Taking care of your home in the fall is crucial to ensure it's well-prepared for the changing weather in Fillmore County, Minnesota. Here are five simple tips to assist homeowners during this season:

1. **Gutter Maintenance:** Clear your gutters of leaves and debris regularly. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage and ice dams during winter. Ensure that downspouts direct water away from the foundation to prevent basement flooding.

2. **Check for Drafts:** As temperatures drop, check for drafts around doors and windows. Seal any gaps with weather-stripping or caulking to keep your home warm and energy-efficient. This will help reduce heating costs.

3. **HVAC System Inspection:** Schedule a professional inspection of your heating system to ensure it's in good working order. Change your furnace filter and consider having your ducts cleaned for better indoor air quality.

4. **Outdoor Maintenance:** Trim trees and shrubs away from your home to prevent branches from damaging your roof or siding during heavy snowfall or windstorms. Drain and store garden hoses, and consider winterizing your irrigation system.

5. **Prepare for Winter Storms:** Stock up on winter essentials like salt or sand for icy walkways, and make sure your snow shovels and snowblower are in good working condition. Have a supply of flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items in case of power outages.

By following these simple tips, homeowners in Fillmore County can help ensure their homes are ready for the fall and the winter season that follows. It's a great way to protect your investment and maintain a comfortable living environment.

A simple trip can spoil your day….

GFCI outlets are used to safeguard and trip off the electrical. GFCI is integrated in the outlet itself. When you plug in an appliance, such as a hair dryer, the GFCI outlet monitors the amount of power going to the device. If you accidentally drop the appliance into sink full of water, the GFCI detects the interruption in current and cuts the power...and possibly saves your life.

Do Not plug in your refrigerator or deep freeze to a GFCI outlet, should it trip the electrical current will be cut and power off your appliance, not only spoiling your day, but spoiling your food if not caught in time.

Roxanne & Kelsey, RE/MAX Select Properties

Remember it’s time for a checkup when starting your homes heating. Having a professional clean and service your furnace is good practice for safety and efficiency. And lastly, remember to change your filter once a month. 

Roxanne & Kelsey, RE/MAX Select Properties 

6 Tips to Get Your Home Cold Weather Ready
 

October is one of my favorite months! I love everything from the colorful mums and pumpkins to the falling leaves and crisp clean air! It’s easy to be caught up in visiting corn mazes and haunted houses and forget the cold weather moves in and we will soon be scraping frost from your car windows.

Here are 6 tips to help prepare your home for winter and save on your heating expense.

1. Disconnect your exterior water hose and drain the hose. If your faucet is not a drain back style you may need to shut it off, then drain the line in the basement to prevent the hose bib from freezing and cracking the water line.
2. Check the exterior of your home and garage for loose or missing caulk around windows, doors, AC unit piping, and other openings. Apply caulk wherever you see cracks, gaps, or holes to prevent cold air, insects, and rodents from getting in.
3. If your basement windows are not double paned add a 1-inch insulation board on the inside. Remove debris from exterior basement window well and cover with a hard plastic window well covers. This will keep snow and rain out of the window wells and help prevent leaking.
4. Hire a professional to inspect your heating system annually to ensure it is operating properly and efficiently. Change the furnace filter monthly for efficiency, this is also helpful to reduce dust and allergens in your home.  SAFTEY TIP: for gas mechanicals and appliances ensure your CO2 detectors are in your home to the state guidelines.
5. Clean the rain gutters, removing leaves and debris before winter as this will help snow thawing and rains come spring while maintaining the integrity of your gutters. Make sure your downspouts are clean and in place directing water 3 to 6 feet from your foundation.
6. Check the Insulation level in your attic to prevent heat loss and ice dams. Insulate the rim joist in your basement which will prevent heat loss and drafts.  This will save on your heating costs and keep your warm your toes!
    

Tips for Fall Showings

                What a fun time to decorate your home inside and out! While preparing your house for fall showing keep in mind, we are on the countdown to cold temperatures. Pack away items such as outdoor furniture and lawn art to ensure its not frozen in when it comes time to move!  

                Curb appeal is important all year round. During the autumn months keep up on mowing, trimming trees and shrubs plus raking leaves and cleaning up the landscaping.  We recommend placing a few mums and pumpkins for color and creating a festive and inviting feel for buyers.

                Indoors, keep the house cozy and well-lit. Make sure your windows sills and glass are clean and maintained, many buyers like to check over windows and doors considering colder weather is on the way. Take care of the little To- Do List as a well-maintained home is a great first impression.

 If you really want to make every effort to impress, bake. There is nothing more inviting to a potential home buyer in the fall than the aroma of a freshly baked apple pie, breads, and cookies for your guests.  Supper in the crock pot is always a welcoming aroma for potential buyers and is a great way to have supper ready when you get home!