How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

November 22, 2022/in Housing, Organization /by Maura Allard

You’ve worked hard to find and afford a home that you love, now it’s time to make sure it is
prepared for the New England winter. Here are some tips that will ensure your house stays safe
from damage before it starts to snow, so you can rest easy in the cold weather!

Start from the Outside

A good way to begin your winter preparations is to clean your gutters and downspouts to make
sure drainage areas are free of leaves and debris from the fall. This way you won’t have to
worry about water overflowing and damaging your roof! If you know how to inspect your roof
safely, this is also a good time to do so. If not- I would always recommend hiring a professional!
Replace any shingles that are curling or cracking, and check the flushing around windows or
chimneys for gaps- they should be filled before any snow arrives. Use a screwdriver to test any
wood trim around windows, doors, railings, and decks. If any of it is rotted, it is best to replace
them before the winter months make the damage worse. If you do not have the time for the full
replacements you would like to do, bringing caulk outside with you is a good way to fill any holes
or rotted wood that you are worried about, as well as any window or door molding that is not
fully sealed.

Prevent Freezing

If your plumbing is not equipped for the winter, your pipes could freeze and leave you with a big
mess and a hefty bill. Your exterior spigots should be turned off and fully drained, as well as any
garden hoses you may have been keeping outside. Any water pipes in your exterior walls
should be wrapped in heating tape to save energy and prevent them from freezing up and
potentially bursting. This is especially important if you live in an older home or have not had your
plumbing inspected in a while.

Stay Safe and Warm

If you use your fireplace, even if just occasionally, you should have it cleaned out before the
winter to prevent any pests from getting in and lower the risk of a chimney fire. Similarly, your
firewood should be kept at least 15 feet from your house to keep termites at a safe distance! To
stay warm, consider getting a tune-up on your heating system, the last thing you want is to lose
heat in the middle of a snowstorm. Finally, reverse the directions of your ceiling fans so they can
help get the heat moving from the tops of your rooms and keep your whole house warm all
winter long.

Taking the time to do these simple things can save you a lot of stress in the coming months, and

potentially prevent damage to your home! Though it may seem tedious, you will have peace of
mind in knowing that you and your house are safely prepared to enjoy the beautiful winter
months without risk. Contact me today if you are looking to buy or sell a home

Simple Tips and Tricks to Reorganize Your Garage

June 16, 2022/in Organization, Resources, Uncategorized /by Cara Chatellier

This may seem like a no-brainer, but a garage was made to house our cars. It’s surprising then that only about 75% of people who own 2-car garages use them for cars. In fact, most people use it as a storage space, especially if they do not have a basement or attic.

A recent survey by the National Association of Professional Organizers found that 50% of homeowners said the garage was the most unorganized area in their home.

While it feels all too easy to pile up extra boxes filled with off-season decor against the garage walls or store your kids’ old toys in there until you can make it to the donation center, garages fill up quickly, leaving little room for parking, and even less space for organization.

Like most of us, you’ve probably found yourself digging through boxes in the garage in search of Christmas decorations or have tried to sort through garage clutter as part of your spring cleaning regimen. It can quickly become frustrating when you can’t find what you’re looking for.

The good news is that with a little bit of organization, your garage can turn into a space you can use effectively all year long- car parking included.

Let’s explore some of my favorite ways to organize your garage.

First, clean out the garage.

Before you begin to filter through ideas on precisely what to do with your garage space, rummage through the clutter and clean it all out, especially if you’ve been living in your home for a while.

Depending on how large and filled your garage is, consider setting aside a half to a full day to clean it out. It may be best to set aside an entire weekend to declutter and reorganize in one shot.

Invite family and friends to help. Go through every box and bin and toss anything you don’t need. Set aside what you’ll keep outside the garage if possible so that you can start organizing against an empty and clean slate.

If you have a lot in there, make three piles of keep, toss, and donate so that you know exactly where everything should go when you’re done cleaning it out.

After you have three piles, break down your keep piles into specific categories such as sporting goods, decorations, and gardening tools. Then, store them in appropriately labeled bins for easy access once they’re ready to go back into the garage or another part of your home.

To stay on top of safety, avoid storing the following items in your garage:

Propane
Paint
Paper
Pet food

Create a garage floorplan.

Before or after you’ve had a chance to fully clean out your garage, it’s a good rule of thumb to devise a cohesive and organized floorplan to base your garage storage on.

It’s important to note that most garage-organizing manufacturers provide free layout plans when purchasing their storage items. Consider using this service to determine exactly where everything will go.

Consider these important ideas when creating your floor plan:

Store all like items together in the same bins and/or area for easy access.
Label all bins.
Organize the interior of bins as you remove and add items.
Store larger, bulkier items in corners away from where you’ll park your car.
Move frequently used items closer to the garage door.
Stow seasonal items in places that are harder to reach and out of the way.

Keep items off the floor.

Whenever possible, store things off of the garage floor. The floor should be as clutter-free as possible. Install wall organizers, work benches, and floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets to house all of your items instead of just placing the bins directly on the floor.

Take advantage of overhead space.

There is certainly a lot of overhead space in most garages that doesn’t get enough use by many. Take advantage of this space by installing overhead shelving to store items such as ladders, sports gear, and other flat yet bulky items.

After placement, ensure that there is enough space between the storage unit, items, and roof of your car to prevent any accidental damage.

Secure your space.

Garages are essentially another room in your home. The scary part is that this area that makes up 10% to 15% of your home is not nearly as secure as the rest of your home.

As you’re reorganizing your space, consider upping the security of it by:

Investing in door and window locks
Sealing the threshold
Using a smart garage door opener
Closing your garage door whenever it is not in use by you

Add the garage to your monthly cleaning plan.

As with any area of the home, the garage should be cleaned and maintained regularly. Although not necessarily a space to tidy up daily or weekly, it is a good idea to add it to your monthly cleaning checklist.

Something as simple as monthly maintenance can go a long way.

When cleaning, consider:

Sweeping and hosing down the floors
Reorganizing the tools and equipment
Throwing away or donating any unwanted items
Checking the perimeter for insects or other pests and using a natural pesticide to keep them away

Is a garage on your must-have list?

Whether you’re in the market for garage organization tips or hoping to add a garage to your dream home in the near future, we can help. As industry experts, we do our best to stay on top of the latest trends in home organization and the home purchasing market.

Contact us today to learn more or start the process of getting the home of your dreams with the garage to boot. We can’t wait to help you find the perfect house for you- garage included.

Preparing Your Home for a Seller’s Market

August 12, 2020/in Education, For Sale, Resources /by Cara Chatellier

As you prepare for the adventure of selling your home, there are certain tips to follow to ensure you entice potential buyers and get offers that excite you to sign on the dotted line. Oftentimes, because we’ve been living in our homes for years, we overlook little details that potential buyers may be looking directly at. Following these tricks of the trade will ensure your home is ready to sell quickly allowing you to move on to your next purchasing journey quite seamlessly.

Make necessary repairs

This one seems like a no-brainer when it comes to getting your home ready to sell, but don’t overlook the small stuff. Patch up any holes in the wall, replace any broken windows, clean the gutters and ensure there are no leaks in your roof. Buyers are extra particular when it comes to checking for repairs, especially if they are not the fixer-upper type.

Clean up the exterior

The outside of the home is the first thing that potential buyers see when pulling into the driveway for the first time. Make sure that your landscaping is up-to-date, and your lawn is mowed neatly. A clean appearance sets others at ease almost instantly. A messy exterior can give potential buyers the impression that you are slacking off and immediately push them to question whether you are neglecting the inside of the home too. Create trust with a clean exterior. Bonus points if you clean up garden beds, prune the shrubs and replant window boxes to keep everything in tip-top shape. Curb appeal is key, even to potential buyers.

Depersonalize and neutralize

Everyone’s style is unique. If your home is over personalized with bright wall colors, custom wall hangings and eclectic furniture, consider switching things up and toning it down a bit. While some unique features may be considered selling points, an overabundance of personal style may become off-putting to some. Creating a color palette that is inviting and neutral will attract and retain more potential buyers. The wider the range of buyers, the better the options you have when accepting an offer.

Organize closets and storage spaces

Potential buyers will scan your house meticulously. Ensuring all areas, including closet spaces and storage rooms (such as an attic or basement) are organized is key to a successful showing. This tactic also helps with personal privacy as numerous potentials are scouring through your belongings to see if your spot is the one for them. If you notice, while organizing, that you have a lot of excess clothes, belongings or furniture that you’d rather keep out of the house during the showings, consider renting a temporary storage unit to safely house your things.

Clean the interior from top to bottom

This seems like common sense, I know, but it’s something that can be overlooked with all of the other checkboxes on your home selling list. Vacuum and shampoo carpets and shine wood floors. Dust ceiling fans and tops of cabinets. Deep clean countertops, appliances and bathrooms. Make sure your house looks pristine for your potential buyers. Afterall, you want them to love the place as much as you did when you purchased it, right?

Preparing your home for a successful sale takes a lot of work and planning, but it’s worth it to find buyers who pay the price tag. Pay attention to the details within your home and set it up to sparkle. You want your home to stand out from all the others that they may be looking at, so following these simple, yet effective ideas will knock your home out of the park. Need a bit of extra guidance on your current home’s condition along with ways to get it ready for sale? Contact me today! I would love to walk you through the process to sell your home.

Tips on Prepping your Home for Fall Weather

September 10, 2019/in Community, For Sale, Housing /by Maura Allard

As fall closes in, don’t forget these home maintenance tasks to keep your property in top form.

The list may seem daunting, but if you tackle a few tasks each weekend, you’ll be ready for winter in no time! Most of them are pretty easy and will help you identify – and avoid – bigger problems.

Clean gutters and downspouts; make sure drainage areas are free of leaves and other debris. (Bonus: investing in gutter guards will make this easier!)
Use a screwdriver to test the wood trim around windows, doors, railings, and decks.
Use caulk to fill holes, or replace rotten wood.
Inspect your roof, or hire someone to do it. Shingles that are curling or cracking should be replaced.
While you’re on the roof, check flushing around windows, pipes, and chimney – you don’t want snow getting in gaps!
Remove, drain, and store garden hoses.
Turn off exterior spigots and drain them of water.
Wrap water pipes in exterior walls with heating tape to save energy and prevent freezing.
Drain and store your lawnmower, and any other lawn equipment.
Use an incense stick to check your windows and doors for drafts, and replace the weatherstripping and caulking as needed.
Check your chimney for soot, and have it swept if there is more than 1/8 inch. Install chimney caps so that pests and debris stay outside!
Trim your bushes and trees, so that they’re away from your house and any electrical lines.
If you’re storing firewood, keep it at least 15 feet from your house so that termites aren’t tempted to set up shop in your house!
Get your snowblower, ice, and shovel ready.