When home-project lists pile up, it can leave some homeowners feeling overwhelmed by their to-dos. One helpful strategy is to prioritize your projects by season. The following list of simple and cost-effective summer projects will help make the most of your summer at home while preparing for the seasons ahead.
9 Summer DIY Projects
1. Organize a Garage/Yard Sale
No summer project list would be complete without a task to sift through your home’s clutter and organize a garage or yard sale. While you’re compiling items to be sold, identify which items can be donated to declutter your home most effectively.
2. Upgrade Your Front Porch
Your home’s front porch can make a lasting impression. Make a statement with a boldly colored front door, look for stylish house numbers, and add classic front porch elements like a sitting bench or swing for ultimate comfort.
3. Fix Up Your Fence
Whether your fence needs a simple wash, a new sealant or stain, or structural repair, summer is high time to get this work done and extend the life of your fence. Power washers are a helpful tool in getting your fence clean before re-staining. Let the fence dry for one to two days before applying the stain.
4. Build a Firewood Shed
It’s best to prepare for winter ahead of time. In summer, conditions are perfect to build a firewood shed to keep your firewood dry throughout the fall and winter. Build a simple enclosure with an open front. This lets air pass through easily, drying the wood quickly.
5. Repaint Kitchen Cabinets
A fitting summer project in the kitchen, repainting your cabinets brings new life into the space without the hefty price tag of a full-scale renovation. For a complete refresh, repaint the hardware too, or replace them to match the new cabinet color. These Simple Kitchen Makeover Ideas can make a noticeable difference in the heart of your home.
6. Exterior Painting
Giving the outside of your home a fresh coat of paint does wonders for its curb appeal. Summer is a great time to get outside and paint, as the chances for rain are lower than other seasons. Although an exterior paint job is DIY-eligible, it can be a time-consuming task that some homeowners may not have the bandwidth to complete. If you need to hire a professional to handle the exterior repainting, consider focusing your DIY painting efforts elsewhere (trim, fencing, indoors).
7. Build a Fire Pit
A new fire pit may be just what your backyard needs to maximize your summer at home. Common fire pit materials include brick, stone, and cinder blocks. Outline your fire pit before you start digging. Once the hole is dug six to eight inches deep, fill in the hole with gravel until it is level with the ground. Choose your materials, fix the stones into the ground, compact them together, and enjoy nights by the fire under the stars. Check for local digging regulations and burn bans.
8. Install a Window Air Conditioner
Depending on your local climate, the hottest time of year is either already here or fast approaching. Install a window AC unit to enjoy the time you spend indoors comfortably. Installation is typically a two-person job, so be sure to have help ready when it comes time to install.
9. Insulate Your Basement/Crawl Space
Although not the most glamorous of all summer projects, taking time to insulate your basement or crawl space during summer will pay off come winter. Because it may take multiple trips to properly install the insulation, the summer weather makes for more ideal conditions to accomplish the task.
The mid-century modern movement’s impact on design reaches far and wide. Whether it’s graphic design, architecture, interior design, product development or elsewhere, we see traces of its influence in countless aspects of everyday life today. Mid-century modern homes are known for their signature look and stylistic appeal. Here’s a short guide to understanding the characteristics behind mid-century modern architecture.
Mid-Century Modern Design
Yes, mid-century modern interior design and mid-century modern architecture are two separate things. The interior design style emphasizes clean lines and minimal decoration, the use of natural elements as accents, and a base of neutral colors for decorating. MCM interior design can exist in any type of home regardless of its architectural style, and is often a popular source of inspiration for decorators fond of vintage elements and popular mid-century furniture pieces such as credenzas, teak desks, Eames chairs, etc.
What is Mid-Century Modern Architecture?
Mid-century modern architecture is the exterior counterpart of its interior design branch. Fueled by a massive need for suburban homes throughout the Unites States in the post-World War II era, the stage was set for mid-century modern’s introduction to the masses. Some of the greatest minds in modern architectural history helped develop and proliferate its presence in society, including Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright. Though you’ll find unique variations within mid-century modern, there are certain tenets of the architectural style.
Mid-century modern homes have flat roofs with straight lines. This clean geometric approach in roof design is part of a larger philosophical ideal that these homes should blend in with their outdoor environments, thereby working in harmony with nature.
Glass is used heavily, and floor-to-ceiling windows are a common feature, especially in the living room.
The minimalist approach to exterior design is showcased in the easy access to outdoor spaces and the fact that mid-century modern homes are often one-story buildings.
The open spaces created by this architectural style allow for intentional decorating and the use of color splashes to bring energy into them. Mid-century modern interiors often incorporate vibrant, warm colors on top of a calmer, neutral foundation.
For more information on home design, read our guide to industrial design:
Throughout the course of buying a home, you’ll work with a variety of professionals, all with specific training to help you through each stage of the process. With such a cast of specialists around you, it’s helpful to know everyone’s responsibilities and which questions to ask whom. One important distinction to be made is the difference between your real estate agent and your mortgage broker. The following information is a guide to understanding where they differ and how each of them helps you to buy a home.
Real Estate Agent vs. Mortgage Broker
Both real estate agents and mortgage brokers are licensed professionals who play a pivotal role in the home buying process by bringing parties together to get a deal done. However, that’s about where the similarities end.
Real Estate Agent
Your real estate agent will represent you throughout the buying process. Their access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) allows them to search the widest network of available homes to find the ones that match your budget and criteria. They’ll also receive alerts on open houses and are usually the first to know when new listings hit the market.
Once you’ve identified a home you’d like to pursue, they’ll assist you in putting together your offer, negotiating with the listing agent representing the seller, and guide you through the counteroffer process (should there be one). Once the seller accepts your offer, your agent will help you negotiate any final repair requests found in the home inspection and assist you through closing until you’ve received the keys to your new home.
The point is: your agent will be with you throughout your home buying journey, from start to finish. They are an invaluable resource for local market knowledge and real estate expertise. Though they will not execute the financial aspects of a home purchase for you, (that’s where your mortgage broker comes in), they can recommend trusted lenders with whom you can apply for and secure a home loan.
For more information on working with an agent, visit our Home Buying Guide:
Mortgage Broker
Mortgage brokers work on the financial side of a real estate transaction, representing buyers to find them favorable mortgage terms when shopping for a home loan. They connect borrowers to lenders by researching the various fees and rates associated with obtaining a mortgage, accessing the buyer’s financial creditworthiness, and coordinating paperwork. Mortgage brokers are not responsible for loaning any money. Once they’ve found the right lender and loan product for their client, they hand the baton to the lender, who will then disburse the funds at the appropriate time.
Working with a mortgage broker can save you time and money. In some cases, they may be able to get the lender to waive certain fees and are experts at finding the best deal for their clients among a vast array of loans and lenders. Mortgage brokers are instrumental in getting your financing for your home purchase secured and provide guidance on which loan products may work best for you.
For more on the financial aspects of a home purchase, check out the following:
Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent and Mortgage Broker
Now that you know a bit more about the respective responsibilities of real estate agents and mortgage brokers, here are a few common questions to ask when conducting interviews:
Real Estate Agent
Mortgage Broker
How do you help buyers to make their offer stand out?
In the past, lead paint was commonly used to paint homes. Its durability and resistance to moisture were its greatest assets, but it was only a matter of time until health officials discovered its poisonous properties, and in 1978 it was officially banned. Lead paint causes a variety of health issues and is especially harmful to children, so those living in homes built during the lead paint era should be aware of its dangers, how to detect it, and how to go about removing it safely.
Testing for Lead Paint
You won’t know whether lead paint exists in your home unless you test for it. There are a variety of do-it-yourself testing kits available, but their results may vary and can sometimes be prone to false positives, depending on the active testing agent. Given the variability with DIY testing, it may be best to hire a professional to test for lead paint in your home—both for accuracy and peace of mind. You can also choose to send a paint sample into a lab for testing.
Dealing with Lead Paint
If you discover lead paint in your home but it is still intact, encapsulation may solve the problem without having to remove it. Encapsulation is the process of painting over the areas where lead paint exists using a special coating that seals in the lead paint layer underneath. This is often the more affordable way of dealing with lead paint, but the coating may wear off over time, leaving you back at square one.
If you’re thinking about selling your home, the presence of lead paint is a necessary disclosure. Know that buyers generally view a home with lead paint as unfavorable, given its serious health risks and dangers. If you’re thinking about remodeling, testing for lead paint is a wise first step before you start knocking down walls or ripping through sheetrock.
Removing Lead Paint
The more your paint is cracked, chipped, or damaged in any way, the riskier it is. Any signs of deterioration in a lead paint-based home should be dealt with by removing it as soon as possible.
Removing lead paint on your own is generally not advised. It requires specific training and materials, as well as many preventative measures including creating a sealed exit, wearing protective clothing, properly covering the various surfaces in your home, and proper execution of removal to ensure you’ve vanquished all the lead—just to name a few.
Like any other home improvement project, it’s best to consult lead paint removal professionals in your local area and compare their quotes before making your choice. Before the pros come, you can prepare by clearing away any paint chips that have fallen, thoroughly cleaning the surfaces in your home, and encouraging your household and guests to refrain from touching those surfaces.
For more information on preventing damage to your home, read our guide to dealing with mold.
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.
Hello there, I’m Windermere’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner and welcome to this month’s episode of Monday with Matthew.
If you’ve listened to me at all over the past several years, you’ll know that I am pretty passionate about one subject: housing affordability. And, given the significant price growth that we’ve seen over the past decade, as well as the recent spike in mortgage rates, I wanted to talk a little bit about what might be done to address this very serious issue.
The Growing Housing Affordability Problem
Now, when we think about housing affordability and how it might be solved, a lot of people get tied up in the minutiae when, quite frankly, it really isn’t that hard a problem to solve. You see, there’s one very simple way to address this: to build more housing units. But, as easy as that may sound, there are a lot of obstacles that are holding new supply back. But before I get to that, I want to share some data with you that might help to demonstrate how serious an issue we all face.
Every quarter, the National Association of Homebuilders puts out its affordability numbers for metro areas across the country. An analysis of sales and incomes allows them to show the number of homes—both new and existing—sold in a quarter that were affordable to households making median income.
Housing is Increasingly Unaffordable
Here you will see numbers from just a few of the 240 metropolitan areas across the country and the share of sales in the first quarter of this year that were “technically” affordable. I think you’ll agree that it’s eye opening.
Although I am only showing you a few of the U.S. markets I will tell you that the ten least affordable US housing markets were all in California. The Golden State is also home to 21 of the top 25 least affordable markets in the country. But what you might also find interesting is that our primary cities aren’t the only ones that are suffering from affordability issues, with markets like Bend, Oregon; Boise, Idaho; and even Las Vegas, Nevada becoming increasingly unaffordable for a lot of households.
And it’s worth mentioning that that 48 of the 69 markets where less than half of the homes sold were affordable were in states that have at some point in the past implemented comprehensive planning and growth management legislation. And when governments mandate where homes can and cannot be built, one thing happens: it pushes land prices higher which makes new homes more expensive and limits the amount of new supply that builders are able to provide. So, what can be done?
Well, I will start out by saying that states who have implemented growth management plans, which they generally did to slow or stop suburban sprawl, remain disinclined to move these boundaries, and that means it becomes paramount to not look further out but to concentrate within the urban growth boundaries and decide whether it’s time to think about removing single-family zoning altogether.
This is a fascinating thought, but I must add that I am not suggesting that we do away with single-family homes. Absolutely not! What I am thinking about is the ability for a market to decide what makes the most sense. In order to do so, single-family zones need to allow for the development of denser housing, but also allow the market to decide what’s best. Areas that have implemented such change has given rise to a movement in order to address what is being referred to as “missing middle housing.” For those of you who are unfamiliar with this term let me try and explain.
Missing Middle Housing
This is a great image courtesy of Opticos, a team of urban designers, architects, and strategists who are passionate about adding sorely needed housing options.
They came up with the term “missing middle” as it describes housing types that were actually very common prior to World War II where duplexes, row-homes, and courtyard apartments were in high demand. Unfortunately, however, they are now far less common and, therefore, “missing.”
And the key function of this type of housing is to meet the rising demand for walkable neighborhoods, respond to changing demographics, and provide housing at different price points. You see, rather than focusing on the number of units in a structure—think high rise apartments or condominiums—this type of housing emphasizes scale and heights that are appropriate for and sympathetic to single-family or transitional neighborhoods.
The Decline of Missing Middle Housing Construction
And to show you how supply of these types of units has changed, this chart shows the number of duplexes to eight-unit buildings built over the past almost half-century and you can clearly see that up until the late 1980s they were being built in decent numbers, but the 1990s saw a significant shift toward traditional single-family home ownership and builders followed the demand and this type of product started to become scarcer.
Almost 16% of total new homes built in America in the early 1980s were of this style, but that number has now shrunk to just 1.4%—or a paltry 19,000 units.
But I see demand for these housing types growing as we move forward and that buyers or renters, young and old, will be attracted as it will meet their requirements not only in regards to the type of home they would want to live in but, more importantly, it can be built cheaper than traditional single-family housing and therefore it will be more affordable.
But although this sounds like it’s a remarkably simple solution that can solve all our woes, in reality it’s not that easy for two very specific reasons. The first is that many markets are already essentially built out, meaning that in order to develop this type of product, a builder would have to purchase a number of existing homes and raze them in order to rebuild. But given current home values, it’s very hard for a builder to be able to make such a proposal financially.
And the second issue is that current residents within these “transition” areas—which have been developed as traditional single-family neighborhood—simply don’t want to see change. But is this type of product bad? Here are some examples.
This shows row-homes in Brooklyn on the left and traditional “triple-deckers” in Massachusetts on the right:
This is a bungalow court project in California:
Here are some Live/Work Units in Colorado:
These are some amazing mews homes in Utah:
And finally, a new terrace housing project that will be built in Washington DC:
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure that some of you who simply aren’t inspired by this type of architecture, and that is understandable. But can we simply stick with the status-quo? I don’t think so. And some state legislators have already implemented significant zoning amendments in order to try and encourage this type of development.
Back in 2018, Minneapolis was the first city to allow this type of development inside single-family zoned areas. This was followed by Oregon State in 2019. Senate Bill 9 was signed by Governor Newsom of California last year which made it legal for property owners to subdivide lots into two parcels and turn single-family homes into duplexes, effectively legalizing fourplexes on land previously reserved for single-family homes. So, we are starting to see some change.
This is a good start but as I mentioned earlier in areas that are already built out, even this type of forward-thinking legislation will not be the panacea that some want. But I’m not giving up hope.
Addressing the “missing middle housing” would allow for homes of all shapes and sizes, for people of all incomes including workers who are essential to our economy and community. Here I am talking about our teachers, firefighters, administrative assistants, childcare providers, and nurses—just to name a few!
There are currently 45 million Americans aged between 25 and 34 and most aspire to homeownership. However, the massive price growth which, by the way, many of us have benefitted from over the past several years, has simply put a “starter home” out of their reach.
I will leave you with one last statistic. Over 28% of American households today are made up of a single people living alone, and it is anticipated that up to 85% of all U.S. households will not include children by the year 2025. Finally, by 2030, one in five Americans will be over the age of 65.
Are we going to meet the needs of the country’s changing demographic going forward? I certainly hope so, but it will take a lot of work for us to get there. As always, if you have any questions or comments about this particular topic, please do reach out to me but, in the meantime, stay safe out there and I look forward to visiting with you all again next month.
Getting your home ready to sell can feel like a circus act. Without the right organization, juggling the countless moving parts involved in this stage of the selling process can take its toll. This is the perfect opportunity to create a checklist to keep yourself on track and within your budget. The following information will illuminate the key responsibilities you face as a homeowner as you prepare to hit the market.
We’ve included a comprehensive checklist below of the common tasks required to get your home ready to sell. It is also available as an interactive web page and downloadable pdf here: Get Ready to Sell Checklist
Preparing to Sell Your Home: Working with an Agent
Before you start working on the house itself, it’s best to get the ball rolling on the strategic aspects of selling a home. Working with a real estate agent is the best way to get your home sold for the best price in a timely manner.
A listing agent will represent you throughout the selling process to determine the value of your home, coordinate open houses, market the property, and negotiate with buyers to reach a deal. In the early stages of your discussions with your agent, they will conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to see what price your home could fetch on the market, accounting for various factors that influence home prices such as seasonality and local market conditions. Based on the findings of your agent’s CMA, you can discuss whether remodeling fits into your go-to-market strategy, and your agent can provide intel on which remodeling projects could deliver significant ROI based on buying trends, your location, and what comparable listings in your market are offering.
Home value estimation tools can help you get an idea of what your home is worth to facilitate your conversations with your agent. Use our free Home Worth Calculator by clicking the button below:
Preparing to Sell Your Home: A Complete Checklist
Once you’ve found an agent, you’re ready to get your home in tip-top selling shape. The following checklist is available as a free downloadable PDF here:
This list of value-adding curb appeal projects will help to form buyers’ first impressions of your home and make your ever-important exterior listing photos stand out amongst the competition.
Remove peeling and chipped paint; replace with a fresh coat
Fix loose trim and fencing
Clear gutters and downspouts
Make sure there is good exterior lighting and all walkway lights and front-door lanterns work
Clean and repair the roof as needed
Clear garage of clutter and tidy shelves
Inspect chimney for cracks and damage
Yard
Mow and trim grass; re-seed and fertilize where necessary
Prune all overgrown trees and shrubs
Weed flowers beds
Remove or replace dead or diseased plants, shrubs, and trees
Clean grease and oil stains from driveway
Decks/Patios
Paint or stain worn areas on wood decks
Remove grass growing in concrete cracks; sweep off debris from shrubs and trees
Clean all deck rails and make sure they’re secure; replace missing slats or posts
Clean outdoor furniture
Front Door
Polish or stain worn areas on wood decks
Add a fresh coat of paint to get rid of nicks
Clean the glass on the storm door; make certain the screen is secure
Make sure the doorbell operates properly and there are no squeaks when the door opens and closes
Windows
Clean all windows inside and out
If needed, add a fresh coat of paint to the window trims and sills
Make sure all windows open and close easily
Replace cracked windowpanes and those with broken seals
Make sure window screens are clean and secure; replace any screens with holes or tears
Front Entry
Clean entryway floors and area rugs
Downsize clutter in the entry and entry closet to give the appearance of spaciousness
Double-check entry lighting to make sure it works
Interior
Not only will these interior projects get your house sparkling clean, but they’re also preparatory steps for staging your home and hosting open houses.
General Interior Cleaning
Clean all floors, carpets, walls, and trim
Replace burned-out light bulbs
Empty trash
Remove family photos, valuables, and prescription drugs
Tidy up clutter
Kitchen
Fix dripping faucets
Organize pantry and cupboards so they appear clean, neat, and spacious
Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are defrosted and free of odors
Clean the oven and cook top thoroughly
Set the table
Living/Family/Dining Rooms
Give rooms a fresh coat of paint as needed
Repair cracks and holes in ceiling and walls
Make sure all wallpaper is secure
Repaint any woodwork that is worn or chipped
Clean or replace draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light
Make sure draperies and blinds open and close
Steam-clean carpets
Clean rugs and wood flooring, and remove any stains or odors
Position the furniture to showcase the size and space of the room
Remove and replace any attached items, such as chandeliers and draperies, that you wish to move with you
Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables
Bathrooms
Make sure sinks, tubs, showers, and countertops are clean and free of stains
Repair any leaky faucets
Remove grout and soap stains from tile
Replace any missing or cracked tiles or grout
Make sure all joints are caulked
Make sure all fixtures, including heat lamps and exhaust fans are operating
Install a new shower curtain and buy matching towels
Store all supplies, such as toilet paper, shampoo bottles and cleansers, out of sight
Bedrooms
Repair cracks in ceiling and walls
Apply a fresh coat of paint if necessary
Make sure all wallpaper is secure
Clean draperies and blinds; open them to maximize light
Put away toys, clothes, and clutter
Neatly make up the beds
Basement
Check for water penetration or dampness; call for professional repairs if necessary
Get rid of musty odors
Clean furnace, hot water heater, and drains
Make sure light fixtures work
Arrange storage area in a neat and organized manner
Make sure stairway handrail is secure
Tidy Extras
Use air fresheners or bake treats to make the house smell good
Plant flowers to brighten the walkway and enrich the entry
Remove any indoor houseplants that are brown or losing their leaves
Remove all “fixer” cars, campers, and boats from the property
Discard the clutter of magazines on the coffee and end tables
Tidy and declutter all closets
Hide or get rid of worn-out throw pillows
Store pet supplies
At night, turn on the porch light and outdoor lighting
Put away toys and hobby supplies; remove extra magazines and books from tables
Fantastic opportunity to own adorable home in coveted Lakewood area just waiting for your updates…or build your dream house and take advantage of potential Lake Washington views. Sitting high off of the quiet tree lined street, this cozy period home features 3 bedrooms and 1 bath with formal living and dining room and large kitchen with eating space. Home has great layout and private backyard. Ideal location – 1 block to cafes and fitness center and just a short 5 minute walk to Lake Washington.
1743 NW 57th Street #302 Seattle, WA 98107
MLS #1933258
Sold: $380,000
Listed: $380,000
Beds · 1
Baths · 2
Days on Market: 3
Easy living in the heart of Ballard! This spacious Bal Harbor corner unit features one bedroom, one and 1/2 baths, a wood-burning fireplace, deck and an in-unit washer & dryer and storage. Enjoy cozy evenings with wood-burning fireplace. Convenient designated parking makes life easy! Built in 1980 this 18 unit building is within steps to popular Ballard Sunday market, tons of cool shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops and all that Ballard has to offer.
Pending Listing
12046 66th Avenue S Seattle, WA 98178
MLS #1933207
Sold: $670,000
Listed: $670,000
Beds · 4
Baths · 2
1,870 sqft
Days on Market: 7
Updated MidCentury in private location at the end of a quiet dead-end street. Popular split-level floor plan has gleaming original cabinetry & hardware in near-perfect condition, pretty quartz & tile upgrades, big picture windows for abundant warm natural light, 2 cozy fireplcs, entertainment-sized deck for gracious outdoor living, extra large well-designed yard w/ established gardens & NW native greenery. 3bedrms main flr (hardwoods here), fully finished Lower Level, 600+sqft garage has shop space and tons of storage! Updated systems, Mini-split HP, A/C. I-5, major commute routes & Light Rail 5min away; shopping, entertainment, parks & recreation all in time-saving 3mile circle.
Listings Sold
5637 S Ryan Street Seattle, WA 98178
MLS #1918700
Sold: $1,175,000
Listed For: $850,000
Sold for 38.2% over asking
Beds · 3
Baths · 2
1,960 sqft
Days on Market: 6
Fully re-invented modern bungalow on prime corner lot with vista views of Lk WA, Mt. Baker & Seattle/Bellevue skylines. Studs-out top quality renovations completed in 2016 with an eye for art as well as architecture. Streamlined design for easy living, a wonderful mix of open & intimate spaces, strategically placed skylights/windows create seamless views of enchanting gardens, greenery and sky from nearly every room, hardwds and porcelain tile floors thru-out, hi-end kitchen, tile baths, steam shower, gas heat, A/C & more. Spectacular outdoor spaces, 13, 800sqft of privacy, garden paths, patios, rhodies, maples, etc. Future DADU? Prized Upper Rainier Beach close to I-5 & light rail. Let the pride of ownership begin.
10631 59th Avenue S Seattle, WA 98178
MLS #1930321
Sold: $700,000
Listed: $620,000
Sold for 12.9% over asking
Beds · 3
Baths · 2
1,040 sqft
Days on Market: 3
Pretty and polished midcentury ranch home in popular Upper Rainier Beach! Solid built-to-last construction & MCM style supported by 21st century systems. Newly refinished oak hardwds, classic sandstone firplc, quality granite & tile kitchen, modern vinyl dbl-paned windows, new baths with designer tile work and sleek low-profile fixtures, updated electric, plumbing, ductless split A/C, & newer roof. XXL backyard is completely fenced, ideal for gardening and entertaining with room left over for future DADU. Secure attached garage, wide streets for guest parking. Dream location for your entire compass: Silly-close to I-5, major arterials, Light Rail, fun in Upper Rainier Beach, Georgetown, Renton, soul-soothing hiking trails, parks & Lk WA.
Making an offer on a house feels like a reason to celebrate. You’ve applied for financing, worked with your agent to search for available listings, put in time attending open houses, and have found the place you’re ready to call home. However, celebrating at this stage in the buying process could leave you heartbroken if your offer isn’t accepted.
So, what happens after you make an offer on a house? Revealing what goes on behind the curtain in this critical stage of the buying process will help you understand what to expect next. First, let’s take a look at the three ways a seller can respond to your offer.
What Happens After Making an Offer on a House?
The seller rejects your offer:
If a seller rejects your offer, your agent may be able to relay information from the listing agent as to why it was insufficient. This can serve as a learning opportunity for the next time you prepare an offer.
The seller makes a counteroffer:
Counteroffers can make buying a home feel like a chess match. This is an indication that your offer has piqued the seller’s interest. Once you receive a counteroffer, it’s a matter of ironing out the finer details to reach a deal. Sellers will typically request alterations like a higher price, a modification to your contingencies, or an adjustment of closing dates.
You can accept or reject the counteroffer or come back with a counteroffer of your own, which may continue for multiple rounds until the two parties reach an agreement. Prepare for counteroffers ahead of time with your agent by discussing your price limit, how much you’re willing to budge on your contingencies, your flexibility around closing dates, etc.
The seller accepts your offer:
The smoothest result after submitting your offer is the seller accepting it, but that doesn’t mean you’ve crossed the finish line yet. Once the seller formally accepts your offer, you’ll be “under contract,” meaning both parties have agreed to move forward with the deal. Before closing, any contingencies attached to the offer must be met.
This explains why you’ll occasionally see properties listed as “under contract.” It means the seller has accepted an offer and there’s a good chance the deal will go through, but because the sale is not yet final, the property is technically not off the table. Other interested buyers will make backup offers in case the first offer falls through.
After your offer has been accepted, you’re officially in the homestretch of the buying process. Once the purchase agreement is signed, it becomes legally binding. Backing out of a real estate transaction has varying consequences, depending on the timing of the withdrawal and its level of compliance with the attached contingencies. Learn more here:
If you intend to move forward with your purchase, finalizing the deal is a matter of completing the following steps before you can claim your new home:
The Home Buying Process: Closing
Next, you’ll deposit your earnest money in an escrow account. This deposit of funds lets the seller know you’re serious about closing on the home. In return, the seller agrees to take the home off the market. When the sale closes, the money goes toward the down payment or closing costs.
The timeline for inspections during the closing process vary state to state. Getting the home inspected allows you to ask the seller that certain repairs be made, request seller concessions, and renegotiate your offer. If you included an inspection contingency in your contract, you could walk away from the deal with your earnest money if you decide the property’s issues are too much to handle.
Contact your mortgage lender to relay the final details of the purchase so you can go about securing financing. Getting pre-approved early on helps to streamline this part of the closing process.
A title search will generate a report for you and your lender detailing the history of the home you’re buying to ensure there are no legal barriers against purchasing it.
Now you’re ready to close! Several legal documents are prepared, leading to the transfer of ownership from seller to buyer. You’ll also pay closing costs at this time. Once closing is finalized and the funds in escrow have been distributed, the home is yours!
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. 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.
Hello there. I’m Windermere Real Estate’s Chief Economist Matthew Gardner and welcome to the latest episode of Monday with Matthew. Over the past few months, analysts like myself have been starting to get our hands on early numbers from the Census Bureau and, although we won’t get the bulk of the data for another several months, I thought it would be interesting to take a quick look at some of the information that the government has put out specifically as it relates to patterns.
This is a relevant topic given the pandemic, with many people wondering if we saw a mass shift in where we choose to live because of COVID-19. This belief that we packed up and moved because of the pandemic is, at face value, quite credible, especially given that home sales in 2021 were at levels we haven’t seen since 2006. But the reality, at least from the data we have received so far, actually tells a different story.
Moving Patterns for U.S. Homeowners and Renters in 2021
We Move More Infrequently
This first chart looks at people and not households and it shows that, contrary to popular belief, we’re actually moving less frequently now then we have done in decades, with the share of people not moving in a single year rising from just about 84% to over 91½%. Of course, we are having fewer children now than we did, but not to the degree that would change the trend.
Unsurprisingly, Renters Move More Often than Owners
And when we break this down between homeowners and renters there is quite the discrepancy between the two groups. Although the number of renters not moving has risen from 67½ percent up to 84% since 2000, the number of homeowners staying put has moved from almost 91% all the way up to 95% last year.
So, the data thus far is not suggesting that we saw any form of mass exodus following the pandemic, in fact we haven’t been moving as much for the past 2-decades, but people did move since COVID-19 hit and the reasons they did were fascinating. The following charts are broken up into four categories of movers: those who moved for family reasons; those who moved for employment related reasons; those that moved for housing related reasons; and finally, those that moved for other reasons.
Reasons to Move (1)
So, starting with family-related reasons, it was not surprising to see the major reason for both owners and renters to move was to establish a new household, nor was it surprising to see a greater share of renters headed out on their own than homeowners. Finally, the share of those moving because of a change in marital status was essentially the same between renters and homeowners. And when we look at employment related reasons for people moving last year, a greater share of renters moved because of a new job than homeowners, and more renters moved to be closer to their workplaces than did homeowners. Again, not really surprising, given that a large share of renters work in service-based industries and therefore proximity to their workplaces is important. You will also see that a greater share of homeowners than renters moved because they lost their jobs and, finally—and not at all surprisingly—far more homeowners moved because they chose to retire than renters.
Reasons to Move (2)
And when we look at housing related reasons that people moved, a large share of owners and renters moved from their current home or apartment and into a new, bigger, better house or apartment. A statistically significant share looked to move into a better neighborhood, and I do wonder whether owners were doing this because of the ability to work from home and possibly move to a better location further away from their workplaces. And even though renters tend to stay closer to their workplaces, I wonder whether these renters weren’t in white-collar industries and that the ability to work from home has led them to move into an area that they perceive to be better suited to them.
And finally, a significant share of renters moved because of the fact that rents have been skyrocketing over the past 18-months or so. This clearly impacted some homeowners, too. And finally, under the “other” category, more renters than owners moved because they were either entering or exiting a relationship with a domestic partner, and more renters left to either go to college or because they had completed their degrees.
Health-related reasons for moving had a significant impact on homeowners over renters, and I found it particularly interesting to see a lot of owners saying that “climate” was a reason for their move. Of course, I can only hypothesize as to whether people are simply looking to move to warmer climates or whether climate change is starting to have an increasingly large influence on where we choose to live. My gut tells me that climate change is becoming a far more important consideration for homeowners, although we can’t deny that a lot of people, specifically on the East Coast, moved South during the pandemic.
These next few charts break down movers not just by whether they our owners or renters but also by ethnicity.
2021 Mobility by Ethnicity & Tenure: Owners vs Renters Movers and Non-Movers
Here you can see that homeowners across these three ethnicities were pretty much uniform in their desire to stay in their existing home with only 4 to 5% moving. And renters who, as we have already seen, did move more frequently last year than homeowners, were also in a very tight range at between 83 and 85%.
2021 Mobility by Ethnicity & Tenure: Owners vs Renters Movers and Non-Movers (2)
And the same can be said about Hispanic owners and mixed race families, with about 95% not moving last year. Now this is modestly lower than White, Black, or Asian households, but the difference is very marginal. As for renters, between 83 and almost 88% of them within these three ethnicities moved last year, but you will see a bigger share of Hispanic renters stayed put as opposed to all the other ethnicities shown here.
2021 Mobility by Ethnicity & Tenure: Moves In & Out of State
Looking closer now at those who did move, even though fewer Asian households moved when compared to all other ethnicities, far more left the state than stayed, and the same was true for Asian renters with over a quarter moving out of state.
2021 Mobility by Ethnicity & Tenure: Moves In & Out of State (2)
Again, a greater share of the Hispanic homeowners who did move last year stayed in the state where their old house was, and the share of mixed households was roughly at the average for all ethnicities. And the share of Hispanic and mixed-race renters who stayed in State was also about average.
What I see from the data is that the huge shift that many expected during COVID has not been affirmed—at least not by the numbers we have looked at. That said, we are sure to see numerous revisions because of the issues that COVID 19 has posed on Census takers, so we may get a different story as more data is released and revisions posted. What I found to be most interesting in the numbers we have looked at was the massive increase in renters moving in with their “significant others.” But I am not surprised, given that there are around 48½ million people aged between 20 and 30, and this is their time!
And I was also interested in the share of the population who moved due to climate. I will be doing some more digging around in the darkest recesses of the Census Bureau website to see if I can find out more about this. Although I can’t confirm it, my gut tells me that climate—and specifically climate change—will be a factor of growing importance when people are thinking about where they want to live.
And there you have it. As always, if you have any questions or comments about this particular topic, please do reach out to me but, in the meantime, stay safe out there and I look forward to visiting with you all again next month.
Homeowners are always seeking ways to breathe new life into the spaces in their homes. Using nature to achieve this transformation is beneficial in several ways. Planting an herb garden not only helps to make your kitchen feel fresh and sustainable, but it can make your food taste better, too. Here are some tips for getting your herb garden started.
How to Plant an Herb Garden
Like other indoor plants, the key to properly supporting your herb garden is to cultivate fertile growing conditions. Herbs love sun, so you’ll want to position your plants in an area where they have access to sunlight. If sunlight is hard to come by in your local climate, consider investing in a grow light. Even if space is limited, the following locations can be a fitting home for your herb garden:
Container Garden
Container gardens give you the flexibility to move your herbs around the house. This can be especially helpful if you get inconsistent or spotty sunlight.
There are various options when choosing materials for your containers. Terra cotta, plastic, and ceramic planters all have their respective advantages, but what’s most important is that you pair the herbs with a container whose size is conducive to its growth and has proper drainage holes.
Hanging Garden
A hanging garden is a stylish way to incorporate nature into your home. To properly set up your hanging garden, you’ll need adequate wall space. Again, prioritize access to sunlight and easy accessibility. Vertical bookshelves can make for a simple, multifunctional hanging garden, while other DIY options can help to spruce up your kitchen. Whichever route you choose, consider using lightweight materials. A mobile hanging garden can come in handy when doing chores and rearranging the house.
Window Box Garden
Box gardens are a fixture of landscaping and gardening design and can help to improve your home’s curb appeal. Once they’re filled with soil, plants, and water, window boxes can be much heavier than you’d expect, so sturdy woods that don’t rot easily—cedar, mahogany, redwood, etc.—are popular material choices. As always, proper drainage is important when crafting your window box garden. If you’re building your window box yourself, drill the proper drainage holes before assembly. Add a layer of landscaping fabric along the bottom to prevent soil from leaking.
Easy Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
After you’ve decided where you’ll set up your garden, there’s the question of which herbs to grow. The following herbs are perfectly suited for a beginner gardener’s touch and happen to be culinary staples.
Basil: Fresh basil is a game changer. Sow basil seeds around twelve inches apart to allow them to reach their full potential. This herb will take your homemade pizzas to the next level, kick your pesto recipe up a notch, and provide the perfect garnish for countless other dishes.
Thyme: Rich soil fused with organic matter will create ideal growing conditions for thyme. This herb loves the sun, so making sure it gets plenty of sunlight will maximize its flavor. Thyme pairs perfectly with roasted and slow-cooked dishes, adding a perfect layer of warmth and depth.
Cilantro: Make taco night unforgettable with fresh cilantro. With enough heat, cilantro plants will grow quickly and are known to self-sow for multiple rounds. To clear up confusion, cilantro and coriander come from the same plant. “Cilantro” refers to the leaves, while “coriander” is the name for the plant’s seeds, which are often ground up when used in cooking.
Mint: Potting mint is key to keeping it well maintained. Without a proper container, it will run wild. There are many varieties of mint, ranging from classics like spearmint and peppermint to exotic strands such as chocolate and cinnamon mint.
Parsley: Parsley takes its sweet time to germinate, so consider buying plants rather than seeds to speed up the growing process. Countless recipes lean on the fresh taste of parsley, so you can’t go wrong dedicating a decent amount of real estate in your herb garden to it.
Oregano: Oregano thrives in sunny conditions. To maximize growth, plant its seeds some time in spring when the soil is warm. A staple of Italian cooking, having fresh oregano in your herb garden will give your pizza and pasta recipes an extra kick.
Chives: Known for their grass-like look, chives are closely related to onions but have their own distinct taste. Sow their seeds in spring and water regularly to keep their soil moist. Chives are a flavorful alternate for onions or scallions, while their bright green color makes them a perfect garnish for soups, salads, and sauces.
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