Posts with tag 'Home maintenance'

The march toward summer is well underway, and it's time to turn your attention to the deck outside your home. As the weather warms up, our REALTORS® know the deck is one of the first things prospective buyers of Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale will look at as their thoughts turn to summer BBQs and time with family and friends. If your deck needs an overhaul, you'll want to act quickly before local contractors run out of time to do the work for you.

• Start with a Wash
  Dirt, dust, and grime can obscure the true condition of your deck. Watch the weather for a sunny, wind-free period to give your deck a good scrub and a deep clean with soap and a powerwasher. Make sure to follow instructions and keep the powerwasher at a safe distance from the wood to avoid scoring and damaging it. If you come across any stubborn stains or debris stuck in crevices, a stiff brush and a putty knife can usually remove it.

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We're all thrilled when the winter storms are gone and it's time for the spring thaw. But with that warmer weather comes a multitude of pests, both in our yards and sometimes our homes. 

To prevent pests in the house you've chosen among Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale, follow the tips below.

Keeping Pests Out of Your Home

Not surprisingly, most of the pests homeowners in our area are quite common, rather than some of the newer, exotic species that have just begun invading the South and the West, such as certain species of exotic ants and mosquitoes. Here are some of the main ones to be on the watch for.

1. Mosquitoes
   There are several species of mosquitoes in our region, and like anywhere, they are mainly a problem during warm, rainy weather. The best preventative is not allowing stagnant water to collect in containers, birdbaths, or ponds. Water in a pond or birdbath is fine as long as it's being aerated or changed frequently. Remove old flower pots or containers and store them away. Cut back on dense foliage, where mosquitoes like to hover during the heat of the day. If you decide to spray, talk to your pest control specialist about measures that won't kill beneficial insects such as butterflies and other pollinators.

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Did you know the fourth Sunday in March starts National Spring Cleaning Week? It's the perfect time to get started with that cleaning to-do list and give Mansfield and Ashland homes for sale a spring fresh look and feel. If you've just moved in or are looking to sell, this job is probably top on your list! Spring cleaning can seem like an enormous and demanding task, but these supplies will help you tackle just about any spring cleaning job quickly and easily.

General Supplies

You probably already have most of these supplies, since they are used for general cleaning. For most people spring cleaning means doing a deep, detailed cleaning and getting all those spots that are hard to reach or don't get cleaned very often. So take the opportunity to make sure what you have is in working order and replace any cleaners you're running low on. These supplies are the must-haves that will help you tackle a lot of general cleaning tasks.

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When cold weather starts forcing you to be inside more, take advantage of this time to declutter your home. True decluttering isn't just better organization; it's also getting rid of all the excess stuff we accumulate over time. It's especially important to declutter if you're thinking about listing your home with one of our REALTORS®. However, decluttering can be a big job, so here are a few tips to help guide you through the process.

1. Have a plan. Decluttering your home takes more work and time than you might think, and without a road map of sorts, you're bound to get lost at some point during the process. Your plan can be as simple as tackling a new room each weekend or as detailed as breaking it down by closet, but the important thing is that a plan will help you get the job done.

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You may have reached the stage in your home-selling process where the casual looks are turning into firm offers. You're looking forward to handing the keys over to a family that will love your home as much as you have. But before you can finally close the deal, the issue of home inspection comes up. If you've not sold a home before, this can seem daunting. But you needn't worry. Home inspections help both buyers and sellers, and our REALTORS® are ready to guide you through the process. 

• The Inspector and Their Gadgets
  Home inspectors are trained professionals licensed by the state to examine homes for signs of damage and decay that can interfere with the way the home functions. They test electrical outlets, plumbing, major appliances, and the HVAC system. They will visually inspect every part of the home, looking for signs of damage from water, vermin, or decay. After the inspection, the inspector will provide a report. As home buyers often hire the inspector, they will receive the report, but home sellers can hire a home inspector to identify issues before a homebuyer spots them. If you have a pre-inspection done, you are required to share the report with potential buyers, but they may also choose to have their own inspection performed.

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