Let’s Go On A Spring To-Do List “House Hunt”

Last time we talked about sprucing up your home for sale (or your own enjoyment) by staging. In this issue, let’s discuss the more “structural” aspects of your home. As you’re probably aware, your home will require an inspection as part of a sale transaction. Even if you plan to rent or even stay in your home, these same elements are important maintenance items.

Typically when we are going through our home, we don’t notice obvious problems because we’re around them every day. Then when we go to sell or rent, suddenly there’s a huge overwhelming laundry list of problems to deal with. Or, if you plan to stay in your home, you don’t notice a problem until something breaks and there’s a crisis.

What if instead, this spring we found the “hidden” issues before they became problems…kind of like an egg hunt! Let’s play “house hunt” by taking a pen and paper and inspect your home for the following issues (feel free to print out this article as a guide):

1. Structural – Check the following areas for cracks and irregularities:
            Foundation
            Walls
            Ceilings
            Floors
            Roof

2. Mechanical – Check to see if the following are in safe working condition:
            Heating and air conditioning
            Fireplace
            Chimney
            Sprinkler systems

3. Electrical – Do all of these elements work properly? Do they all seem safe?
           Fuse panel / Circuit Breakers
            Wiring
            Lighting
            Fixtures
            Exhaust fans

4. Plumbing – Check for leaks and clogs.
            Drainage
            Vent Pipes
            Faucets
            Sinks
            Toilets

5. General – How does your home rate on the attractiveness of these:
            Ventilation
            Natural light
            Paint condition Appliances
            Smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
            Garage and entryways
            Landscaping
            Condition of driveway/sidewalk
            Condition of window frames, trim, shutters

Now that you’re done inspecting your home, what did you find? 

If you’re like most of our clients, this list gave you several “aha” moments! Your inspection might also have turned up an overwhelming number of things to fix.

All of the areas you inspected will affect the selling price of your home. Some are perceived value (like landscaping) and some are important safety issues (like electrical or plumbing).

To avoid overwhelm, here is a way to sort out the new “problems” you’ve discovered: Think safety first. Anything having to do with electrical or mechanical should be done first. Also any tripping hazards or structural integrity issues should be near the top of your “to do” list. After you’ve determined the urgent, then list what would be “nice.”

Develop a reasonable time frame to get all of your repairs done. For example if you want to rent or sell this summer, how much time do you need to get the work done? Finally, put time on your calendar to work on repairs. Remember even if you are not personally going to do the work, you need to allow time for the person you hire to get the work done. 

Now that you know all that, you’re probably thinking that you don’t have the time – or the inclination for that matter – to spend several of your upcoming weekends fixing all of the problems that you found.  That’s why our April Special is perfect for spring!     Read on to find out more.

 

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Better to Light a Candle than Sit and Curse the Dark

Do you have a home that, at times, feels like you’re living in a cave? Despite our “clever” title, lighting a candle probably won’t help much – and it can be a bit dangerous! But all is not lost! You can make your home feel brighter and more spacious. Here are some suggestions for brightening up dim rooms:

Trim trees and bushes away from windows

The thing about outdoor vegetation is that, over time, it can creep up and shade your windows. Suddenly without noticing, it seems like your humble abode has gone from cozy to cave-like overnight! Inspect each of your windows to determine if trimming back your trees and shrubs might have a positive impact on the amount of light that gets to your windows.

“Jeepers it’s the Creepers!” is not just a silly line from a kids cartoon, it’s also fair warning about vines and other creeping plants. When you think about your landscaping, keep in mind that vines such as ivy, wisteria and bougainvillea, in addition to blocking light, over time. can damage the exterior of your home. Consider exchanging these for less thirsty, drought tolerant, plants with upright or low growing habits. Your home will be lighter, brighter and you’ll spend less on water.

Replace heavy curtains

It should be noted that the light coming in from the very top of a window reaches farthest into a room. If you have tall, over-sized windows and you’re looking for a lighter brighter look, this is a good thing! When replacing your curtains and draperies, consider an arrangement that keeps the top portion clear.

Or maybe the drapes you have are dark, thick and insulated? If darkness during the day is a problem in your home, maybe replacing the windows is a better idea than trying to upholster your windows! Consider properly insulated dual pane windows instead! That way, you can use light breezy sheers as your window coverings without sacrificing energy costs too much. If finances are a factor and new windows are outside your reach, try swapping out those dark drapes for something in a lighter color.

Glass doors!

Nothing says “light and bright” better than a door with a glass panel. And it doesn’t have to be a front door if security is an issue. Changing out a solid door for one with a glass panel will increase the number of “windows” in your home. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can choose smoked or etched glass, or cover the opening with a sheer curtain.

You can take that thought a step further and consider glass or French doors for the interior of your home (ooh la la!) You’ll be amazed at how much brighter and more open your entire home seems when you replace dark heavy-looking wooden doors with elegant etched or clear glass!

Installing specialty lighting in dark rooms 

Sometimes all you can really do is install more lighting. It could be as simple as purchasing a floor or table lamp. But perhaps you should have something more permanent installed.

Specialty lighting, like track lighting can be mounted almost anywhere and the results can be illuminating (!) Alright we apologize for the pun, but in all sincerity, if you are having trouble reading a magazine in your favorite chair or if you keep wondering if you can buy brighter light bulbs, specialty lighting may be just the thing.

Imagine perfectly beautiful bright lights on your wall or in your ceiling installed once and enjoyed for years! That’s something the Fix-It Professionals can help you with. Our March special was developed with your lighting needs in mind! Click here to find out more. 

 

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