Before you hang up your flag for the forth make sure your flag pole holder is secure! As you are half way through the year check that list you made and see how you are doing?  Rethink your list by moving some projects around and adding a few more projects.  Then look at all those  “once a year” chores, such as cleaning behind the fridge, checking the water hoses for the washing machine, checking for small leaks under the sink and the dishwasher and testing circuit breakers. If you haven’t already label the breakers so you’ll know what switch controls what part of the house!!

Memorial Day! Backyard barbecues!! Yum! Since you worked on your deck in April it’s time to pull out eh Weber and fire up the grill! Before you strike a match remove all the rust from the grill with a little elbow grease and a stiff brush.  Freshen up the trim around your home, wash off your driveway and check for damage that might have appeared over the winter.  This would also be a good time to check fro termite damage on the foundation and the crawl space of your home.  It’s also ant time be sure you keep their home outside of yours in not in it!!! Seal crack and put bait traps around.  Be careful if you have children and pets to keep them away from the traps.  Enjoy this Southeast Minnesota weather!!! Bring on the SUN!

A fresh coat of paint can brighten up the old homestead!!! Not a big painter?? Then go outside and wash the siding and the stucco!  While, you are outside around the house check for damage!  Fixing cracks and breaks now can prevent further damage down the road.  Since you are in the cleaning mood scrub off the dirt/sand from the harsh Southeastern Minnesota winter!!!  (new trick- use newspaper to get no streaks!!!) Inside clean up projects include; cleaning your blinds! (Usually dusty after they have been shut all winter!)  Clean the ceiling fans and heat/AC vents.  Wouldn’t be a bad idea to schedule a check on the heat/AC system!!  Just a few projects to get you started this Spring!!  Lets hope for lots of sun in the upcoming weeks to get you out there to fix up the house!!

Can you feel it? Spring is just around the corner!!!!!!

Time to get the yard and house ready for the warm weather and sun!  Start by fixing sagging fences, window screens, and your deck is ready.  Now would be a good time to give your deck a good cleaning and a fresh coat of sealer.  Check for dry and rotted wood.

Consider renting a power washer to scrub the deck, siding, driveway, and the rest of your house. 

Here is something we don’t think about often; the mailbox.  Is it time for a new one? Or maybe the old one would look better with a paint job.  Even brighten it up with a unique design.

Melt snow melt!

http://www.lender411.com/blog-review-sylvia-rogers-rochester-minnesota-real-estate/

Preparing Your Home For Winter In Southeast Minnesota!! Buuurrrr!!!

1. Furnace Inspection.

-call an HVAC professional to inspect your furnace and clean ducts.

2. Get the fireplace ready!

-cap or screen the top of the chimney to keep out rodents and birds.

3. Check the exterior windows, and doors.

-inspect exterior for crevice cracks and exposed entry points around pipes; seal them.

4. Inspect roof, gutters, and downspouts.

-add extra insulation to the attic to keep the cold air out and the warm air in.  Take a hose to the gutter and remove all the fall leaves.

5. Service weather-specific equipment.

-drain  gas from lawn mowers, tune-up the snow blower. Replace the rakes with shovels!

6. Check foundations.

-seal foundation cracks.

7. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

-buy extra batteries and text your detectors.

8. Prevent plumbing freezes.

- drain pipes, if you go on vacation leave your heat on.

9. Prepare landscaping and outdoor services.

-trim trees and branches.

10. Prepare an emergency kit.

-buy candles and matches to use in case of a power shortage!

Most importantly…Stay Warm!

Wall art is one of the easiest ways to give your home character by providing a glimpse into your tastes and preferences. Follow these picture hanging tips to decorate your walls.  

Do

• Use odd numbers of items when possible.
• Hang pictures at eye level.
• Use toothpaste to fill in nail holes.
• Buy a picture hanging kit.
• Group four small frames into a square.
• Utilize wall shelves and picture ledges to showcase your art.
• Use decorative ribbon and knobs when hanging art.

Don’t

• Leave a lot of space between your sofa and wall décor (aim for 4 – 6 inches).
• Put one small picture on a large wall (and vice-versa).
• Hang a lot of pictures in a straight line.
• Nail collages to the wall until you’ve arranged your frames on the floor.

Removing clutter from your kitchen can be easy with a strategy. For an organized kitchen, follow these helpful tips.

Prep the kitchen. Go through your regular kitchen clean up routine. Clear countertops, empty the dishwasher and fill your sink with hot soapy water to quickly clean dusty and dirty items.  Get your summer dishes out for the nice weather in Southeast Minnesota!

Grab bins. Use four big bins or tubs for sorting your kitchen clutter into the following categories:

1. Belongs in kitchen (for the season you probably wont need those hot chocolate mugs in the summer in Rochester!! Get out your lemonade glasses!)
2. Belongs elsewhere (take items that do not belong in the kitchen out!)
3. Storage (Store holiday items in this bin!)
4. Donations

Gather garbage bags. A couple of big garbage bags will be needed for items that you want to discard.

Start sorting. Go through one drawer or one cupboard at a time. Pull items out of the storage space and utilize the bins to help you decide what to keep or toss.

Ask questions. As you look at the items, ask yourself when that item was last used.

• If the answer is never or more than a year ago, that item should go in a garbage bag or the donation bin.
• If it’s been more than a month since an item has been used, put the item in the storage box.
• If it’s something you use often, put it back in its spot or in one of the belongs bins.

Put away bin items. Once you’ve gone through your kitchen, you will be ready to take action on the items in the four bins. Now that your kitchen items are categorized into different groups, you will be able to efficiently relocate them to their appropriate spots.

Kitchens are a main piece to a home.  This is where family meals are prepared and time is spent.  Make your kitchen a place you enjoy and know where things are at.

Use this handy list to get a jump on your home maintenance this spring!

1.  Check batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Having these safety devices functioning properly will provide you peace of mind.

2.  Examine air filters to see if they need to be replaced with clean ones.

3.  Perform a visual inspection of the roof for damages after our winters in Rochester, Minnesota they need a good check.  Look for raised, cracked, or missing shingles that need replacing before the spring showers hit.

4. If you have a wood patio or deck, now is a good time to seal or paint it to protect from the scorching summer sun  in Rochester, Minnesota.

5. Inspect window and door screens, and use a repair kit from your local hardware store to mend any tears you might find.

6. Hire an inspector to service your heating/cooling system.  You want to make sure that no damage occurred during the winter and it will ensure that your cooling is in tip top shape for the hot summer ahead.

7.  Look for loose or leaky spots on your gutters that need fixing make sure all drain spouts are pointing away from the home as excess water collection can damage its foundation.

Check all of these items of your list so your home is in great shape! Enjoy the sun!