The rains have come and the wind is blowing the fresh smells of a new season across the land…and that means Spring cleaning!

Yay. Right? Nobody looks forward to the work part of the process but everything sure is nice when it’s done and you can sit back and breathe in that crisp clean house smell.

We’ve put together a few quick but powerful tips to help you get ready for Spring without taking the spring out of your step!

Dust Off The A/C
Seasons change fast, and if you have central air it won’t be long before you’ll be wanting to turn it on to cool down. It’s a good idea to give the unit outside a good hose down and inspect it for any damage. Go ahead and change those air filters and turn the system on to make sure everything sounds right.

Do the Junkmail Jump
It’s a good time to review all those subscription and junk mail ads hitting the mailbox. Unsubscribing may not be the way you want to spend your Saturday but by the end of the year when the sales ads are really hitting you’ll be glad you did. It’s not a bad idea to take a look at your online subscriptions and bills in general as well…are there some things you’re paying for that you’re not even using? Cut them out!

Clean the Grill!
This one brings it’s own reward really. For many of us grilling season never really stopped so this may just be a matter of some light brushing off, but for everyone else go ahead and break out the wire brush and get things looking clean. Dump out old ashes and maybe even fire up a few burgers after you’re done – just to make sure it’s still “good”.

Brave The Deep Clean
Now is the time. Before Summer sports and the year really gets rolling, Spring is often the best time to go beyond your normal maintenance cleaning and go for the deep grime. Bleach the grout, wash down the baseboards, and do all the little things that make a big difference.

A good real estate agent wants to help long after the paper work is signed and helping you take care of the home you’re living in is just one part of that. If you’re looking for a home, or even looking to sell the home you’re in just get in touch!

The Summer months will be fast upon us Idaho, so get the jump on those household tasks before they pile up and the heat is on!

Don’t panic! You’ve still got time and we’ve put together a quick checklist of items to help make getting those honey-dos under wrap before you really start to sweat.

Get The Grill Ready
Hey, it’s important! There’s nothing worse than having the meat and the charcoals and company on the way over only to discover your grill is filthy – or worse yet rusty or in need of real repair. So use this excuse to dust that Weber off early, fire it up for a test run, and clean out all those old ashes.

Check The A/C
You’re gonna need that air conditioning this Summer! If it’s been a while consider having it serviced by a professional. At the very least hose it off to clear it of dust and clear any debris from around the unit itself as well. Another good idea is to change the air filter inside your house also!

Wash The House
This goes for windows but also for your whole home as well. There’s been plenty of dust and grime blown in over the last few months; if you own a home with vinyl siding there are plenty of easy to use cleaners that will help get the place looking fabulous!

Beat Back The Bugs
All the creepy crawlies have been busy all Spring making their own little homes. You’ll want to be sure and keep them under wraps before Summer hits in full swing or you could be facing an invasion when temperatures heat up. Go around the perimeter of your home and knock down any visible nest from wasps or other bugs. Take a stroll through your attic or crawl space if you’re really motivated; consider pest barrier granules around your foundation to keep them out.

For many seniors the thought of finding a new home seems daunting to say the least.

In fact, it can be down right frightening depending on one’s situation. But it doesn’t need to be.

The thought of moving by itself can be troublesome, much less finding the right place with the right amenities, and the right price – thankfully your chosen real estate professional will be by your side to help you navigate the ever changing real estate market.

But before you start searching for a new place we’ve put together some things you may want to talk to your REALTOR® about before your move.

What is the demographic of the area?
It’s always good to know your neighbors and the community you will be calling home. As such make sure your area not only has the resources you require but also caters to your personal preferences as well, you may not want to be in a loud neighborhood that has a lot of traffic or that is near a playground.

What are the taxes and on-going costs?
The price of your new place may only part of the cost. Be sure to be aware of any homeowners association fees, utility costs, or community costs that may be part of the area you live in.

How safe is the area?
Your agent should be very familiar with where you will be moving. There is nothing more important than feeling safe where you live. Be sure to do a little homework on crime rates, or just ask outright what they know about the location.

How much home do I need?
Downsizing is common with seniors and so it’s a natural thing to consider how much house you really want. Better yet, how much home do you really need? You may not want or need a ton of space that will need extra upkeep. Talk to your agent about your goals and what your ideal space looks like to you.

The most important thing is to choose the right agent and communicate openly with them. Remember, they are there to help guide you through their experience towards the realization of your vision and that requires all the information you can provide.

There are a million and one details to get in order when the time come to sell your home, and having the help of a qualified Idaho REALTOR® will prove invaluable, but beyond their assistance there are a few things homeowners themselves to avoid in order to help the sale go smoothly.

Overgrown Lawn
Take care of dead patches and be sure to keep on top of cutting the yard during the sales process. Pull weeds and maybe even add just a few potted flowers to spruce things up a bit.

Touch Up The Paint
A can of paint can go a long way! If there are damage spots go ahead and give them a once over. Patch any minor holes as well. If it’s within budget don’t be afraid to take this time to even consider painting a room or taking care of any exterior paint issues as well.

Keep It Clean
Clean away cobwebs, sweep up leaves, and consider even having the outside of your house pressure washed. It’s a great idea to have the windows cleaned as well. Living in your home day to day you often don’t realize how grimy the outside of your house can get; giving it a good wash is almost like a new coat of paint.

Don’t Go Overboard
De-cluttering is one of the most important things and it’s usually the easiest to do. You don’t have to remodel the entire house or put in a new deck to add value to your home and make it more saleable, so focus on the little things. Make your home inviting and showcase all the reasons you’ve loved it over the time you’ve been there and your agent will do the rest!

With the Spring cleaning hopefully soon to begin you may have noticed a few things around the house that need to actually be fixed or replaced in the process of sprucing up.

If you are thinking of selling your home it’s also a good idea to go through your home and take care of any minor little problem areas as well – it is often the small things that can mean the difference in getting your home sold for the best return.

Here are some good quick fixes to get you started:

Hinges
The squeaky wheel gets the grease; a squeaky door can really drive you nuts and add that haunted house ambience to your home that you want to avoid during a showing. Easy to correct: give it a little spritz with the WD40! If it keeps squeaking after that look at pulling out the hinge pins and giving them a liberal dose of lubricant as well.

Squeaky Floor
Believe it or not you can actually sometimes fix this with just a little baby powder – especially if you have wood floors. Just sprinkle a little baby powder into the cracks of the floor near the problem area. For carpeted floors you may have to roll back the carpet to get to the sub-floor if the offending squeak is not near the walls in the room.

Tub Stains
Water stains on tubs can be rough. Here’s what to do: combine equal amounts of cream of tartar and baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a paste. Rub the mixture into the stain with your fingers or a soft cloth. Let sit for a half hour, then rinse well with water.

Flat Cushions
Couch cushions lost their fluff? Pillows not so poofy? Place them outside in the sun for a few hours – flip them halfway through. The sun will help evaporate the moisture that gets into the filling over time, and the cushions should plump up nicely. Don’t leave them out too long, sunlight can fade fabrics!

Scuffed Linoleum
A couple of common items can help with scuffy lino! Just rub the spot with white toothpaste and a dry cloth or with an eraser. Not cutting it? WD-40 to the rescue! Spray a little on a towel and rub lightly, making sure to degrease the area afterward with liquid dish washing soap and water.