Now that the oppressive heat of summer is (hopefully) behind us, it’s time to focus on important things coming this fall.
I’m not talking about football or tailgating, I’m referring to the tasks you might have overlooked due to the heat of summer. Fall is a great time to give your house a little extra love and maintenance.
Where to begin? In a recent article on the National Association of Realtors’ Houselogic.com website, Kelley Walters provided helpful tips on how to stay ahead of home maintenance projects this fall:
Stain the deck
Help your deck field what winter throws at it by re-staining it this month. October’s cooler temps and lower humidity make it the ideal time for this project.
Check fire extinguishers
According to the American Red Cross, fires increase in the fall and winter. Keep your home fire safe by scheduling a certified professional to check your extinguishers.
Fire extinguishers do break down and malfunction. In fact, after six years, they need to be emptied and reloaded. If you haven’t already, buy one for each floor – and don’t forget the garage.
Spruce up the yard
Aerate your lawn, reseed or fertilize it if needed, and plant perennials and shrubs, which might be on sale now. Your lawn will green up faster after winter, and the shrubs and perennials will have a chance to establish roots before the first freeze.
Inspect your home’s exterior
Spending money on roof repairs is no party, but neither is handing out buckets to the family to catch leaks in a winter storm.
Inspect your roof and other big-ticket items, like siding, grading and gutters, before you have problems. You’ll cut costs by fixing them now and stay dry and warm all winter long.
Thanks to Kelley for these helpful starting points. Preventative maintenance in the fall is an investment that ensures safety, saves money and secures the comfort and well-being of individuals throughout the winter months.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell real estate, be sure to consult your Realtor for ways to maximize your most valuable investment. Realtors work for their clients and communities all year long. That’s Who We R.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a multiple listing service, which is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines – appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Working alongside Realtors are our affiliate members, who represent related industries in sympathy with the objectives of the association. Our affiliate members include mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control and insurance.