After a long winter, spring officially arrives on Tuesday, March 20.  With the bright sun and warm winds comes the realization that winter has been torturing our homes' exteriors.  After a quick perusal, many homeowners find cracked sidewalks, leaf-filled gutters, and dead plants all around. Before you even start planning your gardens, checking these items off your spring maintenance checklist will ensure you have time to go outside and enjoy the outdoors. Our REALTORS® recommend these five tips to get your Beavercreek home ready for spring.  

1. Clean Your Gutters
   After the buildup of snow, there's a good chance that your gutters and downspouts are filled with tree limbs, leaves, and debris. Get a ladder and check for any clogs, especially at the elbow of your drainage system, where the gutter connects with the downspout. Remove all the dirt and make sure water can flow freely out of the downspouts and away from the foundation.
   
   
2. Fix Cracks
   Snow and cold can wreak havoc on your patio, foundation, and walkways. This creates a condition that allows water to penetrate and cause damage. With warmer weather approaching, fill the cracks as soon as you can to avoid paying for costly repairs as a result of the damage that may result from the spring rain. Replace loose bricks and pavers and make sure your walkways and patio are sloping away from your house top avoid flooding near your foundation. Also, clean up weeds coming up through the cracks and embedded stains in asphalt, stone, or concrete.
   
   
3. Service the AC Unit and Inspect Outdoor Lights and Faucets
   Before turning on your air conditioning system for the season, have a qualified heating and cooling contractor inspect and service the outside unit. This is a good safety measure that could also keep the system working at peak performance levels and extend the life of the system. Also make sure your lighting, receptacles, and faucets are not damaged. Your gas barbeque should also be inspected before use.
   
   
4. Interior Spring Cleaning
   While you are eager to get outside, this is also the time to clean the interior of your home. Clean your windows inside and out. Clean out fireplaces from use over the winter and check your dryer vent for lint build up. Don't forget to test your smoke fire alarm, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, fire extinguisher, and home alarm to ensure they're in good working order.
   
   
5. Move Junk and Wood Away from Your House
   Move the stack of firewood you had on your deck all winter. It is damp and this creates a perfect breeding ground for bugs. Same goes for any junk that you did not get rid of all winter that could become damp when snow and ice melts. If insects breed now, you may have to deal with them until next winter.

Looking to sell your home during the spring season? This is the time to make your house beautiful and welcoming. Spring is the hottest season for home sales and home buyers want to ensure that everything has been well-attended and taken care of. Improve your curb appeal, deep clean your home, make necessary repairs and improvements, and declutter your home. The warm weather is on its way, so get started.

If you're thinking about selling your home in Beavercreek or one of our surrounding communities, contact Wright-Patt Realty. Let us guide you through the preparation process connected with listing your home on the local real estate market.