Perrysburg Town Money Saver | September FOM 2021

Low interest rates and a pandemic-driven decision by many city dwellers to look for houses in the suburbs, has created a housing boom for much of 2020/2021. at boom has created an undeniable seller’s market in real estate.

Just what is a seller’s market? It is a marketplace in which there are fewer goods for sale than there are interested buyers, giving sellers the ability to dictate prices. Since mid-2020, there has been an extremely low inventory of homes for sale but a very high interest among purchasing parties.

By the end of February 2021, housing inventory fell to a record low of 1.02 million units. ese factors have led to a surge in competition from buyers, including bidding wars on homes and all-cash o ers to entice sellers. In December 2020, the median listing prices for singlefamily homes shot up 13.4 percent from the same time the previous year, and it hasn’t slowed down much since.

So where does this leave buyers interested in relocating?

Consider areas with slower overall price growth. Southern and mid-western United States o er the best value for home shoppers because of their meager price growth.

• Get pre-approval or have your funds ready. Speed is the way to go if a buyer is interested in a property and wants to make an o er. Having a mortgage pre-approval letter or proof of funds for a down payment ready to go.

• Work with a real estate agent. ese are complicated times and it pays for buy negotiates on the buyer’s behalf.

• Eliminate certain contingencies from the equation. Contingencies are factors that must be met before a sale can go through, according to the relocation site Moving.com. A common contingency is the need to sell one’s current home before closing on another. Asking for extended closing periods or certain home repairs are some additional contingencies that can make buyers less attractive to sellers.

• Make it personal. Buyers can o er a personalized note with the o er that may connect with the seller emotionally and set one them apart from others who have made similar o ers.

Buying in a seller’s market can be challenging. But some strategies can set buyers apart from the pack.

Exterior Renovations that Improve CURB APPEAL

Curb appeal is important. Knowing which exterior projects can o er the most bang for the buck can help homeowners make the right choices. e following are some areas where homeowners can direct their focus if their end goal is a great-looking home with added value. is report compares the average cost of 22 remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale across 136 markets.

• GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT: Homeowners can recoup 97.5% of their investment on a new garage door. is remodel tops the list for good looks and value. e average cost of $3,611 is for replacing an existing two-car garage.

• MANUFACTURED STONE VENEER: Replacing a portion of vinyl siding with stone veneer can greatly improve curb appeal, adding style that can set a home apart. Homeowners can expect to recoup a 94.9% return on their investment.

• WOOD DECK ADDITION: A wood deck addition recoups 75.6% of the cost of homeowners’ initial investment.

• SIDING REPLACEMENT: Even though a siding replacement project is costly — at roughly $16,000 — it o ers a 75% return and peace of mind that the home is being well-protected from the elements.

• NEW ENTRY DOOR: Replacing an entry door with a 20-gauge steel door with clear dual-pane half-glass panel gets homeowners 75% of their initial investment. Improving the door isn’t all about good looks, either. A door that isn’t well-insulated or secure can be problematic.

In addition to these improvements, homeowners would be wise to focus on some upgraded landscaping, an upgraded roof, new windows, and improved exterior lighting as sure re ways to add curb appeal and potential value to their homes.

Tailgating favorites

• Grab A Choice Spot: Tailgating veterans know to choose a choice spot in the parking lot to secure extra room for their shindig. That last spot in a row means more party space, as does any spot adjacent to a car-free or grassy area. If you are hosting guests inside your home, make sure there are plenty of seats with a great view of the game so everyone can see the action.

Are you ready for some football?

Whether you’re hosting a tailgate outside the stadium or a party at home for the big game, here are a few tips to ensure it will be an event your friends and family remember:

• It's all about the food: Do prep work in advance so you can join in the reveling. Fire-up the grill early, so food is ready an hour before game time.

• Kick Up Condiments: Rough & tumble football fans like some heat. Spicy peppers and relishes will give your grub an extra boost.

• Keep It Dry: Always keep a tarp or tent on hand to protect your food, friends and fun should the weather turn.

• Clean Up Your Mess: Leave your spot clean. Keep plenty of garbage bags available. Wipe down all surfaces.

Bottom line, it doesn’t matter if you win or lose it’s how you prep for the game.

Make-Ahead Citrus-Beer Punch

• 24 oz. Light Beer (Chilled)

• 1 cup Grapefruit Juice (Chilled)

• 2 cups Sugar

• 2 cups Water

• 6 Lemons

SWEET Vidalia Onion

• 2 cups nely chopped Vidalia

Juice the lemons & thinly slice the peels. Stir the sugar & water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the lemon peels, remove from the heat and cover for 5 minutes. Then remove the peels and add the lemon juice and the grapefruit juice. Stir and transfer in a pitcher. Cover & chill for 3 hours. Just before serving add the beer. Serve over ice in beer mugs and decorate with lemon slices. Makes approximately 8 servings.

Brown Sugar Soy Chicken Drumettes

• 1 stick unsalted butter

• 8-10 garlic cloves minced

• 10 oz. Soy Sauce

• 1 Box Brown Sugar

• 6 lbs. of mini chicken drumettes

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds; line 2 rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil.

2. Melt the butter in medium sauce pan. Add the garlic and sauté for approx. 1 min until fragrant. Add the soy sauce then brown sugar. Cook until the sugar is dissolved.

3. Divide drumettes between baking sheets.

4. Pour ½ of the sauce over the drumettes.

5. Bake chicken 30 to 35 minutes.

6. Drain the fat and turn the drumettes.

7. Pour the remaining sauce over the drumettes and bake another 20 to 30 minutes.

**The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the drumettes and quantity that you are making.

45 minutes, or until bubbly and top browns.

BUYING NEW TIRES

Though vehicles can’t function without them, tires are something few drivers think about until something goes wrong. A roadside flat tire or a tire rotation recommendation from a mechanic during a routine oil change appointment may be the only time many drivers give much thought to their tires.

The Kelley Blue Book notes that the life expectancy of most tires falls between 25,000 and 50,000 miles. That’s a big gap, and car owners can check their vehicle manuals to see if their vehicle manufacturer recommends a more specific replacement interval. It’s worth noting that mileage is not the only barometer drivers should use to determine if they need to buy new tires. The following tips can help drivers determine if now is the time to outfit their vehicle with new tires.

• Measure the tread. KBB notes that a tire assessment should always

include measuring the amount of remaining tread. Drivers can do this on their own in various ways. One method involves looking at the tread wear bars, which are little bridges in the grooves between the ridges. If the bars are even with the tread pattern, then the tire has very little tread remaining and must be replaced. The penny or quarter test is a popular way to determine if tires must be replaced. Insert a penny or quarter into the center of the tread between two ridges with Lincoln’s or Washington’s head facing you. If you can see the very top of the head or the space above the head, the tire must be replaced. If only a little bit of hair is visible, then the tire is nearing its end. The tire has sufficient remaining tread if the some of the forehead is concealed.

• Check for other signs of wear and tear. Little remaining tread is not the only sign tires must be replaced. Tires with cracked sidewalls, discoloration and/or bulging need to be replaced.

• Confirm a larger issue isn’t lurking. Uneven wear on tires is typically a byproduct of a larger issue. Though tires that have worn unevenly will need to be replaced, replacing them without correcting the larger issue will only lead to more uneven wear on the new tires. That’s a costly mistake. KBB notes that poor wheel alignment or suspension issues are typically to blame for uneven wear. This issue can be fixed and should be addressed prior to purchasing a new set of tires.

Tires sometimes exhibit telltale signs that they need to be replaced. Before buying replacement tires, drivers can inspect their existing ones and ask their mechanic to confirm that a larger issue isn’t affecting their performance.