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The Spring Home Maintenance Checklist You Need Today

by Monique Higginson | Feb 18, 2021 | Home Maintenance, YourHome

Don’t just spring clean… Get going on your spring home maintenance today!

Spring is in the air and that means that you’re probably thinking about spring cleaning. Hold on though! You also need to be thinking about some key spring home maintenance items as well! Doing these 8 things at least once a year will save you time, money, and a big headache down the road. The goal is to prevent things from going wrong or catching little problems early BEFORE they become major problems.

We created a handy check list of 8 spring maintenance items you should be checking every year. As a matter of fact, you can probably get these done in one weekend and then you don’t have to worry!

1. Check your gutters and down spouts

Gutters and down spouts get all clogged up over the winter with leaves and debris. Get up on a ladder every spring and clear that gunk out. It will save you leaks, breaks, pools of stagnant water and a big repair bill.

2. Inspect your roof

Most roofs will last around 12-25+ years (depending on the material) IF, and only if they are inspected regularly and repaired. While you’re up on the ladder cleaning your gutters and drain spouts, take a moment and climb up on your roof. Look for loose roofing, pooled water, or curling shingles.

It can be very affordable to repair your roof regularly. If your roof ends up leaking during those springtime showers, it can cost you thousands in damages PLUS the money to repair or get a new roof.

It’s a good idea to check your roof both in the spring and the fall. Just to be safe.

3. Check seals on windows and doors

Check and repair any seals on window sills, door sills, and thresholds. Look for damaged or peeling caulk, splinters, loose panes and gaps. While you are at it, check and repair any screens – you’ll be glad to be able to open those windows and air out your home without bugs getting in! Here is a handy guide for how to caulk your windows.

4. Give some love to your deck

Already planning the first BBQ of the season? Better get that deck ready. Just like your roof, you want to inspect it every spring. Look for cracks, greying wood, loose joints and water seeping in. Every 3-5 years you’ll want to stain and seal your deck to keep it from weathering. A final step? Give it a good pressure wash to get it ready for that backyard party!

5. Filter out those dirty filters

Guys. HVAC filters get D.I.R.T.Y. They collect dust, pollen, pet hair and dirt. And then recirculate all those things back through your house if you don’t clean or replace them regularly. This is something you’ll want to check several times a year.

6. Don’t forget about your dryer and refrigerator

When doing spring home maintenance, don’t forget to check your dryer vent. It gets clogged up and makes your dryer work that much harder. Which makes your electricity bill go up.

And while you’re at it, check your refrigerator coils. Chances are they need a good vacuum. Not only are they really gross when they are covered in dust, they also make your fridge less efficient.

7. Drain that water heater

Your water heater should be 100% drained a couple of times a year. The reason? All kinds of minerals and sediment build up in the bottom. Which equals corrosion and water that doesn’t heat as fast as you’d like.

8. Test your smoke detectors

This spring home maintenance item can literally save your life. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and put fresh batteries in. While you’re at it why not make sure that your family knows what to do when an alarm goes off. A household fire drill goes a long way.

Need a hand?

Check out our list of trusted vendors, contractors, supplier and all around handy types who can help you if you run into problems (or they can just take care of this stuff for you). They’ll give you a hand with the whole spring home maintenance thing!

New Years Resolutions For 2021

by Monique Higginson | Dec 30, 2020 | Real Estate Tips, YourHome, YourLifestyle

At the end of each year, people are bombarded with holidays, family, gift-buying, and good food. It’s a joyful time when we allow ourselves to indulge in shopping, eating, and self-care. And that’s okay.

However, this is also time to start thinking about improving our lives after the holidays. What do your goals look like for the new year? What can you do to be happier, healthier, wealthier, or more successful?

Having trouble getting started?

No worries, Monique is sharing a few of her personal goals, so you can feel free to join in! Here are our top Market Source Real Estate, aka MSRE New Year’s resolutions for 2021.

Exercise More

Monique’s top goal is to exercise more. One of the most common goals people have for the new year is to get into better shape. Exercising more can lead to better heart health, improved immunity, more energy during the day, better sleep at night, and a slimmer waistline.

Come up with a practical workout routine you can follow in 2021. For the sake of longevity, start slow and build yourself up.

Eat Healthier

Another goal for Monique is to eat healthier food. She is vegetarian and always looking for healthier ways to eat on the go as a real estate agent.

Part of being healthier is putting the right foods in our bodies. An important MSRE New Year’s resolution for 2021 is to eat healthier regularly. Eating whole foods without added fats and sugars can help you lose weight, feel more energized, and more.

Engage More With Your Children

The pandemic has taken its toll on people throughout 2020. However, there is a silver lining. Being forced to stay home and social distance has allowed some families to reconnect. Monique has loved more time with her kids.

This year, she plans to lean into this unexpected benefit of COVID-19 and engage more. You can do this too with your children, spouse, and anyone else in your household.

Survive the Pandemic

If you’re like most other Americans, you spent much of this year trying to figure out how to survive the pandemic. Between social distancing mandates, heated mask debates, and the fear of contracting the Coronavirus (or actually contracting it), it’s been a difficult ordeal.

On New Year’s Eve, think about how you’re not only going to survive the pandemic but how you’re going to thrive despite it. That’s what Monique will be doing.

Pick Up a New Hobby

One MSRE New Year’s resolution for 2021 could be to pick up a new hobby. For example, Monique recently started golfing and would really like to spend more time pursuing this hobby. It’s fun, relaxing, and is a great sport for social distancing.

Think about your interests. Have you neglected an old hobby lately? Or perhaps, you’ve been itching to try something new?

Create a New Professional Goal

Finally, no New Year’s resolution list is complete without a professional or financial goal. Where do you see yourself by the end of 2021?

Do you want to advance in your career? Maybe your goal is to pay off a substantial amount of debt? Dream big and start making plans to achieve those goals.

Want to Smash Your MSRE New Year’s Resolutions for 2021?

Is 2021 going to be your year? There’s certainly no reason it can’t be. If you’ve got big New Year’s resolutions for 2021, attack them with full steam!

And if one of your goals is to change your living situation, we’re here for you. Whether you need help buying a new home or selling a home, we’ve got your back. We are an experienced team of real estate agents in Salt Lake City committed to helping people just like you.

How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel

by Monique Higginson | Sep 29, 2020 | Home Maintenance, YourHome

Remodeling a kitchen is a long project, one that seems to take over your life for many months. If you’re not planning, you’re living in the midst of a construction zone or you’re doing clean up.

It can be hard to envision the finished product, and far too easy to get discouraged along the way. If you’re struggling to see how you’ll ever get to the end, there is hope for you. There are ways to find sanity throughout the project and hold onto the finished product as a goal.

Keep reading for ways to survive a kitchen remodel.

Order Supplies Ahead

Be sure to talk with your contractor about the items you’ll need. Order enough that you won’t face a restock partway through the project. This can cause supply problems like backorders or unavailability if you have to match color or texture.

You’ll avoid delays and frustration if you order what you can before the project starts. If storage space is an issue, try getting a small trailer to store supplies outside your home.

Designate a Temporary Kitchen

Plan ahead for your kitchen project. You’ll need a mini-kitchen, or at least a place to prepare meals and store kitchen supplies.

You won’t stop eating while your kitchen is undergoing its transformation, so you’ll need a bare minimum of things like dinnerware (try paper and plastic!) and cooking tools (the microwave is your friend!).

Do NOT Pack Crucial Items

Part of setting up your temporary kitchen is making sure it’s well-stocked. Don’t pack the crucial items you’ll use every day.

Consider keeping your fridge out, or using a mini-fridge. You’ll also want things like your microwave, toaster or toaster oven, and slow cooker.

Make Easy Meals

Eating out more while you’re remodeling is a great solution. It can also be an expensive one, and one that your family will grow tired of quickly. Instead of working through every takeout option in the area, try meal planning for easy, quick options you can cook with your limited supplies.

Scrambled eggs and bacon can both be made in the microwave. Get fun spreads and toppings that don’t need to be refrigerated to dress up toast.

Use your toaster oven for modified grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch, and microwave soup to accompany them. Use your grill outside to handle dinner. Cereal is a great bedtime snack.

How to Survive a Kitchen Remodel without Hiccups: Snack Stash

Keep a stash of non-perishable snacks during your remodel. Put them in an easy-access place in your temporary kitchen. Large containers can work, yet the individually packaged ones are even better because you don’t need a serving dish.

Adults who are trying to prep dinner in the midst of a construction zone will appreciate a no-prep snack while they cook. It’s a lot easier for kids coming home from school if they know what’s available.

Remodel projects add stress to the family dynamic. If you keep quick snacks around, you’ll avoid extra stress that comes from being hangry, a science-backed problem.

A Brand New Space

By the time you get to the end of your project, you shouldn’t feel like you’ve been through a hurricane. If you use the tips above, you should be able to survive a kitchen remodel without pulling your hair out.

From ordering ahead to a no-prep snack stash, communication is key to getting the project done.

Home Organization Tips

by Monique Higginson | Sep 29, 2020 | Home Maintenance, Real Estate Tips, YourHome, YourLifestyle

An organized home is proven to aid in stress relief, management, and relaxation. But what’re some of the best home organization tips? Don’t fret. Here we’ll be discussing four of the most important things you should be focusing on when organizing your home.

Cleaning isn’t just for springtime. Make sure you’re confident in the steps you’re taking. Following a guideline might help in the long run. Let’s dive into the details.

1. Kitchen Sink Cabinets

It’s often forgotten, but the kitchen sink cabinet can be made good use of. In order to add some organization to the mix, think about plastic drawer units. We’re used to throwing things under the sink eventually creating a jumbled mess. Instead, opt for some convenience.

Label or mark each container so you know where everything is at first glance. It’s a good idea to use plastic containers in case the sink leaks and water spreads across the cabinet floor.

2. Organize Drawers

Organizing is a bit of a momentum-driven process. You might want to start small so you’re not overwhelmed. This could be something like organizing a junk drawer, spice cabinet, or color-coding a messy closet. This provides easy access to an otherwise cluttered area. Locating tools, favorite outfits, or spices for a meal can be an issue if you aren’t organized.

The entire process doesn’t need to be completed immediately. These little victories can help you build confidence and a mood for the organization instead of dreading the next large project.

3. Home Organization Tips for the Kitchen

We don’t often associate the kitchen with organization, but an organized one can create a nice flow in your home. It’s likely your kitchen is the messiest place in the house. That’s why a simple organization checklist can help immensely.

Consider labeling the contents inside your pantry or sorting the food in your fridge by zones. This may seem like an overhaul, but the organization in these areas can help remove daily clutter. Zones in your fridge and pantry can be sorted by lunch, drinks, condiments, leftovers, meal prep, and more. This creates a helpful pathway to completing meals without searching for ingredients.

4. Use Shoe Boxes

Using shoeboxes for home organization tips provides a function. These aren’t your standard cardboard shoe boxes, but rather a clear or transparent case for your shoes.

This provides a place for your shoes to be out of sight, avoid dust, and steer clear of damage from other shoes. It’s also a great way to show off your collection and make each pair of shoes accessible.

Managing Your Home

When it comes to home organization tips, the possibilities are endless. In order to properly manage your lifestyle and the complications that come with it, you need reliable information. Your home is apart of that bigger picture.

Don’t let your home organization lag behind the rest of the pack. That’s where Market Source Real Estate comes in. If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or learning about your home, we have you covered.

We know in the real estate market there’s tons of information dumped on you. Market Source is here to simplify the process.

Give us a call today and manage your home and lifestyle the right way.

How to Help Your Teenager Transition When Moving to Salt Lake City

by Monique Higginson | Jul 10, 2020 | Moving, Moving Tips, Real Estate Agent Tips, Real Estate Tips, Relocating to Utah, Salt Lake City, YourLifestyle

Moving to a new city is often a difficult adventure for everyone involved, but even more so for children. They’ll need to leave behind friends and comfort in favor of forging new bonds all over again. It affects them in ways that last for years.

That’s why it’s vital to find ways to make the move as seamless and stress-free as possible.

If your family is moving to Salt Lake City, then we’re here to help. Listed down below are several ways to help your teenager learn how to cope with moving.

Look For Exciting Places in the Area

The next step should involve looking for points of interest in the area you plan to live in. Places like cool bike trails, shopping plazas, or movie theaters are ways to get the family excited about the move.

They’ll have something positive to focus on, rather than only focusing on the negative parts of moving.

Visit the New School

Moving to a new school is the hardest part your teen will face during a move. That’s why it’s essential to give them a chance to scope out the new school before being thrown into the deep end.

If possible, take a trip together to visit the school and check out the main features of the building. They’re going to be spending a lot of time there, so it’s a significant relief to know where to go. It gives them a chance to focus on other things when the first day at school begins.

It could even facilitate a few new friendships along the way, which is an essential part of every teen’s life.

Encourage Involvement

Many of us don’t know how to deal with moving since it’s such a stressful time. Whenever it comes to making different decisions, try to involve your teenager in the discussions.

By asking for their help or their opinion, it gives them a semblance of control in this situation. It’ll make them feel as though their point of view matters and they’re not being dragged into something they don’t want. Instead, they’ll have a voice in the decision, and it’ll make them accept the transition more easily.

Expect Some Rebellion

Learning how to deal with moving is a different journey for everyone. Some teens might take to the change with an open heart, while others will act out until things normalize again.

As a parent, it’s good to expect some form of rebellion from your teen. Try to remain calm and accepting during this challenging time so that the situation doesn’t escalate. Sooner or later, your teen will find ways to love their new city.

Moving to Salt Lake City With a Teenager Takes Extra Care

Although moving to Salt Lake City opens up a lot of beautiful new avenues for the entire family, your teenager might not see it that way for a while. It’ll take time and effort to help your teen learn to love their new home.

With the help of these tips, that transition will be a whole lot easier.

Are you looking for a new home in this beautiful city? Contact us today to find the perfect match for you and your family!

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