Hello 2025! I hope you all had a wonderful start to your new year. With the new year, it’s hard to not look back on previous years and think about the winter storms we’ve had. This blog post is going to be filled with tasks you can easily accomplish and will hopefully relieve some stress that comes with winter storms.

1. Check Your Smoke & CO Detectors

• • Houses tend to stay sealed up for long periods of time during a winter storm. So, it’s no surprise that deaths due to accidental fires and carbon monoxide poisoning rise during prolonged winter storms. Also it’s very important to make sure that your smoke and CO detectors are in proper working order and have fresh batteries—they really are lifesavers. When you plan your alternate fuel source, check your detectors for all-around winter preparedness.

2. Plan for an Alternate Method of Heating

• • What happens if the power goes out and your primary heating source won’t work? Most furnaces and gas fireplaces require electricity so you’ll need an alternate source of heating that doesn’t require electricity like a generator or wood stove. Make sure you have plenty of wood, pellets, kindling, lighters and matches to get you through an emergency.

3. Protect Your Pipes

• • Temperatures can drop very low, very fast during a winter storm and that can be bad for unprotected pipes below or around your home, especially if they are exposed to low temperatures outside a home’s insulation. This can lead to frozen pipes and MASSIVE water damage. If it’s about to get especially cold, you can wrap vulnerable pipes around the house in insulation to protect them. Leaving sink cabinets open to the warm air and turning faucets onto a cold “drip” can also prevent freezing during winter storms. Remember to protect your outdoor faucets from freezing as well!

4. Remove Weak & Overhanging Branches

• • Get rid of any branches that are overhanging your roof or near your house. These branches could break away under the weight of snow and ice or because of severe winds and cause damage to your roof and other property. Any overgrown bushes or shrubs may need some trimming as well.

5. Stock Up on Ice Melt

• • When the winter storm passes, you will want a way to melt the ice that forms on your driveway, patio, sidewalk, etc. There are many different types of ice melters that contain salt, sand and other ingredients. Be particularly careful of using salt and similar compounds because too much can poison the soil and may also damage vulnerable cement, and some are poisonous to pets.

6. Insulate Walls & Attic

• • This is a proven way to reduce heat loss if your power goes out in a storm. If you’re not sure how much insulation you need, check with a professional insulation installer.

7. Fix Drafty Windows and Doors

• • Do you still have that one window that won’t close all the way or a door that always seems drafty, even if shut closed? Well, it’s time to make some repairs. New weather stripping can solve many draft problems if your old weatherstripping has worn away. You may also want to consider replacing badly damaged windows or doors that may not hold up in a bad winter storm. Smaller cracks should be caulked to prevent moisture intrusion and damage.

8. Confirm Your Homeowners Insurance

• • While there are many fun winter activities to look forward to, it’s important to take steps to help ensure your safety in the event of a winter storm. Contact your insurance agent to make sure you have the right coverage to protect your home and vehicle.

9. Stock Your Food Pantry

• • Because it’s important to stay indoors and avoid traveling during a winter storm, it’s really important to make sure you are fully stocked up on food. Your pantry should include many non-perishable items so that if you lose power, you won’t have to worry about any of it spoiling. On average, aim to have enough food for at least three days. Some good foods to have on hand on before the storm starts include crackers, granola bars, canned goods, soups, hot cocoa and instant coffee, peanut butter, honey, bread, and grains (such as barley, rice or oats). Also be sure to pick up a variety of fruits that don’t need to be refrigerated, such as oranges, apples or bananas, as well as some fresh veggies. If you have pets, don’t forget to pick up food for them too.

10. Pack Emergency Kits

• • It’s a good idea to keep an emergency kit on hand and know how to prepare for a winter storm quickly, should a freeze set in. Your emergency kit should have a battery-powered radio, flashlights, candles, matches, bottled water, snacks and pet food. You should also make sure you have plenty of blankets, sleeping bags and winter clothes, in case you lose heat in your home. Consider collecting the items from this checklist for your emergency kit.

Fingers crossed this list will be useless and we won’t have to deal with any major winter storms, but better safe than sorry! Until next month!

Planning a kitchen remodel? Check out these pro tips for designing a great looking and practical kitchen island.

1. Do Consider How You’ll Use the Island

• • If you like entertaining or eating everyday meals at a breakfast bar, then an island with more overhanging area and less cabinetry or storage underneath might be for you. Think about how you imagine using the bar both every day and on special occasions. Think about whether the sitting area needs to be closer to the fridge and pantry. This is another way of managing who is walking in and out of the kitchen, and who can be kept on the outside edges of the island — for safety as well as to avoid overcrowding in the kitchen.

2. Do Choose a Tough, Easy-Care Countertop Material

• • Kitchens are places of heavy traffic flow and productivity, so a good, durable natural or engineered stone for the countertop is crucial. You’ll also want it to be scratch-resistant and easy to clean — and the same goes for your cabinetry and floorboard materials. Choosing good-quality fixtures such as sinks and faucets is always preferred as they get so much use and need to last.

3. Don’t Forget Power Outlets and Appliances

• • Make sure power outlets and appliances are well-placed so they don’t dominate the appearance of the island, are easily accessed and make the functionality of all sides of the unit work really well. Consider what will be plugged in — it probably won’t just be a hand mixer, but also phone chargers, laptops and the like. A charging drawer for items such as these can be a smart inclusion.

4. Do Make the Island as Long as Possible Without a Seam

• • Slabs of stone come in a range of lengths, but if your kitchen is big enough for one measuring about 118 inches by about 36 inches, you’ll have the perfect-size island for preparing food and entertaining. The maximum length of some brands and materials is 118 inches, so if you choose such a brand or material, keep the length at 118 inches or less, so the countertop can be made in one piece without a seam. Seams on islands are not aesthetically pleasing, so avoid this if you can. A minimum width of about 36 inches will enable you to have bar stools at the back of the island, so your family and friends can perch there to eat or marvel at your cooking.

5. Do Get the Proportions Right

• • Getting the proportions of your island correct lets you work efficiently in the space and ensures that traffic flow is maintained.
    Some key measurements to follow:
    • You want a minimum of 39 inches circulation space around the island.
    • The overall height of the island should be between 36 and 37 inches.
    • The minimum island width would ideally be about 36 inches and the length would be about 47 inches.
    • The countertop should be between three-fourths-inch and about 3 inches thick.
    • If you want to include bar stools around the island, you’ll need 12 inches of under-countertop space.

6. Do Consider Alternatives if You Don’t Have the Room

• • An island that’s too small will result in a cramped workspace, rendering it useless, so ensure you have enough room for it. If you’re working with a smaller space, a better option may be a peninsula unit, which has one short end butted up against a wall.

7. Do Mix Materials

• • Too many kitchens have enormous islands that might provide a lot of countertop space but effectively take over the room and look like a big lump in the middle. Using different materials can break down the scale of an island. However, balance is key — too many materials and details start to look messy and fussy. When you’re choosing materials and colors for your island, make sure they harmonize with any hues in the adjoining rooms.

8. Do Integrate Generous Drawers and a Pull-Out Bin

• • For functionality purposes, it’s a good idea to have your utensil drawer on the island and potentially your bowls and plates too. This gives easy access to the important everyday items you usually use an island for, such as serving up food. Having your trash bin integrated into the island just below your work surface is another important functional element, as it allows you to scrape the scraps straight into the garbage. It also helps you stay part of the action with family or friends when cleaning up the kitchen, as you’re facing them and helps keep your floor mess-free.

9. Do Prioritize Functionality

• • Think about how you’ll be working in the space and include functional fixtures and storage to suit. If this is going to be your main preparation area, include plenty of clear countertop space and easy access to knives and chopping boards. Also ensure that your trash bin and sink are close by.

10. Don’t Be Afraid to Be Bold

• • An island can be a great place to make a statement, so if you’re eyeing some feature cabinetry or a bold cabinetry, then consider this your place to use it.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends! Until next month!

Resources: Houzz.com

It’s best to be prepared before purchasing a home, especially in today’s market! These five helpful tips will help get you started on your homeownership journey.

1. Look at Your Credit

• • One of the first things you should do when beginning the home buying process is to review your credit score. The minimum credit score for most mortgages is around 620.

2. Manage Your Debt

• • After you’ve looked at your credit, see what outstanding debt you have and chip away at it as soon as possible. You can also reach out to a credit counselor to help assist you in managing your debt. They help create a budget and repay your debt.

3. Contact a Mortgage Lender

• • Don’t know any mortgage lenders? Lucky for you, I have multiple resources to help you find a lender that fits your needs. Once you’ve established a mortgage lender, they assist you during the pre-approval process and figure out which loan product works best for you.

4. Put Together a Budget

• • Review your income and expenses. This will help determine how much room you have in your budget for set aside for a downpayment and it’ll help determine what you can comfortably afford when it comes to your monthly mortgage payments. Be sure to consider closing costs and private mortgage insurance (if your downpayment is less than 20%).

5. Consider Low-Downpayment Options

• • There are a ton of various loan products that don’t require 20% or more for a downpayment. Contact your lender (or I can help you find a mortgage lender) and see what options are available for your specific situation.

Bonus Tip: Find a knowledgeable, professional and experienced real estate agent – Like me!

Can’t believe October is right around the corner. I hope you all enjoyed your Summer and have a great Autumn!