Real Estate Information Archive

Before doing any maintenance on an outdoor unit, be sure to locate the power supply and turn it off or remove the supply pack. 

Sometimes homeowners will hide their unit with shrubbery or other plants.  Air needs to flow unobstructed around the unit, so if anything is growing too close, it should be trimmed to a distance of two feet away. 
 

Changing the intake filter monthly may not be necessary, but checking it is.  If it is noticeably dirty, replace it. What if you do not have an extra on hand? Give it a quick clean with the brush attachment on your vacuum and get a new filter as soon as possible. 
 

While it might sound sensible to close the doors and vents of unused rooms, it is not.  Airflow is important inside, so keeping interior doors and vents slightly opened is better than closing them tight. 
 

On that note, if your nest is getting empty, you could consider replacing the central unit with ductless air conditioning.   
 

When your home has ceiling fans, use them!  Make sure the fans are turning in a counter-clockwise direction so that it gives a wind chill effect, but turn them off when you’re not in the room to save energy. 
 

Window air conditioners can use a sprucing up as well, and an hour or two spent cleaning it will keep the unit running smoothly. 

When the car needs cleaning, take the bucket and sponge to a car wash instead of washing it at home. This could save one hundred gallons of water per wash. 
 

If you have a sprinkler system, set the timer for morning or evening. Pay close attention to the weather and turn off the timer whenever a good chance of rain is predicted. 
 

Use a drip irrigation system instead of sprinklers or hand-watering with the hose for your veggie garden and landscaping. This allows water to soak directly in near the roots. 
 

Growing native plants and grasses will help cut down on water usage, as they are adapted to your local climate.  Contact your local cooperative extension agent to find out how to plant a native plant garden. 
 

Trees and large shrubs can be hydrated efficiently by placing a five-gallon bucket with small holes drilled in the bottom nearby and filling the bucket with water. The holes will allow the water to trickle slowly, soaking the ground and roots--not the leaves. 
 

Use a pool cover on the pool to help keep the water from evaporating. There are plenty of ways you can conserve while enjoying your pool. 
 

Shortening your shower time by just two minutes per day saves 150 gallons of water per month! 
 

Bathe fresh veggies in a bowl filled with water instead of under running water.  Once they are clean, use the leftover water for houseplants or potted plants outside. 
 

Keep a pitcher filled with water inside the fridge for a thirst quencher instead of running water from the faucet and waiting for it to get cool.  

Landscaping Keeping your yard trim and weed-free does not decrease or increase your home’s value, but when it is time to sell a home, neat landscaping is a must. The one outdoor project that could increase the resale value of the home is constructing a deck. 
 

Flooring This is a personal choice, but if the homeowner knows that they will sell in the future, the cost of refinishing or adding hardwood flooring will come back to them in the sale.  Installing the floors could be a long-range DIY job but hiring a pro for a refinishing job is the wisest thing to do. Think of it as an investment, not an expense. 
 

Roofing Keeping the roof in sound condition is considered regular maintenance, so putting on new shingles because the homeowner would like a new color will not add value.  Installing a metal roof, on the other hand, could add value to the house, depending on the location. 
 

Home Systems Installing new plumbing or HVAC, or upgrading electrical are all considered maintenance, and no matter the cost, will not add to the value of the house. 
 

Remodeling Kitchen and bathroom remodels are your best choice for a project that will pay you back upon the sale of your home. 
 

Swimming Pool Putting in a pool is simply a personal choice.  Rarely does an added pool or spa put money in your pocket in case the house is sold. 
 

Additions Adding a sunroom, garage or home office will not necessarily give a good return on investment. An extra bedroom, however, is a good choice, but must be built to certain specifications to qualify as a bedroom in real estate terms. A reputable builder knows the requirements necessary for the extra space to be considered a bedroom, so choose wisely. 

Fire extinguisher Visit the USFA to see what type of extinguisher is needed for the kitchen, workshop, or multipurpose fires. 
 

Portable safe Secure important papers, valuables, and other important items in a portable safe. This could be quite an investment when upgrading to fireproof materials or digital passcodes, but valuables and irreplaceable items need to be protected. 
 

Cleaning items This seems obvious, but a good broom and dustpan, bucket, microfiber cleaning cloths, “shop rags,” and a flat mop are all that is needed to keep a home sparkling. 
 

Simple tools: A hammer, heavy-duty scissors, screwdrivers, hex key tool, measuring tape, handsaw, and more; all of these things will make a homeowner’s life much easier when they need them. 
 

Emergency kit FEMA offers a build-your-own kit list with everything necessary for an emergency. 
 

Heavy-duty extension cord Do not use an indoor-rated cord outdoors. A cord that can handle a large capacity of electricity and bad weather conditions is best. 
 

Wet-dry vacuum Having one of these handy can save clean up time from a dishwasher leak, or spilled nails on the floor.  
 

Ladder A sturdy stepladder or six-foot A-frame is best for smaller jobs. Find out what ladder is best for the job. 
 

Lawn and garden tools Besides a garden hose, mower, and string trimmer, every homeowner with a yard needs a leaf rake, shovel, pruning shears, and a wheelbarrow. 

Who would not want to plant grass that needs no mowing?  Ornamental grasses such as zebra grass, purple fountain grass, blue fescue, and Japanese blood grass grow to different heights and can add interest and color with little maintenance. Plant around posts and hard-to-get-to places in the yard for a mower-free plot! 
 

Offering a rainbow of easy-care color, daylilies come in hundreds of varieties.  Plant different cultivars in a sunny spot, keep them watered well for the first few weeks, and you will be rewarded with pops of color all summer. Bonus: daylilies come back each year and can be divided! 
 

Sunflowers come in varieties that range from a few feet tall that can be grown in containers or planted en masse with the giant varieties.  If you plant seeds, try planting each set every two weeks for six weeks, and once they bloom, they will bloom until fall. 
 

If your home faces north or the yard has lots of shade, try impatiens.  They are non-stop bloomers if you keep them deadheaded. They are great in containers and hanging baskets, too! 
 

Another plant for shady places is the fern.  There are many cultivars, and ferns thrive in the shade, and come back every year. 
 

Butterfly weed brings color and butterflies to your yard!  It is a native wildflower, making it practically care-free.  Look for plants already in flower in your garden center, as growing from seed will take a year or two for them to blossom. 
 

Zinnias put on a show all Summer, and come in many colors and bloom varieties, and all it takes is a scattering of seeds.  Like sunflowers, if you plant them every two weeks for about six weeks, you will have cheery blooms for months. 
 

Portulaca, or moss rose, is a succulent plant that grows low to the ground and blooms in bright pink, orange, red, white, and yellow.  Because they tolerate the heat and drought of summer, when everything else is drooping their small blossoms will stand out. 
 

Roses do not always need to be coddled! There are many easy-care hybrid roses.  Not only are the modern cultivations easy to grow, but some also bloom all season. 

The home-buying process and moving are no small feats and undertaking a renovation can take another toll.  Give yourself a break before starting something new. 
 

Getting used to living where you are could cause you to rethink your plans. For instance, you wanted a bay window to replace the two smaller windows in the dining area, but after feeling the hot afternoon sun shining in, you change your mind.  Little things like this are not noticeable from a few walkthroughs and virtual tours. 
 

Many fixups are inexpensive and can tide you over until you make your final decision on whether to renovate or not: painting, fixing up the floors, or purchasing new furniture are all ways you can satisfy that itch and make the new house feel like your own. 
 

Living in your home as it is for a while could show you that a major renovation is not needed at all! One room could simply need better lighting, or a closet you wanted to enlarge simply needs a few organizational pieces. 
 

Continue the savings habits you adopted while saving for your down payment and other costs associated with your home purchase, and you can pay for your redo in cash, one step at a time! 
 

Go ahead with your planned decorating! It is possible that you will find those renovations unnecessary once you have new furniture, draperies, and wall color. 
 

Some renos cannot wait and are best completed before moving in structural work, full kitchen or bathroom re-do, large room addition, or changes to the layout.   

A home warranty covers what homeowner’s insurance does not. When one of your home’s systems or major appliances breaks down or is damaged from normal wear and tear, a home warranty will help you with the costs. 
 

Homeowners pay a monthly fee, on average $300-$600 per year, according to Consumer Affairs. Most service calls through the company will require the homeowner to pay a set service fee to the technician when making a claim. 
 

A home warranty can be purchased at any time, which is great for someone who is selling their home.  Sellers can spend a good amount of money prepping the house for sale, and a warranty will help considerably if something breaks down during the selling process. Warranties can be transferred to the buyer, as well! 
 

A newer home may not necessarily need a home warranty, so stash an amount equal to a monthly warranty payment into your savings account!  You can build emergency savings and have the funds for unexpected repairs. 
 

Research home warranties for prices and coverage available. Your Realtor® will be able to direct you to companies they are familiar with, and you can trust you are working with a reputable home warranty company. 
 

Current homeowners who do not have a home warranty can find a company that is registered with the Service Contract Industry Council. Scroll to the “Home Service Contract Companies” for a complete contact list. 

Begin by looking at your flat spaces.  While they may be clean of dirt, if you see even one pile of “uncategorized” papers, toys, or gadgets, it is still messy.  Every place that has a pile needs a container to hold those things, and once it is full, clean it out. Do not leave things inside that can be seen over the top edge.  
 

A much-used entryway can get chaotic, even with hangers and bins for everything. Store off-season items in a closet, or in case of outdoor toys and sports, in the garage.   
 

Any neat home can feel busy and cluttered because of the decor.  Hanging lighter curtains instead of heavy drapery, clearing knick-knacks, and using one or two pieces of hanging art as a focal point calms the space. 
 

Anywhere there is technology, there are cords. While rolling them up and using a bread tie may help a bit, that may not be enough. Use cord covers or sleeves in the same or similar color as your wall paint to hide the techy mess.  A hanging table cord pocket works well, too, and can be purchased online or DIY with an accordion file holder. 
 

Do you have open shelving in your kitchen? Shelves without doors can certainly get cluttered, so if you do not care for a messy-looking kitchen, have one open shelf for a bit of style, and use doors for the rest. 
 

Refrigerators can get cluttered since they are used for reminder boards as well as storage on the top.  Post paper items on one side, toss what is not needed, and clear the top of all but one large basket that can conceal what you need to stash there. 
 

You can love using pillows and throw blankets, but too many strewn on your living room furniture will give an unkempt appearance.  Keep your favorites out and store the rest in an ottoman or bench with storage space for easy access. 
 

Toys can accumulate all over the house, in toy boxes, storage containers, and baskets.  Instead of allowing them to take over, keep them organized in small storage containers or cubbies.  Better yet, store half of them elsewhere, and every few months switch them out with those in the house.