Category: Home & Lawn Care

New Homeowners: Inspection Checklist

Debbie Roney Smith on

Are you getting ready to move into your new home? Here are a few things you should be sure to inspect during your walkthrough before moving in. This is typically the step after having a home inspection done. Completing a walkthrough is an important part of the purchasing process; it allows you to make sure any issues that came up during the home inspection were appropriately dealt with.

  • Make sure any agreed-upon repairs were done.
  • Check that any appliances that were supposed to be left or removed have been dealt with. Check that any remaining appliances are in working order. 
  • Test ALL outlets to be sure they are in working order.
  • Additionally, test switches, light fixtures, smoke detectors, garage doors, and plumbing.
  • Note any damage to floors, cabinets, ceilings, or walls.
  • Check all caulking to make sure it’s sealed properly. 
  • Test any sliding doors or windows to be sure they open efficiently. 

Cutting Your Energy Costs

Debbie Roney Smith on

Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day! First established by the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, it’s an annual day of awareness designed to help homeowners conserve home energy and save money. Did you know that homes account for 22% of the energy usage in the United States (according to Energy.gov)? Yet there are a few simple changes that can be made to help you cut excess waste.

  • Take shorter showers
  • Unplug unused appliances & chargers
  • Do laundry in cold water
  • Switch to LED lights
  • Weatherize your house to optimize insulation

 

Fall-Winter Ceiling Fan Settings

Debbie Roney Smith on

During the summer, the fan should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft. This helps create a direct, cooling breeze. Now that the season is changing and the temperatures are cooling down, it’s time to consider changing the direction to clockwise. This helps create an updraft that will circulate warm air around the room. Recirculating the warm air and distributing it back into the living space helps keep the average room temperature up and your heater from overworking. Checking your ceiling fan settings is a good way to help cut down on unnecessary energy costs. 

Graceville Announcement

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Graceville Public Works will be picking up vegetative debris next Thursday, June 22 AND Friday, June 23. They ask that you place your vegetative debris right next to the street right of way for easy pick up. These dates are for vegetative debris ONLY. If you have construction debris, it can be taken to Public Works from June 15-17th for Amnesty servicing. 

National Homeownership Month

Debbie Roney Smith on

June is National Homeownership Month! It celebrates the value that owning a home brings to families, communities, and neighborhoods across America. It helps spread the joys of being a homeowner and encourages others to achieve the same thing. Did you know that most Americans had no way of owning a home in the 1800s? Mortgages became common after the U.S. banking system came into being as a result of the 1860s National Bank Acts.

May (Veggie) Gardening Tips

Debbie Roney Smith on

Here in the Florida Panhandle, May weather can be hard to pinpoint when attempting to work in the garden. Here are some tips for making the most of your veggie garden in May:

  • Periodically harvest from your spring garden to keep it going for as long as possible.
  • Plant tomatoes, okra, green beans, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, peppers, and melons. 
  • If you want lettuce, choose a heat-tolerant variety. This is the last chance to harvest lettuce for spring/summer.
  • Water your crops regularly and adequately according to their needs; skip days with adequate rain.
  • Plant okra, melons, squash, and green beans.

Spring Home Maintenance Tips

Debbie Roney Smith on

Spring is well underway, and summer is just around the corner! Want to be sure to keep your home in good condition? Want to straighten it up before putting it on the market? Follow the checklist of spring maintenance tasks below:

  1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts: clogged gutters/downspouts can cause wood rot and allow critters access to your home/attic.
  2. Reseal Exterior Woodwork: doors, porches, fences, trellises, and railing should be resealed every two years to prevent wear and tear. 
  3. Check for Signs of Termites and Carpenter Bees: look for holes in exterior wood or swarms of flying insects coming from your home.
  4. Inspect the Roof: look for missing shingles, metal pipes that are damaged/missing, or anything that simply doesn’t look right. Call a roofer with any concerns.
  5. Paint the Exterior: this is less a need and more a want. Spring is the best time to paint your home so if you’ve been wanting to slap a new coat on, now’s the time!
  6. Inspect Driveways and Paths: look for damage to walkways, paths, and driveways. Asphalt can often be patched, but damaged concrete may need to be replaced entirely.
  7. Check Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems: make sure there are no clogs/broken pipes by running the system. Check that none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged. 
  8. Prevent Mosquitoes: prevent mosquitos around your home by getting rid of any standing water.
  9. Check Screen Doors and Windows: carefully check each door/screen and repair any holes or tears to prevent bugs from getting in. There are screen repair kits at most hardware and home improvement stores.
  10. Schedule Air-conditioning Service: just because your ac is producing cold air doesn’t mean it’s in peak condition. Get the most out of your ac – change the filters at least once each season and hire a licensed professional to service the equipment before the start of summer.