No AC? No Problem: 5 Cooling Tips for Summertime.
If air conditioning your home seems like a far-off dream, you’re not alone. Each summer, thousands of Americans battle the heat in their homes, especially at night. Below are a few helpful tips to help you stay cool all summer, sans AC.
Point that fan out.
It might feel good to have air blow over you as you sleep, but to cool your room quicker without AC, grab a boxy window fan and point it out, not in. This will pull warm air from the room and push it outside.
Reverse ceiling fans.
In the summer, program your ceiling fans to run counter-clockwise. This will pull hot air up and out, instead of blowing the warm air on you.
Choose the right bedding.
When it comes to staying cool during those hot summer nights, cotton is the way to go. Choose a light sheet made of 100 percent cotton, and avoid polyester and synthetics at all costs.
Frosty bottle.
You’ve heard of a hot water bottle, right? Well these helpful toe warmers can also keep you cool during the summer. Stick the bottle in the freezer, and slide it between your sheets before bed.
Make use of your bathroom fan.
Have a bathroom right off the bedroom? Turn on the overhead fan and leave the door open to let the fan pull the rising hot air out of your room as you sleep.
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On Low Inventory: From Challenge Comes Opportunity
Low inventory is the foremost issue in the housing market right now. Buyers face relentless demand for a scarce supply of reasonably priced homes. In a recent survey by the National Association of Mortgage Professionals (NAMB), fifty-eight percent of mortgage professionals cited low inventory as the biggest hurdle for homebuyers today.
The inventory dilemma has even overshadowed concerns about mortgage lending standards. These standards, which some still view as too strict, have relaxed since the early, strong-armed days post-recession. In fact, according to a recent survey by Fannie Mae, more lenders have taken steps to open up access to credit since the start of 2017, and more plan to continue to do so in the future.
Coming up with enough money for a down payment has become less of a factor, according to the NAMB survey, but remains significantly tied to affordability.
Having an experienced real estate agent is more important than ever to help buyers and sellers navigate this intensely competitive market.
Undeniably, there are fewer homes on the market—but there are also many opportunities. How will you use today's environment to your advantage?