Cold weather changes the rhythm of our homes. We shift from open windows and outdoor evenings to warm fireplaces, hot tea, and the satisfying quiet of a winter night. Yet winter requires more than comfort. It asks that we protect what protects us. A thoughtful checklist now prevents emergencies later.
Protect Pipes from a Cold Night
Few things interrupt a peaceful winter evening like a frozen pipe. When water turns to ice, it expands and can burst pipes behind walls or beneath floors. The damage is both expensive and preventable. Insulate exposed pipes in garages and crawl spaces. Keep interior temperatures steady, especially overnight. If you plan to be away, leave the heat set above fifty-five degrees. A winter night is no time for the house to fend for itself.
Ice Dams and Rooflines
Snow on the roof is picturesque until warm air beneath melts it, and it refreezes at the eaves. The ice forms a dam, and water has nowhere to go except beneath shingles. It is the hidden kind of problem that appears in March when ceilings become discolored. Proper attic insulation and ventilation keep temperatures uniform. Clean gutters before the first snowfall, and if heavy snow arrives, use a roof rake from the ground. Let the roof stay cold. That is the goal.
Walkways and Concrete Surfaces
Salt seems like a winter necessity until one remembers that salt breaks down concrete. Over time, it erodes driveways and walkways. The better approach is calcium magnesium acetate or similar products that are kinder to surfaces. The real secret is prompt snow removal. The less ice forms, the less melting product you need.
Doors, Windows, and Storm Doors
Winter air knows how to slip inside. A loose latch or worn weather stripping can make a room feel twenty degrees cooler. Take a moment when you close storm doors. Listen for the latch. Check windows and sliding doors for small gaps that invite drafts. Replace worn seals. Secure latches. These are small details that make a noticeable difference on a January morning.
Fireplaces, Embers, and a Cautionary Note
A winter fireplace is one of life’s quiet luxuries: a chair nearby, a warm beverage, and the comfort of real heat. Yet fireplace ash carries a danger many homeowners underestimate. Hot embers can remain active for hours.
Never dispose of them outdoors or in the yard. A breeze can reignite ash and send embers toward siding, mulch, or wood structures. Always place ashes in a metal container with a lid, kept away from the house, until fully cooled. It is a simple precaution that prevents a house fire while everyone is asleep.
Winter Should Be Enjoyed
The purpose of preparation is not worry. It is confidence. Once the essentials are handled, winter can be what we hope it will be: evenings by the fire, comfort in familiar rituals, and the quiet pleasure of knowing the house is ready.
Here’s to enjoying the season prepared and protected.
This is the season when we spend more time indoors and our doors and windows remain closed for longer periods.
I am deathly allergic and toxic to mold. A three second exposure can make me ill for weeks and even months. I often laugh with my buyer clients that I am the official “mold meter” when we look at houses. There have been times that I detected mold even before opening the front door. I share my experience with my clients, and we leave as quickly as possible. Sick houses can be cleaned. My clients need not be the ones to do that.
Not everyone smells or reacts to mold. I believe that educating my clients is paramount. No sale is worth illness and maladies. I would rather walk away than knowingly let my clients buy into malaise, illness, and even life-threatening accidents. A mold reaction caused me to fall from my horse, breaking my ankle. My life changed. I have not been the same ever since.
While everyone has varying levels of reaction, if any, to mold in a property, it is important to understand how mold develops and where it can grow. It is not always the old basement, although it quite possibly can be. With weather changes and moisture changes, below is a list (not comprehensive but suggestive) where mold can grow:
Window casings and drywall around them
Doors – under sill plates and around the frames on the drywall
Under sink base cabinets
Under dishwashers
Under washing machines
Under HVAC condensate lines
Inside HVAC air handlers
Behind and under refrigerators (even those without water sources)
Bathrooms
Basements – under floors, wall bases, even ceilings
Your car!!
What can you do to prevent mold from taking root in your home or car?
Inspect window caulking regularly – recaulk as needed
Check door sill plates – especially at decks and patios
Look under sinks – look for evidence of moisture – attack and remediate
Look under your dishwasher for evidence of water and mold signs
Look under and behind washing machines
Have your HVAC serviced and inspected semi-annually – ask your tech to look for evidence of leakage and mold
Pull your refrigerator out – inspect the floor
Run the exhaust fan in your bathrooms while showering to prevent condensation build-up
Confirm that bathroom exhaust fans are operating properly
Change the air filter in your car
Keep all HVAC filters clean
Here are a few unsettling facts that I recently discovered:
Drywall in its manufacturing process has imbedded mold spores
Mold loves drywall. That is why after a water incursion event, mold grows on drywall very quickly.
New home construction can “build-in” mold during the construction process by allowing materials to get wet.
Your car’s trunk gasket can be allowing water incursion and harboring mold
Your car’s air filter can get damaged by mice – their deposits can sprout mold
Your car’s AC can leak into your dash – mold can sprout
These lists are just a few of the mold issues that can develop over time or quickly.
Mold has been associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, upper respiratory ailments, even ‘colds’ could be reactions to mold. Do not be lulled into security by a ‘new house.’
Last year, I walked through our basement bedroom for a split second. That was long enough for me to get sick. It lasted through January. Where was the mold? Our basement bath exhaust fan had stopped exhausting but sounded to be running just fine. My husband likes the shower there. The moisture from the shower traveled to the far corner of the room, settled on the cold tile floor under a night table, and sprouted a quarter-sized spot of mold.
As a precaution – I had the exterior walls’ drywall removed – luckily – all was dry including studs and base framing. The tile was dry with no evidence of water. I called a waterproofing company – they tried to sell me a $50,000 remediation system.
I decided to call on the home inspector who inspects my clients’ home purchases. He came armed with a moisture meter. He found none. Then, he suggested laying down and sealing a vapor barrier plastic sheet like that of a crawl space. He told us to leave it down for 7-10 days. If at the end of the period, there was moisture under the barrier – there is a water problem. If none, then it was a condensation problem. Luckily, it was the latter.
Our brilliant contractor figured out that the exhaust fan was not extracting the condensation. In with a new fan and lots of cleaning – all is well.
However, this episode required that I discard the entire contents of the room. I had my brand new furnace thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Mold spores are airborne and had certainly settled on all fabrics and furnishings. All because an exhaust fan had malfunctioned. On that note – ask questions about the history of any resale furnishings that you are considering buying. Have you ever smelled mustiness in antique drawers . . . ?
Mold is toxic and for those who are sensitive, each episode increases that sensitivity and the reactions. While I am not a mold expert, here is a link to mold and its remediation on YouTube. The mold conversation begins around the 3 minute mark. It is a little long but could save you years of misery.
If you have questions or need resources, contact Krasi Henkel – TEXT – 703-624-8333. If you are planning to buy your next home, Text Krasi.
After attending the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce ‘PolicyMaker Series: Postelection Aftermath’ I walked away with concerns and considerations. This blog is not intended to make or take a political stand, but to outline possibilities and current actions. Keeping you informed so that you can make the best possible decisions, is always my goal.
Politicians and analysts banter the term, affordable housing. Let’s unpack this concept and discover how, if at all, affordability can be affected.
The variables of affordability consist of the following obvious pieces:
The price of real estate
The mortgage interest rate
The mortgage term (number of years)
Cost to insure
Taxes
Income tax incentives (if any)
Housing supply and local zoning
To improve affordability, one or more of the above variables must be influenced as follows:
Private property values are subject to market forces.
Mortgage interest rates while variable, can be subsidized by jurisdictions or offset by tax savings
The term of the mortgage 15-30-50 affects the monthly payment
Insurance is partly environmental risk based, and partly determined by your desired value to insure and what to include.
Taxes – real estate taxes are based on jurisdictional assessments. You can appeal assessments. You can elect officials who would reduce tax rates.
The Federal government or even the state can make interest, taxes, etc. deductible at higher rates – AKA – subsidizing through deductibility.
Supply and demand shifts from scarcity to accessibility can partially be accomplished through thoughtful zoning and maybe expeditious reviews.
Below are possible solutions but will require bold federal and state participation.
Let’s clear one thing up – homeowners do not plan to decrease the asking prices for their houses in a scarcity scenario. Insurers have suffered massive losses and will likely not be reducing their rates, and their reinsurers will most likely not be doing the same.
Property taxes – you can evaluate your jurisdictional budgets and determine potential austerity measures with which to justify tax reductions. We all know that this is a long term project involving studies, hearings, and elections.
While on the topic of property taxes and local jurisdictions, one way to increase supply would be to loosen zoning regulations and shorten permit and inspection periods. All of that requires public hearings. Realistically, when was the last time a voting block voted to increase density?
Income tax deductibility or credits could be useful subject to income limits. This will require political maneuvering, bills, vetoes, and committees, and lots of talk and perhaps a little help.
Mortgage interest is a possible variant. When affordability is addressed, it is often addressed for first time home buyers. The US government, states, and local governments offer mortgage loans to offset cash down payments, and structure loans based on a variety of criteria. This is where creativity can set in and offers interesting options to consider.
Let’s look at Virginia for example. There are several assistance loan products including down payment and closing cost grants. After that there is Virginia Housing (formerly VHDA), which is funded through bonds and are not and do not affect the tax base. These loans come with quite a few strings and qualification can be onerous. Looking at today’s mortgage rate, I note that VHDA is offering their loan for 6.5%. Yet FHA, VA, USDA are all below 6%.
Another mortgage alternative is increasing the loan amortization terms from 30 to 50 years. Yes, the total interest paid will be higher, but the monthly payment can become affordable. Consider the example below:
$500,000 loan at 5.75%
30 year principal and interest (PI) payment: $2918
50 year principal and interest (PI) payment: $2540
The monthly savings will be: $ 378
That difference can make the difference in qualifying.
It will cost more over the life of the loan. The reality is that most people move every seven years. Loans can be refinanced if rates decline. I have met very few people who retained their original loan to its final payment. The 30-year mortgage was originally tied to the 30-year treasury bill. Though, the 10-year Treasury Note is a more direct benchmark. The 30-year treasuries are called “long bonds.”
Zoning:
Zoning adjustment measure has been on Virginia’s local jurisdiction radar for over five years. Since 2020 initiatives to modify local zoning to permit density increases have been proposed.
Last week, a circuit court judge recently ruled in favor of the City of Alexandria in the “Zoning for Housing” lawsuit, dismissing the case and allowing the city’s zoning reforms to stand.
The case had been brought by local property owners, Coalition for a Livable Alexandria, protesting the density changes and their perceived impact on their properties. This ruling allows the city’s “Zoning for Housing” ordinance to proceed.
A question: with the decision in place, can a developer now buy a single family house, tear it down and build a multi-family structure? What are the limits? What are the safeguards? Where will those residents park? How will the existing infrastructure support the additional density as far as education and traffic?
In Tysons, a similar initiative has been enacted. Click here to learn more about these and other Virginia measures.
While political promises abound, reality sets in. The recent election platform was heavy on affordable housing. When I inquired at the recent event, about the “how” of the promises, the moderator ‘ran out of time.’ I asked why VHDA loan rates outstrip all other loan rates. When I approached one of the State senators, he told me that they are “looking into it.” The urgency? Subject to interpretation. They seem focused on zoning changes as the primary solution.
There is no easy fix. Everyone must get involved and ask the hard questions: When politicians promise ‘affordable housing,’ ask them: Affordable to BUY, or affordable to RENT? Those are two very different things – one builds wealth and independence, the other creates permanent tenants beholden to landlords and government programs. The days of happy ambivalence are gone. You should pay close attention and make your decisions thoughtfully.
If you want to buy your first home, contact Broker Krasi Henkel. Her nearly 40 years of experience and exceptional lender network, produce dream-come-true scenarios. If you want to be one of the lucky few – text Krasi today – 703-624-8333.
The Update That Will Change Many Agents’ Clients’ Privacy
On November 15, Zillow’s new Follow Up Boss policy activates. It allows Zillow to analyze “mutual customer data” — information about people already stored in an agent’s database and active on Zillow. In practice, that means private notes, personal dates, communication records, and engagement metrics will most likely flow into Zillow’s broader system.
The Fine Print Behind the Automation
Agents and brokers across the country rely on Customer Relationship Management CRMs that promise efficiency. That speed has a price. By clicking “agree,” most have granted sweeping permissions that they have most likely not read. These updates are not breaches. They are contracts of consent written in language few real estate professionals have the time , patience, or legal acumen to interpret.
Why This Matters to You
Real estate is built on trust and confidentiality. When client data becomes “shared metadata,” trust erodes. The public assumes its conversations with agents are private. Agents assume that their CRMs act as secure tools. Both assumptions are now questionable.
Properties on the Potomac Does It Differently
At Properties on the Potomac, technology serves judgement. We never replace judgement with technology. Of course, we use advanced digital systems, but we maintain local control of all client data. No automated platform owns our client relationships, and no algorithm decides who receives correspondence.
Our data protocols are guided by three principles:
Control: We decide where our data lives, and who can access it.
Confidentiality: Your personal and financial information remains between you and your agent.
Accountability: We read ‘agreements’ before signing and occasionally forego convenience for privacy. Your trust is not a click-through box.
Krasi’s extensive education in accounting and finance has developed a “radar” to detect potential conflicts of interests. In 2002, when her then brokerage demanded that all client data be entered into their centralized CRM system, Krasi changed companies.
When asked which CRM our company uses, Krasi replies, “spreadsheets.” Why? Because our clients do not have to be “managed” with prewritten impersonal communication. Real Estate is still a PEOPLE business. The person who is helping you with your most important financial transaction must respect you more than AI-generated communication can offer.
The Bottom Line for You
Technology should enhance professionalism. Convenience is valuable, but not at the expense of control.
Technology must never erase human professionalism.
As an extreme analytical, I like to research things to death, ruminate on the findings, ruminate some more, and then maybe–just maybe–make a decision. So when a client mentioned to me that they had decided to install solar panels on their roof, I was intrigued…and then I went down a rabbit hole.
For six solid months, I researched, interviewed solar companies, evaluated cost versus benefit, researched some more, discussed ad nauseum with my husband, and then finally made the decision to install solar panels on my roof.
Obviously, I decided that the pros of installing solar panels outweighed the cons for me. But is it the right decision for you? Let my research and rumination benefit you—below are the pros and cons of installing solar panels:
Pros:
The most obvious: solar reduces your electric bill. Not only can solar offset your electric usage, but you could also be eligible for net metering, an electric billing tool that sends the excess power your panels produce back to the electric grid. If in a day your solar panels produce 20kWs and your home only uses 15kWs, 5kWs get sent back to the grid and offset your electric bill.
Your potential monetary savings will increase over time as electricity continues to increase in price year over year.
You should be eligible for federal tax credits, if you own your system. Currently the Federal Solar Tax credit is 30% of the cost for installation (until 2032). So, if your system costs $30,000, you could be eligible for a $9,000 tax credit, thus lowing the net cost of the system to $21,000. Obviously, consult with your tax professional to make sure it works for you.
You also could potentially sell SRECs, or Solar Renewable Energy Credits. SRECs are created for each megawatt-hour of electricity generated from the solar energy system. Some states have created SREC markets to boost solar installations by requiring electricity suppliers (Pepco, BG&E, etc.) to purchase SRECs produced by in-state solar energy systems as part of their obligation under the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). In our area, the District of Columbia and Maryland offer SREC programs. The value of the SRECs can vary state by state and month by month. DC has one of the more robust SREC markets.
Solar panels are low maintenance. You don’t really need to do anything to the panels other than keep debris off of them.
Solar will decrease your dependence on non-renewable resources. Because saving the planet is always a pro.
And the Cons:
The up-front cost can be cost prohibitive. It can cost between $2,750-$4,000 per kW system, so if you have a 10kW system the range should be $27,500-$40,000. Obviously this is a lot of money up-front and it can take years to recoup the cost.
Some HOAs may not allow them or restrict where they can be placed on your home.
If you live in a wooded area or in the shadow of larger buildings, you won’t be able to reap the maximum benefits.
If you don’t own your roof (common element of a condo/co-op), you likely won’t be able to install solar panels.
The overall aesthetic. Let’s be honest: they aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing part of a house.
I have not regretted my decision to install solar panels for one minute. Since doing so, my husband and I have been able to take advantage of the tax credit, we’ve been able to sell our SREC credits (we live in DC), and our electric bills have reduced significantly (we’ve even had negative balances some months). And the most fun part is logging into the app to see how much energy we’re producing.
If you are thinking of adding solar to your home, give us a call at 703-624-8333. Properties on the Potomac would be happy to talk you through the process and make recommendations.
Red brick is distinctive. It has commanded attention over the centuries and does not disappoint today. The Victorian red brick house dates back to the 1870s and was typically a sign of wealth among homeowners, as yellow bricks were far less expensive.
The Empire State building, completed in 1931, is faced with 10 million red bricks. At the time of its opening, it was the tallest building in the world. Why the choice of red brick instead of some other color?
All bricks are not alike. Bricks are classified by color, class, size, and purpose of use. The bricks used to face residences are typically “First Class Bricks.” These bricks are thoroughly burnt, and are copper, dark red, or cherry in color. The bricks should be free of cracks, flaws, or stones. Their texture must be uniform and not be able to be scratched or dented by a fingernail. When two bricks are struck together, they should have a metallic ring. They should not absorb water and lime must not be visible in a brick fracture.
Bricks are made of clay and earthen components. The clay or material used affects the color and class of the bricks. Additionally, the length of time of “firing” affects the color. Extra burning makes a browner brick. Red bricks have to be made “just right” to optimize color and important features.
Because of the careful process needed to create the red bricks, the cost increases accordingly. Lighter colored bricks will have sand or even cement in their mix. Sand based bricks are more porous, thus less water resistant. Those bricks require sealing to remediate water absorption. There was a building in Washington, D.C. constructed with a very attractive red brick façade. Its sides and back were covered with yellow brick. If heavy rains hit from a particular direction, the interior walls of that building became damp. The walls behind the red bricks of the façade remained dry.
In short: the color of brick chosen for a home makes a statement. With today’s technology in brick manufacturing, more colors are available that qualify as first class. And while red brick may no longer be considered prestigious, a red brick house typically sells faster (subject to many other criteria) than a lighter colored brick, or homes clad in other materials.
Looking for your perfect red brick home? Call or text us at 703-624-8333.
It was almost exactly nine years ago that my husband and I purchased our townhome in Washington, DC. It was about eight years and nine months ago (who’s counting?) that I joined our HOA board as Treasurer.
HOAs, or Homeowners Associations, (or COAs/Condo Associations) sometimes get a bad rap. Some people view them as intrusive or overbearing, but HOAs are critical to maintaining many communities and even increasing the value of your home in many instances.
For what it’s worth, I’m still the Treasurer of my HOA (and have recently joined the board of an investment property as well). And the President, secretary, and architectural review board are all still the same people as well. We’ve developed wonderful friendships and have worked to oversee projects big (replacing the entire brick courtyard) and small (planting flowers in the courtyard.) These projects have been integral to maintaining the value of our investment and our community is thriving, well taken care of, and a place I can proudly call home.
Obviously I’m fully on-board and involved with my HOA. Whether you love them or hate them, here’s why you should be involved, too:
Be “in the know” about what is going on in your community. Learn about what projects are planned, how your monthly fees are being spent, when the next community yard sale is, etc…
Be a decision maker. You help decide which projects to prioritize and how the money is spent.
It looks good on your resume. Taking an active leadership role should go on your LinkedIn profile and potentially on your resume. If you are looking to move up in your career, having extracurricular volunteer leadership activities can only help.
Change the status quo. Many associations have had the same rules and regulations in place for years, but they may not be relevant to the times. For example, an HOA might require all front yards to be planted with a specific type of grass. What if that grass no longer grows well in that location? What if you would rather plant clover or flowers for lower maintenance? There are many HOAs that will not allow solar panels or EV chargers. If yours is one of them, consider trying to make that change. I have worked with many clients who view these outdated rules as dealbreakers. For a good laugh, google “weird HOA rules” and you’ll come up with some strange ones like a garage sale dress code or no blue trampolines.
Your property value will thank you. If you have a well-run HOA that makes sure the grass is cut, trees trimmed, snow plowed, trash picked up, etc… and your community looks nice, your home will increase in value tenfold over the community that lets itself fall into disrepair.
Make new friends. We all know that it is much harder for adults to make new friends than it is for children. Why not make it easier on yourself and get to know the people literally in your back yard? What we’ve learned over the past 3 years of a pandemic is that community is an important part of social connection. We spent many evenings out in our courtyard, distantly socializing with our fellow neighbors. It helped keep us all sane.
Help yourself and your neighbors by getting involved in your HOA or COA. You can start small by going to meetings, and then consider pushing yourself to take it one step further and joining the board. Your community and board will thank you. You have nothing to lose.
Are you looking for a home with or without an HOA? Give us a call at 703-624-8333 today!
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