First-Time Home Buyer? Here’s What Not to Do Date:March 7, 2013|Category:Tips & Advice|Author:LearnVest Our friends at LearnVest offer sound financial tips and advice for every aspect of life. Check out these friendly warnings for prospective home buyers. Insanely low mortgage interest rates — and the knowledge that they’ll eventually go up again — make a lot of people feel like it’s time to buy a house right now. And maybe it is … if you go about it the right way. Buying a home is a major purchase (to put it mildly), and there are plenty of ways to trip up. But don’t worry — we’ve got your primer right here. Don’t … buy a house if you’re planning to move again soon If you’re a renter, it can be frustrating to write a rent check every month and have no home equity to show for it at the end of the year. But if you aren’t certain that you’re going to stay put for a few years, it’s probably not the right time to buy — equity or no equity. “Some people tend to buy a house knowing that they’re going to be relocating after a few years,” says LearnVest Planning Services certified financial planner Ellen Derrick. “Don’t buy property and automatically assume that you’ll be able to rent it out or sell it when you move.” What to do: If you aren’t in an area with a strong rental market that would allow you to cover the mortgage on your home if you move elsewhere, then stick with a rental for now. Don’t … bust your budget Shopping for houses can make you a little giddy. Look at this one! And this one! For a little bit more, you could get granite countertops, plus an office nook! You’re dealing with such large numbers when you’re browsing real estate that it might not seem like such a huge deal to stretch another $10,000 or $15,000 to get the home you really love. But that’s not a game you want to play. “People look at the top end of their affordable monthly payment, and they don’t really think about what happens if their income goes down or they have to change jobs,” says Derrick. (If you’re wondering what percentage of your budget should go toward housing, check out the 50/20/30 Rule.) What to do: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Not only will this prove that you’re serious to your real estate agent and home sellers; it will also give you an idea of your upper limit. “Remember that the lender is there to make you a loan, and the more money you borrow, the better it is for them,” Derrick says. “They want you to max out. I would take the pre-approval number and cut about 20 percent off.” Don’t … forget about added costs Buying a home isn’t just a matter of replacing a rental payment with a mortgage payment. There are also maintenance costs, utilities (which will likely cost more) and property taxes. “People tend to forget about both property taxes and insurance when they’re thinking about how much house they can afford,” Derrick says. “The actual monthly payment could end up being well out of your price range when you figure those things in.” What to do: Ask the homeowners about their average utility costs and property taxes, get a homeowner’s insurance quote, and budget about one percent of the home’s purchase price for annual maintenance. Then run the numbers to see if you can afford the home. (And, don’t forget about closing costs.)
Real Estate Company Granby CT – 5 best markets to sell a home – Real Estate Brokerage Granby CT
5 best markets to sell a home 5 best markets to sell a home In these metro areas, housing prices are rising, and homes with a ‘for sale’ sign are getting snatched up in no time, according to Realtor.com. Oakland, Calif. 1 of 5 Median listing price: $419,000 Average days on market: 14 When homes are put up for sale in Oakland, they don’t last long. In February, houses were on the market for an average of just two weeks before they were sold, according to Realtor.com. As a result, they often attract multiple offers and sell for more than the asking price, according to Leslie Appleton-Young, chief economist for the California Association of Realtors. Related: 10 great foreclosure deals The housing supply is tight, thanks to real estate investors who make up about 20% of Oakland’s market. These days, most investors keep the homes and rent them out, rather than fixing them up and trying to resell like they used to. “Investors don’t flip anymore,” Appleton-Young said. Despite the competition for homes, prices are still down more than a third from their mid-2006 peak. NEXT: Sacramento, Calif. Source: Realtor.com Realtor.com bases its rankings on median listings prices, supplies of homes for sale, and days to sell new listing. Housing markets include the entire metro areas. By Les Christie @CNNMoney – Last updated March 14 2013 06:22 AM ET
Real Estate Brokerage Granby CT – 5 best markets to buy a home – Real Estate Company Granby CT
5 best markets to buy a home Looking to buy a home? In these cities, prices are attractive, there are plenty of homes to choose from — and buyers have the upper hand, according to Realtor.com. Southern South Carolina 1 of 5 Median listing price: $269,900 Days on market: 156 This large metro area in southern South Carolina includes old towns like Beaufort, as well as more modern developments like the resort communities on Hilton Head Island. “[The area] has history and charm without the hassles of bigger cities,” said Edward Dukes, a broker with Low Country Real Estate. Related: 5 best markets to sell a home The region was also the best buyers’ market in the nation in February, according to Realtor.com. Home prices dropped 5% from the year before, hitting a median price of $269,900. Homes stay on the market for an average of 156 days, giving buyers plenty of time to shop around and bargain with sellers. But the great deals may not last long. “More deals are closing, there are more multiple bids, and fewer homes on the market,” said Dukes. NEXT: Reading, Pa. 5 best markets to buy a home
Real Estate Company Granby CT – Best of Q&A: How Are Comps Determined For Refinancing? Real Estate Brokerage Granby CT
Best of Q&A: How Are Comps Determined For Refinancing? Real Estate NewsMar 15, 2013By: Deidre Woollard Each week we feature some of the many questions that come in to the REALTOR®.com Q&A section. Today’s question comes from North Haven, CT. Q: We are having an appraisal done to determine our home’s current value for a refinance. Much of the advice I’ve been reading online has said to research your own comps to have an idea of how an appraisal will come back. All of the online tools I’ve been using pull up the recent sales in the area of houses built somewhat close to the same year as mine. And this is where my question is. We gutted this house down to the studs and upgraded every single thing in it. So, comparing this home to other 1950′s homes in the area doesn’t seem accurate (or fair) to me. Does a Realtor take all of that into account when doing the comps? Or do they just stick with the year built when looking at comparable sales? A: The appraiser will take into account that your home is upgraded and if the comps are in superior or inferior condition to yours. They will make adjustments on the appraisal for that. Its not an exact science but usually it works. Generally, though, it’s not great to have the BEST home on the block, at least for refinancing purposes. Make sure you give the appraisal a LIST of all upgrades, their cost and when they were done to have everything factored into your market value. – Vince Curtis, Brokers West Appraisal
Real Estate Brokerage Granby CT – The Top 10 Real Estate Tax Deductions for Homeowners – Real Estate Company Granby CT
The Top 10 Real Estate Tax Deductions for Homeowners Real Estate News | Mar 15, 2013 By: Sam DeBord As the time to file income taxes approaches, we need to take a new look at the changing tax landscape for homeowners. The dynamic atmosphere in Washington, D.C. has a different effect each year on which tax breaks are proposed, rescinded, changed, and extended for taxpayers who own a home. Thanks to the efforts of many real estate industry groups including the National Association of Realtors, many of the tax benefits that homeowners enjoy–which were on the chopping block over the past few months–have been protected and extended through the 2013 tax season. Disclaimer – This is only an informational summary of current tax issues in the news. If you need tax advice, please contact a tax attorney or CPA 1. Mortgage Interest Deduction The mortgage interest deduction has always been the most-beloved tax benefit of home buyers in the U.S. New homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are made up almost entirely by interest for the first few years. Their ability to deduct that interest can result in a healthy reduction in tax liability. Affordability for first-time home buyers is directly linked to their ability to deduct the interest on their mortgage. Homeowners who itemize their deductions can deduct the interest paid on a mortgage with a balance of up to $1 million. While there is some movement to limit the total itemized deductions for taxpayers with higher incomes (over $400,000), the current deductions holds for all tax brackets. Americans save around $100 million every year by deducting mortgage interest on their tax returns. 2. Home Improvement Loan Interest Deduction The interest on home equity loans used for “capital improvements” to a home can also be a tax deduction. On loans with balances of up to $100,000, the interest is tax-deductible for a homeowner who uses the loan to make improvements to the home such as adding square footage, upgrading the components of the home, or repairing damage from a natural disaster. Maintenance items like changing the carpet and painting a home are usually not included as capital improvement projects. 3. Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Deduction Homeowners who make a down payment of less than 20% are usually paying some sort of Private Mortgage Insurance. PMI (sometimes abbreviated MIP or just MI), can be a few dollars to hundreds of dollars per month, and it is a large portion of many homeowners’ mortgage payments. If your mortgage was originated after Jan 1, 2007, and you have PMI, it can be a tax deduction. The deduction is phased out, 10% per $1,000, for taxpayers who have an adjusted gross income between $100,000-$109,000 and those above that level do not qualify. The extension of this tax deduction in 2013 was one of many last-second saves by real estate industry advocates. 4. Mortgage Points/Origination Deduction Homeowners who paid points on their home purchase or refinance can often deduct those points on their tax returns. Points, often called origination fees, are usually percentage-based fees which a lender charges to originate a loan. A one percent fee on a $100,000 loan would be one point, or $1,000. On a home purchase loan, taxpayers can deduct the entirety of the points that they paid in the same year. On a refinance loan, the points must be deducted as an amortization over the life of the loan. Many taxpayers forget about this amortized benefit over time, so it’s important to keep good records on the deduction of points on a refinance. 5. Energy Efficiency Upgrades/Repairs Deduction Homeowners can deduct the cost of the building materials used for energy efficiency upgrades to their home. This is actually a tax credit, one which is applied as a direct reduction of how much tax you owe, not just a reduction in your taxable income. 10 percent of the total bill for energy-efficient materials can be used as a tax credit, up to a maximum $500 credit. Insulation, doors, new roofs, and many other items qualify for the energy efficiency credit. There are also individual limits for certain items, such as $150 for furnaces, $200 for windows, and $300 for air conditioners and heat pumps. 6. Profit on Sale of Real Estate Deduction If you’ve sold a home in the past year, you’re likely aware that individuals can claim up to $250,000 of profit from the sale tax-free, and married couples can claim up to $500,000 tax-free. Of course, there are some requirements to escaping the capital gains tax on this profit. The home must be a primary residence. This means that you must have lived in the home, as your primary residence, for two of the past five years. You could rent it out for years one, three, and five, while living in it for years two and four. In this way, a homeowner could potentially claim this tax break on multiple homes within a fairly short time frame, but each tax-free sale must occur at least two years apart from the previous tax-free transaction. 7. Real Estate Selling Cost Deduction For those lucky folks whose profits on the sale of their home might exceed the $250k/$500k limits, there are still some ways to reduce the tax burden. The costs of selling the home can be significant, and those in themselves can be claimed as tax deductions. By adding up all of the fees paid at closing, capital improvements made to the home while you owned it, money spent to make repairs to damaged property, and marketing costs necessary to sell the home, you can add a significant figure to the cost basis of your home. This basically raises the original price you paid for the home. Your cost basis begins with the original price of the home, and then adds in the improvement and selling costs. When the new cost basis price is compared to your selling price, it reduces your potentially-taxable profit on the home significantly. 8. Home Office Deduction The home office tax deduction is often cited as a deduction that increases your likelihood of being audited. While the raw numbers might add some credibility to that perception, it’s really the way a home office is deducted that gets some taxpayers into audit purgatory. This deduction, when used correctly, is just as safe as any other. Homeowners deduct a percentage of their mortgage, utilities, and repair bills in direct proportion to the amount of their home that is dedicated office space. There are a few hard and fast rules to live by when deducting the costs of your home office. The home office must be your principal place of business (the primary office location where you get the majority of your work done). It needs to be exclusively used for business (it can’t be your kitchen by day and office by night). You need to be realistic with its size and use (unless you enjoy audits). 9. Property Tax Deduction New homeowners often don’t know that their property taxes are deductible. While it may sound strange to have a tax-deductible tax, the overall effect is that you don’t pay income tax on money that was spent on property taxes. Homeowners should be careful to only deduct the amount of property tax actually paid to their local municipality for the year. This is not necessarily the amount you paid to your escrow account, and should not include any other city/county fees that might potentially be on the same bill as your property taxes. 10. Loan Forgiveness Deduction The Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act of 2007 was created when short sales were becoming a new and growing part of the real estate market. An underwater homeowner might convince their lender to agree to a short sale of their home at $100,000, even though they owe $150,000 on their mortgage. While the lender forgives the extra $50,000 owed after the short sale, the government views it as $50,000 in taxable income (a gift from the lender to the borrower). The Debt Forgiveness Act temporarily relieved the taxpayer of that burden, but was set to expire this year. Through much effort, it was extended along with many other homeowner tax relief measures this year and homeowners can continue to claim this tax relief in 2013. IRS-suggested disclaimer: To the extent that this message or any attachment concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. This message was written to support the promotion or marketing of the transactions or matters addressed herein, and the taxpayer should seek advice based on the taxpayer’s particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
Real Estate Brokerage Granby CT – Zillow CEO: ‘Housing Is Back; There’s No Question’ – Real Estate Company Granby CT
Zillow CEO: ‘Housing Is Back; There’s No Question’ Date:March 14, 2013|Category:Zillow|Author:Jill Simmons This morning, Zillow CEO Spencer Rascoff appeared on Bloomberg’s “In the Loop with Betty Liu” to discuss Zillow’s 2013 housing outlook, discount brokerages and the millions of listings (rentals, Make Me Move, pre-foreclosures and foreclosures) that can be found on Zillow and not on other real estate sites. Watch the segment here or by clicking on the image below.
#1 Real Estate Broker Farmington Valley – 5 DIY Tips for Home Staging on the Cheap – #1 Real Estate Brokerage Farmington Valley CT
5 DIY Tips for Home Staging on the Cheap Date:March 7, 2013|Category:Tips & Advice|Author:Mary Boone Your home’s been on the market for a while now, and you’re not getting any offers. Your real estate agent has suggested professional staging, but that’s just not in the budget. What’s a desperate home seller to do? You might consider a staging consultation. Many home stagers will provide room-by-room assessments for homeowners, offering tips about paint colors, furniture placement, improving traffic patterns and more. Most consultations last about two hours and won’t break the bank at $150 to $250. Or, you can use these five low-cost, do-it-yourself staging tips to create a space that sells: No. 1: Cut the clutter Get boxes and tape, and start packing. Clothes, books, toys, extra pots and pans – pack up everything you don’t absolutely need during the next two or three months. Remember that potential buyers will be opening closets and drawers; if it looks like there’s not room for your things, buyers will assume storage will be tight for them as well. Too much furniture can also make a space look cluttered. Your home will look bigger if it’s not jam-packed. Go through the house room by room and ask yourself what you can live without. See if your friends are willing to store your things until the house sells, or consider renting a short-term storage unit. No. 2: Let the sunshine in “I advise homeowners to open all their window coverings,” says Maureen Bray, owner of Portland, OR-based Rooms Solution Staging. “Don’t just open the blinds — raise them to the top to allow people to see the view and let in light. Home buyers love light, bright rooms.” Of course, that means windows must be cleaned inside and out, and window sills need to be wiped down. Got a view you’re not so crazy about showcasing? Consider blinds that can be angled to let in light, or hang sheer panels. What if you have those heavy, expensive, custom drapes and valances that were popular 20 years ago? “Take them down,” says Bray. “You got your money’s worth out of them. Today’s buyers want light.” No. 3: Clean, then clean some more “I always tell people, ‘Clean like there’s no tomorrow.’” says Bray. “A really clean house gives buyers the impression that it has been well-maintained.” Unfortunately, a one-time cleaning won’t do the trick. You’ll need to keep at it until your house sells. Knock down cobwebs, wipe counter tops, scrub grout, mop floors, wash light fixtures and repeat. If cleaning bathtubs and wiping down baseboards is simply not your area of expertise, consider hiring a weekly cleaning service. Yes, it’s an investment, but if it shortens your selling time, it’s money well spent. No. 4: Set the scene Want buyers to fall in love with your house the moment they see it? First impressions matter. Your lawn must be mowed and edged, bushes must be trimmed, and flower beds must be weeded and topped with fresh mulch or bark. Add colorful flowers near the front door, either in flowerbeds or pots. You’ll make your home even tougher to resist if you borrow or rent a power washer to clean grimy sidewalks, driveways, stairs and decks. Remember: You want everything to look fresh, fresh, fresh. No. 5: Take new photos Once you’ve decluttered, cleaned and planted flowers, take new photos of your home. According to a 2011 survey, 88 percent of buyers say their home search relies, at least in part, on online listings. It’s important that the photos used in those listings and printed fliers reflect the improvements you’ve made to your home. Photos that showcase your decluttered, squeaky clean, curb-appeal-laden abode will appeal to a broader range of home buyers.
Top Real Estate Broker Farmington Valley – 3 Ways to Avoid an HOA Horror Story – Top Realtor Farmington Valley
3 Ways to Avoid an HOA Horror Story Date:March 7, 2013|Category:Tips & Advice|Author:Brendon DeSimone Ask enough condo owners, and you’ll likely hear at least one horror story about their homeowners association (HOA). One of the most extreme examples recently made the news when an HOA president in Evansville, IN directed a homeowner to implant a microchip in her dog. Though they sometimes may go overboard, HOA rules and regulations are meant to protect home values and the homeowners’ quiet enjoyment of their property. What few buyers consider when embarking on a condo purchase is that, as an owner of a condo, you’re a member of the HOA that governs the condominium complex. You will be subject to the HOA’s rules. That’s why it’s so important to take a close look at the HOA in advance. While the process varies by market, a buyer’s typical contract with the seller will allow time for disclosure review, which includes due diligence on the HOA. Many buyers wonder how to do due diligence on the HOA. The answer is to request copies of the HOA documents (meeting minutes, financials, house rules and governing documents). The seller, as a member of the HOA, has access to these documents and should make them available to the buyer. Here are three things potential condo buyers should do with those documents: 1. Read the past year’s meeting minutes Above all, read the minutes of the HOA monthly or quarterly board meetings. You can learn a lot about the HOA’s inner workings, such as the politics and how enforceable its rules are. You’ll get a sense of how the HOA works, who’s on the board and how flexible or difficult they are to deal with. The most obvious red flag is any discussion in the minutes of an upcoming assessment or any major project (painting, roof repair, boiler replacement). These conversations generally happen months or years before the work (and assessment) is enacted. Other potential red flags would be documented conflict between homeowners and board members, such as the case mentioned earlier about the HOA president telling the homeowner to put a microchip in her dog. 2. Review the house rules and regulations Nearly every HOA has its house rules and regulations. In a suburban subdivision, typical rules would include restrictions on how your home looks from the street (no pink houses on Elm Street). In a condo building, restrictions often cover noise, such as no loud music or noise between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., or that 85 percent of your hardwood floors must be covered by area rugs in living, dining and bedroom areas. While there are generally accepted common rules, from time to time more excessive ones stand out that may not sit well with a potential buyer. Some examples include no RVs in the driveway or the required removal of Christmas lights by Jan. 15. A buyer’s response to such rules is subjective. But it’s better to know the type of HOA you’re buying into before you sign the final paperwork. 3. Review the financials Be on the lookout for HOAs that can barely cover their monthly expenses. Since the housing crisis began, many HOAs have been forced to foreclose on homeowners who are behind on their HOA dues. If you have a third of homeowners not paying, that affects everyone, as the money needs to be made up somewhere. Another red flag is the lack of a reserve fund. If the HOA only has $5,000 in reserves, and there’s mention in the meeting minutes of a major sidewalk replacement, you should assume that funding for the project will come from a one-time “special assessment” levied on the homeowners. Don’t want to be stuck with a $10,000 mandatory assessment six months after you move in? You may want to reconsider this property. Advice to sellers If you live in an HOA community that has some issues, be sure to disclose them upfront. It’s not much different from disclosing the leaky window or recent crime in the home. You don’t want to create a giant red flag for potential buyers, of course. But if they find out about something major after the fact, it could come back to haunt you. Work with your real estate agent and strategize about some of the best ways to make the HOA documents or disclosure information available to buyers during escrow.
Family Owner Real Estate Company Granby CT – 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Surge to 9-Month High – Family owned Real Estate Brokerage Farmington Valley
30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Surge to 9-Month High Date:March 12, 2013|Category:Finance|Author:Camille Salama Mortgage rates for 30-year fixed mortgages rose this week, with the current rate borrowers were quoted on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace at 3.55 percent, up from 3.37 percent at this same time last week. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate peaked at 3.58 percent over the weekend, dropping to the current rate this morning. “Mortgage rates surged to their highest level in 9 months in response to an unexpectedly strong jobs report,” said Erin Lantz, director of Zillow Mortgage Marketplace. “This coming week, we expect rates to gradually drift upward on continued improvement in economic growth and consumer confidence.” Additionally, the 15-year fixed mortgage rate this morning was 2.7 percent, and for 5/1 ARMs, the rate was 2.3 percent. What are the rates right now? Check Zillow Mortgage Marketplace for up-to-the-minute mortgage rates for your state. *The weekly rate chart illustrates the average 30-year fixed interest rate in six-hour intervals
Best Real Estate Company Farmington Valley – Tips to Improve Your Home’s Insulation – Best Real Estate Company Farmington Valley
Tips to Improve Your Home’s Insulation Date:March 12, 2013|Category:Tips & Advice|Author:Allstate Insurance How did you fare this winter? If you’re a homeowner in a cold climate, the level of insulation in your home might have made a huge difference in your comfort and also in your pocketbook these past few months. If you found your house felt too cold and you broke into a sweat each time you had to face another energy bill, consider making an improvement by adding insulation. Here are some tips on how to proceed: Think ‘found’ money Some municipalities, cities, states, the federal government and utility companies offer incentives and tax rebates when you purchase high-efficiency products and materials, says Daniel DiClerico, co-author of “The Just Right Home.” Start by checking the U.S. Department of Energy’s database for state-specific tax credits, rebates and efficiency-related savings. Get a home energy audit If you own an older home, consider a home energy audit to identify air leaks and areas where insulation may need improvement. Think of it as a physical exam for your house. An audit may include a blower door test, which uses a high-powered fan to lower the air pressure inside; the higher outside pressure then finds its way back in through unsealed openings and cracks, revealing your air leaks. A home energy audit will also examine existing insulation’s R-value, which is a measure of how well it resists heat — and cold — traveling through it. Hire the right contractor Many contractors are capable and honest, but it helps to work with a contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured (make sure to ask for references). To find a home energy audit pro, try the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) and the Building Performance Institute (BPI) as starting points; in many cases, the same contractor who does your audit can also do the insulation work. Make sure to check with your electric or gas company, too, because many perform home energy audits — some even for free. Know your insulation Contractors will use different materials, methods and amounts, depending on your area. Check Energy Star’s recommendations on the levels of insulation for different climates and in different areas of your home. Here’s an overview of the different types of insulation: Blanket insulation, the most common type of insulation, comes in sheets or rolls. While it has traditionally been made of fiberglass, it can now be found in plastic or natural fibers. It’s sized to fit nicely between the standard spacing of studs on unfinished walls, and the joists and rafters of floors and ceilings. It’s also relatively inexpensive, and DIY types can find it in home improvement stores. Blown-in insulation consists of recycled fiberglass, newspaper (cellulose) or other material that is blown into a space. Because of its loose nature, this type of insulation conforms to fit an existing area without disturbing the surrounding structure and is well-suited to renovations. Spray foam, a mix of chemicals, expands into liquid foam that becomes rigid after it cures. It acts both as insulation and an air sealant. This type of installation requires more experienced installers, and tends to cost more (though the Department of Energy says that because it has a higher R-value and acts as an air sealant, it may ultimately save money by eliminating the need for other home weatherization tasks). Install in the right places Focus on where insulation needs beefing up or is missing (a home energy audit can help here). Many contractors suggest working from the top down, if your budget is tight: Attic: If you have one, you might install insulation on top of the floor or under the roof deck, depending on your home’s configuration and where heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment is located. Walls: In cold climates, you might add insulation in interior or exterior walls by drilling 3-inch holes, blowing in cellulose and then covering openings. Basements: Install insulation along the rim joist around your home’s perimeter and where wood meets concrete to seal gaps. Additions: Room additions are frequently neglected when it comes to insulation; consider filling this gap. Remember ‘low-hanging fruit’ Many do-it-yourself improvements can also increase your home’s insulation. Caulking and weather stripping around windows, doors and thresholds; plugging light holes and plumbing gaps; installing storm windows; and adding a programmable thermostat to lower temperatures automatically are all good tactics. Planting can help, too, says BPI-certified contractor Scott Fischer of Ciel Power in New Jersey: Shrubs and foundation materials can help diffuse wind, he says, while leafy trees on a south-facing lawn can help cut summer heat. Take on your insulation project now while the winter chill is still fresh — and definitely before summer’s hot days, as good insulation helps keep your house cool, too.