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Fall is officially here, which means there’s no time to waste in getting your home ready for the season. This is a great time of year to finish those bigger projects you’ve been meaning to get to as well as regular maintenance chores before colder weather sets in. Here are the top items that should be on your list this fall so you’ll be ready when winter rolls around.

Clean gutters

We know this isn’t your favorite job, but it must be done. Once your trees have shed their leaves, it’s time to clean out the gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can damage your roof and siding and cause water to seep into the foundation. Get up on the ladder and get them cleaned out before the next big storm.

Shut off outdoor faucets

If you live in an area that dips below freezing, protect your pipes by shutting off exterior faucets. If water freezes inside your pipes, it will cause them to expand and possibly crack – which could lead to serious problems. Invest in quality plumbing tools so you will be ready for anything simple like some drain cleaning or for a needed emergency plumbing repair. Drain garden hoses and store them until next spring. You may hire professional plumbers to help you winterize your plumbing system.

Winterize sprinklers

Freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on sprinkler systems. Drain valves to remove water from the system. If your system doesn’t have valves, hire a pro to blow the water out. Shake water out of sprinkler heads.

Clean and stow garden tools

Give all your garden tools like spades, shovels, and pruning shears a good cleaning before stowing them away for the season. Also clean your lawn mower and either drain the gas or add fuel stabilizer. Gas can deteriorate over the winter, which could damage the engine if left in the mower.

Seal cracks

Keep out the cold winter air by sealing cracks around your home’s exterior. Look for gaps between trim and siding, around doors and windows, and anywhere pipes or wires enter the house. Spread a small bead of caulk in these areas to keep the cold air from getting inside. You’ll stay warm and save money on your heating bills.

Check smoke detectors

The best time to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is during the change of the seasons. If you want to remember every year, have it coincide with daylight savings time. Replace batteries as needed. Also check your fire extinguishers to make sure they have not expired.

Clean the fireplace

If you’re looking forward to cozy nights around the fire, then now is the time to have your fireplace cleaned. Make sure the damper opens properly and that there are no animals nesting inside. You should also have the creosote cleaned every two years. Make an appointment to have yours professionally cleaned if it’s time.

Clean dryer vents

Lint can get trapped inside your dryer vents, which could cause a fire. Static electricity, more prevalent during cold, dry weather, can ignite lint. Fall is the best time to clean those dryer vents.

Check the furnace

You’ll want to stay nice and toasty warm this winter. Head off any potential problems by having your furnace serviced now. A professional can complete a check-up of your furnace for around $100 to make sure it’s in tip-top shape. In addition, change your furnace filters.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Is your home’s brick exterior in need of a makeover? Try limewashing! This tried and true technique has been used on brick exteriors for hundreds of years, and the finished product gives your home antique curb appeal. You may also consider cleaning the brick walls through House Pressure Washing services before you do any upgrades.

Here’s a look at the basics and some information about tackling this as a DIY project.

Limewash basics

The term “limewashing” is often used interchangeably with “whitewashing”, but the two techniques have one key difference. Whitewashing is a process that uses watered down paint to achieve that old world feel. Limewashing, on the other hand, actually uses powdered limestone to create the same effect. Limewashing has been used for centuries to add an extra layer of protection to brick structures, which is why it can add a historical appeal to your home.

Environmentally sound

One of the best reasons to choose limewashing over other techniques is that it’s environmentally safe. Traditional paint can be toxic and produce fumes. Limewashing, however, is free of solvents and petrochemicals. It’s made of natural lime and pigments and has a high pH level, so it’s great for resisting fungal growth and damage from insects.

Inexpensive

Another great reason to choose limewashing when sprucing up your brick exterior is the low cost. You can make your own limewash by mixing hydrated lime with water. A 50-pound bag of hydrated lime can cost as little as $8 from your local home improvement store. You can also purchase limewashing kits that contain everything you need to get started and even specially formulated paints. These will cost you a little more, but if you’re looking for convenience they can’t be beat.

Easy application

Although nobody is going to tell you that painting the exterior of your home is an easy job, limewashing is about as simple as it gets. If you’re mixing your own limewash, use an 80/20 ratio of water to lime. Stir until you get a consistency like milk. First, hose down a section of the brick to clean it. The bricks should be clean and wet before applying the limewash. Then apply the limewash with a paintbrush, paint roller or paint sprayer, depending on your preference. The best part is that you can achieve the look you’re going for with only one coat. It’s best to apply limewash on overcast days; otherwise, it can dry too quickly. A slow drying time is key to setting it properly.

Easy maintenance

While limewash will erode over time, it can add to the historic look of a building. If limewash gets dirty, it can’t be cleaned. However, you can easily apply another coat of limewash over the existing coat. Depending on how weathered you’d like the exterior of your home to look, you can expect to apply a fresh coat of limewash every 5-7 years or longer.

Simple to remove

Unlike paint, which can be very difficult to remove from brick, limewash is something that can be removed with relative ease. If you grow tired of the look, the limewash can be removed with residential pressure washing or power washing services, or even with a stiff brush if you don’t mind using a little elbow grease, but it will always be best to just hire a company that does House Washing in New York.

So there you have it. If you’re looking to give your brick exterior a facelift, why not try limewashing? This historic technique will produce modern results that you’re sure to love.

Compliments of Virtual Results

If you’re worried that you’ll be unable to sell your home if it’s on a busy street, don’t be. Although selling a home on a busy street can be a challenge, it doesn’t have to be a losing battle. You just need to know how to best market it and have a little patience during the selling process. In some cases, that busy street can even be a positive feature. Here’s what you need to do if you’re selling a house on a busy road.

Set a realistic asking price

There are many factors that need to be considered when pricing a home for sale. One of those is the location, and living on a busy street can affect the value of your home. In most markets, you can expect a home on a busy road to sell for up to ten percent less than comparable homes on quiet streets. Work with a professional real estate agent who is an expert in your market to determine the best listing price for your home.

Create a sound barrier with landscaping

If traffic noise is a real problem and you fear it will be a deal-breaker, consider ways that you can mask that sound with landscaping. Using high quality fence supplies, you can build a fence in the front yard that helps to deflect sound. You may contact a residential or commercial fencing contractor to build fencing around your property. This Fencing Sunshine Coast company has plenty of positive reviews by previous clients. Another great choice is to plant a hedge or tall row of bushes to help absorb the sound from passing cars. In fact, the more plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs you have in the front yard, the better. Not only will they help to muffle the sound, they’ll create a lovely barrier between the road and your house. Curb appeal is essential when selling, and a landscape renovation will certainly help in this area. You might also think about adding a water feature. The sound of running water is not only soothing, but it will help to mask the sounds from the street.

Build a backyard oasis

Let’s face it — most homeowners tend to put more of an emphasis on the backyard, not the front yard. The backyard is where most of the socializing happens. You can make your home more appealing by creating a backyard oasis that is a sanctuary from the busy street. Set up a seating area and do some landscaping with plants and flowers. Show potential buyers what a restful retreat the backyard can be.

Sell as a commercial property

If you’re really worried about selling your home, consider marketing it as a commercial property. Check local regulations to see if your property is zoned for commercial purposes. If so, a doctor, lawyer, or even a hair salon may love the location because it’s on a busy street.

Understand the benefits

Finally, there are actually some upsides to selling a home on a busy street. For one thing, more people will be driving by your home, which means more potential buyers will see your signs. Living on a busy road can also be an advantage if a buyer is looking for a quick commute to work. It’s also great for those who want to live close to the action and who favor walking to dinner or stores. Be sure to highlight these hidden benefits when you’re marketing your home.

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We’re well into hurricane season, and every year we see images on the news of the devastation that flooding can bring. Whether or not you live in a hurricane zone, floods can happen anywhere and are ranked as America’s most common natural disaster. Broken sump pumps can lead to major flooding challenges, call a basement flood cleaning professional to conduct flood damage cleaning services and to avoid the potential of mold growth. Because of this, you may be wondering how flood insurance works and if you need it. Here’s what you should know.

The Facts

As of 2016, only about 12 percent of homeowners carried flood insurance. Here are some facts to consider if you’re thinking about joining their numbers:

• Just one inch of water in your home can cause more than $27,000 worth of damage.
• It only takes 12 inches of fast-moving water to carry away a car, and only six inches to knock you off your feet.
• Flash floods can carry water to more than 20 feet high.
• Flash floods can occur with almost no warning and can happen in just a few minutes.
• Floods from hurricanes and tropical storms are more damaging than the high winds they cause.
• You are required to carry flood insurance if you have a federally backed mortgage and you live in an area that’s at a high risk for floods.
• Up to 30 percent of flood losses happen in low- or moderate-risk areas.

Homeowners Insurance

When you buy a home, it’s a given that you’ll purchase homeowners insurance from First Business Protection. But it’s very important to remember that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. For this reason, you’ll need to purchase a separate policy that covers floods.

Flood Insurance

As stated above, your mortgage lender may require you to have flood insurance if you live in a high-risk zone. In some cases, your lender may also require flood insurance, even if you don’t live in a high-risk area. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers this type of coverage and can be purchased through a private insurance agent. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages NFIP. You can find out if you live in a high-risk zone by viewing FEMA’s flood maps. Flood insurance covers up to $250,000 for your home and $100,000 for your possessions. If you need additional coverage or live in an area where NFIP is not available, you can purchase private insurance.

Cost and Requirements

If you are in high-risk area or are required to purchase flood insurance by your lender, you should be aware of the cost and requirements. Be advised that flood insurance coverage does not take effect until 30 days after purchase. Don’t wait until a storm is in the forecast to talk to an insurance agent. The cost of an insurance flood policy is generally affordable. The average policy is only about $411 a year, which works out to just over a dollar a day. If you’re in a low-risk zone, your policy could cost even less.

The bottom line is that if you’re concerned about flooding, you should look into your options for flood insurance. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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You may have seen listings that describe a neighborhood as a “bedroom community.” But what does that term really mean? And is a bedroom community the right choice for you? Let us break it down for you.

What is a bedroom community?

A bedroom community is typically a residential area outside of a big city. Most of the residents of a bedroom community are those who work in the city and commute. Often they are within an hour of a large city, and they offer a more residential appeal than what you would find in an urban setting. The name “bedroom community” comes from the idea that most residents only sleep there while doing their other activities elsewhere.

What are the benefits of a bedroom community?

Generally speaking, bedroom communities are more affordable than their big-city counterparts (those this is not true for all major cities). When you buy a home in a bedroom community, you’ll get more space coupled with an overall lower cost of living. The pace is slower, and residents usually describe a better quality of life.

Another great perk of living in a bedroom community is a lower crime rate. Big cities tend to have higher crime rates, especially violent crimes. And also today, computer crimes are a serious matter and can have severe consequences. Whether you’re facing charges or need advice on how to protect yourself, a computer crime lawyer can guide you through the legal process. Check out https://www.newjerseycriminallawattorney.com/white-collar-crime/computer-crimes-attorney/ for more information. You’ll find that most bedroom communities are close-knit, and it’s more likely that you’ll know your neighbors. These towns often host regular community events and festivals, which is a great way to get out and meet people. In fact, many bedroom communities are dispelling the notion that residents spend most of their time outside the neighborhood. These communities have become great places to raise families, enjoy a night out, and even attend cultural events.

Speaking of families, many bedroom communities feature amazing school systems that are well-supported locally. Your child’s school will likely be close to your home, making it easier to get to and from school and special events.

What are the disadvantages of a bedroom community?

One of the biggest disadvantages of a bedroom community could be the distance you have to travel for work. Studies have shown that commute times directly relate to levels of happiness. The longer time you spend commuting, the less happy you are overall.

And if you prefer public transportation to driving in your car, a bedroom community may not be a great fit. Though some bedroom communities are connected to major train and bus lines, most commuters spend that time in their cars.

Lack of entertainment and nightlife can be a turnoff for some people, especially young adults. Since most bedroom communities seem to attract families, younger folks don’t always find the amenities they would like, such as bars or nightclubs. You may also be limited to the types of stores and shopping destinations that are available. In bedroom communities you’re more likely to find big-box stores and franchises than hip coffee shops and small businesses.

Ultimately, whether or not to buy a home in a bedroom community is a personal choice. By weighing the pros and cons that are outlined above, you can be confident in making the choice that is right for you.

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Changing leaves and falling temperatures may not make you think of spring. But chores you do in your garden now can have a big impact during next year’s growing season. Fall is a great time to do some work in the garden that will give you a head start next spring. Follow these tips to maximize the time you spend in your garden this autumn.

Feed your garden beds

Even though your garden beds are getting ready for their winter’s rest, they will be grateful for extra nourishment. Spread an even layer of compost on all your garden beds before winter. Over the cold season, the compost will work down into the soil, and your beds will be well-fed and ready for planting come spring. You may also consider building retaining walls to hep prevent soil erosion in your garden.

Save seeds

Who doesn’t love some free seeds? You can score plenty if you take the extra time to collect seeds from your plants this fall. Allow some of your flowers and vegetables to set seeds, and collect them at the end of the season. You can then save them for planting next year, or directly sow them in the ground now so that they’ll sprout next year.

Divide perennials

Now is the best time to divide and transplant those early-flowering perennials that are taking over your garden. If you plant them now, you’ll be sure that those transplants will flower come spring. Now is also a great time to score discounted perennials at garden centers and home stores. Many of these varieties can be planted in the fall to enjoy next spring.

Clean bird feeders

If you love attracting birds to your yard with feeders, now is the time to clean them. Feeders need to be cleaned regularly with warm water and left to air dry. Otherwise, you risk getting your feathered friends sick. Once your feeders are clean, you can enjoy watching the birds all winter long and well into the spring season.

Cut back plants

As the fall season progresses, many of your beautiful plants and flowers will turn brown and die. You can cut back many of your perennials now, though you may want to consider leaving some for the birds and insects to enjoy over the winter months. That “mess” will help to sustain the life that is essential for the health of your spring garden. When you cut back plants, you can compost them unless they show signs of disease.

The pest control Toorak recommends to fumigate your garden to prevent bugs, insects and some other unwanted animals in your green areas. You may contact an animal removal service for this. And if you are starting a lawn care company, you may go to website to look into the tools and software that might be beneficial in the growth of your business.

Clean your garden tools

It’s not usually anybody’s favorite job, but you will thank yourself come spring if you clean and care for your garden tools now. Wash and dry your Garden hose connectors and all the other gardening tools before you store them. Oil, sharpen, and repair those you need for cutting. Store them in a cool, dry place over the winter. In the springtime when there’s loads of work to be done, you’ll be glad all your tools are in working order. Now is also the best time to clean your pots and containers. Wash them with a bleach solution, let them air dry, and store them over the winter.

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You’ve squared away all the details of your move, but you’re left with one lingering question: how much do you tip the movers? Moving day can be stressful and exhausting, made more so when you get to the end of the day and aren’t sure if you should tip and how much. Let’s solve this dilemma upfront so you can be more relaxed on the big day. One useful resource for finding the best and reliable local businesses is the Local Service Yellow Page.

Consider their job

Moving is a hard job. If it were easy, you’d be doing it yourself, right? Being a mover is a demanding profession that requires hard physical labor and attention to detail. And like any service trade, there are some great movers and some that don’t put in any extra effort. When you hire livonia movers who are good at their jobs, it’s appropriate to show your appreciation for a job well done.

How much to tip

As with any service trade, you can base the tip on the quality of the service you received. If your crew was inattentive and careless with your belongings, you may not feel inclined to tip at all. Conversely, if your crew was careful, hard-working, and pleasant all day, you can tip them an amount you think is fair. While there’s no standard when tipping your movers, a good ballpark figure is 10-15 percent of the bill. That generally works out to about $20-$30 per mover. Of course, this will depend on the size of your job, how difficult the job is, the time it takes, and the number of crew involved. Keep in mind that most movers don’t expect to be tipped, but are very appreciative when you do.

How to tip

The next question is – how do you leave them the tip? In most cases, cash at the end of the day is the best way to tip your movers. You can either give the tip to the crew leader, who can distribute it to each crewmember. Or you can opt to tip each mover individually. Your decision can be based on what you feel most comfortable doing. If you’re concerned the foreman won’t distribute the money fairly, then be sure to tip each crewmember personally.

How else you can show appreciation

A cash tip at the end of a hard day isn’t the only way you can show appreciation to the crew who executed your move. Consider having cold or hot beverages on hand during the day to make them more comfortable. You can offer to buy the crew lunch, but make sure to ask what kind of food they would prefer. Not everyone wants to eat pizza every day. You may also be tempted to offer them cold beer, especially if it’s a hot day. But be aware that they may have rules against drinking on the job, as it could be a liability issue if anything were to happen. Another great way to show your appreciation is with great reviews online as well as new customer referrals.

Hopefully that helps to clear up any confusion you may have about tipping your movers. In the end, you should consider it appropriate to show your appreciation in some form for a job well done.

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When buying a new home, one of the problems you should be on the lookout for is mold. Even the cleanest homes have some mold, but if the problem has gotten out of control it could cause serious health issues. Common reactions to mold include difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, and sinus congestion. If you’re shopping for a house, here’s what you need to know in order to recognize a possible mold problem.

Look for visual signs of mold growth

There are literally thousands of mold species, and they don’t all look the same. The most common types of mold you may find in a house often look like dirt or soot. If you find something that resembles dirt in an area that may have experienced moisture, such as a bathroom, there’s a good bet that it’s mold. Molds can grow on paper, dust, lint, and fiberboard, so be sure to check these surfaces in areas that have dampness or have recently flooded. If you notice mold growth in your crawl space, make sure to contact crawl space mold encapsulation services immediately because mold can easily cause structural damage to joists and flooring in the crawl space, threatening the safety of any occupants of the building.

Notice any musty smells

Mold has a familiar smell that can be described as musty or damp. It’s similar to the smell you’d encounter in a store full of old books. While this scent may not always indicate a mold problem, it should alert you to be aware of other signs of mold in the house.

Check for water problems

Another indication that there could be a potential mold problem is the presence of water damage. If a home has sustained any prolonged exposure to water, such as a flood, that’s good reason to believe there may be mold growing in those areas that were affected. Also look for water stains on walls, ceilings, and floors as well as bubbling or cracking paint or wallpaper. Warped wood also indicates previous water damage that could lead to a mold problem. If there are any water leaks from pipes or faucets, be aware that mold could be hidden behind the wall or on another surface where the water seeped.

What to do if you find mold

Mold is so prevalent it’s impossible to remove it entirely from any home. But visible mold growth should certainly be removed. First, fix any leaks that are causing water damage. Mold needs moisture to survive, so the most important repair is to cut off the water supply that’s causing the mold to grow. If the mold growth is small, you can likely tackle this challenge on your own. Thoroughly clean the affected area with commercially available products such as soap and water or a bleach solution.

When to call an expert

If your mold problem is on a larger scale, it may be necessary to call in a professional mold remediation company. A mold removal expert can properly clean and dry the area so that the mold does not cause allergic reactions.

Don’t write off the house

A mold problem does not have to kill the home sale. If you know you’re sensitive to mold, it may mean finding another home. But if mold doesn’t generally bother you, you can safely proceed with the sale as long as the problem is addressed by a mold removal company before you move in.

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Is a new home purchase in your future? Shopping for a new home can be an exciting time, and it’s easy to get swept up in your emotions. But remember that buying a home is one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll ever make. While it’s natural to get emotional over the decision, you also need to cultivate some practicality. That’s why you should always ask these five questions before buying a house. They will help you avoid any unfortunate surprises after the deal has closed. If you decide to invest in rental properties, you may also consider working with a residential property management company.

Why are you selling?

There are many reasons why a seller has decided to move. This could include needing more room for a growing family, relocating for a job, or downsizing after retirement. If the seller is willing to share this information with you, it may give you some clues as to how open they are to negotiating. The more motivated the seller is to move, the more likely you are to get a better deal.

What’s included in the sale?

It’s important to be very clear about what is and is not included in the sale of the home. Generally speaking, anything that is permanently affixed to the home is included, which might include kitchen faucets and window shades. However, some items fall into a gray area, such as lighting fixtures and appliances. If there’s any confusion, it’s best to have it spelled out clearly in the contract. You don’t want to show up to your new home on moving day to discover that the previous homeowner has dug up and moved all the rose bushes. Expedite Towing, a private property impound near me, provides complete private property towing services to ensure quality towing between property managers and property tenants.

Are there any problems or issues with the house?

Sellers are required to make certain disclosures about a property, but those disclosures vary from state to state. When in doubt, ask the seller if they’ve had any problems or issues with the house. Is there a window that just won’t open, a door that doesn’t lock properly, or even an “otherworldly” tenant? While the seller may not be required to disclose this information to you, it doesn’t hurt to ask so you can be prepared. Any information you’ll get from the seller will help you determine if you’ll need to hire property management services for the upkeep of the house especially if you’re planning to rent it out. A residential property management company can also handle the processes pertaining to the rental of your property.

Have there been any major repairs or renovations?

Ask the seller if any major repairs or renovations have been performed on the house. Even more importantly, find out who did those repairs and renovations. Did a licensed plumber from Fidelis Plumbing complete the repairs? Or was it a DIY project that the homeowner did? Ask to see building permits, especially for renovations like additions, a new roof, or adding electrical or plumbing systems. If no permits can be produced, check with your local building department. If a permit was supposed to be issued and wasn’t, the current homeowner is responsible for satisfying the code requirements. This will be you if you buy the house, which could become expensive.

What is the neighborhood like?

Finally, if you have the chance you should ask the seller about the neighborhood. While you might not get a comprehensive answer, you could discover that the neighbor has a barking dog, there’s traffic noise during the day, or the streetlights are very bright at night. You could also learn practical information such as when trash is collected, the best pizza place nearby, and where to take your dry cleaning. These useful bits of information will make settling into your new home that much easier.

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Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of the summer season. If you’ve been thinking about selling your home, you may be wondering if you’ve missed the boat. Spring and summer are often thought of as the best seasons for selling your home. But don’t be discouraged! Fall can also be a great time to put your home on the market. Here are our best tips for making the most of your post-Labor Day sale.

Maximize your marketing

While spring and summer tend to have the biggest uptick in buyers, that doesn’t mean there aren’t people shopping for a home in the fall. Families with school-aged children may conduct their home searches while school is out of session, but there are plenty of potential buyers for whom the school calendar is a non-issue. Understand that the buyers you’ll see in the fall may be empty nesters, young millennials, or even people looking for vacation homes. If you tailor your marketing to those potential buyers, you’ll see better results.

Focus on the season

There are many people who love the fall season, so don’t be afraid to add some autumnal touches to your home. When sprucing up the exterior, display decorative accents like potted mums, pumpkins, or a wreath with fall colors. Inside, add tasteful decorations in warm shades, such as throw pillows or a cozy blanket for the living room couch. Simmer stovetop potpourri with fall scents like cinnamon and clove, or bake pumpkin spice cookies to make your house smell amazing. On chilly days, keep the thermostat at a comfortable temperature and serve up hot apple cider.

Price it right

One of the most important things to keep in mind when selling in the fall is to price your home accordingly. Take a look at comps in the area and discuss the best pricing strategy with your real estate agent. While some people believe that you have to price lower in the fall, that isn’t necessarily true. Your home needs to be priced according to market conditions, and a knowledgeable agent will help you determine what the best listing price should be.

Get the house ready

No matter the season, it’s essential that you spend time getting your home ready to sell. This includes de-cluttering, de-personalizing, and thoroughly cleaning the entire house. Make any needed repairs including fixing leaky faucets, repairing faulty light fixtures, and replacing all burnt out light bulbs. Your agent may also make other suggestions for upgrades to boost your home’s appeal. This could include making cosmetic renovations to a bathroom, replacing the flooring, or making energy-efficient upgrades. Paint rooms in neutral shades and remove any bulky furniture. Remember – you want potential buyers to be able to imagine themselves living in your home. Make it easier for them by giving them a comfortable, clean, and neutral environment.

If you’re ready to put your home on the market, autumn can be the perfect time. Follow the tips above and you could be sitting at the closing table before the end of the year.

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