Real Estate Information Archive

- Make it easier on yourself and rake or vacuum fallen leaves as they come down.  Mulch leaves for your compost pile or call your local waste management for curbside pickup.   

- Check trees for dead or diseased branches and trim them back.  As they go into their dormant phase, there is less chance for the diseases to spread after trimming. Call an arborist if the job is too daunting. 

- Many plant trees in the Springtime, but Fall is a better time. The tree’s roots do not have to compete with the heat, they get plenty of water from the Autumn rain, and can settle in and get established. 

- Dethatching the lawn is best done now before the grass goes into dormancy.  You will reap the benefits with a healthy lawn next Spring. 

- Before storing them in the garage for Winter, service and store the mower, string trimmer, and any other lawn tools you may use. 

- Inspect walkway and driveway surfaces, looking for cracks, and seal them with an approved sealant.  Snow and ice can cause the surfaces to bulge, causing a falling hazard. 

- Fall is a great time to paint the exterior of your home, thanks to moderate temperatures and lower humidity. 

- Have your heater serviced by a professional. Ask if they offer a yearly fee for a checkup on your unit at set times of the year; this could save you some money in the long run. 

- Check doors and windows for drafts, and seal with caulking or insulation strips.  Screens should be replaced with storm windows, if applicable. 

- See that your chimney is free of creosote to prevent fires.  A licensed chimney sweep would be the best for making sure your home and family are safe from chimney fires. 

- Now that it is not sweltering, venture into the attic and give it a good cleaning. Be on the lookout for any insulation issues, and replace or repair, if needed.  Be sure that pests cannot get inside and spend the winter in your attic! 

- Wash and/or air out heavy blankets and quilts to get them freshened up for use. 

When making plans for a child’s space, whether a bedroom or bathroom, and you are in your “forever” home, make sure those plans can grow with your child.  While a fun built-in castle bed is fun for now, it might require a whole new reno when he stops wanting to be a knight when he grows up. 
 

During contractor interviews, ask if they are experienced in working in a home with children present, get referrals from other families, and make a point to call those references.
 

Planning on a total rehaul for your kitchen? Create a makeshift kitchen with portable electric cooking gadgets, use disposable plates and utensils, and use the grill as often as possible. If there is carpet in the new eating area, and you have small children, purchase an inexpensive area rug or large outdoor “rug” (found in most discount stores for $20), to protect the wall-to-wall. 
 

When demolition begins, have a plan for everyone to be away from home that day. Have your contractor call with any possible dangers they may find:  mold in the walls, asbestos or lead in an older home, or any broken glass or tile. Wall off that area with plastic sheeting and make it as impossible as you can for the children to enter on their own. 
 

Talk to your contractor about the importance of hunting down every tool at the end of the workday and storing them out of sight. Offer a charging station in an area your children do not frequent so cordless tools can re-energize out of sight and out of their interest. 
 

Dust will be everywhere, and allergies may flare. Make certain all ductwork in the project rooms are covered, and again, walled off with plastic sheeting or “temporary” walls.  
 

If your contractor does not provide dedicated trash cans with lids for construction trash, buy them yourself and put them in each work area. Make sure they are tall enough that children will not be tempted to grab something they find interesting that could harm them. 

- The most common types of fencing are wood, vinyl, and metal. 
 

- The type of wood you choose depends on your budget. Pine is inexpensive and treated to resist rot and insects. Different types of cedar and Douglas fir, on the other hand, is naturally resistant to moisture and pests and will cost more upfront. 
 

- Wood composites are made of sawdust and recycled plastic. It looks like wood and comes in many styles, finishes, and colors. Most manufacturers of composites offer a warranty on their products, making it a more expensive choice, but a long-lasting one. 
 

- Vinyl fencing is almost maintenance-free and comes in many styles. Costs are high initially, but its durability and little upkeep pay for themselves in the end. 
 

- Wrought iron, aluminum, and chain link fencing are all long-lasting choices. Chain link is likely the easiest for DIY, but the others would be best installed by a pro. Maintenance for wrought iron mostly consists of painting and keeping an eye out for rust.  
 

- If cost is not an option but security and durability are your concerns, there is the option to have steel fencing installed.  
 

- Hiring a fencing contractor is a smart move because they are knowledgeable about materials and styles that perform well in your area.  Installing fences is what they do; their expertise can save you money and time in the long run. 

Roof:  Your roof is probably your home’s most important part of its structure, so inspect it well:  take binoculars or use your phone’s camera to zoom in on the roof and look at every aspect. Check for damaged, missing, or curling shingles. For a tile roof, look for cracks or missing tiles, and metal roofs should be gone over for loose screws or damage to the metal. On a rainy day, go into the attic and check for leaks. Have any issues repaired as soon as you possibly can. 
 

Foundation:  The other important side of your home is its foundation. Check for cracks in the bricks, look at the grading around the outside (making sure water is running away from your home), and check for gaps in the outdoor walls and windows. On the inside, look for sagging floors or bowing walls, doors that do not want to close or windows that do not want to open. These are all signs of possible foundation issues. 
 

Siding:  Look for peeling, blistering, or fading paint, as these may be signs that you need new siding. Check for rot and warping on the soffits and any fascia boards. Visible mold can be a sign of a major moisture issue and should be investigated by a pro. 
 

Plumbing:  Grab a flashlight and go under your sinks and look for any signs of leaking. Toilets can leak “silently,” and you can figure out where the leak is coming from with a little food coloring and time.  Inspect around the water heater for any signs of leaks as well. 
 

Smoke/CO Detectors:  If you have battery-operated detectors, checking the batteries is fine, but you need to be sure they are working as well. CO detector kits are available at most home stores and testing a smoke alarm is as simple as blowing out a candle and allowing the stream of smoke drift towards the smoke alarm. Be sure to let everyone in the house know you are “crisis testing” the alarms! 
 

Gutters:  On a rainy day, or using the water hose, check to be sure gutters and downspouts are running freely (no clogs), and have no leaks around the seams. 

Spruce up your patio furniture with new pillows or make some no-sew covers with what you have on hand! 
 

Adding lights is an inexpensive way to make the time last longer: add strings of LED’s to ground cover, wrap tree trunks with string lights, and no outdoor structure, no problem with this DIY on creating easy lamp posts to define a seating area! 
 

Pools are great and make the backyard irresistible for the whole family! Affordable options like easy set up pool kits can get you swimming in just a day!  
 

Speaking of water, did you know that backyard splash pads are catching on? If your municipality allows them, DIY or have a permanent play area installed! Inflatable or portable splash pads can be bought at most discount stores or online. 
 

Who says swings are just for porches? Hang a porch swing from a sturdy tree branch or add a platform swing (store-bought or DIY).  
 

Everyone loves a treehouse! It can be as simple as a deck/platform built in the branches or a full-out house with walls and a roof. The Family Handyman has some great ideas and tips for building a tree structure. 
 

Make an outdoor exercise spot or place to practice your yoga!  
 

Get outside with the dogs, especially if you create a playground for your dogs. Playing with them outside is good for both of you. When they want to be on their own, Cesar’s Way has a few suggestions for making your backyard more fun for your furry friends. 

Growing a lawn is labor intensive:  keeping it green requires large amounts of water and regular mowing. Gardening Know How has a guide for creating a meadow, growing ground cover, or ornamental grasses, all perfect solutions for going lawn-free. 
 

Faux grass--it’s not just for indoor sports arenas anymore. The industry has come a long way in the production of synthetic grass, and it could be the perfect solution for those in drought-prone regions, or for someone who simply doesn’t want to mow their lawn every weekend.  Depending on the size of your property, it can be expensive, but HouseLogic just might change your mind about installing fake turf! 
 

Drought-tolerant plants will thrive without a lot of water, obviously. You can find twenty-one plants listed here, with their USDA hardiness zone included. 
 

Every yard has its problem areas:  rocky soil, drainage issues, shady areas--these can all be planted with a little effort, and don’t normally need a lot of care afterward.   
 

Mulch is a landscaper’s friend!  One tip from the Love Your Plants website is to add at least two inches of mulch for it to be effective. Check their website for more information about using mulch to benefit your plants and cut back on keeping up the flowerbeds.  
 

If you’ve ever seen a hedge of hydrangeas in full bloom, you know how beautiful shrubs can be!  Hydrangeas are one shrub that doesn’t require a lot from you, and This Old House lists many more according to plant zone to encourage you to plant a low-maintenance hedge. 
 

A traditional flower bed filled with annuals isn’t necessarily maintenance-free, but using drip irrigation or soaker hoses under the mulch will certainly cut back the amount of time it takes for you to water them yourself, and use the water more wisely than using sprinklers or hose attachments. 

- A dirty grate needs to be deep-cleaned:  burning off the caked-up food/grease is your first step.  Start a fire in the grill, wrap the grates in foil, put them in place, and close the lid.  Once the fire is out and the grates are cool to the touch, rub off the burnt stuff with the balled-up foil or a wire brush. 
 

- Once the worst is off the racks, use a baking soda/water paste and a strong scrubbing pad or brush to remove as much of what’s left. Wash with warm water and good dish soap, and rinse well. 
 

- Rub the grate down with a towel soaked in vegetable oil to start the seasoning process for non-stick cooking. 
 

- Inspect the outside of the grill for over-wintered insects, debris and rust. If you find rust, wipe away as much as you can w/ a surface-appropriate cloth, and use a cloth dampened with a half-water, half-vinegar solution to remove the rest of it. Keep the grill covered to avoid moisture and more rust. 
 

- Any baked-on grease or carbon flakes on the lid or bottom of the grill should be removed with a wire brush. This build-up can cause uneven heating, and as a result, uneven cooking. Wash the lid and bottom of the grill with warm soapy water, and allow to air dry, but wipe any pooling water off with dry paper towels. 

- Before you get started on cleaning, check your propane line for leaks.  Learn how to do this simple test from this video from Weber. 
 

- The grates on gas grills are normally made of cast iron and can take a steaming to clean them:  heat up the grill, and when the grates get hot, turn off the heat. Wearing a grill glove or mitt, use a wet grill brush to scrub and steam off any cooked-on build up. 
 

- Grill burners can be unclogged with the straightened end of a paper clip, scrubbed with a wire brush, then wiped down with soapy water. 
 

- Scrape the grease pan clean, and if it’s removable, wash it in hot, soapy water; if the pan is stationary, clean it as best you can using dry paper towels to remove as much grease as possible, then follow with hot, soapy water. 
 

- Once the pan and burners are clean, wipe out the interior with a damp cloth, or scrub pad. Replace the burner covers and grease pan. 
 

- Get the grates ready for future cooking by seasoning them.  Turn the grill on high heat for about ten minutes, and after turning off the heat, rub the grates down with paper towels or a grill towel soaked with vegetable oil. Doing this before and after every grill session will keep them clean and virtually non-stick. 

“Cleaning” a surface simply means you are removing dirt, dust, and contaminants.  All-purpose cleaners are just that--they can clean a myriad of things. If you’re planning on disinfecting those surfaces, be sure that it is labeled on the bottle. 
 

Sanitizing cleaners will significantly reduce the number of bacteria but will not affect fungi or viruses.  Use a sanitizer for low-risk areas such as floors and read the label to make sure you’re using it correctly. 
 

Disinfectants are meant to kill contaminants, and different ingredients work for different pathogens. Check your bottle’s label for more information on those pathogens and follow directions to the letter. 
 

Antibacterial cleaners and wipes kill only bacteria, not viruses. 
 

Aerosol disinfectants are as effective as you make them; most labels tell you to spray long enough to wet the surface for at least three minutes, air dry, and afterward, wipe any food surfaces or children’s toys with clean water. 

Disinfectant wipes are perfect for hard surfaces and be sure to follow the manufacturer’s label for directions as well as the pathogens it will eliminate. If a wipe becomes dry during use, toss it and continue with a fresh wipe.  
 

You should be using a clean dishwashing cloth every day and use it only for dishes and wiping down cooking surfaces. Rinse them in cool water once the dishes are finished, wring out and air dry between laundry days.  
 

Paper towels are perfect for cleaning or disinfecting, as they are tossed in the trash after each use.  Microfiber cloths or other types of washable cloths should be washed and dried in the dryer as soon after cleaning as possible. If not, spray with a disinfectant and allow it to air dry until it can be put in the washer. 
 

When you are cleaning, be sure to wear gloves, because it protects your hands from contaminants and is better for your skin.  Wash your hands after cleaning, whether you wear gloves or not. 

Begin with finding out if your email address(es) has been affected by a breach. Go to Have I Been Pwned and enter your email.  If your email has been compromised, it will share the data/app breaches it was involved in, and it would be best to change your email password. 
 

When you create a new account for any device, use a different password for every account, even if you’re using the same email. Many people use the same email/password combination for everything, and there lies the problem of their information being available on the dark web, and having their accounts hacked into easily. 
 

If you have smart speakers, turning off voice commands, voice purchases, microphone, and camera are simply a matter of going into the device’s settings and change them.  
 

Your Wi-Fi router comes with a factory default name and password. It would be a good idea to change those before anyone connects to the router. Use a unique name for your home’s Wi-Fi, and a strong password. Both settings can be changed, and directions are normally in the instruction booklets or ask the internet installer how you can do this. 
 

 When a vulnerability is discovered in any device, the company normally updates the firmware. Be sure your smart devices’ automatic updates are “checked” in the settings.  
 

New products from new companies are great, but sometimes, it’s best to wait for a reputable, established company to produce a similar product. Those companies have a reputation to uphold and will be more likely to make certain their products are as safe as they can be. 
 

This might seem obvious but give your home’s Wi-Fi password only to people you know and trust completely.  

Start talking to gardening friends and family now. They have been where you are and know it’s not easy to have a magazine-worthy garden the first year. Find out what grows best in your area and choose a few vegetables to try. 
 

Your first plot needs to be small and in a part of your yard that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. Shade in the evening is great to help cool plants on those hot Summer days, but full sun is best during the day. 
 

A soil test is important and is most easily done through your local cooperative extension service. The results normally include recommendations for improving your soil quality. 
 

Consider using a raised bed for your first attempt! It will make soil-amending easier and gives you more control of water retention/drainage.   
 

Purchase seedlings from your garden center instead of starting everything from seed. You’ll have a head start on the harvest!  
 

Don’t forget to add some flowering plants to your vegetable garden! Planting a few companion plants will bring pollinators and beneficial insects that help keep the bad bug population down. 

Once again, talk to your neighbors; look at what they are growing in their landscapes and flower beds, and ask them what is the easiest to grow and care for. 
 

Soil prep is just as important for blooms as it is for the vegetable garden; test the soil from the areas you’re planning on planting. 
 

Flowering plants have different needs when it comes to sunlight. While geraniums thrive in full sun, impatiens need mostly-to-full shade. Take care to note the sunlight recommendation on plant tags when you’re making your purchases. 
 

If you don’t have time to lug the water hose or sprinkling can all over the yard, you might want to plant in one main area, or purchase a soaker hose that will stay put so you only have to turn the water on. 
 

Planning is important, and you’ll save time in the nursery if you decide what you’d like to grow before you go. Check out this list of easy-to-grow flowers from HGTV.