Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Blog posted On May 02, 2019

When you’re done purging your closets and clearing out the garage or basement, remember the rest of your home!  Spring is the perfect time of the year to tackle some home maintenance tasks you may have put on hold during the busy holiday season or colder winter months.  Your home deserves a facelift too!

1. Get in the garden – whether your yard just needs to be cleared of debris or you’re experiencing a weed takeover, your garden could use a spring cleaning. If you’ve got the time and stamina to throw on the gloves and pick up a bag of mulch, go for it!  Otherwise, hire a professional lawncare service, Realtor.com estimates you’ll spend an average of $226. 
2. Preventative pest control – before the summer brings the big bugs, it may be time for a visit from your local pest control provider. While all insects are pests, infestations like termites can cause extensive damage on your home.  com estimates preventative spraying may costs anywhere from $120 to $150, but if your home needs tenting, you may have to spend as much as $1,200 or more.
3. Inspect standing water – have you noticed any standing water around your property? When water pools around your foundation, it could cause expensive structural damage.  Check your gutters and downspouts, do they need to be cleaned or extended?  If adjusting your gutters and downspouts doesn’t help your drainage, you may need to expand your hardscaping (think walkways, patios, or decks) or hire a landscaping professional to find out what’s going on.
4. Check windows and doors – when temperatures fall, metal and wood contract and this contraction will impact the alignment of your locks and hinges. Loose windows and doors can jeopardize your home’s safety and also lead to rising energy costs, with cold air or warm air escaping through the cracks and crevices.  Some repairs may be manageable on your own, while others will require a professional. 
5. Check exterior lighting – when you’re spending more time outside in the spring and summer you may notice your lights are dimming or need replacement. Poor exterior lighting is not just an aesthetic issue, it’s a safety issue.  Replacing bulbs and adding new lights is relatively inexpensive, and you could probably do it on your own.

This Spring consider giving your home the makeover it deserves.  If you finish the do-it-yourself projects, and find your home needs more work, consider a cash-out refinance or renovation loan.  Investing in home renovation or repair could increase your home’s value and make your home more livable.  Let me know if you have any questions. 

Sources: Realtor.com