re instantly transported to the English countryside. This distinct architecture dates back hundreds of years, borrowing elements of Renaissance and Gothic design, and later experienced a revival in the United States that continued to grow in popularity through the mid-twentieth century. Similar to cottage homes, their medieval imagery evokes a storybook charm, and their unique combination of materials makes for a truly signature look.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: oversnap

Features of Tudor Style Houses

Known for their brown-and-white color scheme, Tudor style houses are typically built from stone or bricks, with a façade of stucco and exposed timbering framing. The framing creates straight lines that connect each level of the home, giving it a sense of geometry. Their steep-pitched, intersecting gabled roofs are tailor-made for climates that experience high levels of precipitation; snow slides off before accumulating, and rainwater has a natural path to the gutter system.

The interior of a brown and white English Tudor style house with exposed wood ceiling beams. The furniture is soft Victorian-style, and the accent pieces are dark mahogany wood.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: IPGGutenbergUKLtd

From the outside of a Tudor home, you can imagine sitting around the hearth under exposed wood ceiling beams, taking in the cozy atmosphere as the fireplace crackles. And your imagination would be spot on! A large fireplace is a central feature of these homes, given that they were the primary heating source for households early on in their history. Arched entryways with stonework accents, decorative chimneys, and narrow, closely grouped windows are also defining features of Tudor architecture.

The front façade of a brown and white Tudor style house with interlocking gabled roofs, brick accents, a tall chimney, several windows, and a decorative front entrance with stone masonry framing the doorway. There are several shrubs and a hedge in the front yard garden beds.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: peterspiro

Once World War II-era housing development began to shift toward addressing suburban sprawl affordably, the masonry-heavy Tudor style house became less popular. However, they are still found throughout the U.S. today.

To learn more about the various styles of home design, visit our Architectural Styles page:

Windermere – Architectural Styles

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: quackersnaps

Real Estate News & Information • March 16, 2023

Renting vs. Buying a Home: The Financial Benefits of Homeownership

by Don Koonce

This video is the latest in our Monday with Matthew series with Windermere Chief Economist Matthew Gardner. Each month, he analyzes the most up-to-date U.S. housing data to keep you well-informed about what’s going on in the real estate market.

Renting vs. Buying a Home

One of my followers asked me about some of the financial benefits of owning your home as opposed to renting. I find this topic interesting as there really is a “laundry list” of reasons that, from a financial standpoint, owning a home is better than renting.

I’m Matthew Gardner Chief Economist at Windermere Real Estate and welcome to this month’s episode of Monday with Matthew. Let’s get to the topic at hand. Of course, I don’t have time to go through them all today but here are the ones that I think are the most compelling: wealth building and tax benefits.

Renting vs. Buying: Which is better for you?

The Financial Benefits of Homeownership

The first thing to understand is that, over time, a mortgage becomes easier to afford. You see, when you buy a home, the mortgage payments themselves don’t change and, over time, your earnings rise but the mortgage payment doesn’t. Simply put, unlike renters who generally see their rents going up every year, your mortgage payment never will and because you’ll hopefully be making more money as time goes by, the share of your income that you spend on a mortgage payment becomes less & less.

The next advantage to owning your home is that it is a good long-term investment. Of course, some will say that this is not the case because we went through the housing bubble bursting back in 2006 but there have actually been very few times in history when home prices have seen any long-term downward adjustment.

Now I know some will say that investing in stocks would give you a higher long-term return. My response to that would be I’ve never seen anyone living under a stock certificate. Have you?

My next reason for believing that ownership is better than renting is rather simple, and that is because a portion of every mortgage payment you make goes toward reducing the principal amount of the loan. Of course, during a majority of the term of the mortgage most of the payment is going towards interest but, a small portion is paying down the debt itself—in essence making it a forced savings plan, building wealth along the way.

Tax Advantages of Owning a Home

But what about the tax advantages? Owning a home offers unique and substantial ways to save on your taxes every year. Firstly, you can deduct your real estate taxes every year. Now, tax reform has limited the total allowed deduction, but it is still meaningful. You can also deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage. Again, there are some limitations but, depending on where you live you could save a significant amount.

And finally, let’s talk Capital Gains Taxes. When you sell your primary residence and have seen its value grow since you purchased it, up to $250,000 of that profit (if you’re a single person) or $500,000 if you’re married and filing jointly is tax free. Now, this is only true if you meet certain requirements with the biggest one being that you have to have lived in the house for a minimum of two years during the preceding five-year period.

If that’s not enough to convince you that there are very significant advantages to owning a home over renting, I will leave you with one last datapoint that you may find of interest.

Renting vs. Owning a Home: Household Net Worth

Using Federal Reserve data as a base, I’ve been able to calculate the median net worth of a household in America who owned their homes versus a household that rents.

In 2022, the median household wealth of a homeowner household here in America was approximately $330,000.
The median household wealth for a renter household in this country last year was just $8,000.

As you can see, that’s quite the discrepancy between the two. I think it’s very clear that homeownership for a vast majority of families is how they create most of their wealth.

I hope you found this topic of interest. Of course, if you have any questions or comments please do let me know as I do enjoy hearing from you. Take care and I look forward to talking to you all again next month.

Data combined and calculated by Windermere Economics

About Matthew Gardner

As Chief Economist for Windermere Real Estate, Matthew Gardner is responsible for analyzing and interpreting economic data and its impact on the real estate market on both a local and national level. Matthew has over 30 years of professional experience both in the U.S. and U.K.

In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Matthew sits on the Washington State Governors Council of Economic Advisors; chairs the Board of Trustees at the Washington Center for Real Estate Research at the University of Washington; and is an Advisory Board Member at the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies at the University of Washington where he also lectures in real estate economics.

Living • March 14, 2023

How to Fix Your Toilet

by Don Koonce

A homeowner’s life is filled with mini hazards that pop up at a moment’s notice. Our appliances make life easier, but they are subject to malfunction. A broken toilet interrupts your day and can cause serious water damage, which emphasizes the importance of timely repairs. The following tips to fix your toilet will help you get your water system and your home life flowing properly again.

If these repairs are beyond your capabilities, don’t hesitate to call a professional plumber.

Problem: there’s water around the base of the toilet

A leaking toilet can have you dealing with the perils of a water damage emergency in no time. If there’s water around the base of your toilet, that’s a telltale sign that the leak has sprung from the wax ring seal. You’ll have to remove your toilet to replace it.

How to Fix a Leaking Toilet

Use a wrench to disconnect the water supply from the shutoff valve. Drain the tank until all water is removed from the bowl.
Disconnect the water supply valve from the toilet tank. Using a screwdriver and wrench, remove the caps on the base of the toilet and the hex bolts beneath them.
Grab the toilet by the bottom and lift it from the ground. Set it aside on material that will prevent damage to your bathroom floor, like a towel or blanket.
Remove the old wax gasket from the flange and install a new one on it by centering it on the flange and pressing it down into place.
Reinstall the toilet by placing it on the bolt holes, keeping it level as you go. Use your weight to press down on the toilet bowl before putting the bolts back in. This helps to compress the new gasket. Caulk around the base of the toilet if needed.
Reconnect the water supply to the shutoff valve and open it before giving your new toilet a test flush. If there are no leaks, you’re done!

A closeup shot of a man in a plaid shirt preparing to fix a toilet in a bathroom with white tile walls. He has the tank open and is getting ready to remove the toilet from the floor.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: photovs

Problem: the toilet won’t stop running

Another common issue homeowners face is a running toilet. The constant sound of running water coming from your bathroom isn’t just annoying; it wastes water and can cause spikes in your utility bills. A running toilet is typically due either to a faulty flapper or the water level being too high in the tank, causing overflow.

How to Fix a Running Toilet

The most common cause of a running toilet is that the flapper chain is caught on something. To check for this issue, take the top off the tank to see if the chain is too taught. If so, see if you can release it, after which the flapper should fall into place and stop the run.
If the flapper or the chain are compromised, they’ll need to be replaced. But no sweat, that’s easy! Start by shutting off the water supply and drain the tank by pulling up on the flapper chain. Remove the flapper by unhooking it or removing the ring that holds it in place. Pick up a new matching flapper at your local hardware store and reverse the process to install it and reconnect the chain. If this doesn’t solve your running toilet problem, it may be a larger issue, such as the flush valve.

Problem: the toilet isn’t flushing correctly

If your toilet isn’t flushing correctly, there’s likely something wrong with the flush handle or the water level, or it could be a clogging issue.

How to Fix Flushing Issues

Tighten the flush handle if it’s loose and see if that solves the problem. When you do, make sure the flush lever is working properly. If there’s too much slack in your lift chain, it won’t trigger a proper flush. Make sure it’s not too loose, but not so tight that it can’t flush properly either.

Problem: the toilet has started wobbling

Sometimes homeowners will suddenly notice their toilet feels uneven or is rocking slightly. This is usually because the flange that connects to the drainpipe is sitting higher than the floor.

How to Fix a Wobbly Toilet

The best fix is to wedge shims under the base of the toilet and caulk the area to solidify it.

For more tips on home maintenance, read the following blog post about controlling mold:

How to Prevent and Deal with Mold

Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Fertnig

Sellers • March 9, 2023

Selling Your Home in a Balanced Market

by Don Koonce

Your local market conditions dictate the real estate climate around you. Where things are on the buyer’s/seller’s market spectrum will impact how you and your Windermere real estate agent approach selling your home. As a part of this process, it’s important to understand the different types of markets and how their conditions play into accurately pricing your home.

See the latest data on home sales, home prices, mortgage rates and more for your area here:

Regional Market Updates

What is a seller’s market?

The housing market is categorized as a seller’s market when demand for homes is greater than the supply on the market. With limited inventory, competition is high amongst buyers. This drives home prices up, decreases days on market, and often leads to multiple offers from buyers. These are ideal conditions for selling your home, given that buyers are forced to continually sweeten their offers to win out. For example, buyers are often more apt to remove contingencies from their offers in a seller’s market.

Common Real Estate Contingencies

What is a buyer’s market?

A buyer’s market is on the opposite end of the real estate market spectrum. It is usually defined as having six or more months of available inventory—meaning if no new homes were listed, it would take six (or more) months for all available listings to sell.

Because there’s greater supply than demand, there’s less competition among buyers, and it’s the buyer’s agents who often have the leverage during negotiations. Selling in these conditions emphasizes the importance of investing in improving your home before putting it on the market.

High ROI Remodeling Projects to Increase Home Value

A Black heterosexual couple meet with their real estate agent to sell their home. They sit at a coffee table. The agent is a young Black man. He carries a notebook filled with paperwork, a laptop, and real estate paperwork.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: kate_sept2004

Selling Your Home in a Balanced Market

A balanced market exists in equilibrium between a seller’s market and a buyer’s market. It is the middle part of the Venn diagram between the two; it shares certain aspects of each, but only dips its toes into both.

When your local real estate market is balanced, it’s important to approach the selling process with a realistic mindset. In a balanced market, bidding wars are less likely and the chances of buyers having complete leverage are slim. These conditions, however, are all the more reason to make your home stand out amongst competing listings. Making repairs, remodeling, and boosting curb appeal can all help attract buyers while increasing the value of your home.

When coming out of a seller’s market, it’s important not to panic when your local real estate market experiences a cool-down or a return toward balance. In a balanced market, there are still plenty of buyers actively seeking homes, albeit at a lesser pace. Even as aggregate home sales decline and days on market increase, these market conditions should not be confused with more extreme situations like the housing market crash of the late 2000s.

Our Chief Economist Matthew Gardner covers recent housing marketing conditions as they compare to the Great Recession. Read his analysis in two recent articles:

Working With an Agent to Sell Your Home

All these factors highlight the importance of working with your agent to accurately price your home in a balanced market. Real estate agents have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which gives them access to a huge network of data on available homes both present and historical. They’ll use this data to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to competitively price your home. To get started, connect with a local, experienced Windermere agent:

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