Annual Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down in the winter. If you’re a homeowner eager to throw open the windows and clean out the closets, consider this list of annual spring home maintenance items to complete in order to give your home the once-over it deserves inside and out. SYSTEMS TO CHECK: HVAC | Call your technician to schedule servicing and cleaning of your HVAC. Cleaning the ducts and vents saves home-owner costs in the long run. PLUMBING | Check to make sure your pipes and faucets aren’t leaking. Water stains on the walls and ceilings are major indicators of leaky pipes. It’s a good idea to also check the flapper in the tank of your toilets to ensure it is not worn out. SUMP PUMP/GUTTERS | April showers are in the forecast- don’t wait until they are here to make sure your sump pump’s motor isn’t shot and your gutters aren’t clogged. CHIMNEY | If you have a chimney, you need to inspect it regularly because they carry dangerous gasses from the fireplace, wood stove, or furnace out of your home- keeping the air inside breathable. If you were cozied up by the fireplace all winterlong, odds are there may be a blockage or build up inside your chimney. Hire an expert to check for cracks and repairs. SMOKE ALARM/CO2 | Better safe than sorry- check the batteries. You should be doing this more than once a year, but since you’re tackling the rest of the house might as well add it to the list now. AREAS TO SPRUCE: DECK/PATIO | As the weather warms up, you’ll be eager to use your outside space again. Chances are your deck and/or patio has a layer of winter grime on it. Sweep away debris, check for cracked wood, and replace loose nails. PAINT | Look for signs of peeling or chipped paint on your home’s exterior coat. You may need a touch-up or a fresh coat. POOL | If you have a pool, you’ll have to treat the water, check and change valves and filters, and inspect all equipment before you’ll actually want to swim in it. EXTERIOR WINDOWS/FACADE | Spring is a good time to give your home a good scrub. Take the storm windows off and wash the windows, inside and out. The house can get grimy, too. Grit stuck to the facade can damage paint and masonry over time. LAWN/HEDGES | Reseed your lawn, filling in bald patches before the summer heat. Plant your perennials, and give them plenty of water. Later in the spring, when the grass turns bright green again and the lilacs bloom, it is time to fertilize the lawn. Source
8 Tips to Have a Great Garage Sale
Happy Spring Cleaning Season! What better way to declutter your old and unused items than with a money-making opportunity? Don’t throw away those dusty old bikes taking up space in the garage, sell them! Spring is the perfect time to host your own garage sale, but planning it takes some time. Don’t let the stress of picking the perfect day, taking inventory, and spreading the word stress you out! We’re here to help. Follow these recommendations to host a stress-free and successful garage sale: Choose a Saturday- These are generally the most popular day for garage sales because many people are off work. You’ll also want to start as early as possible before it’s too hot outside and extend your garage sale well into the afternoon. This leaves time for those with Saturday morning activities, sports, and chores to make it your sale. Experienced garage salers believe that one day sales are more successful than multi-day sales. It’s also beneficial to plan to participate in a neighborhood block sale. More garage sales = more foot traffic. Advertise- Promote your garage sale in local newspapers and on social media sites, such as craigslist and FB events. Mention your big ticket items such as furniture in these ads. Many garage sale shoppers are looking for deals on items that would be more expensive in stores. Strategically place signs around your town where a lot of cars are stopped for adequate periods of time that say, “Garage Sale” in large text, the date and time, and your address. Take Credit Cards- Although most garage sale shoppers bring cash, we still recommend purchasing a service that allows you to take credit cards, such as ‘Square.’ You don’t want to have to turn someone away because you only accept cash. Venmo or Paypal would also be a good option for those shoppers who aren’t carrying cash. Stock up on Supplies- It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. You’ll need: labels and markers to make price tags, newspaper and grocery bags to wrap items, and tables to display your items. Keep some bags on hand to make it easier to pack up those buyers who may be stocking up on smaller items. Have a plan for the Money- Make sure to have cash change and plan ahead where you’ll be keeping it. Having a “cash box” even if it’s locked just sitting somewhere isn’t your best bet, unless you have someone manning it at all times. Take money inside as you go and only keep some change on hand. Don’t discuss how much you’ve made with visitors. Keep your home locked- Better safe than sorry. If you have animals in the home, make sure they are secure so you don’t have any escapees! Negotiate Smart- There will be a lot of bargain shoppers, so be ready to make a deal. Seriously consider what’s more important to you before the yard sale begins: Making some money or getting rid of items. Consider the strategy: less negotiations early in the sale and more toward the end. Donate what’s left- Unless you want to pack it up and try again in a few weeks, donate those left over items to a local charity. You clearly have no use for them, and neither did your visitors!
Let's Talk Curb Appeal
When staging to sell, your home’s exterior is just as important - in some ways, even more important - than the interior. Curb appeal is crucial, as the front of your house is the first thing buyers see, so be sure to put your best foot forward. Mulched landscaping, a cheery welcome mat, and a tasteful wreath give the right first impression! Here are a few of our stagers’ favorite ways to add instant curb appeal: Be sure there is a clear view of the house from the street. Trim back any overgrown trees or hedges that may be blocking the view of the front facade. Buyers will not purchase what they cannot see! Make the most of your outdoor space! Mow the lawn in the spring, summer and fall; rake all leaves in the fall; shovel all walkways and driveways in the winter. Update your house numbers to make sure they are visible from the front and in good condition (as well as your mailbox). It’s a good idea to power wash exterior siding, porches, decks, walkways and driveways. Dependent upon season, add a pop of color to the front landscaping - whether it be sprucing up your flower beds, adding a charming wreath, potted plants, or bright foliage is a simple way to make sure you draw those buyers in. The backyard is a continued living space and ultimately where you will entertain guests outdoors. Set the scene as if you are having friends and family over for a big outdoor BBQ. Continue landscaping and lawn care the same as the front of the home and dress up your yard with a table and chairs with a propped up umbrella and some brightly potted plants to add a pop of color (if the season allows). Remove any trash cans, recycling bins, garden tools, and yard equipment out of view. Ideally, store these items neatly inside the garage or shed, out of sight for buyers viewing your home in person and online. Check out the homes below for some curb appeal inspo!
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