1. Clear your gardens
DIY: Raking up garden debris is an easy job. Make sure to clear the garden entirely, and cover it with a layer of mulch.
Call a pro: If you're blessed with an expanse of gardens, consider hiring a professional lawn care service to clear out the mess. You'll spend an average of $226 to get your beds in spring shape.
2. Squish spring termites
Just like us humans, insects are big fans of spring's warmer weather, and termites are no exception. If you spot small, winged insects flying around your windows, you might have a termite problem. (Here are some other signs.)
DIY: Termites aren't a DIY job. "It's important to get a company out there to take a look at the problem," says Los Angeles real estate agent Jennifer Okhovat.
Call in a pro: "Most termite inspections are free," Okhovat says, "and companies can spot-treat problems to avoid future larger ones."
Spot treatment costs about $120 to $150; if your home needs tenting, expect to pay at least $1,200.
3. Dry up standing water
Water pooling around your foundation can cause expensive structural damage. And if your home is located on a slope, free-running water can even induce a miniature mudslide.
Then there's another pesky problem that can result from poor drainage: mosquitoes.
DIY: You might be able to solve this problem by extending your gutter downspout, or adding dirt to create a steeper slope that diverts water from your foundation.
Call in a pro: If you can't figure out how to un-soggify your space, hire a professional landscaper. The pro will look at your yard and determine the best drainage solutions. The average cost for landscaping is around $3,240, but small projects will likely cost less.
4. Expand your hardscaping
If your drainage situation is OK, but your yard just seems to always be swampy, consider adding hardscaping—things like patios, walkways, and decks.
"Adding a new hardscaping feature will let you reclaim the muddy area while also improving the appearance and utility of your landscape," says Joe Raboine, the director of residential hardscapes at Belgard.
Think: A wooden boardwalk over the mucky spot, or a flagstone path between your front and back yards.
DIY: If you're handy, hardscaping is absolutely a DIY project, but be warned that laying brick or pouring concrete can be tedious.
Call in a pro: Not ready to sacrifice your back? A pro will be happy to take on the labor. Costs vary dramatically depending on the type of project you want to do. For instance, a concrete patio costs an average of $2,634.
5. Kill those pesky weeds
Make sure to pay attention to your lawn and garden beds—and get the sides of your house, too. Letting a species go unchecked on a small side yard could lead to it spreading throughout the rest of your outdoor space.
DIY: Apply a weed preventer in the spring, Enfield recommends. (Every brand will list on the packaging the types of weeds it's designed to kill.) Then, move on to weeding by hand.
"Remove the root along with the top, since many weeds will grow back if root pieces are left behind," Enfield says. Got a pesky one that won't budge? Try a spade or digging fork.
Call in a pro: Too pooped for this labor-intensive task? A professional lawn service can come to the rescue. Expect to pay an average of $226.
6. Inspect your windows and doors
Cold weather makes metal and wood contract, which can affect the alignment of your locks and hinges. Now that things are warming up, make sure all your doors latch properly.
DIY: If your door is a little jittery, make sure the hinges and knobs are fully screwed in. Janssen also recommends reinforcing door locks with a strike plate, which costs a couple of bucks at your local hardware store.
Call in a pro: Ready for a front-door upgrade? Consumer Reports recommends steel, fiberglass, or wood doors for security. Hiring a pro for installation can run anywhere from $750 to $2,000, depending on if the pro will need to rough-in a new door frame.
7. Check exterior lights
"Great exterior lights don't just make your home look more beautiful—they also deter would-be criminals," Janssen says.
Ensure your backyard is well-lit and add motion-detecting floodlights to your garage. Janssen also recommends adding timers to your house lights, which "give the appearance of activity in and around the home while you are away."
DIY: Replacing bulbs and adding new lights is a simple DIY job—just make sure your property is evenly covered with light.
Call in a pro: If you want to install lights on the second story or just aren't comfortable with DIYing it, a handyman can help. Expect to pay $60 to $65 per hour.
Article Provided by Realtor.com
Ana Moniz, ABR
Broker Associate
Lifetime Member of the NJAR™ Distinguished Sales Club
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
50 Broadway, Hillsdale, NJ 07642
cell- 201-247-6341 | office – (201) 930-8820 Ext. 441
e-fax- 201-781-6712 | www.AnaMonizRealEstate.com
https://www.anamonizrealestate.net/ | AnaMonizRealEstate@gmail.com