SHOW NOTES: Hey, everyone! With the seasonal craziness upon us, it feels like we're cramming more stuff into the same schedule. Join us this week as we share how to get your house in order, keep it in tip-top shape through the winter, and prepare for spring with these time-saving tips: - Caulking for Winter Protection: We share why checking and sealing your exterior caulking now is crucial to prevent energy leaks, energy loss, and sky-high heating bills this winter. - Transforming Your Garage into a Workshop: Learn how to convert that chilly, cluttered garage into a warm, usable workspace by winterizing appropriately and making specific upgrades. - Understanding the Housing Market Crunch: We dig into the current real estate affordability crisis and discuss the “golden handcuffs effect.” While high rates and surging prices make affordability a challenge, buyers are gaining slightly more negotiating power. - Preparing Your Appliances and Fireplace for the Holidays: Before Thanksgiving, we give tips on how to give your dishwasher a deep clean. For your fireplace, ensure your chimney has been professionally inspected and swept, and check for debris like nests before starting it up for the season.   Q & A: - Scott in Florida wants to swap the location of the shower and toilet in his first-floor master bathroom, but we advise against it since moving plumbing drains in a concrete slab requires massive construction. The better solution is to make the existing shower smaller and convert that wasted space into a storage closet. - Amy in South Dakota observed grayish discoloration on the wood parts of her windows and on the metal frames. We recommend sanding the oxidized gray wood and refinishing it with an exterior-grade, oil-based urethane. - George in Connecticut was planning to install natural wood flooring over the carpet in his family room, above a dry basement. He was advised to choose prefinished hardwood for its durability and easier installation. - Belinda is adding GFCI outlets to her older home and asked if they require their own circuit breaker. We confirm they do not, and an electrician can splice the GFCI into existing wiring to protect that outlet and others downstream if needed. - Dennis in Michigan was trying to remove powdered roofing cement that had gotten wet, cured, and hardened onto his stained concrete garage floor. He should first scrape off as much cured material as possible and then use a solvent like mineral spirits or acetone, working it in with a wire brush to break down the remaining material. - Dave in Houston, Texas, sought advice on whether to glue down or float the engineered wood flooring he is installing in his second-floor bedrooms. We prefer floating floors because they are easier to install, lock together, and allow for expansion and contraction.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices