February Buying Advice: See what homebuyers put on their ‘must-have’ lists — and which features they realized they didn’t need.

By Melinda Fulmer of MSN Real Estate

Just as most of us have a list of traits that are non-negotiable in a spouse, every house hunter has a list of things he or she wants in a house. Of course, these features and amenities won’t necessarily ensure a match that stands the test of time.

We asked our readers to tell us what they love most about their current home and what, in hindsight, was clearly just a passing fancy. In this month’s Buying Advice, we’ll look at the real-estate love letters they wrote and compare them with what buyers are shopping for today.

We’ll also check in with the latest home-sales data that hint at a bottoming market and answer a question that many first-time homebuyers have: "Where do I start?"

Finding the perfect house
It doesn’t take a mansion to satisfy most of our readers over the long haul. Indeed, for many of those responding to last month’s query, it was the small conveniences — a laundry area near the bedrooms or a spacious closet — that helped ensure long-term love.

However, the one thing that seemed to bring the most satisfaction was a bright open space, no matter the square footage:

"Of all the houses that I have built/purchased/leased, the one issue that stands paramount is openness — large windows and an open-concept interior home plan," said reader Alan Sadler via email. "There is nothing more depressing than walls, walls and more walls."

Jane Curkendall agreed, putting at the top of her list for her next home an "open floor plan" where the kitchen and family room are together, "lots and lots of light" and "lots and lots of windows." Maybe that’s because she wound up spending so much time in her current home’s sunroom addition. "This is where our office is, and where we hang out," she said in her email.

Large windows with a nice view can make up for a home’s shortcomings, readers said.

"Our home is flooded with warm light for most of the day," said reader Ralph Banks from New York, via email. "We also still enjoy the water views out of some of the windows of our home after living here for 27 years."

Carrie Douglas, a buyer, said she is looking for "pleasant outdoor vistas visible from the windows" in her next home, as long as it also includes an up-to-date kitchen and plenty of storage space.

Also high on our readers’ lists were comfort-adding features such as central air conditioning and heat.

"Of all the improvements we have made to our house throughout the nine years in it, this has been by FAR the best investment," said Carmen Munoz, a reader from the New York area. "Our home is always at comfortable temperatures and there is so much less maintenance involved with this system than with our old … gas boiler/window A/C."

Also high on our readers’ lists of must-haves were generous kitchen cabinet storage, large closets, good-sized bedrooms and a level backyard that’s easily accessible for entertaining.

One thing Munoz said was a mistake in retrospect was the mother-in-law suite she was determined to have when she bought her home. "It has created strife within our family because people think it is OK to come stay there for extended periods of time," she said. This rarely used space has raised her heating and cooling bill, she said.

Housing-market snapshot: Sales continue to rise; prices continue to dip. But is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Existing-home sales continued to rise in December, swelling 3.6% to 4.61 million, from a downwardly revised 4.39 million in December 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. The median existing-home price dipped 2.5% from the previous year to $164,500.

While that may not sound that encouraging, economists see a glimmer of hope in the numbers. December marked the third straight month of sales increases and a 5% uptick from November.

"The pattern of home sales in recent months demonstrates a market in recovery," said Lawrence Yun, the NAR’s chief economist. "Record low mortgage interest rates, job growth and bargain home prices are giving more consumers the confidence they need to enter the market."

The total housing inventory at the end of December dropped 9.2% from November to 2.38 million homes for sale — a 6.2-month supply at the current pace — down from a 7.2-month supply in November.

Economists such as Mark Fleming from CoreLogic are now saying that 2012 should be the year the housing market starts to turn the corner as the prices for nondistressed homes begin to stabilize.

Housing sales could see a further boost this year, analysts say, as homeownership begins to look better than renting. A recent report from Capital Economics shows that the median monthly mortgage payment of about $700 is close to even with the median monthly rent, making the move to homeownership much more attractive — especially in the face of rising rental rates.

However, at least one market watcher says talk of a recovery is still premature. Lance Roberts, CEO of StreetTalk Advisors, said he doesn’t believe the market correction is over, given the high levels of debt that some consumers are still struggling with; the high number of owners who have negative equity in their homes and therefore have little ability to move; and the combination of unemployment and underemployment that is making it impossible for many to save for a down payment or qualify for a loan.

"The bottom line is that until we see a substantial REAL recovery in employment … there will be no recovery in housing," Roberts said in his X-Factor Report.

Rates will likely stay below 5% for at least the first half of the year, industry experts say.

By Amy Hoak of MarketWatch

Mortgage rates should remain low in 2012, especially in the first half of the year, according to the predictions of several industry watchers.

“We may spend the entire year below 5%,” said Greg McBride, senior financial analyst for Bankrate.com, referring to the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Rates may even fall to new lows early this year, particularly if the European debt crisis hits a crescendo, McBride added.

Already, rates are sitting at record lows. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.91% for the week ending Jan. 5, according to Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates. That ties the record for the lowest rates that have been in the history of the survey. In contrast, the highest average was 18.63% set in 1981, according to Freddie Mac.

In general, the financial troubles in Europe, combined with the Federal Reserve’s pledge to keep short-term rates on hold at least through 2013, will keep mortgage rates from rising significantly, McBride said.

Europe’s woes have caused a “flight to quality” among investors, sending their money in the direction of U.S. bonds, which has the effect of lowering mortgage rates. The Fed’s short-term rate policy also reduces long-term rates, since long-term rates “reflect expectations of where short-term rates will be in the future,” he said.

Lately, consumers have been conditioned to expect low rates. Last year, the 30-year fixed-rate conforming mortgage had its lowest annual average on record at 4.66%, according to Bankrate.

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year mortgage averaged 4.5% in 2011; the lowest weekly rates on record were posted toward the end of the year.

But whereas rates fell in the second half of 2011, they are expected to rise at least somewhat during the second half of 2012, said Frank Nothaft, chief economist of Freddie Mac.

“Operation Twist is scheduled to remain in effect until June,” Nothaft said. The intent of Operation Twist, or the Federal Reserve’s Maturity Extension Program, is to push — and keep — long-term interest rates low, which means rates should stay low for the first half of the year, he said. The Fed plan, announced in September, involves buying long-term securities and selling $400 billion in short-term debt.

But the Fed hasn’t made a commitment on whether it will extend the program beyond the June cutoff, Nothaft said.

Economic outlook
An improving economy could also cause rates to rise.

Rates on a conforming 30-year fixed-rate mortgage are expected to average 4.2% in the first quarter of 2012, and should average 4.8% by the fourth quarter, according to Freddie Mac’s forecast.

Meanwhile, HSH Associates, a publisher of consumer loan information, predicts conforming, 30-year fixed-rate mortgages will remain between 3.85% and 4.85% throughout 2012.

“Things appear to be improving domestically. The economy, employment, the housing market are showing signs of warming,” said Keith Gumbinger, vice president at HSH.

While the troubles of 2011 will certainly carry over into the new year, at least some upward emphasis on mortgage rates is expected “as things start to look a little more rosy,” he said.

But those who aren’t as optimistic about the growth of the economy have different rate forecasts. For example, Fannie Mae’s chief economist, Doug Duncan, expects rates will stay relatively flat all year, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rising to 4.1% or 4.2% at the most by the fourth quarter.

The low-rate environment means that even people who have been improving their credit quality for the past five years may have a shot at scoring some of the lowest mortgage rates in history — and they may add sales to the housing market in the process, Duncan said.

Some mortgage market watchers also think that lenders may be more willing to work with borrowers with good but not great credit in the year ahead, as the housing market and economy show some signs of improvement and lenders look to grow their business.

“I don’t see credit becoming appreciably easier. But I think what you will see is more lenders willing to dip their toes into the waters of 700 and 720 credit-score consumers,” McBride said. “You may end up, as a consumer, seeing more lenders at the table for those that have good credit scores and not just those who have great credit scores.”

But despite continued favorable mortgage rates, don’t expect great strides in the housing market just yet. The economy is still weak and unemployment is still high — two strong headwinds pushing against housing demand, even though affordability is so high, Nothaft said.

“Consumer confidence is still relatively low. And what a low reading for consumer confidence means is that consumers are nervous about their economic well-being,” he said. “If you’re feeling ill at ease, you will be reluctant to buy something that costs $200,000 to $300,000 and commit to monthly payments for 30 years.”

There are some additional hurdles for homeowners who have gone through a foreclosure, short sale or bankruptcy, but a little patience and some financial hard work will go a long way.

By Marcie Geffner of Bankrate.com

Buying a home is a challenging goal for most hopeful homeowners. But for those who have experienced a bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale, the hurdles are even higher.

Still, it’s not impossible to buy a home after financial difficulties, says Dan Keller, a mortgage banker with Hometown Lending in Everett, Wash. In fact, Keller says, people who have cleaned up their credit and are otherwise qualified to get a mortgage can buy a home as soon as they have outlasted a prescribed waiting period after the bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale.

Wait a while
The waiting period can last one to seven years, says Kirk Chivas, chief operating officer at First Commerce Financial in Wixom, Mich. The one-year requirement applies to buyers who complete a Chapter 13 bankruptcy, have a spotless subsequent credit history and want to get a new loan insured by the Federal Housing Administration or guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The seven-year requirement applies to buyers who experienced a foreclosure and want to get a new conventional loan that can be sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

In between are a number of two-, three- and four-year timelines based on similar criteria and other factors such as whether the buyer’s previous mortgage was current at the time of a short sale or the size of the buyer’s new down payment as a percentage of the home’s purchase price.

Generally speaking, the waiting periods after a bankruptcy tend to be more black and white while the waits after a foreclosure or short sale have more gray areas, Keller says. And in some cases, a waiting period can be waived or shortened if the buyer’s bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale was due to extenuating circumstances or a hardship beyond his control.

Technically, it is possible for a buyer whose prior loan wasn’t in default at the time of a short sale to get a new FHA-insured loan with no waiting period, Chivas says. But he adds that he’s never encountered anyone in that situation.

Clean credit
Buyers must have very clean or perfect credit histories before they can buy homes after bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale. A slip-up as small as one late credit card payment could disqualify a post-bankruptcy buyer from some loan programs, even if the waiting period has been completed, Keller says.

"Bankruptcy is a serious word," he says. "If you do it, it’s a get-out-jail-free card. But once you get out of bankruptcy, you need to be flawless in your credit. Don’t even drop a gum wrapper."

Credit dings can be difficult to sort out for buyers who experienced a loan modification or short sale, in part because, as Chivas says, there’s "no consistency" in how lenders report those events to the credit bureaus. Buyers should review their credit reports and correct any errors or clarify the circumstances of adverse items.

Stable employment can be a plus, too, Keller says, noting that some loan programs are more lenient than others. "If there was a gap," he says, "it needs to be explained."

Consult a loan pro
Given these complexities, buyers are advised to consult a loan officer or mortgage broker early on for advice that applies to their situation.

"They may think they’re fine, but if they’re not talking to a professional, their hopes can get dashed or crushed," Chivas says. "That’s why you want to speak to someone as soon as you start dreaming it up in your head" that you want to buy a home after a bankruptcy, foreclosure or short sale.

By: Sal Vaglica, This Old House magazine

The cold, wet stuff has a way of ar­riving without regard for our busy schedules. It’s not a problem if the only items on your to-do list are making snow angels and taking a nap, but if you need to clear the path to the car quickly—and drive off safely—it pays to prepare. Start with the right equipment and deicers, then stick to these time-tested removal methods. You’ll be on your way—or back inside making cocoa—in no time.

Before the ground freezes…

…drive tall stakes around plant beds near paths and driveways so that you know where to stop shoveling.
Pro Tip: "If your shrubs get loaded down with snow, leave them alone—you’ll do more damage trying to shake it off." —Rick Kier, president, Pro Scapes Landscape and Lawn Care, Jamesville, N.Y.

A liquid magnesium chloride blend…

…applied with a garden sprayer a few hours before a storm, can melt slow accumulations of less than 2 inches and keep ice from bonding to hard surfaces. Count on using 1 gallon for every 1,000 square feet.

Look for a shovel…

…with a lightweight plastic or aluminum blade coated with a nonstick finish to make loading and unloading a breeze. Avoid a blade so big you’ll be tempted to overload it; an ergonomic, S-shaped shaft will save your back by requiring less bending. Avoid using metal blades on softer materials, such as wooden decking. A pusher—basically a shovel with a C-shaped blade—is handy for clearing lightweight, fluffy snow.

Pros recommend…

…shoveling several times, even while it’s still storming, so that snow doesn’t get a chance to bond to surfaces. (It’s also a lot easier to shovel 2 inches of snow than 5.) Get down to the pavement beneath so that sunlight can warm it up and prevent ice from forming.

Don’t heap snow…

…on foundation walls, where melting water can refreeze and cause cracks to widen, or against anything made of wood, which is also susceptible to water damage.

Rock salt is cheap…

…and works at temperatures above 12 degrees F, but it’s tough on shrubs and grass and can eat away at concrete. Two other salts, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, cost more but are less harsh (though still not great for plants) and work at much lower temps than rock salt (from 20 to 25 degrees below zero F). Still pricier is a nonsalt option called urea. It’s usually used as a fertilizer, and it can be a little tough to find. Wear gloves when spreading any deicer by hand. For large areas, use a handheld spreader or a push spreader, but not a grass spreader (the deicing granules will gunk up its gears). Store deicers off the floor or in a sealed bucket to keep them dry.

Use sand or kitty litter…

…to add traction to slippery surfaces. Choose sandbox sand over mason’s sand, which is too fine. Or try alfalfa meal, a slow-acting fertilizer that also helps melt snow—your yard will thank you.

A snowblower is quickest…

…to clear large flat areas. Use one when there’s at least 11/2 inches of white stuff on the ground. Before each use, spray the exit chute with silicone to keep snow from sticking (furniture polish also works). When you’re done, let the machine run for a few minutes to dry out, which will help prevent vital parts from being damaged by freezing. Then drive carefully—or stay home and build a snowman with the kids.

Many homeowners believe their policies will cover them for any and all damages, but the reality can be an expensive surprise.

By Angie Mohr of Investopedia

Homeowners insurance is one of the most common types of insurance and one of the least understood. Many homeowners believe that their policies will cover them for practically any damage to the house or contents. The reality is that homeowners policies contain many exclusions and restrictions on coverage that can leave you with a coverage gap.

Here are five areas where homeowners assume they have coverage but may not.

1. Loss-of-use coverage
If you have damage to your home severe enough that you cannot live in it while it is repaired, you may expect that the insurance company will put you up in a hotel while the work is being done. But not all policies include a loss-of-use provision. If you have to pay for a hotel, meals and other services out of pocket, it can add up quickly and put you at financial risk. If loss of use is covered, it will be stated explicitly in your policy, along with any limits of coverage. For example, your policy may state a maximum per diem amount or restrict the length of time the expenses will be paid.

2. Replacement cost
Replacement cost in a homeowners policy refers to valuing the loss at the amount it will cost to replace the item. For example, if your four-year-old computer is lost in a fire, replacement-cost coverage would allow you to purchase a new one with similar features. Most homeowners believe that is what will happen if they have a claim, but most policies do not carry this clause. If not included, losses will be valued at what they were worth in their condition before the calamity. The 4-year-old computer might be valued at $250 — not enough to purchase a new one. Replacement-cost clauses are a valuable inclusion in a homeowners policy.

3. Flood coverage
Almost all homeowners policies exclude flood coverage, along with earthquakes and other natural disasters. Floods can occur from a number of causes, such as a hurricane, burst pipes or sewer backup. A flood is one of the most common causes of home damage and the destruction of contents. Some companies specialize in flood coverage. If you live in a susceptible area, look into having a separate flood policy. Your mortgage company may require this additional coverage.

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4. Termites
Termites live all over North America but are most destructive in Southern climates where their life cycles are not affected by cold weather. Termites eat wood — lots of it — and can eat the supports in your house as easily as fallen leaves in the forest. They live in large colonies and, collectively, can destroy the structure of your home. Repairing termite damage and eradicating them can cost thousands of dollars. Most policies exclude termites and other pest damage. If you live in a susceptible area, the best insurance is to have the house regularly checked and sprayed by a professional.

5. Valuation of loss
When you have a claim, the insurance company will send out an appraiser to determine the extent of the damage and the best way to fix it. The appraiser will assess a value to the loss, which will be the minimum the insurance company can pay in order to meet its contractual obligations. However, you do not have to take that value as final. If you can prove your loss should be valued higher, you can negotiate the settlement with the company. Keeping receipts and pictures of valuable items will help you back up your claim.

To know what is in your homeowners policy, you should read it thoroughly. Look for exclusions to coverage and decide how you will cover those risks. In some cases, your insurance company will have separate add-ons that it can attach to your policy, or you can get specialized insurance from another company. For risks that cannot be insured, analyze how you will financially cover those risks if they should happen.

By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon

Home improvement trends embrace energy efficiency, low maintenance exteriors, and double-duty space

Today’s home improvement trends show that we like our houses to work harder and smarter for the money we spend maintaining and improving their value.

We no longer want bigger; instead, we want space that’s flexible, efficient, and brings order to chaos.

We’re watching our wattage with monitors and meters, and guarding our weekends with maintenance-free exteriors.

Here’s a look at 7 hot home improvement trends that improve the way we live with our homes.

Trend #1: Maintenance-free siding

We continue to choose maintenance-free siding that lives as long as we do, but with a lot less upkeep. But more and more we’re opting for fiber-cement siding, one of the fastest-growing segments of the siding market. It’s a combination of cement, sand, and cellulosic fibers that looks like wood but won’t rot, combust, or succumb to termites and other wood-boring insects.

At $5 to $9 per sq. ft., installed, fiber-cement siding is more expensive than paint-grade wood, vinyl, and aluminum siding. It returns 80% of investment, the highest return of any upscale project on Remodeling magazine’s latest Cost vs. Value Report.

Maintenance is limited to a cleaning and some caulking each spring. Repaint every 7 to 15 years. Wood requires repainting every 4 to 7 years.

Trend #2: Convertible spaces

Forget “museum rooms” we use twice a year (dining rooms and living rooms) and embrace convertible spaces that change with our whims.

Foldaway walls turn a private study into an easy-flow party space. Walls can consist of fancy, glass panels ($600 to $1,600 per linear ft., depending on the system); or they can be simple vinyl-covered accordions ($1,230 for 7 ft. by 10 ft.). PortablePartions.com sells walls on wheels ($775 for approximately 7 ft. by 7 ft.).

A Murphy bed pulls down from an armoire-looking wall unit and turns any room into a guest room. Prices, including installation and cabinetry, range from $2,000 (twin with main cabinet) to more than $5,000 (California king with main and side units). Just search online for sellers.
And don’t forget area rugs that easily define, and redefine, open spaces.

Trend #3: A laundry room of your own

Humankind advanced when the laundry room arose from the basement to a louvered closet on the second floor where clothes live. Now, we’re taking another step forward by granting washday a room of its own.

If you’re thinking of remodeling, turn a mudroom or extra bedroom into a dedicated laundry room big enough to house the washer and dryer, hang hand-washables, and store bulk boxes of detergent.

Look for spaces that already have plumbing hookups or are adjacent to rooms with running water to save on plumbing costs.

Trend #4: Souped-up kitchens

Although houses are trending smaller, kitchens are getting bigger, according to the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey.

Kitchen remodels open the space, perhaps incorporating lonely dining rooms, and feature recycling centers, large pantries, and recharging stations.

Oversized and high-priced commercial appliances—did we ever fire up six burners at once?—are yielding to family-sized, mid-range models that recover at least one cabinet for storage.

Since the entire family now helps prepare dinner (in your dreams), double prep sinks have evolved into dual-prep islands with lots of counter space and pull-out drawers.

Trend #5: Energy diets

We’re wrestling with an energy disorder: We’re binging on electronics—cell phones, iPads, Blackberries, laptops—then crash dieting by installing LED fixtures and turning the thermostat to 68 degrees.

Are we ahead of the energy game? Only the energy monitors and meters know for sure.

These new tracking devices can gauge electricity usage of individual electronics ($20 to $30) or monitor whole house energy ($100 to $250). The TED 5000 Energy Monitor ($240) supplies real-time feedback that you can view remotely and graph by the second, minute, hour, day, and month.

Trend #6: Love that storage

As we bow to the new god of declutter, storage has become the holy grail.

We’re not talking about more baskets we can trip over in the night; we’re imagining and discovering built-in storage in unlikely spaces—under stairs, over doors, beneath floors.

Under-appreciated nooks that once displayed antique desks are growing into built-ins for books and collections. Slap on some doors, and you can hide office supplies and buckets of Legos.

Giant master suites, with floor space to land a 747, are being divided to conquer clutter with more walk-in closets.

Trend #7: Home offices come out of the closet

Flexible work schedules, mobile communications, and entrepreneurial zeal are relocating us from the office downtown to home.

Laptops and wireless connections let us telecommute from anywhere in the house, but we still want a dedicated space (preferably with a door) for files, supplies, and printers.

Spare bedrooms are becoming home offices and family room niches are morphing into working nooks. After a weekend of de-cluttering, basements and attics are reborn as work centers.

Many Americans are searching for things that they can do to improve their environment, such as participating in community cleanups and driving more efficient cars. One great thing that almost any homeowner can do to make a big difference is to plant a rain garden. Rain gardens naturally absorb and filter large amounts of rainwater during storms that would otherwise turn into runoff, causing pollution and flooding downstream and depleting the local water table. A well-designed rain garden can increase absorption by up to thirty percent.

Basically any low-lying area that tends to collect water during heavy rain and has been planted with plants chosen for their ability to thrive in such conditions is a rain garden. Planting a rain garden can be as simple as planting the areas of your landscape that already tend to collect water in heavy rains with better-adapted plants, or it can be something big enough to require landscape designers and serious construction. For most homeowners the best solution will likely be something between the extremes. Any rain garden, though, is better than nothing. Every ounce of rainwater that is naturally filtered and reabsorbed into the local water table helps to ensure a healthy, plentiful local water supply as well as protecting the environment downstream from flooding and pollution.

There are four main things that the most successful rain gardens all have:

1. A low-lying area that fills with water during storms and holds it long enough to be absorbed effectively

2. Plants chosen for their ability to thrive in intermittent flooding and drought, absorbing and retaining water in storm conditions

3. Loose soil that will effectively absorb storm overflow and transmit it into the water table

4. Mulch which will absorb water and provide natural nutrients to the plants

You most likely already know the best part of your landscape for collecting water; you probably consider it a problem area. Those places are usually the best for starting a rain garden, especially if runoff from your roof and lawn drain into the area (the most free-flowing and polluted water on most landscapes). A rain garden should be planted at least ten feet away from any buildings to prevent the excess water from damaging the foundation. To prepare the area, dig to around two feet deep and loosen the soil, adding lighter soil or sand if your soil is very dense or clay-like. This process will give you excess dirt, which can be simply moved away or used to raise the area surrounding your rain garden to capture even more water.

There are lots of plants that are perfect for rain gardens: not only well-adapted to alternating standing water and drought, but also attractive. Japanese Iris, Aster, Calla Lilies, and Cannas are all staples of rain gardens. When considering other plants for your rain garden, I recommend using native plants when possible, as they are often more readily adaptable to local conditions.

Good mulch serves several uses in your rain garden. It prevents erosion, which is a big concern in an area exposed to large amounts of rainwater. It also helps to seal the moisture into the ground, allowing it time to enter the water table. Mulch also helps to keep your rain garden low-maintenance by discouraging weeds and providing natural organic nutrients as it decomposes. A thick layer (a couple of inches) of a heavy organic mulch is optimal. You’ll want to choose something coarse that will not float as easily as wood chips or shreds. Do not use grass clippings as mulch in a rain garden, as they produce too much fertilizer and could damage your plants.

Taking these four things into account should do well for a small, simple rain garden. For larger gardens you’ll certainly want to do more research, and maybe hire a professional to help you. As with most gardening and landscaping projects, help can usually be found at university extension offices or gardening clubs.

Thomas Andrews

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

By Christopher Solomon of MSN Real Estate

Did it feel like Jack Frost and Old Man Winter were engaged in a tag-team battle with your poor house this past winter?

Winter weather insinuates itself into every corner of your property, resulting in damage such as loose shingles and cracks in the driveway — and sometimes it even pounds its way inside.

Now that spring is here and you’ve shaken off your hibernation, it’s time to head outside, survey the damage and kick-start repairs before that damage gets any worse — not to mention more expensive.

"But where should I begin?" you ask.

The home-repair experts know. That’s why we’ve asked them to share their post-winter to-do lists. Read on for their advice on nine common issues.

1. Reseal the driveway

"The first thing that I would think about doing is possibly re-seal-coating your driveway," says Paul Ryan, a home-improvement expert, licensed contractor and a licensed adjuster in Minnesota. "In the wintertime, you’re getting a lot of water in the cracks, you’re getting a lot of freeze-thaw, a lot of expansion in the cracks" that will cause the driveway to deteriorate further come spring and summer, Ryan says.

Prepare the driveway first by filling in cracks with a crack sealer — a tedious job, but a necessary one, he says; otherwise the cracks will continue to expand and contract.

2. Inspect the roof

If you’ve had leaks during heavy storms, you’ll want to deal with those once the weather clears. Either use binoculars and go around your house looking for broken shingles and loose metal flashing or — if you can do it safely — get up on your roof and do the same, says Don Vandervort, a home-improvement expert and founder of HomeTips.com.

Look for holes in flashing where two roof planes come together or where the roof meets a dormer or chimney. If you’re worried about a leak, look for its source, which often is higher than where water has come in. Or go into the attic — and step carefully — to check for signs of moisture, Vandervort says.

3. Clean up stains

If your roof has been leaking, the ceiling underneath the leak may be stained yellow or brown. You can try to simply touch it up with paint, but the stain will likely show right through, Vandervort says. Instead, seal the stain first with a primer/sealer such as Kilz. Then repaint the ceiling. 4. Deal with your deck

Fear not: This isn’t a chore for every spring. Every few years, however, you should reseal your deck, Ryan says.

The sealer can be applied either via a fine-mist sprayer or with a brush or roller, he says. If you use a sprayer, make sure it’s one designed for a water sealer. Those sprayers create a finer mist than regular paint sprayers, he says.

Ryan usually pressure-washes the deck before resealing it.

"But you don’t have to do it real aggressively," he says.

Be careful: If you use the wrong attachment or get the pressure washer too close to the deck, you can damage the wood. Make sure you test the water’s spray and your technique on a section that won’t be seen.

5. Mend fences

"Something I have to do every year is fix my fence," Ryan says. "We get a ton of snow up here in Minnesota" and a lot of it pushes on the fence, rotting and loosening the slats and posts. Come spring, Ryan takes a careful walk along the fence line, looking for pieces that need to be reattached and others that need to be replaced.

"If you don’t do it, a couple weeks into the season you’ll notice that your dog’s not there," he says.

6. Unclog that spout

Winter wreaks havoc on gutters and downspouts. Storms clog them with leaves, while icy weather, especially in the Northeast and Midwest, creates ice dams that bend and break gutters from their moorings and render them unprepared to swallow spring’s showers. The first patch of dry spring weather is the chance to get them back in shape. Get up on a sturdy ladder and clean them out, with the help of a trowel and a pair of heavy gloves, and repair them if you can, Vandervort says.

7. Deal with winter’s water

"So many parts of the country have been hit by major weather, especially this winter, that snow buildup and heavy rains have occurred and a lot of water, if the grading around the house isn’t right, can work its way back into the home," Vandervort says.

Now’s the time to banish any lingering water or moisture from the basement. Fail to act and you eventually may be wrestling with enemies such as dry rot and mold. What to do? Depending on your water problem, Vandervort says you may need to install a sump pump.

8. Caulk those leaks

At winter’s end, Ryan likes to walk around his house, checking the caulking on siding where the walls come together — the place where there’s a lot of expansion and contraction.

"It’s a good idea to get that sealed up before the rains of spring come," he says.

Do the same around windows, looking for cracks in the caulk.

Depending on your siding, an exterior paintable caulk is often the type to use, Ryan says; if you use a clear caulk of 100% silicone, "paint doesn’t stick to it."

9. Service the storm door

Winter winds slap around the humble storm door.

"Often, the door closer becomes bent, breaks or pulls away from the doorjamb," Vandervort says.

Now that you have a spring breather, fix the door. And as you change out the storm panels with screens for warmer weather, make sure the screens are in good shape. If they’re not, you’ll want to repair or replace them.

The big question is - how do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a con artist? BBB offers the following advice:

**If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, they will have a badge, a handheld device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice.  Ask to see their identification and their badge before answering their questions.  However, you should never invite anyone you don’t know into your home.

**Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information.  Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if they claim they need it for the U.S. Census.

REMEMBER, NO MATTER WHAT THEY ASK, YOU REALLY ONLY NEED TO TELL THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE AT YOUR ADDRESS.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, YOU DON’T HAVE TO ANSWER ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION. The Census Bureau will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers, nor will employees solicit donations.  Any one asking for that information is NOT with the Census Bureau.

AND REMEMBER, THE CENSUS BUREAU HAS DECIDED NOT TO WORK WITH ACORN ON GATHERING THIS INFORMATION. No Acorn worker should approach you saying he/she is with the Census Bureau.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, the Census Bureau will not contact you by E-mail, so be on the lookout for E-mail scams impersonating the Census.

Never click on a link or open any attachments in an E-mail that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

By Mai Ling at MSN Real Estate

If you’re thinking about selling your home in 2010, you might want to push your planning into high gear.

Even though the peak buying months have been in summer for the past decade, according to Forbes that trend could get pushed up by a season or two because of the newly extended $8,000 homebuyer tax credit, which requires buyers to close on a home by April 30 to participate. From Forbes:

"The beginning of the year is going to be make-it-or-break-it," says (Trulia.com spokesman Ken) Shuman. "If you’re a seller, get your property listed as early in the year as you can."

Obviously, that’s not going to work out for everybody. One reason the strongest sale months are in summer is because it’s easier on families with children in school, not to mention that weather plays a big role in how a move turns out.

But for those of you who are a little more flexible with your sell date, Forbes urges you to get your home ready as soon as possible for buyers who are forced to speed up their decisions to take advantage of the tax credit:

"This year, we’re anticipating sales will peak earlier," says Nicole Hall, editor-in-chief of Lendingtree.com, an online mortgage comparison service. "The best time to get your house on the market will be February or early March, and maybe even earlier if you want to avoid competition."

No, the weather most likely won’t be working in your favor, especially if you’re unable to showcase your normally superb landscape when it’s covered in a layer of snow. But the article notes that there still are ways to show off your home and yard, including sprucing up holiday decorations and keeping your sidewalks clear of snow and other debris.

Pay close attention to what your local market is doing, too. Hall urges sellers to read local real-estate blogs, while keeping an eye not only on price fluctuations, but also on the unemployment rate.

And before you get in a panic, just remember, as Forbes points out, "Nothing about the last few years in real estate has been traditional."