Are you wondering what’s going on with home prices? Mortgage rates? Or asking yourself if it’s even a good time to buy a home? It’s a big decision—and you don’t have to do it alone. That’s where your trusted local RE/MAX® agent comes in.
Are you wondering what’s going on with home prices? Mortgage rates? Or asking yourself if it’s even a good time to buy a home? It’s a big decision—and you don’t have to do it alone. That’s where your trusted local RE/MAX® agent comes in.
Spring is a season of renewal, and as a homeowner, it’s easy to get swept up in the day-to-day of life. But maintaining your home is an important part of protecting the long-term value of your investment.
So, whether you own a house already or you’re planning to become a homeowner this year, here are five essential spring home maintenance tasks you don’t want to overlook. Save this as your helpful resource to come back to year after year.
Winter weather can leave behind debris, like leaves and twigs, clogging your gutters. If water can’t flow freely, it can lead to roof leaks or foundation damage. Hiring a professional to take on the height of this job is probably best, but if you’re an ace on a sturdy ladder, this may be your thing. Either way, keeping them clean and clear is a must.
Spring is the perfect time to let the sunlight in – but dirty windows can dull the view. Remove and wash your window screens, then use a window cleaner or a vinegar-water mix to make your glass sparkle. It’s a simple job that can instantly brighten your home while also keeping dirt and build-up from settling in permanently.
Spring also means it’s time to schedule a tune-up for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. A professional can clean and inspect your system, ensuring it’s ready to keep you cool during the summer months while also fixing any damage that may have occurred over the winter. When the summer weather heats up, you don’t want to be calling for an emergency issue that could have been prevented with regular maintenance.
After a long winter, your yard likely needs a little TLC. Rake up leaves, sticks, and other debris to give your lawn room to flourish. Not only does this make your yard look tidy, but it also helps promote healthy grass growth for the warmer months ahead.
This season is a great time to touch up your home’s exterior paint and check the caulking around windows and doors. This helps prevent water damage and keeps your home looking fresh and inviting.
Owning a home is a rewarding journey, but it comes with responsibilities. By staying on top of these spring maintenance tasks, you can protect your investment and enjoy your home to the fullest. A little effort now goes a long way when it comes to keeping your home safe, efficient, and beautiful for years to come.
Don’t let these essential tasks sit on the back burner. Your future self will thank you.
What’s on your to-do list this season? I’ll make sure you hit all the homeowner must-do’s and connect you to some local pros I trust who can help get the jobs done.
It’s no secret that remote work has surged over the last few years. And that flexibility gave a lot of people the freedom to move — and work — from wherever they wanted.
But now, a growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need to move.
During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with yards, while others relocated to more rural areas. But lately, more people are returning to the city.
And according to data from Bright MLS, more than half of workers surveyed would have to rethink where they live or deal with long drive times if their job enforced a return-to-office policy (see chart below):
And maybe you’re one of them. If you moved farther out of the city during the work-from-home era, you may be facing a longer commute that you never expected to make daily. Once you’ve done it a few times, you might find it’s something you can get used to and isn’t as bad as you may have thought.
But sometimes, it’s just too hard to make it work — no matter how much you try. A drive or train ride that seemed fine once or twice a week can feel like too much of a grind five days in a row. It may also cost too much to commute so often, take too long, or cut too far into your free time. As Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, notes:
“During the pandemic, when remote work became the norm, homebuyers were able to move farther out . . . But workers do not have the same flexibility that they used to, and some are going to have to make a tough choice if and when their employer calls them back into the office full-time.”
If you’re thinking you may want to move, don’t stress. Talking to an agent can help you weigh your options. Whether it’s finding a home closer to work, balancing commute time with affordability, or even selling a home in one area to buy in another, having a pro on your side makes the process easier.
If having to be back in-office has you considering a move, an agent can help you figure out what’s possible and what makes sense for you.
Where do you see yourself living if your commute or work routine needs to change?