by Nohra Levy | Sep 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
A home can look perfect during a showing while hiding costly problems behind the walls, under the roof, or around the foundation. Fresh paint and beautiful staging can create a great first impression, but a professional home inspection can reveal important details about the property’s condition.
Not every inspection finding is a reason to walk away. Most homes have some maintenance needs. The key is understanding which issues may require further investigation before you move forward.
1. Water Damage and Moisture
Look for water stains, musty odors, peeling paint, damp basements, or signs of moisture around windows and sinks. A small stain may be from an old repair, but active moisture should be investigated to identify and correct the source.
2. Foundation Concerns
Small cracks can be common, but large or widening cracks, noticeably uneven floors, bowing walls, or doors and windows that no longer fit properly may deserve additional evaluation by a qualified professional.
3. Roof Problems
Missing shingles, damaged flashing, water stains, sagging areas, or an aging roof can lead to significant future expenses. Ask about the roof’s approximate age, condition, and repair history.
4. Electrical Issues
Frequent breaker trips, damaged outlets, exposed wiring, flickering lights, or signs of overheating should not be ignored. When an inspector recommends further evaluation, a licensed electrician can help determine the extent of the issue.
5. Plumbing Problems
Leaks, low water pressure, slow drains, damaged pipes, or an aging water heater can signal repairs that may become expensive if left unaddressed.
6. Heating and Cooling Systems
Older HVAC equipment isn’t automatically a problem, but buyers should understand its condition, maintenance history, and potential replacement timeline before purchasing.
7. Mold, Pests, and Other Warning Signs
Mold-like growth, persistent moisture, termite damage, or strong unexplained odors can warrant additional investigation. Identifying the underlying cause is more important than simply addressing what is visible.
Don’t Skip the Follow-Up
If an inspector recommends additional evaluation, consider bringing in the appropriate specialist, such as a structural engineer, electrician, plumber, roofer, or pest professional. A little extra investigation can provide valuable information before closing.
The Bottom Line
A home inspection isn’t about finding a perfect house. It’s about understanding the home you’re buying. Knowing which issues need attention can help you budget for repairs, negotiate where appropriate, and make a more informed decision.
Thinking about buying a home? Contact me to discuss what to look for during the home-buying process and how to approach inspection findings with confidence.
by Nohra Levy | Sep 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
There is something special about coming home on a crisp fall evening to a space that feels warm, comfortable, and inviting. As the seasons change, you don’t need a major makeover or a house full of decorations to create that cozy feeling.
A few thoughtful updates to your lighting, textures, colors, and furniture arrangement can make your home feel refreshed for fall while keeping it clean and spacious. Whether you’re staying in your home for the season or preparing to sell, these eight simple ideas can help.
1. Clear the Clutter First
Before adding fall décor, remove items you no longer need. Store summer accessories, clear countertops, and remove furniture or decorations that make rooms feel crowded. Think of seasonal decorating as a swap rather than an addition.
2. Add Cozy Textures
Bring warmth into your rooms with soft and inviting textures. Try a knitted throw, woven basket, textured rug, or a couple of comfortable pillows. A few carefully chosen pieces can make a big difference.
3. Add Warm Fall Colors
You don’t need to repaint your home to create a fall feel. Introduce small touches of rust, olive green, camel, burgundy, terracotta, or warm beige through pillows, blankets, artwork, or table linens.
4. Layer Your Lighting
As the days get shorter, lighting becomes even more important. Add a floor lamp, table lamp, or accent light to darker areas. Warm, layered lighting can make living spaces feel comfortable and welcoming.
5. Bring in Natural Elements
Simple natural décor can add seasonal character without overwhelming a room. Try branches, greenery, pinecones, apples, pears, or dried flowers in a simple vase or bowl.
6. Rethink Furniture Placement
Sometimes a room feels cozier simply because the furniture works better. Keep walkways open and arrange seating to encourage conversation. Removing one unnecessary piece can make a room feel surprisingly spacious.
7. Keep Seasonal Décor Simple
Choose one main fall focal point for each room instead of decorating every surface. A wreath in the entryway, a simple centerpiece in the dining room, or a warm throw in the bedroom may be all you need.
8. Keep Selling in Mind
If you’re preparing to sell your home, less is often more. Keep seasonal decorations tasteful and make sure they don’t hide important features such as windows, fireplaces, countertops, or room dimensions.
A Cozy Home Starts With Simple Changes
Creating a welcoming fall home doesn’t require a large budget or a complete redesign. A little decluttering, warmer lighting, comfortable textures, and a few seasonal accents can make your home feel ready for the season.
Whether you’re staying put or thinking about a move this fall, small changes can help you enjoy your home even more.
by Nohra Levy | Sep 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
Mortgage rates near 7% can make buying a home feel very different from the low-rate environment of recent years. But higher rates do not necessarily mean buyers should step away from the market.
With borrowing costs higher and more homes available in many markets, buyers can focus on strategies that make a purchase more manageable.
Focus on the Monthly Payment
Instead of starting with the maximum price a lender approves, consider the monthly payment that comfortably fits your budget. Remember to account for property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, and other homeownership costs.
Compare Mortgage Options
Shopping with multiple lenders can help you compare interest rates, fees, points, and loan terms. If you’re considering discount points to lower your rate, calculate how long it would take for the monthly savings to offset the upfront cost.
Look for Negotiating Opportunities
More inventory can give buyers additional options and, in some markets, more room to negotiate. Depending on the property and seller, buyers may be able to discuss a lower price, closing-cost contributions, repair credits, or other concessions.
Protect Your Savings
A larger down payment can reduce your loan balance, but it also means using more of your available cash. Keeping an emergency reserve for moving expenses, repairs, and unexpected costs can be an important part of preparing for homeownership.
Buy Based on Today’s Numbers
It can be tempting to assume you’ll refinance when rates fall. However, future rates cannot be guaranteed. Make sure the home and mortgage payment work for your budget today. A future refinancing opportunity can be considered a bonus.
Take a Strategic Approach
Today’s market requires buyers to look beyond the mortgage rate alone. Price, financing, property condition, taxes, insurance, and negotiating opportunities all play a role.
If you’re considering buying this fall, getting prepared early can help you understand your options and make decisions with greater confidence.
by Nohra Levy | Sep 29, 2026 | Uncategorized
October is the perfect time to enjoy warm, comforting meals made with seasonal ingredients. This creamy roasted butternut squash and apple soup brings together the natural sweetness of squash and apples with savory herbs and spices for an easy fall favorite.
Simple Fall Flavors
Roasting the squash, apples, and onion first helps bring out their natural flavors and gives the soup a richer taste. Thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, and garlic add just the right amount of warmth.
For a sweeter flavor, try Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala apples. If you prefer something slightly tart, Granny Smith or Pink Lady work well.
How to Make It
Roast cubed butternut squash, chopped apples, and onion with olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme at 425°F for 30 to 35 minutes. Add minced garlic during the final few minutes.
Transfer the roasted ingredients to a pot, add about four cups of chicken or vegetable broth, and simmer for 10 minutes. Blend until smooth, then stir in heavy cream, half-and-half, or unsweetened coconut milk.
Adjust the seasoning to taste and add a little extra broth if the soup is too thick.
Easy Ways to Serve It
Serve this soup with crusty bread, a simple green salad, grilled cheese, or roasted vegetables. Pumpkin seeds, fresh thyme, chopped pecans, or a swirl of cream make simple and flavorful garnishes.
The recipe can also be made vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth and a plant-based cream alternative.
A Cozy October Meal
This soup is easy to prepare ahead and makes a comforting lunch or dinner on a cool fall day. It also freezes well, making it a convenient option for busy evenings.
October is a wonderful time to enjoy the comfort of home, and a warm homemade meal is one simple way to make the season feel special.
If you’re thinking about a move this fall, consider what you want your next home to offer, from a more functional kitchen to additional space for family and entertaining. Sometimes the right move begins with a simple conversation about how you want to live.
by Nohra Levy | Sep 10, 2026 | Uncategorized
A cozy, savory-sweet September dinner with apples, onions, herbs, and a simple cider pan sauce.
September is a wonderful time to bring a little fall flavor back to the dinner table without committing to a complicated meal. This one-pan apple cider chicken dinner combines juicy chicken, crisp apples, sweet onions, fresh herbs, and apple cider in a savory sauce that feels seasonal but still works for a busy weeknight.
The best part is the cleanup: most of the cooking happens in a single oven-safe skillet. Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, or a simple green salad for an easy dinner that feels just special enough for a cool September evening.
Recipe at a Glance
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Serves
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Prep
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Cook
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Total
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4
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15 min
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30-35 min
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45-50 min
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Ingredients
For the Chicken
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 6 boneless chicken thighs
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the Apple Cider Pan Sauce
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1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
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2 crisp apples, such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, or Pink Lady, cored and sliced
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup apple cider
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1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
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1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for finishing
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Optional: 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar for a brighter finish
Instructions
1. Heat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked at this stage. Transfer it to a plate.
3. Cook the apples and onions: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the sliced onion to the same skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the apples and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, just until they begin to soften around the edges. Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
4. Build the sauce: Pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Whisk in the Dijon mustard and thyme. Let the mixture simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors begin to come together.
5. Finish in the oven: Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet, nestling the pieces among the apples and onions. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 12 to 18 minutes, depending on the thickness and cut of the chicken, until the center reaches 165°F.
6. Finish and serve: Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Stir 1 tablespoon butter into the sauce. If you prefer a little more brightness, add the optional apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning. Spoon the apples, onions, and cider sauce over the chicken before serving.
Kitchen Note: Always use a food thermometer to confirm that chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part.
Helpful Tips
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Chicken thighs are especially forgiving and stay juicy, but chicken breasts work beautifully if they are similar in thickness.
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Use apple cider rather than apple juice when possible. Cider usually provides a deeper apple flavor that stands up better to the savory ingredients.
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Choose apples that hold their shape when cooked. Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Fuji, and Gala are all good options.
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For a richer sauce, stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream after the chicken comes out of the oven.
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If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the sauce, apples, onions, and chicken to a baking dish before the final baking step.
Make-Ahead & Storage
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a small splash of broth or cider if the sauce has thickened.
You can slice the onions and apples a few hours ahead, but toss the apple slices with a small amount of lemon juice to slow browning. The chicken can also be seasoned earlier in the day and kept refrigerated until cooking time.
A Simple Taste of Fall
This is the kind of dinner that makes the transition from summer to fall feel easy: warm enough for a cooler evening, fresh enough for September, and simple enough for a weeknight.
Pair it with roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, mashed potatoes, wild rice, or crusty bread to soak up the cider sauce. It is also an easy recipe to double when you are feeding a larger table.
by Nohra Levy | May 4, 2026 | DIY
Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash
From experience, not getting a permit when you need one can be costly. Unpermitted work can lower your property value at the time of sale. No buyer wants to purchase something that may not have been done correctly. Take the advice of a real estate agent and pay the extra for a permit—it will likely pay for itself in the end.
1. Fences
The saying “Good fences make good neighbors” is still true. A well-designed and installed fence can increase privacy and add value to your home. However, make sure to check with the building inspector about the size and type of fence you can install, and get the proper permits. Many towns, cities, and homeowner associations have strict fence height and materials codes. Double-check surveys to avoid building on your neighbor’s property by mistake.
2. Water Heaters
Water heaters might seem like a simple DIY project, but they can be dangerous if not installed correctly. Risks include gas explosions, carbon monoxide poisoning, and electrical fires. All water heater installations require a permit, and it’s recommended to use a licensed plumber.
3. Sheds and Outbuildings
Buying a pre-made shed from a big box store might seem easy, but many states, cities, and counties have specific regulations regarding sheds. It’s best to check these before spending your money, as fines for non-compliance are usually more than the cost of a permit.
4. Garages
Converting a garage into a living space is popular, especially with the rise of Airbnb and the increasing senior population. Whether you want extra space for a home office, spare bedroom, or home gym, you may need permission and a permit from Inspectional Services and the local Housing Authority.
5. Decks
Adding a deck or porch can create a great outdoor living space and add value to your home. However, without a permit, you could face headaches. Structural and safety codes must be adhered to, including railing height and other technical details, which are usually included with your permit.
6. Floor Plans
Changing your home’s layout requires a building permit, such as eliminating a wall or creating a new doorway. This is true even for non-load-bearing walls and small projects like expanding or removing a closet.
7. Windows and Doors
Ready-to-install doors and windows from big box stores might not conform to local building codes. Regulations about ventilation and light determine code standards for window and door frames. Before starting, check if you need a permit and get copies of the building codes.
Checking with your local permit office before starting any DIY project is a good idea. The people who work there are public servants dedicated to ensuring safety in our homes, workplaces, and job sites. Treat them with dignity and respect; you’ll likely receive excellent service.
