Autumn Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Autumn is the most beautiful season of the year, with the brilliant reds, oranges and yellows dominating the landscape. Early morning frost sparkles in the first light of dawn, and harvest moons shine overhead.  But autumn also means the harsh winter months are ahead.  And with that in mind, you should be preparing your home for the cold weather.  Here are some tasks you should be planning.

INSIDE THE HOME

·        Make an appointment to have furnace and humidifier inspected

·        Change the furnace filter

·        Drain your water heater to clear sediment from the bottom

·        Have chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned if necessary

·        Call for delivery of firewood

·        Replace storm windows and doors; store screens after repairing

·        Seal leaks in windows with caulk or weather stripping

·        Replace worn door sweeps to stop drafts

·        Check insulation in attic and walls

·        Flip your mattresses

·        Store summer blankets and clothes, and pull out winter blankets and clothes

·        Have winter coats cleaned if you didn’t take them to the cleaners in the spring

·        Check boots for tears or leaks; make sure your children’s boots still fit them

·        Purchase extra mittens/hats/scarves to replace lost ones in a hurry, or to have on hand for guests

·        Replace the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

·        Collect emergency supplies (including food and water) in the event of a power outage

OUTSIDE THE HOME

·        Clean, drain and cover your pool

·        Cover and store your patio furniture

·        Pick up toys and bikes from the yard and store

·        Drain the gas and oil from your lawnmower

·        Clean downspouts after leaves are done falling

·        Check that gutters are securely attached to the house

·        Check roof for missing or broken shingles/tiles

·        Check flashing around chimney for leaks

·        Fill oil or propane tanks

·        Disconnect hoses from outdoor water faucets and drain before storing

·        Drain outdoor water valves

·        Insulate your septic system and other outdoor plumbing to prevent freeze-ups

·        Caulk around entry points for all pipes and ducts in exterior wall (repeat inside the home also)

·        Trim tree branches away from the house and power lines

·        Fertilize your lawn

·        Cover perennials as necessary (leaves work well for insulation)

·        Plant early spring flower bulbs

·        Bring potted perennials indoors

·        Harvest vegetables before the first freeze

·        Prepare your snow thrower for use

·        Check snow shovels—replace if necessary

·        Lay out mats at the front and back doors to trap snow and ice

·        Place a boot tray outside the back door for wet boots

·        Buy salt for icy stairs and walkways (be careful using around plants and pets)

Don’t wait until the first snow storm to take care of these matters.  You never know when the first snow will hit.  Sometimes it’s in the middle of the night, too late to run to the store, and you’ll find yourself in a dark house without batteries for your flashlight or gas for the snow thrower.  Be prepared. 

 

 

Showing Your House Through the Seasons

Moving on Monday

As summer turns into fall, your house is still on the market.  You’ve been taking care of it, mowing the lawn and watering the gardens.  But now that the weather is cooler and leaves are starting to fall, there are other matters you must attend to for it to show at its best.

The most important part of your house when selling is the outside.  It is the first impression potential buyers have when they drive by or come for a viewing.  Before they even step into your house, they will be assessing the condition of the driveway, the size of the trees and bushes, and the amount of clutter on the porch.  If they are just driving by, they may decide to cancel an appointment with a real estate agent.  If they already have an appointment, they will probably still come in, but their opinions will be affected by what they saw outside, no matter how nice the house is inside.

So if you are showing your house during this change of season, make sure you keep up with maintaining the exterior of your home.

Rake the leaves, sweep the walkway and porch, and clean out the gutters.  Have your asphalt driveway sealed if necessary, or the cracks in your concrete fixed.  With the upcoming snow and ice, potential buyers know that little cracks can turn into large problems.

Clean all the cobwebs from the front door and windows.  This is what buyers look at when they are waiting for the agent to unlock the door.  All dead plants should be removed from the front porch, and replaced with fall foliage.  If there are any nests in the lights (bird or wasp), get rid of them, and any mess they may have left.  If the wreath or decoration on your front door is seasonal, swap it out for a fall version.

It gets dark earlier now, so make sure all the light fixtures are working properly.  Put both interior and exterior lights on a timer so buyers driving by at night can see the house lit up even if you aren’t home. 

Make sure your address is visible from the street both night and day.  Use numbers in contrast with your house color.  That is, use black numbers on a white house, or brass numbers on a brown house.  Look at your address as you drive up from both directions, both day and night.  Brass or silver numbers reflect the sun, making them difficult to read.  If your house is set back off the street, have your address on a mailbox or post near the street.

Finally, cut down flowers and plants as they die for the season.  If you have extensive landscaping with mature perennials and you want buyers to see what you have planted, then leave photos on the counter of what your house looks like in the summer. 

Keeping your house showing its best will keep you a step up from the competition.