• Selling Your Home? Don’t Forget These 6 Maintenance Tasks,Matt Giove

    Selling Your Home? Don’t Forget These 6 Maintenance Tasks

    If you’re a homeowner, you already know that keeping your property in tiptop shape requires dedication and patience for ongoing maintenance. But what if you’re putting your home on the market or even accepted an offer? Perhaps you’re thinking: Not my problem anymore. However, just because you’re selling doesn’t mean you’re off the hook from routine maintenance tasks—and that’s especially true if you’ve already vacated the house. Sure, a well-cared-for house shows better: Small things like broken doorbells and leaky faucets make buyers wonder if your property also has bigger issues elsewhere. But more important, a little routine maintenance can help you avoid a catastrophic problem down the line (e.g., burst pipes, roof leaks, critters moving into your attic) that could devalue your property and derail that sale. To prevent minor issues from escalating into full-blown, money-sucking, sale-killing problems, focus on these six important areas you can’t afford to neglect. Keep up the yard and walkways Whether you’re still living in the house or not, you’ll want to make sure to keep your landscaping tidy—remove dead tree limbs, rake leaves, and clean out flower beds. Curb appeal is so important. If your home is already vacant, have someone tend to the yard regularly so that grass and weeds don’t detract from your home’s appearance. If your home does not have a well-maintained exterior, potential buyers will keep driving. Plus, this kind of neglect can be a bull’s-eye for vandals to break into your property. Consider having lights on timers so the house doesn’t look dark all the time, and arrange for driveways and walkways to be plowed weekly in the winter months. And don’t let mail pile up in the mailbox. Clean the gutters and check the roof This one’s easy to forget about, even when you don’t plan on going anywhere. But when it comes to gutter and roof issues, neglect can cause a dangerous domino effect. Overflowing gutters can damage your foundation, and also lead to drainage issues. And, of course, you don’t want buyers seeing puddling water as they approach your house. And then there’s the roof. Of course, it’ll be examined during the home inspection, but it would benefit you to do it before putting your home on the market. Small roof cracks can remain undetected for years, causing water to slowly infiltrate your home and damage ceilings and walls. Service your heating systems The hidden guts of your home need regular attention, whether you’re still living there or not. That means having your HVAC systems professionally serviced. First up, your furnace: If you get it addressed before you list your home, it won’t smell like dust when you crank up the heat during an open house on a chilly day. While you’re at it, have the duct work and filters cleaned as well. And if you have baseboard heaters, vacuum those out, too. Speaking of heat, it is suggested to keep the thermostat at 66 degrees Fahrenheit when agents are showing your house so buyers can visit your place comfortably. This will also avoid any issues with pipes freezing or bursting in the colder months. Have a chimney? Be sure to have it inspected and cleaned as well. You want to make sure there are no cracked flue tiles, and that from the exterior, there are no gaps in the mortar between the bricks. Otherwise, you could potentially have the chimney fall over onto the house, and that’s a very expensive fix. Keep the critters out If you don’t want to add “family of raccoons included” to your listing (and pay the hefty tab for getting them out), inspect the inside and outside of your home for any areas that need to be plugged up. Take care of holes from damaged siding or fascia under the roofline—and do it promptly. In a colder climate, squirrels look for somewhere warm to go, and they’ll find their way into your property. Stove and dryer vents, for example, should be covered with wire mesh to deter pests. Wash your windows Most people associate sparkling windows with spring-cleaning, But if your house is on the market, it doesn’t matter what time of year it is—you need to get those babies squeaky clean. If buyers walk through your home and all they see is dirty windows, that’ll really mar the showing process. Make sure to wipe them down after a bad storm, when they’re especially likely to show muck and grime buildup. Check the calendar Depending on what time of year you bring your house to market, pay attention to any details that scream, “We don’t live here or care anymore.” That means tackling seasonal tasks such as clearing away lawn mowers in the fall and storing shovels in the spring. It is also a good habit to put away patio furniture in the fall and winter. Leaving them out all year long shows deferred maintenance and lack of caring, and can really turn off a potential buyer. Staying on top of these regular tasks will make it easier to sell your home with fewer headaches. Plus, it’ll preserve the value of your property, and potentially, the thickness of your wallet, too.  

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  • 4 Signs You Might Need Roof Repairs,Matt Giove

    4 Signs You Might Need Roof Repairs

    Your roof is a critical part of your home. Protecting you from the elements all year round, your roof takes the brunt of any weather that comes through your town. That exposure every single day can lead to wear and tear, and sometimes that can lead to issues that need repaired. It isn’t always obvious when your roof needs a fix, but here are some indicators that it may be time to call a roofer! 1. It Looks Worn It might seem obvious, but if your roof looks bad, that might indicate it needs a repair. When your shingles appear damp and worn, it means they’re holding moisture and no longer fully able to do their job. If the shingles are cracked or curling up at the corners, they are at a point that they may fall out and will need fixed or replaced. 2. You Have A Leak Do you have any ceiling wet stains? Though you may not notice them at first, wet spots can be the first indicator that precipitation is leaking through your roof and into your ceiling. You will want to get this fixed as soon as you notice it to prevent further water damage to your house interior. 3. The Roof Is Sagging If you roof isn’t in a straight line, it is sagging. This means it is definitely time to call a roofing company because serious structural damage can occur if sagging is not remedied. 4. You Can See The Light This is the one time you don’t want to see the light - and that is when you are looking up at your roof. If light can penetrate your roof, so can plenty of other things. If you ever have any light leaks, get the crack filled as soon as possible.

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  • How To Seal Your Granite Countertops,Matt Giove

    How To Seal Your Granite Countertops

    Natural stone countertops are one of the most popular fixtures in a kitchen today. With granite being the most popular, it is often found in homes that sell quickly. If your countertop is granite and you want to keep it sell-ready for years, you’ll need to find a way to take care of it. One of the best ways to do so is to seal your countertops. Because granite is porous, liquids can easily seep into the stone. To stop this, you’ll need to seal your granite. Thankfully, this process is easy and quick. You will only need to seal your countertops once a year, but it is good to check and see how your seal is holding up every few months. You can do so by pouring a small amount of water on your countertop and leaving it for 30 minutes. If it beads up, your sealant is great. If not and it soaks into the stone, it is time for another round of sealing. To seal your counter, you’ll need granite cleaner, granite sealer, and lint-free rags. First, you will need to clear off your countertops. The process will be easiest if all items are removed. Then you’ll need to use the granite cleaner to completely scrub off any residue, crumbs, or spills. Once they are clean, use a new cloth to dry them off and let them sit until morning, assuring that the countertop is completely dry. Next, you will want to open your windows. The sealant can be potent, so having a breeze will help keep the strong smell at bay. It is recommended to do a spot test before you begin sealing your entire counter to make sure that the sealer doesn’t cause any damage your stone type. As you begin sealing, you should work in small sections of 2-3 square feet. You will spray the sealer and then wipe it into the surface of your countertop quickly. Work throughout your kitchen and make sure you are wiping the sealer before it dries. Lastly, you will need to take another lint-free rag and buff your counters. Once you’ve buffed every inch, you will need to let the counters cure for 24 hours - but then they will be sealed and ready to use again!

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