Spring is finally on the approach after a long and very trying winter. Since spring is historically a season associated with cleaning and renewal, it's time to take a look at your home and make a few easy changes that can streamline home maintenance as well as simplify your lifestyle.
•Keep a List – or Two. Most people make grocery lists, right? Why not a home maintenance list? Whenever you need batteries, light bulbs, touch-up paint, landscaping materials, or any other home improvement items, add them to the list so that next time you run out to Home Depot or Lowe's, you can pick up everything you need at once rather than returning home only to realize that you need to make a return trip for that one item you forgot. Lists need not be only for shopping trips. Keep a "to do" list for your handyman and add to it every time you notice a minor repair around the house. When the list fills up, call your handyman or contractor to spend an afternoon making all those fixes at once.
•Use it and then toss it. Many homeowners suffer from clutter buildup simply because they don't throw things away immediately once they have finished with them. When you've read that newspaper or magazine, throw it into the recycling bin! And if you have items that have been sitting around for a while simply because you "might get around to doing something with them," toss them or recycle them. Your home will feel larger without all that extra stuff.
•Set a schedule. There are plenty of small home maintenance tasks that need to be performed regularly. You can set a calendar to make sure that you remember to do things like change batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, clean out gutters, replace furnace filters, and have your chimney swept. Simply set a reminder using the calendar feature on your phone and you'll be certain not to fall behind.
•Go LED. Did you know that LED light bulbs typically last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs, and at the same time, save energy? By trading in your incandescent lights for LEDs, you'll replace bulbs much less often and also enjoy savings on your electric bill.
•Create charging stations. Always scrambling for a charger for your smartphone or tablet? Consider installing USB chargers in your electrical outlets or having a dedicated "charging station" in your kitchen or home office. Mounting your outlets inside drawers and cupboards can save you counter space and eliminate tangled cords.
Keeping on top of your home maintenance with time-saving strategies can help you simplify your life. And when you decide to sell your home – whether that day is coming soon or far down the road – that organizational effort you put in as you go will make for smooth sailing when you list your home for sale.
Would you like to find out more? Visit www.hansbrings.com for more information.
