Five Tips to Get Ready for Spring

As we turn the page on a new calendar month, it's hard not to think about the change of seasons coming. For many people, March is a month of preparation for spring. Whether you are in full spring-cleaning mode or just looking for a few tasks to prepare your home for the change of seasons, we have 5 tips for showing your home some love in March. 1. Clean Out Your Freezer Did you know that March 6 is National Frozen Food Day? In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed that on March 6, we should celebrate all things frozen food. So what better way to prepare for the celebration than to clean out the freezer and start with a blank canvas. Why not plan meals for the next five days from the frozen foods you have, toss things that are too old to eat, and defrost if you have lots of crystals built up? Then celebrate on the 6th by restocking it with things you need. Tackling one task, like cleaning out just the freezer, can often be a catalyst for wanting to clean out other areas of your home. What's next?   2. Schedule Maintenance for your HVAC March is an ideal time to schedule HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) maintenance for several reasons. Firstly, it's typically the transition period between winter and spring, making it a convenient time to ensure that your HVAC system is in optimal condition for the upcoming seasons. By scheduling maintenance in March, you can address any issues that may have arisen during the winter months when the heating system was heavily used, as well as prepare the system for the increased demand of cooling during the warmer months ahead. Additionally, HVAC professionals tend to be less busy during this time compared to the peak seasons of summer and winter, making it easier to secure an appointment at your preferred time. Regular maintenance in March can also help prevent potential breakdowns and costly repairs in the future, ensuring that your HVAC system operates efficiently and reliably year-round.   3. Freshen up for the Season Ahead Are you one of the 16% of Americans who decorates for Christmas and does not have a hard and fast rule that decorations come down before the end of January? If so, it might be time to turn the seasonal clock and freshen up for a more spring-like feel. Even if you packed away Christmas but kept a wintry vibe, it's time to pack away the snowflake throw pillows and snowman chotchkies and opt for a lighter feel. As you pack away the winter decor, take the time to clean cobwebs in corners and sweep under furniture. Freshen up the wreath on your front door to something more reminiscent of spring and sweep away dead leaves that are hanging onto the feeling of fall and winter. If you have a front or back porch, be sure to clean any planters and prepare them for the coming planting season. The shift from winter to spring is a great time to do a coat closet clean-out. If your family has winter gear they no longer use, look for an organization where you can donate and reclaim that space that was housing clothes you don't use.   4. Check Your Roof Since March marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring, it is an opportune time to inspect your roof for any damage caused by winter weather such as snow, ice, or high winds. Detecting and addressing any issues early can prevent them from worsening and potentially leading to more extensive damage or leaks when the rainy season arrives. Additionally, inspecting your roof in March allows you to prepare it for the upcoming months of increased rainfall and potential storms associated with spring. By identifying and repairing any damage or weak spots promptly, you can help ensure that your roof remains watertight and provides adequate protection for your home throughout the changing seasons. It is also a great time to make sure those gutters are clear. If you didn't clean them out well after the leaves fell in the fall, you may have full gutters that are not ready for spring rains. Reach out to me if you need a recommendation for some roofers in our area.   5. Prune Those Perennials When the weather begins to warm and the sun stays high in the sky longer, many people's brains shift to working in the yard. While it is not time yet for planting, it is a good time to prune some perennials to get them ready to bloom for you in the spring. Pruning now will help to remove any dead or damaged growth from the previous year, allowing the plant to allocate its energy towards producing healthy new growth. Additionally, pruning in March helps to shape the plant and promote a more compact and attractive form, leading to better aesthetics in the garden. It also encourages air circulation and sunlight penetration, reducing the risk of disease and promoting overall plant health. By pruning perennials in March, gardeners can set the stage for a vibrant and thriving garden throughout the growing season.   Whether you are ready for some big changes, like a move, or just some small improvements to make you love the space you are in even more, now is a great time to tackle some projects. And if a move is in your future, be sure you reach out to me! There is a reason we are the number one brokerage in the Catawba Valley! 

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