With the chilly winter months fast approaching, now is the perfect time to start preparing your home for the change in seasons. In our recent blog post, we shared five essential tasks to tackle before the snow starts to fall. By taking care of these items now, you can enjoy a warm, efficient home all winter long.
- Insulate Your Pipes. Exposed pipes run the risk of freezing, which can lead to costly leaks and even burst pipes. Find out inexpensive ways to save you from a massive headache this season.
- Seal Air Leaks. Take some time to carefully inspect the exterior of your home. Seal any cracks or gaps with caulk or weatherstripping and as an added bonus, improve your home’s energy efficiency.
- Clean Your Gutters. This seems to be one of the most repeated tasks throughout the fall and winter, but if left unattended, this could cause serious damage.
- Protect Outdoor Faucets. Shut off the water supply and drain lines before temps drop on and exterior faucets or irrigation systems. Allowing water to freeze in these outdoor fixtures can cause them to crack and leak.
- Stock Up on Winter Supplies. Make sure you have all the necessary tools and supplies on hand to handle whatever Old Man Winter throws your way. Stock up on de-icing products and cold-weather car essentials.
Tips of the Trade
It’s that time of year, where you start seeing the season tracked through your home — carpets and air ducts are filled with unwanted outdoor weather. We’re grateful to have KC Res Inspection on speed dial for their advice.
- One of the biggest issues we see, is a lack of vacuum and furnace maintenance. Regular changing of the vacuum filters is often overlooked and does not work at its maximum performance. Likewise, furnace filters need to be replaced regularly. Poor indoor air quality including allergens and mold are culprits for personal health issues.
- Proper cleaning of air ducts by a professional service can remove any debris, dust, and any type of buildup. The general rule is every 12-18 months.
- Mold can develop on any surface but it is generally found in a dark place with excessive moisture. Some of the most common areas are under sinks, in basements, garage walls or any place with excessive moisture or high humidity. Prevention is based on isolating the root cause. This could be from a crack in the basement, improper flashing, cracked or deteriorated caulking or poor workmanship. Additionally, a slow leak under a sink, a leaky wax ring under a toilet or not using the bathroom vent to exhaust the humidity from a hot shower, over time can cause mold growth. I recommend cleaning your soffit or gable vents once a year to make sure the air is flowing properly to help reduce the chances of trapped moisture and overheating of the roof. Behind the soffit and gable vents are usually a screen to help keep bugs and animals out of your attic. This is very similar to the screens on your windows. However, they can become clogged over time restricting the airflow through the attic. This is definitely something we look for when doing an inspection.
- DIY cleaning mistakes exist and we want you to know about these harmful chemicals. First, stay away from bleach! Bleach has its place as a cleaner but can be very toxic if mixed with other chemicals. I think natural white distilled vinegar is a better natural cleaner and you can put a little lemon in it with some distilled water to cut down on the vinegar smell. Lastly are those plug-in smelly things. They sure can make a house smell good but they most often release toxic chemicals into your air which can cause multiple different health problems.
- Don’t overlook the condenser coil. The coil typically gets clogged in a non-visible area causing the air conditioner to work harder to extract the heat from your home. Our company does duct and coil cleaning but it can also be done by most reputable HVAC companies. This can save you money in the long run by cutting electricity costs and potentially extending the service life of your air conditioner.
With servicing over 12,000 homes in the Kansas City area, KC RES INSPECTION is our trusted professional to keep the family safe all year long. Contact Chad today at 816-729-6476.
5 Effective Ways to Stage Your Home for FallÂ
Keep your home feeling warm.
Maintain outside of your home.
Make use of natural light.
Use pillows and blankets to make rooms feel cozy.
Don’t go overboard on fall decor—keep it minimal!
Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal for Buyers
Increasing curb appeal can be aesthetic and functional. What happens when the seasons change? How can you keep your home looking inviting when the trees are bare and the lawn is covered in leaves?
If a potential buyer approaches your client’s home and has to search under leaves for the path to the door, they might pass on looking inside.
Let’s dive into these 3 tips on how to make your home desirable during this rainy, windy, and unpredictable season!
Lighting
Dark houses look uninviting, so it’s time to lighten it up! Outdoor lighting can completely transform your house, while also illuminating hard to see places. When the days end so early, chances are that potential buyers will drive by for a look after dark.
PRO-TIP:
- Add accent lighting along a path or on the edge of your driveway
- Hang new lanterns or even repaint what you have
- Small lamps that peek through the windows help add to the ambiance
- New bulbs are a great way to brighten things up affordably
Seasonal plants and décor
This time of year is perfect for an extra boost of decor. Just like rotating seasonal decor inside your home, switch things up and accessorize outside too.
PRO-TIP:
- Seasonal holly plants, fir trees, and birch in seasonal planters will withstand the unpredictability of the weather, plus it will add a pop of color.
- Hanging a classic wreath will help spruce things up and add texture to flat front door.
- An array of pumpkins is an inexpensive way to add a nice fall touch.
- No into adding anything you have to keep alive? Accessorize with ornaments, garland, bells or an array of holiday decor.
Keep it clean
This is an on-going chore all season long, but the impact is worth it in the end! If things are kept clean and pathways are clear, your curb appeal will look more inviting, plus it’ll be safer.
PRO-TIP:
- Regularly care for the outside and either blow or spray off pathways and sidewalks
- Clear falling leaves from gutters so that excess water or leaves don’t fall on potential buyers as they enter into your home
Looking into the Real Estate Market
If we look at the recent Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS® market update for the Kansas City metro area, we see Average Sales Prices are continuing going up, which is great news if you’re selling or planning on selling your home.
Looking to buy a home? You’re in luck! Total inventory is up, which means you shouldn’t settle!
Let’s find your dream home! Contact The Gresham Group today.
The Forgotten List
You probably already have a list of home maintenance chores, such as changing the furnace filters seasonally, turning off the water before winter, cleaning the gutters, etc. Although this is a good starter list, there are some tasks that homeowners frequently overlook or are unaware of that are important in fall.
Here is a list of Indoor Home Maintenance projects that are quick and easy!
Check all refrigerator coils
Lubricate garage door springs
Maintain dryer vents
Maintain window wells
Maintain sump pump
Remove water heater sediment
Spend the Holidays in Kansas City
Kansas City a busting with things to do this season. From lighting ceremonies to winter magic fun, it seems like there’s something going on in every corner of the city. Check out The Gresham Group winter favorites in Kansas City.
Question of the Month
What are some red flags to look out for if I buy in the fall/winter?
- Poorly installed windows. This could be a sign of foundation problems. Plus windows are a gateway for animals or water to make their way into a home.
- Poor tiling or flooring installation. A bad remodeling job could end up leaving you with a big bill to flip.
- Water damage. Musty odors are a sign of water damage. Be sure to check walls and ceilings for water lines, and look out for exposed piping in basements or laundry rooms to check for rust, water stains or leaks.
- Improper ventilation. Poor ventilation increases the risk of mold. Look for condensation on windows or slightly bubbled paint around windows, doors or vents. This might mean there’s moisture in the walls or in the ceiling drywall.
- Foundation issues. Hairline cracks are usually a sign the house is settling as it ages, but larger gaps or cracking could signal a bigger issue with the foundation.
Our Favorite Recipes
May your Thanksgiving be filled with family, friends, and the joy of the season.
FROM KELLEY GATLIN
Portuguese Stuffing
FROM OLIVIA DANIEL
Fiesta Corn Dip
FROM KATHLEEN BISHOP
Sweet Potato Pie
Client Testimonials
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