Spring Cleaning & Repairs Money-Saving Tips from the Pros

Fresh rains in the early spring are symbolic of the season itself, offering a revitalizing cleansing of the outdoors. The warming weather also offers a reminder to homeowners that now is the ideal time to do a bit of spring cleaning.
After all, a bit of due diligence by homeowners not only freshens their living quarters, it also helps them save money and avoid more costly repairs down the road.
"Making a list of items to check around the home this season – and then actually following through with the tasks – can help reduce home maintenance and utility costs," says Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, the nation's leading provider of consumer ratings on local service providers.
It's important that homeowners schedule needed services as quickly as possible to avoid a backlog of busy service providers.
Angie's List went to its highly rated service providers to come up with a list sure to help those homeowners who don't know what to check and when, as well as those devoted annually to giving their homes a good once-over.
General Spring Cleaning
Experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months – but this can vary depending on how many people live in your home, and if you have children or pets. A dirty carpet contains soil and other debris that will wear your carpet's fibers. Schedule an appointment with carpet cleaners now to cut down on your wait time.
Check your gutters. Professionals recommend gutter cleaning in the spring and the fall. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage in your home.
Use a garden hose on your siding and deck to remove the film left by dirty snow and rain. Attach a soft-bristled, long-handled car brush to the hose for some extra help. Use a mild cleanser to get those tough-to-clean spots.
Remove wet leaves and debris from your deck, front porch and around your house. Allowing the debris to accumulate can trap water, lead to staining or mold build-up, as well as create an ideal environment for termites.
Home Maintenance
Snow, ice and wind can wreak havoc on your home, so be sure to go over the structures in early spring. Finding damage early will increase your chances of getting an early repair, as many home improvement companies begin their busy season this time of year.
Scrutinize your crawl space for water accumulation or excessive moisture, and keep an eye out for water damage on the sub-floor and joists beneath the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.
Give your roof a "once-over" for damage inflicted during the winter. Depending on the style and pitch of your roof, you may want to use a ladder and a pair of binoculars to look for missing or broken shingles and other damage. If you don't feel comfortable on a ladder, call a professional before the busy season begins.
Check the weather stripping around doors and windows. The winter season may have caused some damage. Also, remove any storm windows and replace with screens.
Check the valve where water enters your house, outdoor faucets and valves to toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks. Turn each off and on several times to identify any leaks.
Outdoor Maintenance
Talk with your landscaper or local garden center about the best way to enrich your soil for the types of plants in your yard. Proper fertilization can keep your soil and your plants in great shape throughout the year.
Bring in your mower for service in early spring. This will help avoid breakdowns and extend the life cycle. It also helps you beat the rush so your mower is in tip-top shape when you need it. Warning signs that your mower needs maintenance can include difficulty in starting, a smoking engine, and reduced horsepower. A service appointment should include a check of the oil, blade, spark plugs, filter, battery and belts. Always ask for an estimate and guarantee on the work. Be sure to sharpen the blade at least once a year. Cutting grass with a sharpened blade is important for lawn health, promoting better grass health.
If you've postponed tool care, now is a good time to get in the garage and take a closer look at your garden equipment. Garden service companies will get busy in the next couple of months, so make an appointment now to have those tools cleaned and sharpened.
Spring is a good time to examine your asphalt driveway's surface for damage. Water that seeps into your driveway can freeze, causing cracks and other damage. Regular resealing is the best way to protect the surface and keep it in good shape. If you're planning to hire a professional to seal the driveway, summer is peak time of year, so call now to get on their schedule.
Appliance Maintenance
Regular maintenance on major home appliances can help to ensure their efficiency and lifespan.
Get your air conditioner serviced. Technicians can test your air conditioner as long as the temperature is above 60 degrees. Call now to get on their schedule before the first warm days of spring.
Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers and tracks on garage doors with a greaseless lubricant. Avoid using petroleum-based lubricants. Lack of lubrication puts additional strain on the garage door. Don't attempt to service the opener mechanism yourself. Your garage door opener can be one of the most dangerous appliances around your house. Contact a professional for assistance.
Get your water heater serviced. Maintained properly, water heaters will last for years and deliver gallon after gallon of hot water. Left alone, they'll quickly lose efficiency, sucking dollars out of your wallet with every degree of heat.
Spring rains can be heavy, so if you have a sump pump be sure it works properly. To test, fill the sump pit with water and go outside to make sure the pump is actually discharging water. You can also eliminate any build-up in the system by pouring white vinegar through the unit.
Angie Hicks is the founder of Angie's List, a website where thousands of consumers share their ratings and reviews on local contractors and companies in more than 425 different categories. Currently, more than 750,000 consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie's List to help them find the right contractor or company for the job they need done. Members have unlimited access to the list via Internet or phone; receive the award-winning Angie's List magazine, which includes articles on home improvement and maintenance, consumer trends and scam alerts; and they can utilize the Angie's List complaint resolution service.

Going Green Clinches The Sale

Green is the hot color right now and should be your color too when you sell or buy a home. Becoming attuned to the current eco-movement will make a huge difference. As a seller, you will boost the value of your home with eco-friendly improvements and give your real estate agent more features to highlight that will set your home apart from the rest.

Buyers are much smarter about their home purchases and want lasting value for the money; an energy efficient system that saves on utilities; and a clean, healthy place to live. Given the current real market, a buyer has the upper advantage and green may very well clinch the sale.

Here are some smart eco-improvements that will attract buyers and sell your house faster.

Breathe Easy
Applying a fresh coat of paint is a standard way of freshening up a home, but you really don’t want that “fresh paint” smell. To make it more comfortable and physically healthy for potential buyers, use paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This paint is readily available and comes in a wide array of colors.

The Hogs In The Kitchen
Two rooms attract the most attention from buyers–the kitchen and the bathroom. Here’s where you can really shine and show buyers you care about their utility bills. Upgrade old appliances with new Energy Star certified models. While this may seem expensive on the front end, the replacements will more than pay for themselves on the back end and increase traffic.

Don’t Take It For Granited
While we’re in the kitchen, take a look at those countertops. But here’s the deal; don’t automatically assume that granite is the way to go for replacement. Granite countertops may still impress some buyers, but true trendsetters will be on the lookout for kitchens that incorporate some of the hottest new materials. So, what about paper? That’s right, paper. Compressed post-recycled paper sealed with resin makes an extremely durable countertop. It’s less expensive than granite–which is not a renewable resource–and has a warm, sleek feel. Maintenance is low too. A yearly application of mineral oil will keep the countertop looking fresh and new.

Drips Are Out
Leaky faucets, showerheads and old toilets are not selling points. Now’s the time to install low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. Did you know that showers account for 22% of the individual water use in North America? That racks up really big water and utility bills and rates will continue to rise. Take a look at that toilet too. It’s the biggest water user in the house. By installing a low water usage unit, you can save around 2,000 gallons of water a year.

It Makes Scents
Potential home buyers get a feel for a property as soon as they arrive. To give your visitors a preview of what’s inside, arrange fresh plants new the front door. Especially effective are scented geraniums and herbs that offer an aromatic experience. To spruce up your landscaping, support your state and choose native Missouri plants that grow well in local soil and weather conditions. Inside, remove any chemical room fresheners and display herbs, especially in the kitchen.

Flaunt It
When you go green to sell your home, make sure that potential buyers know about your efforts. Discrete signs here and there, noting low VOC paint, Energy Star appliances, low water usage products and native plants show that you care about your environment and that of the new owner.

For sellers who use eco-friendly techniques, your property has an edge on the competition. Take advantage of these smart tips to be green and earn more green!