Check out our March newsletter!
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
MARCH 2023
205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
2023: WHAT BUYERS WANT TO KNOW!!
1. Should I buy now or wait? The short answer is it depends. If you need to buy another home due to relocation, lease expiration, family life changes, etc. then I suggest you buy now. No one can perfectly time the market. If your hesitancy is interest rates, you can refinance when mortgage rates drop (note: I said when not if). If you are waiting on home prices to drop, that may never happen. If you are not in a hurry to purchase, I think now may be a good time to just keep an eye on the market and wait for the right buying opportunity. 2. Will home prices fall? We are in the middle of an inflection point in the housing market, which makes an accurate prediction challenging. However, the Birmingham Market is hyper-local. So, the determination of pricing is heavily tied
to location. I do not see prices dropping in the hot spots in our market ( i.e., Edgewood in Homewood, Crestline in Mt. Brook and Vestavia East near the Vestavia Country Club, etc.). Also, because of the housing shortage, updated homes in any market will still likely command a premium and move quickly. We just saw an updated house in Greystone go for $225,000 over asking and the list price was fair. There will be opportunities for buyers of homes that are not updated or in the hottest pockets of our market. 3. Is the bubble about to pop and home values drop drastically? Highly unlikely!! The market crash in 2008 was driven by the lowering of credit standards and sub-prime mortgage market, which created a bubble of inflated values that were not based on economic fundamentals of supply and demand. Currently, we have considerably more demand than supply. Most experts think we have a housing shortage of 4 million homes now. Add to that the fact that new construction is not keeping pace with the current creation of new households. The housing deficit is growing by about 500,0000 units a year. Finally, the largest demographic in our country now is millennials, and they will be in the prime homebuying age for the next 10 years. 4. Will mortgage rates drop? No one has a crystal ball but we do have about 70 years of history that seems to indicate a fairly predictable pattern. Inflation and mortgage rates are invariably tied together. Historically, the Fed has been successful in curbing inflation with a rise in short- term interest rates. Indicators are that the Fed’s actions are working. Inflation numbers are improving, and we are seeing a softening of mortgage rates. Most experts are predicting by the end of the 2nd quarter we will start to see a steady drop in mortgage rates.
–Melvin Upchurch
• 1 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com
Have You Cleaned Your Washing Machine Filter?
MY FLOORS HAVE A YELLOW TINT 2 Strategies to Remove Rug Stains
Have you ever gone to mop your bathroom floors and found yellow stains on the floor where your bath rugs usually are? No matter how often you mop and scrub, it seems like these stains will never come out. But how do the stains happen? Can they be removed? Why are there stains on the floor? If your rugs stay in the same place for long periods — whether it has a rubber backing or not — they can leave a yellow stain on your floor. If sunlight does not enter your bathroom, the materials on your rug and flooring can oxidize, creating a yellow tint on the floor. Additionally, if you have vinyl flooring, the materials used to create the flooring could cause a chemical reaction with the rug. If your rug has rubber backing, it can also have a chemical reaction with the materials in the vinyl flooring. How can rug stains be removed? Some stains, such as the ones caused by the rubber backing of certain rugs, are permanent. However, you can remove the stain if you have yellow stains from mats without rubber backing. The first strategy involves using sunlight. You want to remove all of your rugs and allow your floor to get as much sunlight as possible — do not put your mats back until the stains have faded. The cons to
Most of us may know that after you dry a load of laundry in the dryer, you should clean out the lint filter to ensure everything continues to work properly. But did you know your washing machine has a filter you should clean as well?
What is a washing machine filter, and where is it located?
When you throw your clothes into your washing machine, they can have lint, loose hair strands, and other particles on them that could clog your washing machine. But your filter will catch these items and ensure your washing machine continues to work correctly. Since all washing machines are different, it’s best to consult your owner’s manual or search your unit online for more information. Common places where your filter could be located are in front of the unit behind a hatch, at the end of a drainage hose, under the center agitator, or in the drum’s lid.
Why and when should you clean it?
this method are that some bathrooms do not have windows (or have small windows), and it can take a long time to regain color.
If you don’t clean your washing machine filter, your appliance won’t work as effectively. Your clothes can smell musty, and you may notice detergent or lint residue on your clothes when you take them out. In addition, the filter can develop mildew and mold, which can seep through your clothes. Professionals recommend cleaning and inspecting your filter every three months. But be sure to consult your owner’s manual for more information. However, if you notice your machine is draining water slowly, smell strange odors, and notice lint or detergent residue, it may be time to clean the filter.
Another strategy is to use baking soda. After mopping your floor, wet the stained areas with water and cover the stains with baking soda. Allow the baking soda to set for 10–15 minutes before wiping it away. Repeat this process until the stains are gone. Can yellow stains be prevented? The best thing you can do with rubber and non-rubber backing rugs is to remove the mats when they aren’t used. While some of the yellow stains on your bathroom tiles could be permanent, you can ensure they will never happen again. These strategies can be used for all rugs on your bathroom, kitchen, living room, and dining room floors.
How do you clean the filter?
You first want to remove the filter from your unit and wipe away any lint, hair, and debris with a damp washcloth. Then, use the cloth to wipe the inside of the filter housing unit. Next, fill a bowl with hot water, add a teaspoon of dish soap or laundry detergent, and soak the filter for 10 minutes. After soaking, use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub the filter and remove additional buildup. Finally, place the filter back in the washing machine and run a short wash cycle. If you notice your washing machine is still having issues cleaning your clothes, contact your local technician for more assistance. They can do a diagnostic test on your unit and come up with a solution.
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Are there additional benefits to an HVAC inspection? Your system will last longer if you get regular tuneups while saving you money on energy costs. Having a technician run an analysis allows you to catch minor problems before they become major. And if you take preventive measures, you won’t have to pay for costly emergency repairs. What can you expect from an inspection? There are some standard procedures a technician will conduct with every inspection. These include testing your system’s temperature and air quality; looking for leaks in pipes and coils; changing air filters; checking the ignition, exhaust fans, and fan motor belts; and ensuring nothing needs to be replaced or repaired. If you haven’t scheduled your HVAC tuneup, call your local technician today and book an inspection as soon as possible. It will save you a lot of time, stress, and money in the long run. A Tuneup Has Many Benefits HAVE YOU SCHEDULED AN HVAC INSPECTION?
As we enter spring, it’s time to get your HVAC system examined and tuned. If you want to stay cool during the late spring and summer months, it’s imperative to have your system inspected. What is an HVAC inspection, and why should you get one? An HVAC inspection will involve a technician analyzing your entire system to ensure everything is working properly. They will check your ventilation, heating, and air conditioning equipment to see if anything needs to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced. This top-to-bottom testing will keep your unit working in the best possible condition when heating or cooling your home. You should get an HVAC inspection every fall and/or spring to ensure everything is functioning correctly. You don’t want to turn your air conditioning or heating unit on and realize something is wrong when you need it. That’s why it’s best to schedule tuneups in advance so you won’t have to worry about it as the temperature outside increases or decreases.
Irish Pancakes
TAKE A BREAK
Inspired by TheKitchyKitchen.com
Ingredients
• 2 cups all-purpose flour • 1/2 tsp baking soda • 1/2 tsp kosher salt • 1 tbsp white sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten • 1 cup buttermilk • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
Directions
1. In a bowl, sift the dry ingredients together. Set aside. 2. In a skillet, brown 1 tbsp of butter.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the beaten egg, buttermilk, and browned butter. 4. In a constant stream, add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients while stirring. Do not overbeat! 5. Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter, stir until the skillet is coated, and then add a few large dollops of batter (about 3 inches wide) to the pan. Do not overcrowd. 6. Cook 4–5 minutes a side, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve with butter, jam, and syrup.
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205-223-6192 www.MelvinUpchurchSells.com 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
INSIDE
1
2023: What Buyers Want to Know!!
2
Do You Clean Your Washing Machine Filter? Why Do My Rugs Leave Yellow Stains?
3
Taking Preventive Measures Could Save You Money!
Irish Pancakes
4
Get a Head Start on Your Spring Garden!
It May Not Be Planting Season Yet
But You Can Still Start on Your Garden!
April is the month for planting — spring is in full bloom, and home supplies stores begin advertising their appliances, tools, plants, and seeds. However, you can get a head start on your spring garden in March by planting vegetable seeds! If you like to keep your garden rich with healthy veggies, consider planting carrot seeds, kale, broccoli, horseradish, spinach, and turnips. If you like to use onions while cooking, you can also grow spring
onions in your garden. Just be sure your soil is enriched with organic matter. Because these veggies are considered “cool weather vegetables,” they can withstand that last wave of cold weather March has to offer.
perfect time to plant Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, squash, celery, and cucumbers . Then, by early May, you can plant these veggies outside once the weather is warmer.
For those with indoor greenhouses , March is the
Happy almost-planting season!
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