10 Steps to Get Your Home Clean and Ready for Spring

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Warmer months are ahead, so now is the time to plan for spring cleaning and maintenance. A clean home offers a fresh start for the year, and a checklist of tasks guides your efforts towards efficiency. For many homeowners, spring cleaning can be a personal challenge. It can also be one accomplished with the help of the rest of the family or other residents. In some occasions, however, professional assistance may be advised, or even necessary. Regardless, regular home maintenance not only increases your home’s value, but it can also make your home more comfortable and enjoyable. 

Indoors

Check Your Attic

Once summer arrives, it can be too hot in many regions to comfortably perform an inspection. Use late winter and early spring to ensure the following: there’s ample insulation (10 to 14 inches), there are no signs of mice or rats (droppings, strong odor, nests), there are no bugs (flying, crawling, or otherwise), and there are no signs of roof leaks (water stains, etc.).

Schedule HVAC Maintenance

Annual tune-ups on your heating/cooling equipment will reduce your energy bill and help ensure you can maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.

Fix the Window Screens

It won’t be long before you’ll want to throw open the windows for fresh air, or relief on a warm afternoon. Take time now to ensure your window screens are ready for the challenge. Many traditional neighborhood hardware stores still offer re-screening services. Contractors also specialize in this service and are available for house calls.

Clean the Ceiling Fans

During the warm weather and the cold, ceiling fans can help moderate the temperature and better distribute the air. But your fans will be far more efficient if you give them a good cleaning a couple times each year. For fans mounted up to 10 feet in the air, you can use a ladder to access the tops of the fan blades. For those mounted on vaulted ceilings, use a long-handled duster. 

Apply Weather Stripping

Many homeowners think of weather stripping as a cold-weather commodity, but it’s just as important during summer. To keep the cool air in and the hot air out, use any of the many filler materials available to seal gaps around windows, doors, exhaust fans, and any other point where you can see light peeking through. 

Outdoors

Look for Damaged Roof Shingles

Use binoculars (with your feet safely planted on the ground) to scan for roof shingles that are curling, broken, or missing. If anything seems compromised, have a roofing company perform an inspection and provide a bid. If you or any members of your family are enterprising drone users, a camera-affixed drone can also be a useful aid in this reconnaissance effort. 

Wash the Exterior

An easy way to extend the life of your exterior paint – and make your house look better than ever – is to give the siding a good washing. Use mostly water (to avoid harming any plants) and a stiff pole brush.

Search Out Rotten Wood

While you’re washing the exterior, keep an eye out for areas where there may be rot. Use a screwdriver to gently but firmly press on any siding or trim where you see black mold, missing paint, or exposed gray wood. If the area you’re probing feels mushy or bone-dry, contact a contractor to assess and stabilize the situation.

Clean the Gutters

All it takes is a handful of leaves to clog a gutter downspout and cause overflow and flooding. Hire a professional to give the gutters a thorough cleaning and you’ll avoid the very real dangers of working from a ladder. If you live in an area with lots of trees, consider getting quotes for some of the leaf-less gutter systems.

Prepare Your Lawn to Grow

The winter sets impediments for your lawn, and it takes preparation to help it shine. Rake away any dead grass and aerate the whole lawn to allow nutrients to access the roots. Reseed bare spots and apply a spring fertilizer to ensure your lawn has the fuel it needs to grow strong and beautiful.

The post 10 Steps to Get Your Home Clean and Ready for Spring appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

5 Ways to Create a Sustainable Kitchen

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In many ways, the kitchen is the heart of a home. All the time spent making delicious food, sharing recipes, and enjoying meals with loved ones gives it a central role in home life. A consequence of the time spent in the kitchen is the creation of waste. But by adopting more sustainable practices in the kitchen, you can reduce waste and make your home more eco-friendly. Here are five ways you can create a sustainable kitchen.

5 Ways to Create a Sustainable Kitchen

1. Cut Down on Food Waste

It’s no secret that a certain portion of food always seems to go to waste, but how can you avoid throwing away perfectly edible food items? It starts with being intentional about your grocery shopping. This helps to prevent overbuying and will give you a better chance of cutting down your food waste. Food preservation is key, as well. Invest in high-quality, reusable containers to prevent food from rotting, wilting, or expiring before you intend to cook it.

2. Choose Energy-Efficient Appliances

Kitchen appliances generate a significant amount of power. By using an energy-efficient refrigerator, freezer, and/or dishwasher, you can reduce the overall energy consumption of your household. When deciding on which appliance to purchase, the most sustainable choice you can make is the one you plan on sticking with for a long time. When deciding on a gas versus an electric range, know the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision.

 

A young man and a woman take care of their kitchen herbs and houseplants.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Pekic

 

3. Reusable Materials

Getting more uses out of the items in your kitchen will help make your household more environmentally conscious. Reusable kitchen towels are an eco-friendly replacement for paper towels when you’re cooking, wiping down your counters, or doing dishes. Using reusable grocery bags is an effective way to transport groceries sustainably. It will also help keep your kitchen organized by avoiding a plastic or paper bag pile-up under your sink. This line of reusable thinking in the kitchen can even extend to design. If you’re looking to give your kitchen a makeover while keeping sustainability in mind, consider incorporating reclaimed wood, sustainably-sourced countertops, or natural materials like bamboo. 

4. Use Natural or Organic Cleaning Products

Creating a sustainable kitchen isn’t just about reducing food waste and choosing reusable materials. By using organic and/or natural cleaning products, you can ensure that your cleaning practices are sustainable as well. Using natural cleaners, like baking soda and vinegar, can also create less waste when you repurpose jars and bottles to create your preferred solution. Buy ingredients in bulk, then re-purpose old spray bottles and use towels instead of paper products to clean. Certain conventional cleaning products with synthetic chemicals can negatively impact the air quality in your home, which can have harmful effects on your health, especially if you have respiratory sensitivities.

5. Be Mindful About Water Usage

Neglecting to monitor your water usage is a slippery slope. Not only will using too much water increase the overall waste output of your home, but it will also increase your water bill. Be mindful about using only the required amount of water for cooking, do your best to avoid leaving the faucet running, and if there is a drip, fix it as quickly as you can. Using too much water can also strain your home’s water systems, putting your pipes at risk of bursting. Tempering your water usage can help to prevent water damage and the high costs that come with it.

Going zero waste doesn’t have to be expensive. Try first to extend the life of the things you already have like plastic bottles and textiles. For more information on how you can adopt sustainable practices at home, read our guide to going low-to-zero waste:

A Guide to Going Low-to-Zero Waste

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How to Prepare for a Fire at Home

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A fire breaking out in your home is a serious potential hazard. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to identify the early signs of a fire and to prepare for an emergency. The following list will help you and your household put together your fire safety plan.

How to Prepare for a Fire at Home

Fire safety

Having properly functioning smoke and CO2 detectors is crucial to your safety. Test your smoke and CO2 detectors frequently and swap out the batteries when necessary. It is recommended to have a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.

Always keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen to combat flame outbursts from the stove or oven. It is best to have at least one fire extinguisher per floor for easy access. Keep in mind that fire extinguishers are used to control and extinguish small, contained fires. If a fire has spread throughout an entire room, or is beginning to engulf your home, know that fire extinguishers are no match for the blaze, and you should escape immediately.

Evacuation plan

A home fire can be very disorienting. During an emergency, it is critical that all members of your household know how to properly evacuate the home. Identify two ways to escape from each room in case one route is unsafe. Choose a meeting spot somewhere outside for everyone to meet a safe distance away from the fire. This can be across the street, down the block, at a neighbor’s house, or wherever makes most sense for you and your family. The most important thing is that you all have an agreed-upon rendezvous. Select an emergency contact whom you can reach out to if something goes wrong in the evacuation process or if a family member is missing.

Best practices

When escaping your home, crawl as low as possible to stay beneath the smoke. Test closed doors before using them to escape. If they are hot, that’s a sign that there are flames on the other side of the door and you should use an alternative escape strategy. Be careful that you don’t burn your hand when testing closed doors. Make sure everyone in your household knows the procedure for calling 9-1-1 and properly alerting the fire department. If you have pets at home, include them in your evacuation plans. If you are forced to decide between evacuating safely and trying to rescue a pet, know that firefighters are trained experts at saving animals from house fires. 

For more tips on how to plan for fire-related emergencies at home, read our blog for Wildfire Preparation and Evacuation Tips.

The post How to Prepare for a Fire at Home appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

How to Prepare for a Fire at Home

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

A fire breaking out in your home is a serious potential hazard. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to identify the early signs of a fire and to prepare for an emergency. The following list will help you and your household put together your fire safety plan.

How to Prepare for a Fire at Home

Fire safety

Having properly functioning smoke and CO2 detectors is crucial to your safety. Test your smoke and CO2 detectors frequently and swap out the batteries when necessary. It is recommended to have a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each level of your home.

Always keep a fire extinguisher near the kitchen to combat flame outbursts from the stove or oven. It is best to have at least one fire extinguisher per floor for easy access. Keep in mind that fire extinguishers are used to control and extinguish small, contained fires. If a fire has spread throughout an entire room, or is beginning to engulf your home, know that fire extinguishers are no match for the blaze, and you should escape immediately.

Evacuation plan

A home fire can be very disorienting. During an emergency, it is critical that all members of your household know how to properly evacuate the home. Identify two ways to escape from each room in case one route is unsafe. Choose a meeting spot somewhere outside for everyone to meet a safe distance away from the fire. This can be across the street, down the block, at a neighbor’s house, or wherever makes most sense for you and your family. The most important thing is that you all have an agreed-upon rendezvous. Select an emergency contact whom you can reach out to if something goes wrong in the evacuation process or if a family member is missing.

Best practices

When escaping your home, crawl as low as possible to stay beneath the smoke. Test closed doors before using them to escape. If they are hot, that’s a sign that there are flames on the other side of the door and you should use an alternative escape strategy. Be careful that you don’t burn your hand when testing closed doors. Make sure everyone in your household knows the procedure for calling 9-1-1 and properly alerting the fire department. If you have pets at home, include them in your evacuation plans. If you are forced to decide between evacuating safely and trying to rescue a pet, know that firefighters are trained experts at saving animals from house fires. 

For more tips on how to plan for fire-related emergencies at home, read our blog for Wildfire Preparation and Evacuation Tips.

The post How to Prepare for a Fire at Home appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

The Evolution of the Home Office

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As the popularity of remote work has reached new heights in recent years, the needs of homeowners are changing. Home offices and workspaces have never been higher on buyers’ priority lists and sellers are finding ways to make their homes appeal to a remote working audience. So, what does this mean for the home office moving forward? How will it continue to evolve? Only time will tell. In the meantime, it’s more important than ever to curate a home office that fits your needs.

The Evolution of the Home Office

Whether you have a proper home office or work at a chair in your kitchen nook, what’s important is that you create a dedicated space for your work. This allows you to focus by limiting distractions that may arise from other areas of the house. It also brings a sense of work-life balance to your home by physically separating the spaces. Even if your space is limited, design your workspace to feel like its own designated spot by facing it away from an open room or pointing your workstation toward a window.

Continued Remote Work

For those who have worked remotely and will continue to do so, you’ve likely gotten a grasp of how your home workspace can best fit your unique needs. Perhaps you decided to ditch the desk chair for a yoga ball or switched out that old desk lamp for a therapy light. But now that remote work has become your long-term reality, it’s time to think about how the space will fit your long-term needs.

Gone are the days of your home workspace being an afterthought. Working from home long-term means that your home office is now one of the most-used spaces in the house, so it’s important to keep it organized. Declutter the space with efficiency and productivity in mind, prioritizing the items that are essential for your job. We work well when we feel well, and an organized space can help reduce anxiety and work-related stress.

As your remote work continues, it may be time to make investments that you were previously on the fence about making. Whether it’s a second monitor, a supportive floor mat under your chair, a new design on your wall for your Zoom background, or a standing desk, now that you’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future, it’s important that your home office provides you with all the tools you’ll need while inspiring you to do your best work. 

Returning to In-Person Work

For those whose days of a fully remote work schedule are coming to an end, your home office needs will evolve, so it’s important that the space reflects those changes.

  • Full-Time: Returning to in-person work full-time means your home office will be vacant for extended periods of the day. Because you won’t be using it nearly as much, you have the freedom to either keep it as is or convert the room into something else. If you’ve dreamt of having a game room, a home gym, a playroom for the kids, or creating your version of a home theater, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.
  • Part-Time / Hybrid / Flex: A hybrid or flex work schedule allows for flexibility with your home office. Paring down your workspace and transferring some equipment to your desk at work will help you declutter. Outfit both workspaces to fit your needs to avoid lugging equipment back and forth. For example, if one location is primarily meant for attending meetings and the other is for working on projects, you can curate each space accordingly.

 

For more information on how remote work can change your needs as a homeowner, read our blog on The Remote Worker’s Home Buying Process.

The post The Evolution of the Home Office appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado

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It’s the sweetest, spookiest time of the year! If you’re in the Northern Colorado area, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly trick-or-treat locations that are sure to hit the spot! 

 

 

1. Anderson Farms is opening its doors for all the “Little Ghouls” out there. This daytime trick-or-treat event will be hosted on both Saturday and Sunday from 11a to 2p, giving the kiddos the perfect chance to show off their costumes, collect candy and explore the farm’s “Fall Festival”. Tickets are $5 per participant and registration includes a trick-or-treating sack!

 

 

2. Trick or Treat Street 2021 is back and better than ever! Enjoy this completely outdoor trick-or-treat event taking place on Friday October 29th from 4p-6p in Downtown Greeley. Over 40 businesses will be in attendance and they’re bringing more than just candy… booths, prizes, treats, and trunk-or-treat cars are all a part of this short and sweet celebration!

 

 

3. Not quite ready to take on the crowds yet? We’ve got you! The Thompson School District is hosting its second annual “Drive-Thru Trick or Treat”. This socially distanced event gives the kiddos a chance to dress up and collect candy from the comfort of the car, all while checking out Halloween scenes decorated by local businesses, schools and nonprofits. The best part? This event is doubles as a fundraiser for the Thompson Education Foundation! Get into the spirit of Halloween while supporting a great organization! Tickets are $5 per vehicle and the event will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 10a-2:30p.

 

 

4. Head to Downtown Fort Collins the kick off your Halloween weekend! Nearly 70 businesses in the downtown area will be participating in this trick-or-treat event. Join in the fun on Friday October 29th from 10a-1p! Not in the area? Downtown Windsor will also be hosting it’s annual Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday from 1p-4p. Stop by and say hi to the 20 participating businesses including our Windsor office located at 207 4th Street!

 

 

5. Stick with tradition and trick-or-treat in your neighborhood over the weekend. Wherever you choose to celebrate this year, we’re wishing you a Happy Halloween!

The post Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

It’s the sweetest, spookiest time of the year! If you’re in the Northern Colorado area, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly trick-or-treat locations that are sure to hit the spot! 

 

 

1. Anderson Farms is opening its doors for all the “Little Ghouls” out there. This daytime trick-or-treat event will be hosted on both Saturday and Sunday from 11a to 2p, giving the kiddos the perfect chance to show off their costumes, collect candy and explore the farm’s “Fall Festival”. Tickets are $5 per participant and registration includes a trick-or-treating sack!

 

 

2. Trick or Treat Street 2021 is back and better than ever! Enjoy this completely outdoor trick-or-treat event taking place on Friday October 29th from 4p-6p in Downtown Greeley. Over 40 businesses will be in attendance and they’re bringing more than just candy… booths, prizes, treats, and trunk-or-treat cars are all a part of this short and sweet celebration!

 

 

3. Not quite ready to take on the crowds yet? We’ve got you! The Thompson School District is hosting its second annual “Drive-Thru Trick or Treat”. This socially distanced event gives the kiddos a chance to dress up and collect candy from the comfort of the car, all while checking out Halloween scenes decorated by local businesses, schools and nonprofits. The best part? This event is doubles as a fundraiser for the Thompson Education Foundation! Get into the spirit of Halloween while supporting a great organization! Tickets are $5 per vehicle and the event will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 10a-2:30p.

 

 

4. Head to Downtown Fort Collins the kick off your Halloween weekend! Nearly 70 businesses in the downtown area will be participating in this trick-or-treat event. Join in the fun on Friday October 29th from 10a-1p! Not in the area? Downtown Windsor will also be hosting it’s annual Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday from 1p-4p. Stop by and say hi to the 20 participating businesses including our Windsor office located at 207 4th Street!

 

 

5. Stick with tradition and trick-or-treat in your neighborhood over the weekend. Wherever you choose to celebrate this year, we’re wishing you a Happy Halloween!

The post Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

It’s the sweetest, spookiest time of the year! If you’re in the Northern Colorado area, we’ve put together a list of family-friendly trick-or-treat locations that are sure to hit the spot! 

 

 

1. Anderson Farms is opening its doors for all the “Little Ghouls” out there. This daytime trick-or-treat event will be hosted on both Saturday and Sunday from 11a to 2p, giving the kiddos the perfect chance to show off their costumes, collect candy and explore the farm’s “Fall Festival”. Tickets are $5 per participant and registration includes a trick-or-treating sack!

 

 

2. Trick or Treat Street 2021 is back and better than ever! Enjoy this completely outdoor trick-or-treat event taking place on Friday October 29th from 4p-6p in Downtown Greeley. Over 40 businesses will be in attendance and they’re bringing more than just candy… booths, prizes, treats, and trunk-or-treat cars are all a part of this short and sweet celebration!

 

 

3. Not quite ready to take on the crowds yet? We’ve got you! The Thompson School District is hosting its second annual “Drive-Thru Trick or Treat”. This socially distanced event gives the kiddos a chance to dress up and collect candy from the comfort of the car, all while checking out Halloween scenes decorated by local businesses, schools and nonprofits. The best part? This event is doubles as a fundraiser for the Thompson Education Foundation! Get into the spirit of Halloween while supporting a great organization! Tickets are $5 per vehicle and the event will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 10a-2:30p.

 

 

4. Head to Downtown Fort Collins the kick off your Halloween weekend! Nearly 70 businesses in the downtown area will be participating in this trick-or-treat event. Join in the fun on Friday October 29th from 10a-1p! Not in the area? Downtown Windsor will also be hosting it’s annual Trick-or-Treat event on Saturday from 1p-4p. Stop by and say hi to the 20 participating businesses including our Windsor office located at 207 4th Street!

 

 

5. Stick with tradition and trick-or-treat in your neighborhood over the weekend. Wherever you choose to celebrate this year, we’re wishing you a Happy Halloween!

The post Your Guide to Trick-Or-Treating in Northern Colorado appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

How to Fall Proof Your Home

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Each object in a home serves a purpose, but for those who experience dizziness and numbness, many of them can also be a potential hazard. Taking steps to reduce the risk of falling in your home is a worthy exercise for any homeowner, especially if you have elderly family members or young children living in your home or visiting often. Here are some ways you can fall proof the rooms in your home.

How to Fall Proof Your Home

Kitchen

The kitchen is synonymous with spills and messes. When these accidents happen, be sure to clean them up quickly and thoroughly to reduce the risk of a falling injury. Slippery floors have been the culprit of countless broken bones and bruises, so it’s best to wait until the cleaned spot is dry until you resume cooking.

Stay low to the ground as much as possible by keeping your most used items like spices, cooking utensils, and hand towels within reach to reduce the number of times you need to use a step stool.

Bathroom

In the bathroom surfaces are often slippery and slick, and the hard tile makes for an unforgiving landing spot. It’s common for homeowners to place a non-slip mat in the shower or tub to reduce the risk of slipping and falling. Grab bars are a more permanent option for making the bathroom safer. For those interested in installing a grab bar but have reservations about the aesthetics of installing a grab bar, look at pieces that align with your existing décor. Match the grab bar with your shower head, shower rod, and towel racks to make it fit with the space.

Bedroom

The key to preventing falls in the bedroom is visibility. Bedrooms are cozy, intimate spaces, which means that space can often be limited. Keep all pathways clear and make sure that your nightstands and bedside lamps are well within reach. Stow any cords next to your bed to avoid tripping over them in the night.

Staircases

We’ve all taken a tumble on the stairs at some point or another. To mitigate the risk of falling, keep your stairs organized at all times. It’s easy for clutter to build up at the top or bottom of the stairs or on platforms between floors, but these objects are tripping hazards. Consider installing a handrail if you don’t have one or add a second one if you currently only have a handrail on one side.

For more information on home safety, cleaning tips, and more, visit the living section of our blog.

Windermere Blog – Living

The post How to Fall Proof Your Home appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.

How to Fall Proof Your Home

/in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , /by

Each object in a home serves a purpose, but for those who experience dizziness and numbness, many of them can also be a potential hazard. Taking steps to reduce the risk of falling in your home is a worthy exercise for any homeowner, especially if you have elderly family members or young children living in your home or visiting often. Here are some ways you can fall proof the rooms in your home.

How to Fall Proof Your Home

Kitchen

The kitchen is synonymous with spills and messes. When these accidents happen, be sure to clean them up quickly and thoroughly to reduce the risk of a falling injury. Slippery floors have been the culprit of countless broken bones and bruises, so it’s best to wait until the cleaned spot is dry until you resume cooking.

Stay low to the ground as much as possible by keeping your most used items like spices, cooking utensils, and hand towels within reach to reduce the number of times you need to use a step stool.

Bathroom

In the bathroom surfaces are often slippery and slick, and the hard tile makes for an unforgiving landing spot. It’s common for homeowners to place a non-slip mat in the shower or tub to reduce the risk of slipping and falling. Grab bars are a more permanent option for making the bathroom safer. For those interested in installing a grab bar but have reservations about the aesthetics of installing a grab bar, look at pieces that align with your existing décor. Match the grab bar with your shower head, shower rod, and towel racks to make it fit with the space.

Bedroom

The key to preventing falls in the bedroom is visibility. Bedrooms are cozy, intimate spaces, which means that space can often be limited. Keep all pathways clear and make sure that your nightstands and bedside lamps are well within reach. Stow any cords next to your bed to avoid tripping over them in the night.

Staircases

We’ve all taken a tumble on the stairs at some point or another. To mitigate the risk of falling, keep your stairs organized at all times. It’s easy for clutter to build up at the top or bottom of the stairs or on platforms between floors, but these objects are tripping hazards. Consider installing a handrail if you don’t have one or add a second one if you currently only have a handrail on one side.

For more information on home safety, cleaning tips, and more, visit the living section of our blog.

Windermere Blog – Living

The post How to Fall Proof Your Home appeared first on Fort Collins Real Estate | Fort Collins Homes for Sale & Property Search.