Though Fall may not officially start until September 22, the fall festival season is in full swing in the Miami Valley. From food to music to Halloween to heritage, there is a festival for any family member (even your pup!). For more details, including location and cost (some events are free), click on the links below. Ohio Renaissance Festival (Waynesville): Weekends from September 3-October 30Springboro Octokerfest: September 9 & 10Huber Heights Marigold Festival: September 10 Vandalia Sister Cities Oktoberfest: September 9 & 10Dayton Greek Festival: September 9-11Italian Fall Festa (Kettering): September 9-11Beavercreek Popcorn Festival: September 10 & 11Troy, Ohio PorchFest: September 10Dog Day Downtown: September 16Aullwood Fall Fest (Dayton): September 17 & 18 Hispanic Heritage Festival (Dayton): September 17Waynesville Street Faire: September 17Dayton Fall Festival: September 17Tipp City Mum Festival: September 23-25Oktoberfest at Dayton Art Institute: September 24 & 25Germantown Pretzel Festival: September 24 & 25Country Applefest (Lebanon): September September 24 & 25Oktoberfest Wilmington: September 30- October 1Spring Valley Potato Festival: October 1 & 2Chocolate Festival (Dayton): October 1 & 2Ohio Sauerkraut Festival (Waynesville): October 8 & 9Oakwood Fall Festival: October 9The Great Pumpkin Roll Festival (Franklin): October 15Fairborn Halloween Festival: October 14 & 16 Continue reading →

Theres a prevailing perception that summer is hands down the best time to sell a home. The sun is shining, and home buyers are looking to get their new home and their kids all settled in before the school year starts. Traditionally the market lags when fall rolls around but there are more than a few benefits that listing in the fall rather than the warmer months can provide you.For one there is less competition. Since most home sellers are listing in the summer, it provides buyers with a lot more options to look at and sometime this makes it difficult for your home to stand out from the rest of the crowd. In the fall however, the demand for a home is still strong and this gives listing in fall an advantage as it can mean more eyes and attention on a listing.In addition, buyers during the fall are serious. The holidays are just around the corner, and no one wants to juggle the hectic holiday season and the stress of a move at the same time. Buyers want to be in their new home, have time to decorate it, and be able to be settled before it gets too cold. Prospective home buyers tend to spend the early part of the year shopping around, researching and planning so by the time its autumn, they are in prime decision-making mode. Many of them are likely pre-approved for a loan by the time they tour showings and want to close a deal before the end of the year. Fall is also one of the most picturesque seasons. Beautiful orange and yellow foliage offer great curb appeal. It’s also comes with a lot less upkeep and maintenance. During the summer months, sellers may have to maintain consistent landscaping work on their lawn between showings but during the fall all that’s required is some light raking and gutter cleaning. Toss in a few harvest themed decorations and fall scenery can add up to some gorgeous listing photos. For the reasons mentioned above, listing during the fall can certainly tout some benefits. If you’re thinking of buying or selling this autumn, get in touch with one of our great agents today!https://www.coldwellbankerishome.com/agents  Continue reading →

Apple picking, pumpkin patches, beautiful scenes — it’s no wonder that fall is a fan favorite! Temperatures start to cool off and you start looking forward to the upcoming holidays. While it is easy to get distracted with all of the fun fall festivities, it is also the perfect time to work on some of those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off.Not sure where to start? See below for some projects you can tackle this season.Clean The GuttersWhile it may not be an enjoyable task, it is important to ensure your gutters are clean. Gutters are in place to direct water away from your home, and with leaves coming down, there is a high chance for clogs. Having clogged gutters may not seem like a big deal, but if the water can’t be diverted, it can lead to water damage to your roof and the exterior of your home, as well as put you at risk for flooding. In addition, remove any debris that is on your roof so they don’t find their way to the gutters and cause a clog during the next storm.When cleaning your gutters, remember to take precautions to prevent risk of injury. Use a ladder that is sturdy, and have someone stabilize the bottom of the ladder. If you are unable to find a helper, be sure to let someone know you are using a ladder and cleaning the gutters. Also, wear shoes with rubber soles to help prevent you from slipping off of the ladder, and to reduce the risk of slipping and falling if you need to walk on the roof during the cleaning. Wear thick gloves to keep your hands protected from any rotting debris and contaminated water that is sitting in your gutters, and wear eye protection!Not a fan of cleaning your gutters year after year? Consider installing gutter guards to help protect against any blockages, or hire a professional to tackle the task.Roof MaintenanceKeep your home warm and dry during the colder months by taking the time to ensure you have a solid roof. By inspecting your roof, or having a professional do it, you can stay on top of any issues before it gets worse. Check to make sure you don’t have any leaks that have developed, and replace shingles that are missing, curling, or cracked. Regular maintenance of your roof will help prolong its life.Break Out the PaintFall is a great time to get those painting projects done! Because many fall days don’t drop below freezing, it is the perfect time for putting a fresh coat of paint on your front door and to the exterior of your home. Don’t forget to power wash your home to clean it of any dirt, mold, and mildew before painting.In addition, now that you longer have to deal with the summer heat, it is also a great time to paint the interior of your home because your can open the windows to air out the room. You would be surprised what a difference it makes to just paint the trim!Window Care or ReplacementWindows that are not functioning to their fullest ability can have a severe impact on your monthly energy bills, so it is important to take the time to inspect your windows. Check the sealant and caulk to ensure water and insects cannot get in, and that you don’t feel a draft on those windy days. Additionally, take a look at the weather stripping and make sure it is still in tact – this will seal any air leaks.If you notice condensation or frost on your windows, or notice any damage, it might be time to call a professional because you may be in need of new windows. Continue reading →

According to recent survey conducted by LightStream, despite the ongoing pandemic, 73% of homeowners are planning to renovate this year. This seems to stem from the fact that isolation has made American’s take a much-needed closer look at their home. Fall is actually the perfect time to tackle some badly needed home projects before winter comes blowing in. If you’re one of the many homeowners who are planning to update their home, below are a few key things to focus on. Home Heating and Air SystemsIf a furnace is 10-15 years old or takes longer to kick on than usual, it’s probably time for a replacement. Pay close attention to the SEER rating and look for efficient fuels such as natural gas which can help save you money in the long run. While you’re preparing the furnace for the season, don’t forget to take care of the trusty AC that just got you through the summer months. Clean and cover your outdoor air conditioning units to help prevent any damage from rain or snow. Note, this does not apply if you have a heat pump model that is designed to switch to heating mode when the weather gets cold. GuttersThe gutters are essential throughout fall and winter so it’s best to take good care of them. Clean them out while it is still somewhat warm outside. Regular maintenance will prevent gutters from overflowing with rain, leaves, or snow which can damage your roof over time. WindowsIn the winter months, do you often feel a chill when sitting next to certain windows or notice condensation on the glass panes? Likely these issues can be fixed if you upgrade to multiple paned windows. If you have single pane windows in your home, you would do well to replace them. These older types of windows are poor insulators and replacing them with double panes will help to trap more heat in the home. Roof and ShinglesThe roof may have a rough winter ahead of it and to avoid undue stress and damage, you’ll want to make sure the roof is in tip top condition to help it resist the wind, rain, and snow that is likely coming its way. Before it gets too cold, you want to replace any missing shingles or other damaged areas. InsultationCheck on your weatherstripping around any doors and/or windows. These little strips are meant to seal openings and gaps to prevent drafts throughout your home. However they can wear down a bit over time. If you notice any faded weatherstripping, don’t hesitate to replace it. You may be losing a lot of heat through those pesky gaps. If you have an attic, you’ll also want to check for any air leaks up there. These can be sealed off with foam insulation which will help to keep your home warm over the coming winter. Don’t close off any vents though as you’ll need those open and unobstructed to get rid of any humid air hanging around the home.  FireplaceIs there anything more relaxing than a cozy spot by the fireplace on a winter day? If you’re planning on spending some time in front of the fire this season, take the time now to thoroughly clean it out and check the state of the chimney. You’ll also want to make sure you have plenty of firewood. If you have a gas or electric fireplace, they will also benefit from an inspection before the snow starts to fall. ExteriorsTo ensure a beautiful lawn come springtime, there are several important projects its best to start in the fall. Raking leaves seems like an obvious one but this will also aerate your lawn and prevent it from becoming suffocated. To go a step further, consider fertilizing and winterizing trees, grass, and bushes so your greenery enters winter properly nourished. Fall also offers some days that are warm enough to still get some exterior painting in. A touch up can help prolong the life of a home’s siding and trim. Any surface that is likely to get covered in snow should also receive a fresh coat of paint or sealer. This is something that is best to be done sooner rather than later as many paints aren’t recommended for use in temperatures below 45 degrees.Sources: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/13-best-home-improvement-projects-to-tackle-this-fall/ss-BB18Nqe2https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/advice/maintenance-repair/fall-home-projects/?slide=slide_e2181708-dd55-422a-a81a-1fbea4ccc722#slide_e2181708-dd55-422a-a81a-1fbea4ccc722 https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/15-best-projects-to-do-in-fall/      

Are you just now thinking of selling your home but are afraid you may have missed your window of opportunity to list this year? Think again! Yes, spring and summer might be the busiest time of the year for the housing market, but there are actually perks to waiting to list your home until the fall. Here are five benefits to listing your home in the fall:1. Curb Appeal: Listing your home for sale in the fall allows you time to utilize the warmer months to improve on the curb appeal of your home. You can use that time to paint the exterior, fix or add a deck, pave the driveway, install a fence and work on landscaping. Not only will these things make your home look nicer, but it also has the potential to increase the value of your home.2. Picture Perfect: With clear skies and trees bursting with color, Autumn offers an opportunity for beautiful photos of your home. The atmosphere that comes with fall weather will make your home feel more welcoming and cozy to potential buyers as well. In addition, the weather tends to be more stable, meaning you have less of a chance of rain and excessive heat.3. Serious Buyers: Because spring is the busy season of real estate, buyers can afford to be picky due to the abundance of inventory. They might hold off on writing an offer and extend their search. But, with the end of spring and summer, buyers will be eager to get settled. No one wants to be moving on cold snowy days, and certainly not during the busy holiday season. With a market where inventory is more limited, buyers will want the process to move quickly. And, as a perk, your home will stand out and not get lost in the pool of houses for sale because there are less options for buyers to pick from.4. Buyer Demographics: Spring is a wonderful time for families to move and get settled before the school year starts. But, empty nesters and millennials generally start the process later in the year; more than half of buyers don't have kids under the age of 18 still in the home. In addition, employers who need to relocate employees often wait until the market starts slowing down to avoid higher rates.5. Realtor Attention: Agents are at their busiest during the spring and summer, and are often working with numerous buyers and sellers at once. If you wait until the market is in it's off season, your agent will likely be able to give you and your home more attention. When they are busy with endless showings, open houses and other appointments, it might be difficult to ensure you get the time you need or want with your Realtor.