After the warm February we had, I was actually contemplating getting my first pedicure of the season as March approached.   I am one of those women who lets my toes “go naked” during the winter months since they won’t be seen anyway ensconced away in my many pairs of boots.   So in order to wear the open toed shoes of spring and summer, I must get those toes “did” …lest I come off as one of the hobbits from the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

But no.    March came in and with it three days of snow and subfreezing temps. Reminded me that my naked toes need to stay in my boots a while longer.   I know it won’t last and with daylight savings time, it already feels warmer and that spring is truly here.  I will have to consider what color I want my toes to be when I get that first pedicure and soon!

In my business, we are  at the beginning of the spring real estate market and things have been quite busy.   The biggest obstacle we have is lack of inventory in the West Co. area especially.   Nice homes that come onto the market generally sell within a day.  I had two homes – one in O’Fallon, MO and one in Black Jack, MO sell in hours!   Both in the  $150-200,000 price point.    The $200-400,000 range is also going strong.  Some higher price points take longer but this would be true in any market.  Over all we have a robust beginning to the 2017 market.

I would urge anyone who has considered listing to REALLY consider it now.   Interest rates are inching up and while still historically low, as they rise, it affects how much buyers can get via lending.   So higher rates may affect sales down the road.   It will be interesting to see how that all plays out.   The other thing is because inventory in desirable schools districts is so low, it makes this a sellers market which as been a turnaround from recent years and the market crash in ’08.

No matter what you are thinking in terms of home sale, spring is all about getting annual maintenance done.   This is especially important if you are planning to list your home.  But even if you are not, it’s a good idea to do that spring cleaning.   Keeping your home in good condition, if not newly updated is key to a quick sale down the road.    It’s kind of like me getting that pedicure before exposing my toes to the world.   Spring cleaning and maintenance is the mani/pedi for your home.   It makes it pretty and presentable to those who will be looking and if you decide to sell, it will help your home stand out from the others.

Spring Maintenance Checklist ( from Home Advisor)

• Gutters and downspouts: Pull leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts. Reattach gutters that have pulled away from the house. Run a hose on the roof and check for proper drainage. If leaks exist, dry the area and use caulking or epoxy to seal the leak.
• Siding: Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting.
• Exterior caulking: Inspect caulking and replace if deteriorating. Scrape out all of the eroding caulk and recaulk needed area.
• Window sills, door sills, and thresholds: Fill cracks, caulk edges, repaint or replace if necessary.
• Window and door screens: Clean screening and check for holes. If holes are bigger than a quarter, that is plenty of room for bugs to climb in. Patch holes or replace the screen. Save bad screen to patch holes next year. Tighten or repair any loose or damaged frames and repaint. Replace broken, worn, or missing hardware. Wind can ruin screens and frames if they are allowed flap and move so make sure they are securely fastened. Tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers.
• Drain waste and vent system: Flush out system.
• Hot water heater: Lubricate circulating pump and motor.
• Evaporative air conditioner: Clean unit, check belt tension and adjust if needed. Replace cracked or worn belt.
• Heat pump: Lubricate blower motor.
• Foundation: Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If a significant number of bricks are losing their mortar, call a foundation professional. If you can slide a nickle into a crack in your concrete floor, slab or foundation call a professional immediately.
• Roof: Inspect roof surface flashing, eaves, and soffits. Perform a thorough cleaning. Check flashings around all surface projections and sidewalls.
• Deck and porches: Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every 4-6 years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn’t look like it should or water has turned some of the wood a dark grey, hire a deck professional to treat your deck and fence.
• Landscape: This is a natural for spring home maintenance. Cut back and trim all vegetation and overgrown bushes from structures. Limbs and leaves can cut into your home’s paint and force you to have that side of the house repainted. A little trimming can save a lot of money and time.
• Sprinklers: Check lawn sprinkler system for leaky valves, exposed lines, and improperly working sprinkler heads. If there is an area of your yard that collects too much water or doesn’t get enough, run the sprinklers to figure out the problem. If it’s not something you can fix yourself, call a professional before your lawn needs the water.

So get outside as the weather warms and get that house in order!   I am going to do it at my house as well.  Then when you are ready to sell – whether it’s this year or down the road, your home will be ready to go!   And of course, you’d better call me!  😉