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January Home Maintenance Checklist

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:30:57 GMT

New Title

December Home Maintenance Checklist

With winter fully settled in across Minnesota, December is about monitoring, adjusting, and staying ahead of cold-weather issues . At this point, most prep work should already be done—now it’s about protecting systems, preventing damage, and keeping your home running efficiently through the harshest months.

Here are a few key items to check off your list this month:

1. Furnace & Humidifier

➤ Replace or clean furnace filters if you haven’t already this heating season.
➤ Monitor humidifier settings as outdoor temperatures drop to prevent window condensation.
➤ Listen for unusual furnace noises or cycling issues—early signs of problems are easier to address now than during a cold snap.

2. Windows & Doors

➤ Watch for condensation or frost buildup on windows, especially during colder nights.
➤ Check door sweeps and weatherstripping for drafts and seal gaps where needed.
➤ Make sure windows are fully locked to create a tighter seal against cold air.

3. Plumbing & Water

➤ Inspect exposed pipes in basements, crawl spaces, and exterior walls for proper insulation.
➤ Confirm exterior water valves are shut off and hoses are fully disconnected.
➤ Keep cabinet doors open during extreme cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.

4. Roof, Attic & Snow Management

➤ Keep an eye on snow buildup along roof edges and valleys.
➤ Watch for signs of ice dams or water staining on ceilings and exterior walls.
➤ Safely remove excess snow near foundation walls to reduce moisture and ice buildup.

5. Safety & Energy Checks

➤ Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors—replace batteries as needed.
➤ Ensure fireplace flues are open before use and fully closed afterward.
➤ Review your winter emergency kit (salt, shovel, flashlight, batteries, blankets).

6. Interior Comfort & Maintenance

➤ Clean bathroom exhaust fans to help manage indoor moisture.
➤ Check attic access panels for proper insulation and sealing.
➤ Confirm thermostat schedules align with your winter routine and travel plans.

Staying proactive during December can help prevent mid-winter emergencies and extend the life of your home’s major systems. Consistent maintenance also plays a role in long-term home value—something buyers and inspectors absolutely notice.

If you ever have questions about home upkeep, winter issues, or how maintenance impacts resale, feel free to reach out.

Proper Humidifier Use During Minnesota Winters

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 15:16:50 GMT

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Proper Home Humidifier Use During Minnesota Winters

If you’ve lived through a Minnesota winter, you know how dry the air can get inside your home. Once the furnace kicks on, moisture levels drop fast—and that’s when dry skin, static shocks, and creaky floors start showing up.

A humidifier can help a lot, but only if it’s used the right way. Too much humidity can actually cause bigger problems than not enough.

Here’s what Minnesota homeowners should know.

Why Winter Air Feels So Dry

Cold air can’t hold much moisture. When that air gets heated inside your home, humidity levels drop even more. It’s common to see indoor humidity fall below 20% during winter if you’re not using a humidifier.

Benefits of Using a Humidifier Correctly

When humidity is kept in the right range, homeowners often notice:

Less dry skin, sinus irritation, and sore throats
Better sleep and easier breathing
Fewer static shocks
Protection for hardwood floors, trim, and furniture
A warmer-feeling home without cranking the thermostat

What Humidity Level Is Best?

Humidity should change as outdoor temperatures change:

Above 20°F: up to ~40%
0–20°F: around 30–35%
Below 0°F: closer to 25–30%

If you’re seeing condensation on windows, that’s a sign your humidity is too high.

*Refer to your unit for settings.*

Common Humidifier Mistakes

Leaving settings too high during extreme cold
Ignoring condensation on windows
Not cleaning or replacing humidifier components
Assuming the same setting works all winter

Humidifiers require seasonal adjustments and regular maintenance.

Bottom Line

A humidifier can make Minnesota winters much more comfortable, but balance is key. Monitor your humidity, adjust settings as temperatures change, and stay on top of maintenance to avoid moisture problems.

HOMEOWNER HUMIDIFIER CHECKLIST

Weekly / Monthly

Check humidity level with a hygrometer
Watch for window condensation
Refill portable units with clean water
Empty and dry portable units regularly

Seasonally

Replace furnace humidifier pad
Clean humidifier housing
Adjust settings as outdoor temps drop
Inspect windows for moisture buildup

Minnesota winters are tough on homes. Proper maintenance—humidity included—can help prevent long-term issues and protect your investment.

The Financial Advantage of Homeownership

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 18:35:59 GMT

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The Long-Term Financial Advantage of Homeownership

If you’ve been comparing renting vs. buying lately, you’re not alone. Renting can feel cheaper, simpler, and more predictable—no repairs, no property taxes, no maintenance surprises. You write the check and move on with your day.

But here’s what often gets overlooked: renting doesn’t help you build your financial future. Homeownership does.

For most people, a home isn’t just a place to live. It’s the primary way they grow wealth over time—without changing anything about their day-to-day lifestyle.

Renting vs. Owning: The Real Cost Difference

At its core, the difference between renting and owning comes down to where your monthly payment goes.

When you rent:
Your payment goes to your landlord. Once it’s paid, that money is gone.

When you own:
A portion of your payment comes back to you in the form of equity—the wealth you build as your home increases in value and as you pay down your mortgage.

So even if renting feels more affordable today, it comes with a long-term cost: you’re not building net worth.

And the gap between these two paths is bigger than most people realize.

What the Long-Term Data Shows

First American recently did a deep financial analysis comparing renters and owners over multiple major time periods:

2006 (start of the housing bubble)
2015 (10 years ago)
2019 (pre-pandemic “normal” market)
2022 (when mortgage rates jumped)

They factored in everything: mortgage payments, taxes, insurance, maintenance, appreciation, and equity gained from paying down the loan.

Across every time period, two things were consistent:

Renters ended up losing money over time.
Homeowners built wealth—often substantially.

In other words:
Time in a home builds wealth. Time renting doesn’t.

Even after accounting for repairs, insurance, and property taxes, homeowners came out ahead in every scenario. Meanwhile, renters continued to spend money without gaining a long-term financial benefit.

Buying doesn’t always win in the short term—everyone’s situation is different—but the longer you own, the wider the wealth gap becomes.

Affordability Is Starting To Improve

You might still be thinking, “That’s great, but buying feels out of reach right now.”

That’s fair. The past few years have been challenging for buyers. But there’s good news: the market is shifting.

Mortgage rates have started to ease.
Home price growth is slowing.
Incomes have been rising.
Zillow reports that typical monthly payments are slightly more manageable compared to this time last year.

Buying isn’t suddenly easy—but it is becoming more attainable than it was a few months ago. And historically, the long-term payoff has always favored ownership.

Bottom Line

Renting may feel simpler and less expensive today, but owning is what builds real wealth over time. With affordability beginning to improve, the path to homeownership might be more open than you think.

If you’re curious what buying could realistically look like for you, let’s connect. No pressure—just a conversation about your options and how to make the numbers work.

November Home Maintenance Checklist

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:28:21 GMT

�� November Home Maintenance Checklist

As temperatures drop and the snow starts to show up in the forecast, November is the time to prep your home for winter. A little maintenance now can prevent bigger headaches (and expenses) later.

Here are a few key items to check off your list this month:

1. Furnace & Humidifier

Change or clean furnace filters.
Test your humidifier and replace the filter or pad if needed.
If it’s been over a year since your last tune-up, schedule one before the deep cold hits.

2. Windows & Doors

Check for drafts and add weather stripping or caulk where needed.
Make sure window locks seal properly.
Swap out screens for storm windows if you have them.

3. Gutters & Downspouts

Clean out leaves and debris after the last round of falling leaves.
Make sure downspouts extend several feet from the foundation to direct water away.

4. Lawn & Exterior

Disconnect hoses and shut off exterior water valves.
Run your mower until it’s out of gas or add stabilizer for winter storage.
Cover or store patio furniture.

5. Safety Checks

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Replace batteries and check fire extinguishers.
Review your winter emergency kit (salt, shovel, blankets, flashlight, batteries).

Taking a couple of hours to get these done helps protect your investment, keeps your home efficient, and saves you stress when winter really settles in.

—

Erik Molsather | Realtor®

Coldwell Banker Realty

�� Erik.Molsather@cbrealty.com | �� (651) 357-6528

What’s Happening in the Twin Cities Market This Fall

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 19:26:52 GMT

�� What’s Happening in the Twin Cities Market This Fall

The Twin Cities housing market held steady through much of fall, but activity has started to ease as we approach the holidays. Showings are slowing slightly, and both buyers and sellers are taking a more measured approach heading into year-end.

As of late fall:

The median sale price across the metro remains just under $400,000, up about 2–3% year-over-year.
Inventory sits around 2.7 months of supply, still well below the 5-6 month level that signals a balanced market.
Mortgage rates are averaging in the range of 6.1–6.4% for a 30-year fixed loan.

Snapshot: Whether you’re buying or selling, this is a moment of opportunity. Because rates remain elevated compared to the recent past, monthly payments matter more than ever. But because inventory is still constrained, well-presented homes continue to command strong interest.

What it means right now:

Sellers: With fewer listings in the mix, you still have a chance to stand out. Focus on presentation, marketing, and pricing with the season in mind—the holiday slowdown means less competition, but also fewer impulse buyers.
Buyers: The market pace has softened, which can create favorable conditions. Sellers may be more flexible—especially with homes sitting a bit longer. But because rates remain in the 6% range, make sure your finances are lined up and your timeline is clear.
For both sides: Being prepared now will position you well when the spring market ramps up again.

If you’d like a custom snapshot of how your area is performing or what your home could sell for — let’s schedule a quick call or I can send a free report over email.

—

Erik Molsather | Realtor®

Coldwell Banker Realty

�� Erik.Molsather@cbrealty.com | �� (651) 357-6528