Check out our November newsletter!
ME LV I N ’ S MON T H LY MOMENT S
NOVEMBER 2022
205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM
SHOULD I SELL MY HOUSE NOW?
We are still in a seller’s market. We have more buyers than inventory. So, yes now is a great time to sell — especially if you avoid the traditional real estate company commissions and the ”relationship” trap of having to use a friend with a real estate license (see success stories below). If you are concerned about buying another house now that there are higher mortgage rates, consider the following:
By the way, if you want to spread holiday cheer, please let your friends know about our company. I would love to put more money in their pockets!
2. Homewood — Cindy
Only three things can happen to mortgage rates: a. They increase: You are better off buying another house now. b. They remain the
Sales Price: $580,000
Traditional Real Estate Company Commission: $14,500 compared to the LIST Birmingham FLAT fee of $3,500. After owning the home for 30 years, Cindy made the smart business decision to keep $11,000 of her hard earned equity instead of giving it to her friend from church that had a real estate license. That money will come in handy in her retirement in a new state to be with her grandchildren.
same: Why wait if the rates remain the same?
3. Homewood — The Monroes
c. They drop: You
refinance — we call it “date the rate and marry the house.” Congratulations to my top three sellers in September:
Sales Price: $353,500
Traditional Real Estate Company Commission: $10,605 compared to the LIST Birmingham FLAT fee of $3,500 . This couple put an extra $7,105 in their pocket instead of giving it to the neighborhood agent with the Big Traditional Company that gets all the neighborhood listings. At a time with rising mortgage interest rates and inflation, these sellers made a smart business decision to ignore tradition and keep a combined $31,000 in their pockets instead of giving it to Traditional Real Estate Commission Companies. Please let anyone you know that is considering selling their home to contact me!! Happy Thanksgiving!
1. Vestavia — Curtis
Sales price: $653,500
Traditional Real Estate Company Commission: $16,838 compared to the LIST Birmingham FLAT fee of $3,500 . Curtis made the smart business decision to put an extra $12,838 in his pocket instead of giving it to his neighbor that had a real estate license. That money will come in handy in his relocation to another state.
–Melvin Upchurch
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WINTER IS COMING Don’t Let Those Pipes Freeze!
Why Dryer Balls Win This Season
Depending on where you live, you may already be experiencing freezing temperatures that signal the impending approach of winter. But while you can bundle up and protect yourself from the cold, your home can’t, so you need to find ways to protect it from winter damage. One such area that’s often overlooked is the plumbing system. When water freezes, its volume expands. When this happens inside of a pipe, it’s at risk of bursting. Water will begin to pour out of the busted pipe into your home until the water is shut off somewhere upstream. You’ll have to call a plumber to repair the broken pipes and may even need to replace your floors if they suffered from too much water damage. Thankfully, you can take some preventive measures to avoid the risk of freezing pipes.
Laundry is never fun, and more layers in the fall means more laundry! That translates to more money spent on energy for the washer and drying, especially if you need to clean bulky winter jackets or heavy socks. If you’re dreading the increased bill, try dryer balls! Dryer balls save money. Dryer balls are plastic or wool balls you toss into your dryer before running the load. Due to their shape, dryer balls separate clothing as they roll around in the drum. The added space between items allows more hot air to pass over your clothes, drying them faster. Manufacturers estimate that dryer balls can shave off 25 minutes of dry time, reducing average dryer running costs from $91.20 annually to $54.72! Dryer balls are also great for machine maintenance costs because they won’t clog the dryer’s lint filter screen or chute as dryer sheets do. Dryer vent cleanings typically cost over a hundred dollars but can be even more depending on the state of the vent. Dryer balls help the environment. Dryer balls are eco-friendly because they’re reusable, unlike dryer sheets, which cannot be recycled because of their materials. So, by using dryer balls, you can help keep tons of waste from landfills. The dryer is a home’s third most energy-consuming appliance, resulting in 2,400 pounds of carbon emissions per household yearly. Since you’ll be running your dryer for less time each load with dryer balls, you’ll also be helping the environment by curbing your emissions. Top Dryer Balls for Your Family You can find dryer balls at your supermarket if you’re in a pinch, but if you need a specific type of dryer ball, look no further than these three brands! Smart Sheep: These extra-large wool dryer balls come in a pack of six and cost just over $16. They’re organic and made from New Zealand wool. Whitmor: This spiky plastic dryer ball option is under $10 and naturally helps soften and fluff fabrics, meaning you can save on fabric softener, too. SnugPad: These wool dryer balls are best for bulkier loads or items that take a long time to dry. They’re under $10 and organic! Don’t let piles of laundry cost you this autumn. Swap out your dryer sheets for dryer balls today!
Proper Insulation
Insulation should be installed around the pipes throughout your home. You can use special insulating tape or tube-shaped foam sleeves to protect your pipes in areas vulnerable to the cold. You should also check your attic insulation to ensure it’s helping keep the house warm. Block any gaps in your doors or windows with caulking and weather stripping to keep the cold air out.
Consistent Heating and Running Water
When you leave your home for work or vacation, you need to ensure the temperature does not drop too much in your home. Keep the heat on and leave your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees F. Keep one of your faucets open with a slow steady drip, but be sure to choose a tap that’s far from your main water shut-off valve
to help relieve the pressure that an ice blockage could cause. Any cabinets that
have plumbing within them (like under your sinks) should be kept open. Your warm house air will help prevent the pipes from freezing over.
When a pipe bursts, you could be looking at expensive fees to get it repaired, so it’s much better to be proactive than reactive. Follow these tips and you shouldn’t need to worry about your pipes freezing this winter!
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ARE PEEL AND STICK COUNTERTOPS RIGHT FOR YOUR FAMILY?
Changing up your kitchen or bathroom counter design can provide a nice change of atmosphere for you and your family as well as increase the value of your home. But these projects can be costly and time-consuming, so many are turning to peel and stick countertops. Could they be right for your home? Let’s look at a few pros and cons of peel and stick countertops. The Pros Peel and stick countertops always take the win in terms of price. On sites like Wayfair, you can find rolls of adhesive marble or granite-style countertops for under $100! Compared to real granite or marble, which can run you hundreds of dollars for just a few feet, peel and stick countertops can save your family hundreds or even thousands. Peel and stick countertops also save you time on installation. Tearing apart your home to install new countertops can take between 1–3 days. In contrast, you can successfully apply a peel and stick countertop in an hour. The Cons A DIY stick-on countertop’s biggest downfall is that it isn’t permanent. Peel and stick countertops last on average five years in low-traffic home areas, like guest bathrooms or basement kitchens, so it probably isn’t your best option in a kitchen where your family eats and cooks nightly. Constant use and cleaning can drastically shorten the lifespan or appearance of your DIY countertops, and the same goes for your main bathrooms.
Where to Find the Peel and Stick Countertop of Your Dreams If you decide that peel and stick countertops are the best option for you and your family, there are a few places to find high-quality options. Home Depot has a ton of peel and stick counter options, but if you’re shopping online, try Livelynine on Amazon. Livelynine sells plenty of peel and stick counters in various colors and sizes — check it out at Amazon.com/Livelynine.
TAKE A BREAK
Tasty Turkey Triangles for Cats
Inspired by Be.Chewy.com
Ingredients
• 1/2 cup ground turkey (you can use your leftover turkey from Thanksgiving — just make sure to grind it up first)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour • 1 egg • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, whole wheat flour, egg, and olive oil until you have a meaty dough. Knead dough into a ball. 3. Flour the work surface and roll dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place dough on baking sheet. 4. With a knife, score 1/2-inch rows into the dough. Then, score diagonal lines across the rows to create a diamond pattern and score diagonally the other way to score the diamonds in half, creating triangles. 5. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool, break the triangles apart, then give one to your kitty!
• 3 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM
205-223-6192 WWW.MELVIN.LISTBIRMINGHAM.COM 300 UNION HILL DR., STE. 200 BIRMINGHAM, AL 35209
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INSIDE
1
Should I Sell My House Now?
2
2 Reasons You Should Use Dryer Balls
Tips to Prevent Your Home’s Pipes From Freezing
3
Should You Try Peel and Stick Countertops?
Tasty Turkey Triangles for Cats
4
Giving Thanksgiving a Little Pizzazz
A Picture-Perfect Thanksgiving Table
Are you hosting Thanksgiving this year? Wow your guests with a magazine-ready table using these tips.
Bountiful Buffet
Who has room for proper place settings with all that food on the table? If your feast tends to take up a lot of valuable space, consider creating a buffet with your turkey and sides. Guests can fix their plates and return to a beautiful, uncluttered table.
Majestic Monochrome
Do your attempts to coordinate colors tend to clash more than complement? Keep it simple with monochrome. Plates, tablecloths, and centerpieces in the same color will provide a timeless look while giving you room to use different textures and patterns.
Eclectic Elegance
Alternatively, get funky! Pair thrift store candlesticks with your best china and the cute napkin rings you found at a big-box store. Mix colors and oddities to your heart’s content. Thanksgiving only comes once a year, so make it special by trying something new!
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Published by Newsletter Pro • www.newsletterpro.com
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