REAL ESTATE & CLASSIFIEDS - MARCH 2013
IT'S TIME TO SPRING CLEAN THE EXTERIOR - Cleaning your gutters regularly will
prevent roof damage. Find out how to dean them yourself in the adjacent story.
outdoor surfaces
attention, too.
hen spring cleaning your
home, it's easy to focus on
interior closets and draw-
ers and forget the first
thing any visitor will see -
your home's exterior. But
and fixtures need your
"Outdoor furniture can collect grime and
rust during winter," says Alison Gutterman,
President of Jelmar, manufacturer of CLR
cleaning products. "It's important you clean
them annually with an effective yet safe
cleaner that won't harm your lawn or gar-
den."
Make sure your spring cleaning
includes these outdoor dirt-magnets:
Siding and Windows
Even if you:re not putting a freshcoat of
paint on your house this year, it's important
you clean any facade or siding that's prone
to grime. Use a power washer and start at
the highest point to avoid washing dirt down
onto clean areas.
Pressure washers also make window
cleaning easier. But be careful using them
on wooden areas such as decks and window
frames. The force of the spray often dam-
ages the surface of porous materials like
wood.
Outdoor Furniture
Whether you conscic,,atiously stored
your patio furniture for the winter, or left it
outside exposed to the elements, it's likely
your outdoor table and chairs need a once-
over before they're ready for use. When
choosing cleaning products, make sure
they're biodegradable so they won't harm
your plants or lawn.
Then rinse the furniture and the grass
with your hose after cleaning.
You should also choose a cleaning prod-
uct that's safe for furniture and that can be
used on plastic, wicker, wood, wrought iron,
canvas and other outdoor materials.
Also look for UV protectants to keep
your furniture from fading in bright ,sun.
Gutters
Clean gutters prevent flooding and roof
damage.
The best way to check if your gutters
need cleaning is to look up at the outside
rim of the top of the gutter. If there is dis-
coloration, there likely is buildup in the gut-
ter making it difficult for water to flow.
When cleaning gutters by hand, you can
create a "gutter scoop" by cutting the bot-
• tom half off a plastic gallon jug with a box
knife. Then, after removing any leaves,
twigs or debris, flush the gutters with water
to clean them properly.
Screens and Filters
The best way to clean window screens is
to lay them flat on a cloth or soft surface
outdoors to keep the frames from getting
scratched.
Then, hose them down and scrub gently
with an all-purpose cleaner. Finally, rinse
the screens again and tap off any excess
water.
Air conditioning filters should also be
changed as part of your spring cleaning,
espec'mlly if anyone in your family has
allergies. Always refer to the owner's manu-
al to determine the location of the filter and
the size needed to ensure the proper fit.
For more spring cleaning tips, visit
www.jelmar.com.
Remember, keeping your home's exterior
clean makes a big difference.
Make Your Home Easier to Sell With Inexpensive, Eye Appealing Im]
l.day housing market, homeowners * Make a more enchanting entrance. The These are small and easy projects, but if * Perfect the paint job. For homez with-
t eed to n ore proactive than ever before very first part of the home prospective buy- neglected, they'll give buyers the impression out siding, be sure that the paint job is up to
when itc,.,| estosellingtheirhomes.Whereas ors will see is the front door. Typically, the thatother, bigger things might have been neg- snuff. Any areas with peeling or chipping
the real e: tate boom at the turn of the centu- house number is located right near the front lected as well. paint should receive a fresh coat of paint, and
ry m;adv t hi gs easy on sellers, the current door, so the buyers will be looking for the If your home has a front porch or stoop, this is another job that should be handled well
real estate climate is not so seller-friendly, number and once they see it they can't help be sure to inspect it for cracks. An older porch before listing the home.
To mak e their homes more attractive to but look at the door itself. A decrepit or older or stoop should be replaced, and any chips or * Lavish the lawn with attention. Buyers
prospecti e buyers, homeowners are often door will not make a good first impression, cracks in the steps should be fixed, love a lush green lawn, and that lawn goes a
told to increase the home's "curb appeal." This If you don't want (or need) to replace the door, * Ready the roof. A new roof is very expen- long way to creating a first impression. The
involves how the home looks from the street touch up the paint job. sire, and buyers understandably often run first thing buyers will see is the lawn. If the
and how ood a first impression a home will Other ways to improve a home's entrance from homes that need a new roof. Sellers grass is dry with brown spots or appears neg-
make prospective buyers. Homeowners is to make sure the doorknob or doorknock- should hire their own home inspector to deter- letted, many buyers will find that hard to
looking to i crease their home's curb appeal er is polished before showinga home, and to mine the condition of the roof before putting overlook. Homeowners preparing to sell their
should coHsider the following tips. ensure the doorbell is funetiordng as well. the home up for sale. home should lavish attention on their lawn.
Home Is ere
Story
A .,DwxsioN oFF VI
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