Uncategorized March 28, 2023

8 KITCHEN HACKS TO MAKE YOUR FOOD LAST LONGER

8 KITCHEN HACKS TO MAKE YOUR FOOD LAST LONGER

August 11, 2022

Food storage hacks

Being stuck in traffic. Burning your mouth on the first bite of food. Standing on a piece of Lego. Having a bag so heavy that it sets off the passenger seatbelt alarm. There are certain parts of life that can be oh-so-frustrating, but none more so than finding a fridge full of uneaten food that’s started to go off before you’ve even had a chance to eat it. Frustrating, wasteful, vexatious and expensive.

That’s why it’s so important you know exactly how to store the different foods in your kitchen.

You see, storing your food isn’t just something you do before and after cooking each meal; it’s an important part of the whole process, from the moment you step into your kitchen after your weekly food shop right through to the moment you start whipping up something delicious. That’s where we come in.

We’ve rounded up the best tips, tricks and bits of advice to make food last longer, so that you’re wasting less money, time and ingredients. Translation: your kitchen life is about to change.

Keep Your Bananas Separate

If writing on a banana with a ballpoint pen is one of life’s greatest pleasures (seriously, try it), picking up an overly-ripe banana is one of the worst. Luckily, this soft, brown problem can be delayed by simply storing your bananas away from other pieces of fruit. Not to get too scientific, but it’s all to do with ethylene gas. Anyway, storing them separately will prevent them from going gross too soon. The other thing you can do is wrap the crown (that part of the bunch where they all join) in cling film, which will also lengthen their shelf life.

Wash Your Berries in Vinegar

Because fate has a way of being cruel, berries are both the most expensive fruit and the quickest to go mouldy. Talk about frustrating. Thankfully, there’s an easy way to extend their delicious little lives: bathing them in a vinegar solution that’s one-part distilled vinegar and 8-parts water. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to taste the vinegar, but this hack can make strawberries last up to two weeks longer than usual.

Store Your Onions in a Pair of Tights

This might sound pretty unusual, but keeping your onions in a pair of tights can help them last up to – wait for it – an incredible eight months longer. One of the more unusual techniques on this list is keeping onions in a pair of thin tights. They don’t have to be your favourite pair from M&S, just an old pair that have maybe seen better days. Once you have that, pop your onions in one by one, tying a knot between each one before storing them in a dark, dry place. Yes, your family will probably question your life choices at first, but we guarantee they’ll start copying you before long.

Wrap Your Veggies in Foil

Let’s get straight to it: certain vegetables will stay nutritious and delicious for a lot longer when wrapped in foil and then stored in the fridge. In fact, both celery and broccoli have been known to last up to four-weeks longer if kept like this.

Store Apples & Potatoes Together

An apple a day keeps those weird sprouty things away… from your potatoes. That’s right. Placing an apple next to your potatoes means the ethylene gas from your apple will keep your potatoes fresher for up to eight weeks, meaning your non-sprouted spuds will be ready for mash-duties.

Put Paper Towels in Your Salad Drawer

Whether you line your salad drawer or simply pop a couple of sheets in your salad bags, this little food storage hack will see your kitchen roll absorb most of the condensation that vegetables create as they chill. This is good news because that excess moisture is guilty of making your fresh salad bits wilt. And the best part: not on;ly will you have fresher veggies, but you won’t have to spend your weekends dealing with that gross cucumber gunk hiding at the back of your fridge.

Take Your Tomatoes Out The Fridge

There are two reasons you need to stop storing your toms in the fridge: the cold ruins their delicious texture and drastically takes away their yummy flavour. That’s why we recommend you keep your tomatoes on your kitchen countertop, where they can ripen to their full potential. Oh and, just so you know, toms aren’t the only vegetable-slash-fruit that shouldn’t be kept in the fridge. Potatoes and onions are also best left in a cool dark place, such as your larder.

Treat Your Asparagus Like Flowers

Next time you grab a pack of fresh asparagus from your local’s farmer’s market, make sure you trim the ends when you get home, just like you would a bouquet of flowers, and then store them in a vase or glass of water. Once you’ve done that, loosely wrap a plastic bag over the tips and then pop them in your fridge.

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Uncategorized March 28, 2023

Homeownership Is Life Changing for Women

How Homeownership Is Life Changing for Many Women

Woman holding huge housekey

Throughout Women’s History Month, we reflect on the impact women have in our lives, and that includes impact on the housing market. In fact, since at least 1981, single women have bought more homes than single men each year, and they make up 17% of all households.

Why Is Homeownership So Important to Women?

The rise in women pursuing homeownership hasn’t just made an impact on the housing market. It’s also been an asset for those buyers and their households. That’s because homeownership has many benefits, both financial and personal.

On the financial side, housing proves to be the key to building wealth for single women. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, says:

“For single women, housing has always made up a large share of total assets. Over the last 30 years, the average single woman’s wealth has increased 88% on an inflation-adjusted basis, from just over $142,000 in 1989 to $267,000 in 2019, and housing has remained the single largest component of their wealth.”

The financial security and independence homeownership provides can be life changing, too. And when you factor in the personal motivations behind buying a home, that impact becomes even clearer.

A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares the top reasons single women are buying a home right now (see chart below):

Bottom Line

Homeownership can be life changing no matter who you are. Let’s connect today to talk about your goals in the housing market.

selling March 27, 2023

Get Ready: The Best Time To List Your House Is Almost Here

Get Ready: The Best Time To List Your House Is Almost Here

If you’re thinking about selling this spring, it’s time to get moving – the best week to list your house is fast approaching.

Experts at realtor.com looked at seasonal trends from recent years (excluding 2020 as an uncharacteristic year due to the onset of the pandemic) and determined the ideal week to list a house this year:

“Home sellers on the fence waiting for that perfect moment to sell should start preparations, because the best time to list a home in 2023 is approaching quickly. The week of April 16-22 is expected to have the ideal balance of housing market conditions that favor home sellers, more so than any other week in the year.

If you’ve been waiting for the best time to sell, this is your chance. But remember, before you put your house on the market, you’ve got to get it ready. And if you haven’t started that process yet, you’ll need to move quickly. Here’s what you should keep in mind.

Work with an Agent To Determine Which Updates To Make

Start by prioritizing which updates you’ll make. In February, realtor.com asked more than 1,200 recent or potential home sellers what updates they ended up making to their house before listing it (see graph below):

As you can see, the most common answers included landscaping and painting. Work with a trusted real estate agent to determine what projects make the most sense for your goals and local market.

If Possible, Plan To Have Your House Staged

Once you’ve made any necessary repairs and updates to your house, consider having it staged. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 82% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Additionally, almost half of buyers’ agents said home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home in general. Homes that are staged typically sell faster and for a higher price because they help potential buyers more easily picture their new life in the house.

Bottom Line

Are you ready to sell this spring? Let’s connect to plan your next steps. You can start by making a checklist of what you think your house needs to get ready. Then, we can work together to prioritize your list and move forward together.

selling March 24, 2023

Have You Thought About Why You Might Want To Sell Your House?

Have You Thought About Why You Might Want To Sell Your House? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

Uncategorized March 23, 2023

Why Buying a Home Is a Sound Decision

Why Buying a Home Is a Sound Decision

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you want to know the decision will be a good one. And for many, that means thinking about what home prices are projected to do in the coming years and how that could impact your investment.

This year, we aren’t seeing home prices fall dramatically. As the year goes on, however, some markets may go up in value while others may lose value. That’s why it’s helpful to keep the long-term view in mind. Experts project a return to a steadier rate of price appreciation in the years that follow.

Home Price Appreciation in the Years Ahead

Over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts were polled by Pulsenomics in their latest quarterly Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES). The report indicates what they believe will happen with home prices over the next five years. As the graph below shows, after mild depreciation this year, these experts forecast home prices will return to more normal levels of appreciation through 2027.

The big takeaway is experts aren’t forecasting a drastic fall in home prices nationally, even though some markets will see home price appreciation while others may depreciate. And when they look further out, they see steady price appreciation in the long run. That’s a great example of why homeownership wins over time.

What Does This Mean for You?

Once you buy a home, price appreciation raises your home’s value, and that grows your household wealth. Here’s how a typical home’s value could change over the next few years using the expert price appreciation projections from the survey mentioned above (see graph below):

In this example, if you bought a $400,000 home at the beginning of this year and factor in the forecast from the HPES, you could accumulate over $54,000 in household wealth over the next five years. So, if you’re wondering if buying a home is a sound decision, keep in mind what a strong wealth-building tool it is long term.

Bottom Line

According to the experts, while we may see slight depreciation this year, home prices are expected to grow over the next five years. If you’re ready to become a homeowner, know that buying today can set you up for long-term success as home values (and your own net worth) are projected to grow. Let’s connect to begin the homebuying process today.

buying March 22, 2023

Consider Condos in Your Home Search

Reasons To Consider Condos in Your Home Search

Are you having trouble finding a home that fits your needs and your budget? If so, you should know there’s an option worth considering – condominiums, also known as condos. According to Bankrate:

A condo can be a more affordable entry point to homeownership than a single-family home. And as a homeowner, you’ll build equity over time and have access to tax benefits that a renter wouldn’t.”

That’s why expanding your search to include additional housing types, like condominiums, could help you accomplish your homeownership goals this spring, especially if you can be flexible about the space you need. Condos are typically smaller than a single-family home, but that’s part of what can make them more budget-friendly (see graph below):

In addition to providing more options in your home search and possibly your price point, there are several other benefits to condo living. They tend to require less upkeep and lower maintenance – and that can give you more time to spend doing the things you enjoy. Plus, since many condos are in or near city centers, they offer the added benefit of being in close proximity to work and leisure.

Remember, your first home doesn’t have to be your forever home. The important thing is to get your foot in the door as a homeowner so you can start building wealth in the form of home equity. In time, the equity you develop can fuel a future purchase if your needs change.

Ultimately, owning and living in a condo can be a lifestyle choice. And if that appeals to you, they could provide the added options you need in today’s market.

selling March 21, 2023

The Role of Access in Selling Your House

The Role of Access in Selling Your House

Once you’ve made the decision to sell your house and have hired a real estate agent to help, they’ll ask how much access to your home you want to give potential buyers. Your answer matters more now than it did in recent years. Here’s why.

At the height of the buying frenzy seen during the pandemic, there was a rise in the number of homebuyers who put offers on houses sight unseen. That happened for three reasons:

  • Extremely low housing inventory
  • A lot of competition from other buyers wanting to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates
  • And general wariness of in-person home tours during a pandemic

Today, the market’s changing, and buyers can usually be more selective and take more time to explore their options.

So, in order to show your house and sell it efficiently, you’ll want to provide buyers with as much access as you can. Before letting your agent know what works for you, consider these five levels of access you can provide. They’re ordered from most convenient for a buyer to least convenient. Remember, your agent will be better able to sell your house if you provide as much access to buyers as possible.

  1. Lockbox on the Door – This allows buyers the ability to see the home as soon as they are aware of the listing or at their convenience.
  2. Providing a Key to the Home – This would require an agent to stop by an office to pick up the key, which is still pretty convenient for a buyer.
  3. Open Access with a Phone Call – This means you allow a showing with just a phone call’s notice.
  4. By Appointment Only – For example, you might want your agent to set up a showing at a particular time and give you advance notice. That way you can prepare the house and be sure you have somewhere else you can go in the meantime.
  5. Limited Access – This might mean you’re only willing to have your house available on certain days or at certain times of day. In general, this is the most difficult and least flexible way to show your house to potential buyers.

As today’s housing market changes, be sure to work with your local agent to give buyers as much access as you can to your house when you sell.

buyingselling March 20, 2023

What’s Ahead for Home Prices in 2023

What’s Ahead for Home Prices in 2023

Over the past year, home prices have been a widely debated topic. Some have said we’ll see a massive drop in prices and that this could be a repeat of 2008 – which hasn’t happened. Others have forecasted a real estate market that could see slight appreciation or depreciation depending on the area of the country. And as we get closer to the spring real estate market, experts are continuing to forecast what they believe will happen with home prices this year and beyond.

Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, says:

While 2023 kicked off on a more optimistic note for the U.S. housing market, recent mortgage rate volatility highlights how much uncertainty remains. Nevertheless, the continued shortage of for-sale homes is likely to keep price declines modest, which are projected to top out at 3% peak to trough.”

Additionally, every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a panel of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts regarding their five-year expectations for future home prices in the United States. Here’s what they said most recently:

So, given this information and what experts are saying about home prices, the question you might be asking is: should I buy a home this spring? Here are three reasons you should consider making a move:

  1. Buying a home helps you escape the cycle of rising rents. Over the past several decades, the median price of rent has risen consistently. The bottom line is, rent is going up.
  2. Homeownership is a hedge against inflation. A key advantage of homeownership is that it’s one of the best hedges against inflation. When you buy a home with a fixed-rate mortgage, you secure your housing payment, so it won’t go up like it would if you rent.
  3. Homeownership is a powerful wealth-building tool. The average net worth of a homeowner is $255,000 compared to $6,300 for a renter.

Experts are projecting slight price depreciation in the housing market this year, followed by steady appreciation. Given that, you may be wondering if you should move ahead with buying a home this spring. The decision to purchase a home is best made when you do it knowing all the facts and have an expert on your side.

Uncategorized March 17, 2023

Condos Are a Great Entryway to Homeownership

Uncategorized March 16, 2023

Activity Tells Us About the Housing Market

What Buyer Activity Tells Us About the Housing Market

Though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy of a year ago, buyers are showing their interest in purchasing a home. According to U.S. News:

“Housing markets have cooled slightly, but demand hasn’t disappeared, and in many places remains strong largely due to the shortage of homes on the market.”

That activity can be seen in the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring available homes (see graph below):

The 62% jump in showings from December to January is one of the largest on record. There were also more showings in January than in any other month since last May. As you can see in the graph, it’s normal for showings to increase early in the year, but the jump this January was larger than usual, and a lot of that has to do with mortgage rates. Michael Lane, VP of Sales and Industry at ShowingTime+, explains:

“It’s typical to see a seasonal increase in home showings in January as buyers get ready for the spring market, but a larger increase than any January before after last year’s rapid cooldown is significant. Mortgage rate activity this spring will play a big role in sales activity, but January’s home showings are a positive sign that buyers are getting back out there . . .”

It’s important to note that mortgage rates hovered in the low 6% range in January, which played a role in the high number of showings. What does this mean? When mortgage rates eased, buyer interest climbed. The jump in home showings early this year makes one thing clear – while rates may be volatile right now, there are interested buyers out there, and when mortgage rates are favorable, they’re ready to make their move.