Real Estate: Spring Forward
by
Mike Walker(As published in April 5 , 2001 in Metro Weekly Magazine.)
For several weeks now we've looked at pricing homes for sale and getting them ready for the marketplace. Unfortunately, it is only during these pressure periods of trying to sell their homes that many people give their dwellings the loving attention they truly deserve. Smart people, however, take care of their residences year-round, paying special attention to certain details on a seasonal basis.
Well, spring is upon us and this can be a season of rebirth and revitalization for your condo, co-op, or house. If any of the following items seem similar to the things you do when trying to sell your home, it's because they are. But instead of selling the home you're appreciating it. And appreciation of a property can be both an expression of admiration and an increase in its value.
Longer daylight hours and warmer weather (hopefully soon) make this the perfect time to make the place you live in sparkle, shimmer, and shine.
Things To Look For Inside and Outside Your House
Doors: Check to see that doors are air and watertight. Repair (or have repaired) any doors that have drafts and leaks or are not flush with their frames. Apply appropriate caulking and/or consider weather stripping. Hint: Where there's air, there can also be water. These improvements can help decrease energy loss and reduce heating and electricity bills.
Health hazards: Check with your realtor to determine things that would be considered health or safety hazards when and if you ever decide to sell your home. Pay these areas special attention and keep them maintained so that you don't have to do it all more expensively later on.
Property Inspection: You get medical check-ups every few years and you have a car checked systematically - but when is the last time you considered having a professional property inspection done on your home? This kind of complete check-up can determine major problems with electricity, gas, plumbing, and roof systems.
Roof: Check outside the roof for broken or missing shingles; check inside for visible stains that would indicate water leaks.
Windows (see Doors): Fix squeaky door hinges. Repair broken screens. Check drapes and window treatments.
Things To Do Outside Your House
Air conditioners: Check for and remove leaves, branches, etc. caught on the A/C's outside.
Brick exteriors, chimneys: Replace missing bricks: repair cracked or missing mortar. Check any metal flashing near the chimney for corrosion and confirm that the chimney screen is properly positioned on top to prevent birds or rodents from entering your house.
Drainage Pipes, Gutters: Fix lose or leaking pipes. Check for snow damage and make sure downspouts drain in the directions they're supposed to drain.
Foundation: Check for stress cracks in the concrete: repair any you find immediately to prevent energy loss and penetration of moisture.
Furniture: Look for deterioration and corrosion on outside furniture; spruce up with soap, sponges, and scrub brushes.
Garage: The garage is one of the largest rooms in your house; organize it with that in mind. Suggestions include adding shelving, hanging sports equipment and removing household cleaners (they can combust in the beat of the summer) .
Landscaping: Tidy up now and you'll be rewarded with a more robust garden and lawn later. Also, planting new flowers, shrubs, and trees now should improve their growth.
Nests: Check for and lovingly remove bird, squirrel, and wasp nests.
Paint: Check the condition of the paint on the outside of your home. Painting (touchup and otherwise) is a job best done in the cooler spring months and NOT in the dog days of August afternoons.
Wood decks, fences, patios, and posts: Check these for rotting due from exposure to
moisture.Things To Do Inside Your House
Air filter in your heater: Many people change the air filter at the beginning of winter. Others do it in the spring. Whichever you decide, try to be consistent.
Cabinet doors and cupboards: Fix the ones that don't close.
Hot water heaters: Now's a good time to flush sediments out of your hot water heaters.
Humidifier: If you plan on continuing to use it, adjust for the spring months. If storing away, properly clean it out first.
Plumbing: Fix leaky faucets and running toilets. Check for leaks in pipe work on the sinks.
Smoke detectors: Check and, if necessary; change the batteries.
Remember, if you're not the handy type - or if any of the damage you find after a long and deadly winter is extensive - contact a contractor NOW The longer you put it off, the less likely you'll be able to find an available one later on.
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