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The weather outside is frighening... so why is your car suffering the elements on the driveway, while your junk sits protected and cozy inside your garage?  don't wait for spring cleaning-pull on some gloves, crank up your playlist and head into the garage to toss what you don't need, organize what you do need, and clear the way for a protected envioronment for your vehicle.


Garages tend to be a catch-all of all the clutter that nobody wants to trip over inside the house.  So step one is to sort all like-items together to get a handle on what the heck you have in that garage, anyway.  Chances are you have lots of duplicates of things you don't even need one of, things that you might be able to donate or even sell online to someone who actualy does need it.

 

Once you purge and can see the light (and the floor), then it's time to organize the remaining items.

 

Install shelving as needed, and take advantage of all vertical space to store frequently used items; if you can see them, you can find them.  A pegboard is ideal for hanging tools; draw an outline around each tool so you know exactly where it belongs.  Rakes, hoses, even bikes and other large items can also be hung on hooks and clasps designed just for this purpose, keeping such items off the garage floor.

 

Once the warmer weather comes, you may be inspired to paint your garage and organize even more, but in the meantime, clearing the way for a vehicle is a great start!

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Strategy for Saving


Ensuring your home is prepped properly can save you a nice chunk of change while protecting your property for years to come. 

Break It Down

Looking at a giant to-do list is overwhelming. To save frustration, break it down into two or three jobs you can tackle over the next three to four weekends. First up, windows. Check each one in the house for drafts and insulation needs. The following week, inspect pipes to avoid an unfortunate burst in January. You can make things even easier by dividing the job among the family. Assign each person a room to inspect and report back on whether it's ready for winter.

Three Steps to a Safe Season

#1: Prep the Plumbing

Drain the water from your outdoor faucets and garden hoses and arrange to have any in-ground sprinkler pipes blown out. Roll up the garden hoses and store them inside. Identify any "problem" pipes that are prone to freezing in the house and consider using heat tape to keep them warm during extremely cold weather. If the worst happens, ensure everyone in the family knows how to turn off the water at the source. This will minimize leaking when and if a pipe bursts.

#2: Heat Things Up

Everyone enjoys cozy evenings by a crackling fire?  Ensure your fireplace is ready to provide warm nights all winter. Be sure to have the chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional before the first frost. Also, have a professional perform a routine check of the heating systems before cold weather arrives. This should include vacuuming the vents and other heating components. If your furnace has a filter, check to see if it needs replacing. For more energy savings, consider installing a setback thermostat that keeps the home cooler when you are asleep or away.

#3: Seal the Leaks

Keep drafts to a minimum this winter. If you have them, install storm windows and doors -- and don't overlook the basement. Add or replace worn weather stripping around the doors and windows and caulk any gaps. If doorstops are worn, replace them. If any pipes or ducts travel through an exterior wall, be sure to use caulking and weather-stripping around all entry points. These steps will block any potential entry points for cold air. That's an idea you can warm up to.

 

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IS THIS "THE ONE"

 

Whether you're ready to commit to a place because it actually has most of the "must haves" on your list, or whether it's the realization that there's not a lot of suitable inventory on the market that has made you a little impulsive, before you sign the purchase agreement, take a moment-and a deep breath-to remind yourself of the following buying parameters:

 

1)  DON'T BITE OFF MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW.  Your monthly housing costs-including mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner's insurance, heating costs etc.-shouldn't take up more than a third of your gross monthly income.  Work with your mortgage representative to figure out what you can afford, and stick to that budget.

 

2) LOOK BEYONE THE FOUR WALLS.  In addition to the home itself, make sure the area will work for you and your family.  Check out transportation, amenities, schools, shopping, safety issues, distance from work and family, and if the style of the neighbourhood is one you can see yourself assimilating into.

 

3) INSPECT, REFLECT.  It's easy to get excited about finding what is possibly your "perfect" new home, but to make sure it's more than just a pretty presentation, have a home inspection done before you sign on the final dotted line.

 

4) WORK WITH A GOOD REAL ESTATE REPRESENTATIVE.  Let your real estate professional guide you through the home buying process.  This is likely the largest purchase you'll ever make-your representative will make sure you follow all the right steps to a successful transaction!

 

The Antrobus Team

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Services & Benefits

Our staging and design team are on hand to facilitate your needs when it comes to preparing your home for sale.

Staged homes sell faster and for more money when compared with homes that have not been staged.

 

We offer FREE staging consultation, this includes advice on updating your home for the best return. Providing you with a detailed list of recommendations.

 

Staged homes sell on average 15 to 18 percent higher than a home that is not staged.

 

Our Team can coordinate any necessary repairs, and assist you with any de-cluttering, updating, painting and storage needs.

 

Staged homes spend less time on the market than non-staged homes.

 

Professionally staged homes stand out in the prospective buyers' minds.

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This website may only be used by consumers that have a bona fide interest in the purchase, sale, or lease of real estate of the type being offered via the website. The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of the PropTx MLS®. The data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed to be accurate.