The summer season is the perfect time to work on your house. It might seem a little daunting – but it doesn’t have to be! Whether it’s routine maintenance or a just-for-fun project, take advantage of this time to check some simple tasks off your list.
Enhance Your Curb Appeal
We put so much time into making our homes our own, and the exterior should be no different! Give your outdoor space a little TLC this summer by adding some beautiful potted plants, throwing in some lights to frame your front yard walkway, or upgrading your patio décor.
Wash the Windows
Some people find this project miserable, while others find it satisfying. No matter which team you’re on, we can all agree that summer is one of the best times to cross window washing off your list.
Looking for an easy way to get a streak-free shine? Start by removing dirt and dust with a damp towel. Then finish up with your favorite glass cleaner or a little vinegar and warm water on a microfiber cloth – and you’re done!
Bonus tip: if you don’t have a microfiber cloth, crumpled up newspaper works great. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!
Restore Your Deck
Do you have a wooden deck that needs some love? With a little sanding and re-staining, you’ll have it looking good as new – and summer is the perfect time to tackle it.
Paint
If you’ve been thinking of re-painting a room or two in your home, the summer season is an excellent time to do so. Proper ventilation is key to any painting project, so open up the windows and get a fan blowing in the room. If it’s too damp or humid outside, the paint might take longer to dry, so plan ahead and aim for as sunny and dry of a day as possible.
Power Wash Your Siding and Walkways
You never know how big of a difference a good power wash makes until it’s done – and it is definitely worth it. This is something you can hire professionals to do, or you can DIY it. If you don’t have a pressure washer of your own, many local hardware stores rent them out (and they’ll show you exactly how to use it when you go to pick it up).
Summer is obviously a great time to get this home improvement project done; just pick a nice day, lather on the SPF, and get your home’s exterior looking good as new!
Clean the Grill
When was the last time you gave your grill a good cleaning? If you use it regularly, it’s best to deep clean it at least once a year, if not twice.
First and foremost, if you have a gas grill, make sure the gas supply is turned off before cleaning. To clean the grates, use a stiff wire brush to get all the debris off, then follow up with washing them as you would any other dishes: with warm, soapy water. While those are soaking, you can clean out the pit. Don’t forget to wipe down the outside, too!
Organize Your Garage
The garage is one of the places that accumulates the most clutter, for many families. It’s easy to get overlooked, but summer is a great time to get things in tip-top shape! Plus, the more regularly you clean it out, the easier it becomes.
Start by taking all the big items out and giving your garage a good old-fashioned sweeping (vacuuming works too). From there, you can organize it in whatever way makes most sense for your lifestyle. For instance, if you go on bike rides often, it makes sense to keep those front and center. If you don’t take the bike out very often, you might consider hanging it from the ceiling or on the wall to save space.
If you use your garage as extra storage for seasonal items or things you don’t frequently reach for, keep it simple and clutter-free with big plastic tote bins and some easy-to-read labels.
Although it might seem slightly overwhelming at first, these summer home projects are actually pretty easy to complete – and the pay-off is so satisfying. If you’re looking to make a move soon or have any questions, find a mortgage professional in your area to discuss.
