April NJ Real Estate Home Maintenance Checklist

Repairing fences, screen doors and other inexpensive improvements to make your NJ real estate home sparkle

 

Thankfully, the long-anticipated spring season has arrived, and now is the time to do a few indoor and outdoor improvements to your NJ real estate home. Routine maintenance should be done, such as installing new screen doors, maintaining fireplaces and gas appliances, repairing fences, and power washing stains from patios and concrete floors.

Below you will find 7 inexpensive ways to get your home into tip top shape for the spring and summer seasons.

Reduce Your Energy Expenses

Call your electric utility and/or your heating-fuel company to ask about financial incentives for installing energy-efficient appliances or improvements. Some utilities subsidize the cost of improvements such as adding insulation or weather stripping, or installing a programmable thermostat. Some others give rebates for purchasing Energy Star appliances such as water heaters, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, heat pumps, and fans.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Heating and cooling your NJ real estate can be one of the biggest expenses associated with daily living. Digital thermostats can be programmed on a timer to automatically decrease the temperature in your home while you are away and increase the temperature before you arrive home. The cost of this item is approximately $100, but can save you anywhere from 10-15% on your heating and cooling bills annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Install a Chimney Cap

A cap, often referred to as a “crown,” shelters the opening of your fireplace while it lets smoke escape. A cap prevents unwanted animals and wind from entering your home and helps create a good draft that feeds your fireplace or stove with oxygen. Keep in mind that caps are not appropriate for all chimneys. Have a chimney sweep inspect the chimney each year for damage and to advise you on whether to install a cap.

Repair Problem Doors

Walk around to each door of your NJ real estate home with a can of silicone lubricant and a rag. If a door is sticky, open it partway and pull the hinge pin out. Lightly oil the pin and the hole into which it will fit, using the rag to stop drips, and drop the pin back in place. If a pin is stuck in a hinge, use a hammer and small screwdriver to knock it all the way out. Sand off accumulated oil, dust and rust from pin and lightly lubricate it before reinstalling. You may have to do this with both pins.

Power Wash Exterior Stains

For patios and sidewalks stained by fallen leaves and dirt, the best method of cleaning is to rent a power washing machine and clean the concrete. Auto oil stains on the garage floor or driveway are more difficult to remove and may need some more creativity, such as using cat litter to soak up fresh oil stains.

Rake Up Debris and Leaves

The best thing to do in order to clean up your NJ real estate yard would be to take a leaf rake and a large tarp and circle the house, gathering leaves, wind-blown debris, and tree branches onto the tarp. When enough leaves have accumulated on the tarp, gather the corners and empty the contents into a yard-waste bin or a compost pile.

Clean Up the Entry of Your NJ Real Estate Home

Some suggestions to spruce up the exterior of your home are: sweeping under door mats and doorways, cleaning the threshold and possible painting the front door, wiping down patio and porch furniture, and repainting or staining your porch or deck and steps to rejuvenate them after a harsh winter.

 

The real estate market is changing rapidly and expanding into new avenues almost daily. Sometimes it can be very difficult to find the answers you need on a specific topic or issue. In times like these, you need a real estate professional who will provide valuable information and trustworthy advice. For more information on NJ real estate, call us today or click here to be connected with one of our top real estate specialists.