Doubt is the curse of real estate buyers and sellers.

Continually asking yourself “what-if” questions about the trajectory of prices, mortgage costs and even market sentiment can sow so much uncertainty you suffer decision paralysis.

While current market conditions are challenging to understand, paying too much attention to generalized reports may be a mistake. 

The national real estate market comprises thousands of micro-markets across cities, suburbs and regions, all with their own characteristics.

Researching the markets where you want to sell and buy is critical at a time of high lending rates and low housing inventory.

The best approach is to ask the experts: agents with an intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods you’re interested in. 

This checklist will help with the decision-making.

Be specific

Write down exactly what you want from your purchase. How big should your next home be? What areas are you interested in? What are your “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves”? Answering such questions will help make your search efficient.

Personalize searches

You can waste a lot of time looking for properties online with generalized search terms. Use that list of “must-haves” when scrolling property portals. 

Find an agent

You should interview at least two or three agents to help you find your next dream home. They’ll have information about prices and the properties that fit your criteria. Often, an agent will also know about homes that have not been advertised yet. 

Rate ideas

One recent survey found nearly 80% of sellers are worried about interest rates. However, you can buy a lower rate with the lender or work with a builder who offers rate buy-downs as part of a deal for a newly constructed home.

Different approach

Have you heard of an “assumable mortgage”? It’s not often used, but it may be an answer for you. This product allows you to “assume” the mortgage currently held on the property you buy, inheriting its interest rate, too. Of course, you do have to apply to the mortgage-holding lender.

Waiting game

Holding on for falling mortgage costs may not suit your circumstances. However, property is based on the supply and demand principle, so values will probably rise when interest rates fall. Bottom line: you may as well act now.

Good insulation protects your home from more than cold weather. Boosting your home’s insulation is a great way to keep the cold from creeping in during winter and to keep cool air inside during summer. It’s also a home improvement that helps energy efficiency and can significantly lower your heating bills.

If you’re wondering whether that might be easier said than done, we have some good news. These simple DIY insulation projects can have a significant impact on your home’s efficiency and require only a modest amount of time and effort. Get started today, and enjoy a more well-insulated house this winter!

1. Get a Door SnakeHere’s a test. Hold your hand near the crack at the bottom of your door on a cold day. Feel a draft? If so, it is costing you. Placing a door snake at the foot of your door is quick, easy, cheap, and an incredibly effective way to insulate drafty doors. A rolled-up blanket or towel will do in a pinch.
   
2. Hang Heavy CurtainsLight, flowy curtains might look nice in summer, but winter requires something different. Hanging curtains made of a heavier material helps insulate your windows, keeping precious heat inside where you want it.
   
3. Seal Up Your WindowsA lot of cold air can seep into your house through tiny gaps and cracks around windows. Seal these gaps with weather stripping — narrow pieces of vinyl, rubber, foam, or metal — and be sure to check around door frames as well. And of course, while your attention is on your windows, it’s always a good idea to install storm windows in fall to provide an extra layer of insulation.
   
4. Caulk Around Dryer and Bathroom VentsThe place where dryer and bathroom vents enter your house is an often-overlooked air leak. These vents often go years without being properly sealed, which can cost you a lot on your heating bills in the long run. Checking your vents for a proper seal is an easy DIY home improvement job, and make sure you have a tube of caulk on hand to make that seal a little more secure.
   
5. Add Attic InsulationIn many homes, the attic is the number one place where heat escapes, so it’s essential it be well insulated. Adding insulation is a surprisingly simple job, whether you plan to install rolled insulation or spread around some loose paper insulation. One key to remember is that the floor of your attic must be well insulated to prevent heat from rising and only warming the attic. If you have a door on your ceiling that leads to the attic, you can buy and easily install an insulating insert to keep all your heat from seeping through that door.
   
6. Insulate Your Water HeaterYour water heater could be another major source of energy loss, especially if it’s an older model or if it isn’t insulated properly. Adding an insulation blanket to your water heater can cut your heating bill by as much as 16%. Just be sure you know whether you have a gas water heater or electric; the insulation will need to be installed differently depending on the type.

Using these tips, you can work on improving your home’s energy efficiency and keeping your energy bills low.