Fall Home Maintenance To Do List

Fall is definitely in the air here in Utah! Before you get out your holiday decorations, spend a Saturday afternoon checking on your home and taking care of the yard. Here are a few "To Dos" to get you started:










Inside Your Home

• Change your furnace air filter and stock up on air filters for the rest of the winter (change them monthly). 
• Check the weather stripping on your doors and caulking around your windows to ensure maximum heating efficiency.
• Review fire safety precautions for your home and replace fire extinguishers if necessary.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Outside Your Home

• Inspect your gutters and clear out any leaves or other blockage. Make sure that downspouts are directing water away from the foundation of your home.
• Rake leaves off your lawn and sweep off your deck or patio.
• Clean, pack and store any patio furniture that will not handle the coming winter weather.
• Disconnect garden hose and use your indoor valve to shut off and drain water from all outdoor pipes.
• Empty any unused fuel from gas-powered equipment from lawn mowers. Sediment can build up and clog fuel lines.
• Test your emergency generator if applicable.

Now your new home in Utah is ready for winter! Do you have other fall or winter tips for taking care of your home? I'd love for you to share them in the comments.

10 "To-Dos" That Will Help Your Home Sell Faster

So you've found the perfect home builder in Utah and you can't wait to get started building your new home. What's the hold up? For many people, it's selling your current home.

Many new homeowners that I've worked with at McArthur Homes need to sell their old home and they want it to sell quickly for as much money as possible. What they aren't sure of is how much they should spend getting it ready to sell. Here are some great tips that our preferred lender, Scott Smith found:

From an advice piece in the Wall Street Journal, we learn of 10 basic home improvement projects that will help your home have better showings. The advice requires almost no technical skills, and the projects can be tackled in a weekend.
The theme? Handle your home's delayed maintenance.

1. Repair or remove screen doors with holes and tears
2. Pressure wash windows, sidewalks, and siding
3. Paint your front door and polish the doorknob
4. Pull weeds, seed bare spots, and lay down mulch
5. Touch up holes, dings and cracks in paint
6. Clean grout and re-caulk sinks, bathtubs and showers
7. Buy new cabinet hardware
8. Fix leaky faucets and toilets
9. Spray lubricant on squeaky doors
10. Get clutter into storage and out of the way

Now, you'll notice that none of these projects can be considered "major". By contrast, each is minor; they're the items you'd add to your to-do list for work on "another day". However, they're extremely important for a home that's about to be listed.

Here's why. A prospective buyer doesn't notice that the above repairs were made. He only notices if they weren't made. When a buyer sees ripped screens or chipped paint in your home, it makes him wonder what else hasn't been cared for. This is the why you should also hire an exterminator prior to selling your home. If a buyer spots a trail of ants in your home, it's unlikely you'll get an offer.
You don't need to spend big bucks to get your home ready for sale, but you may have to apply elbow grease. The good news is that time spent up-front can be worth it in the end. Homes that show better tend to sell faster, and at higher prices.


If you have questions about this post, or you would like to be pre-approved for a new home, please visit my site, my online loan application, or call Scott Smith at 801-209-3850 for a quick phone consultation.

Happy fixing!

Scott

Lawn Tips- Is Your Lawn Water Wise

Local Utah landscaping expert, Chris Jensen shared his tips for keeping your new home's lawn looking beautiful. Thanks Chris for sharing your expertise with our homeowners!

Lawn Tips- Is Your Lawn Water Wise?

 

Don’t Kill it with Kindness

During the heat of the summer, your lawn only needs to be watered about twice a week.

Water in cycles

By dividing your watering time into three shorter cycles with time in between, water has more time to penetrate the soil and reach the root zone. This means run-off is minimized and more water gets to the roots.

Mow high-3"+

When grass is allowed to grow higher, roots have a chance to grow deeper. Deep roots help your lawn withstand changes in temperatures, even the extremes. Deep roots also need less water. Mowing high also means you get to mow less often.

Recycle your Grass

Leave grass clipping on the lawn to provide nutrients and to keep the soil cool. It also helps in reducing waste at the landfill.

 

Let the air in

Roots need air, too. Aerating your lawn helps compacted soils loosen up, and increases the

transfer of air into the soil so roots can breathe deep. 

 

Go on a less-lawn diet

If the only time you’re on the lawn is when you mow it, think of replacing part of the lawn with

low-water, low-maintenance ground covers, or even a patio or deck with a raised fire pit.

 

Monthly Watering Schedule

Start-up until April 30 Once every 7-10 days

May Once every 4-7 days

June, July, August Once every 2-4 days

September Once every 7-10 days

October to shutdown Once every 7-14 days

You may need to water less or more depending on the weather.

If it rains or is windy, remember to turn off your automatic system or add a rain clicker to turn off the system automatically.

 

 

 

All photos are of projects by Chris Jensen Landscaping

Spruce Up Your Home for Spring

I don't know about you, but spring cleaning is in full swing at my house. I've been hard at work indoors while my husband has been fixing up the yard for spring. (It seems I may have gotten the short end of the stick, cleaning indoors with all the beautiful weather we've had!) I love the feeling of everything in the house looking fresh and new. Here are some "to do" items for spring to help you get started on your own home. Is there anything else you like to do to get ready for spring? Leave a comment with your ideas!

Indoor Cleaning Projects:

• Wash windows and repair screens
• Vacuum dusty drapes and window treatments (You can send really dirty drapes to the cleaners!)
• Defrost the freezer and dust refrigerator coils
• Remove grime and grease buildup on the kitchen exhaust fan
• Clean out the basement, giving away or discarding any unwanted items or clothing (My pile has made it to the garage, but I still need to take my donations to DI and discard anything unusable.)
• Shampoo carpets and rugs
• Steam clean upholstery
• Dust corners and ceilings
• Wash baseboards, doorjambs, windowsils doors and walls
• Wipe ceiling fans
• Clean oven
• Wipe refrigerator clean
• Clean out office files

Indoor Maintenance Items

• Check Air Conditioning Unit
• Inspect caulking around tubs, showers and sinks
• Reseal grout on tile floors
• Test GFCI outlets (Press the "Test" button, which should trip the outlet. Then press the "Reset" button to restore the connection."
• Tighten garbage disposal drain, connections and fasteners
• Change furnace filters
• Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• Lubricate door hings and hardware
• Update first-aid and emergency kits
• Replace leaky faucet washers
• Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-saving lighting

Outdoor Cleaning Tasks

• Clean and de-clutter your garage
• Wash outdoor furniture
• Clean your grill and check for dead insects clogging the gas line
• Pressure-wash decks
• Scrub porch ceilings and walls
• Clean umbrellas and awnings
• Clean light fixture covers

Outdoor Maintenance Must-Dos

• Inspect and repair or replace damaged roof shingles
• Inspect and reseal roof flashing if necessary
• Pressure-wash driveway and walkway
• Clean and inspect gutters and downspouts
• Check the oil and air filter on your lawn mower
• Trim branches and shrubs that touch your home (They provide a pathway for bugs or excess moisture to enter your home.)
• Check ironwork for rust spots
• Reseal deck
• Seal drafty doors and windows

Phew! That's quite a list (and a lot of work!). You can find more information on many of these and other home maintenance items in McArthur Homes' new home guide. The best part about spring cleaning is that if you get it all done now, you can relax and enjoy the warm summer weather that is on its way! Happy cleaning!

Go Green- Save Energy & Money in Your Home

With Earth Day coming up this month, I've seen a lot of helpful tips for being more Earth friendly. Here are some tips for saving energy in your home, that will also save you money!

• Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out. They last longer and use 75% less energy!
• Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. You can also plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips then turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use. TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85% of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
• Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.
• Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120 degrees F.
• Turn off kitchen, bath and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing. 

Spring Maintenance Tips for your Home & Garden

Here are some fantastic tips on maintaining your home from HGTV.com

OUTDOOR MAINTENANCE

Divert Water

Gutters do their job best when clean. Check yours for foliage build-up, particularly if trees hover over the roof. The rainy season is a prime time to ensure all drainage areas remain unblocked by leaves and/or debris. Trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to moss and mildew and cause major damage to your roof and walls. While you’re at it, make sure the downspout is clean and pointing 2-2-1/2 feet away from foundation walls.

Retain the Roof

It’s easy to take for granted the one thing that shields you from the elements. But doing so could cost you unnecessary repair costs. Be diligent about roof maintenance. After the next rainy day, inspect your ceiling for wet spots. Ask a licensed professional to inspect your roof for wear and tear. "If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, it’s time to replace the roof," according to Dan Cornwell, president of CC&L Roofing in Portland, Ore.

Check Your Paint Job

Look for chipped, cracked paint along the exterior of your home. "The worse thing you can do is leave wood exposed, because that’s when it will begin to rot," says Brian Gummel, president of The Painting Company in Edgewater, Md. Scrape off any failing paint. Sand it down so there are no rough edges, prime the bare wood surface and paint it with a high quality paint product. Don’t wait until siding accumulates too much dirt. Brighten up the house with a good power washing.

Cut Shrubs and Trees

Trim overgrown trees and hedges away from your home to discourage the growth of mildew and moisture. Branches should be at least 7 feet away from the exterior of your house to prolong the life of your siding and roof. Get rid of out-of-control vines, as they can help crack siding and allow moisture and pests entry into your home.

Love Your Lawn

Rake up the excess leaves you didn’t get around to last fall. Too many can suffocate your grass and stop it from growing. "Pull up weeds, and remove foilage from the lawn, shrubs and any plants," says Neal Julien, landscaping expert with Neal Works Landscaping in Capitol Heights, Md. Pull up dead flowers and replace them with a low-maintenance variety such as pansies, begonias or mums.

INDOOR MAINTENANCE

Keep the Air Fresh

With warm, sticky days ahead, do yourself a favor and give your air conditioning unit a little TLC. Not only does it cool you down, but an efficient air conditioner removes moisture and humidity from your home, which in excess, can damage its foundation. So if you aren’t changing air filters monthly, start now. A unit free of dust and dirt runs more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill. While you’re there, check hose connections for leaks. Make sure the drain pans are draining freely. If you suspect a problem, contact a certified technician.

Watch Windows and Doors

Investigate all doors and windows for leaks and drafts, particularly near the corners. Look for peeling and chipping paint, which can signal water intrusion. Seal any open areas between the frame and the wall to keep out water, which can deteriorate building materials. Neglecting these tasks can open up potential for environmental hazards like mold growth, experts say.

Control Pests

Keep garbage and debris under control around the exterior of your home. "Do what you would do inside, and get rid of junk," says Genma Holmes, owner of Holmes Pest Control in Hermitage, Tenn. Inside, check the house for entrances and gaps where mice and insects may be tempted to come through. Seal up cracks, even if you just did so in the winter. Mulching the yard this spring? Use a liner underneath. "It’s good to keep a barrier between your mulch and your home," she says.

Take a Peek at the Plumbing

Except for a coffee maker, anything dripping in your house is a bad sign. Check for leaking faucets or sweating pipes, clogged drains and faulty water drainage systems. On laundry day, look at the washing machine hoses for bulges, cracks or dampness. Check under the kitchen sink for leaks, and make note of wetness around the dishwasher. Inspect your water heater for leaks and corrosion.

Tackle the Tiles

While you’re in spring-cleaning mode, pay attention to worn grout between floor tiles in the bathroom or kitchen. A small crack in the grout or caulk can lead to an expensive repair later. If necessary, re-seal as soon as possible. For the bath, get into the habit of wiping down shower walls and tub after each use to eliminate soap and scum build-up.