Blog - Lori Blank & Associates

30

Oct

Home Buying Tips

What Buyers Can Learn by Looking Inside Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

When touring a home, buyers naturally notice countertops, faucets, and cabinet finishes. The spaces behind cabinet doors may receive far less attention. Yet the inside of a kitchen or bathroom cabinet can reveal useful clues about storage, plumbing access, moisture, and how well a room will function. A quick, respectful look can help you see beyond the staged presentation. Start Under the Sinks The cabinets beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are especially informative because they contain plumbing connections. Look for water stains, warped cabinet bottoms, peeling surfaces, or signs of past repairs. A musty smell can be another reason to…

29

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Buying Tips

Why Buyers Should Check the Condition of Decks and Outdoor Stairs

A deck can make a backyard feel like an extension of the house. Outdoor stairs can connect a porch to the lawn or provide access to an upper-level entrance. These features are easy to admire during a showing, especially when they are freshly stained or surrounded by attractive landscaping. But decks and exterior stairs are exposed to weather and repeated use, so their condition deserves more than a quick glance. Look Beyond the Surface Deck boards are the most visible part of a structure, but the supports underneath are just as important. Posts, beams, joists, fasteners, and connections all help…

28

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The Laundry Room Test: Is There Enough Space to Actually Use It?

A laundry room can look perfectly adequate in listing photos. The washer and dryer fit, the paint is fresh, and a shelf holds a few neatly arranged baskets. But everyday laundry involves more than two appliances. You need room to open doors, move clothes, sort loads, and handle cleaning supplies. Before buying a home, it is worth testing whether the laundry area works for the way you live. Start With Appliance Clearance Look at the space in front of the washer and dryer. Can both doors open fully without hitting a wall, cabinet, or each other? Is there enough room…

27

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Buying Tips

Why Buyers Should Look Closely at Retaining Walls Before Making an Offer

A retaining wall can make a sloped yard more attractive and usable. It may create a level patio, support a garden, or separate a driveway from higher ground. During a home tour, it is easy to focus on the landscaping and overlook the wall itself. But retaining walls hold back soil, and their condition can affect safety, drainage, and future maintenance costs. What a Retaining Wall Actually Does Unlike a decorative garden border, a retaining wall resists pressure from the soil behind it. That pressure can increase when water collects in the ground. Depending on the wall's height, design, and…

26

Oct

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 26th, 2026

The Consumer Sentiment report was the largest release in an otherwise light week. The report showed that sentiment has improved over the last couple of months. However, this improvement comes against the backdrop of consumer sentiment having dropped more than 30 points since January and remaining at relatively low levels throughout the year. With inflation remaining stubborn and impactful, it is no surprise that consumer sentiment has taken a hit. The Federal Reserve's balance sheet has shed some of its weight but continues to reflect significant borrowing amid persistent inflationary pressures. There is strong speculation that another rate increase may…

23

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Why Your Front Door’s Location Matters More Than You Think

The front door may seem like a minor detail when comparing homes. After all, buyers usually focus on kitchens, bedrooms, and outdoor space. Yet the location and design of the main entrance can affect how easily you receive deliveries, welcome guests, handle bad weather, and move through your daily routine. Consider the Walk From Your Car Start by imagining a typical day. Where will you park, and which door will you use when carrying groceries, bags, or children’s belongings? Some homes have an attractive front entrance that is rarely used because the garage or side door is much more convenient.…

22

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

What Can Your Neighbors See Through Your Windows?

Large windows can make a home feel bright, spacious, and connected to the outdoors. But a beautiful view works both ways. Before falling in love with a wall of glass, buyers should consider how much of their everyday life might be visible from nearby houses, sidewalks, or elevated outdoor spaces. Look Out and Then Look Back During a showing, buyers naturally look through windows to admire the yard or surrounding scenery. Try reversing that perspective. Where are the neighboring windows, balconies, and decks? Could someone standing there see directly into the living room or bedroom? Privacy can change depending on…

21

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The Parking Test: Can Your Vehicles Actually Fit the Way You Need Them To?

A listing that advertises a two-car garage may sound like a perfect match for a two-car household. But the number of garage doors does not always tell you whether your vehicles will fit comfortably. Before buying, it is worth testing the parking setup as carefully as you test the home's interior layout. Garage Capacity Is More Than a Label Garages vary in width, depth, ceiling height, and door clearance. A space designed decades ago may not accommodate today's larger trucks or SUVs as easily as buyers expect. Storage shelves, water heaters, steps, and other features can reduce usable space. Even…

20

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Why Buyers Should Check Where the Air Vents Are Located

During a home tour, buyers often focus on room size, natural light, and finishes. Heating and cooling vents rarely receive the same attention. Yet their location can influence how comfortable a room feels, where furniture fits, and whether everyday living is as convenient as the listing photos suggest. Not Every Vent Serves the Same Purpose Supply vents deliver heated or cooled air into a room. Return vents draw indoor air back toward the heating and cooling system. Both are important to airflow, but they do different jobs. Depending on the home's design, vents may be located in the floor, wall,…

19

Oct

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 19th, 2026

Inflation numbers are in and came in much higher than expected. Even the core inflation numbers for both reports were higher than anticipated. Core inflation is intended to exclude some of the most volatile components, including food and energy costs, painting a picture in which the Federal Reserve will need to continue its tightening measures until inflation is under control. In particular, the Producer Price Index (PPI) showed a significant increase above expectations, impacting businesses and potentially trickling down to consumers over time. The retail sales report also confirms that consumers have significantly slowed their purchases compared to the previous…