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Winterize Your Home

As the leaves fall and temperatures drop, homeowners know that winter is just around the corner. This season brings its own set of challenges, from freezing temperatures to snow and ice accumulation. Here's your guide to making your home winter-ready, delving into the why, how, and when of each important task.

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Furnace Check: The Heartbeat of Winter

As your primary source of heat during the winter, your furnace is the cornerstone of a cozy home. Neglecting it can lead to inefficiency or even breakdowns in the midst of the season. Early to mid-fall is the perfect time to change filters and schedule an annual inspection by a professional, ensuring a smooth operation when the cold weather strikes.

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Insulation and Weatherstripping: The Heat Keepers

Heat loss through doors, windows, and poorly insulated walls can dramatically increase your energy bills. Therefore, inspecting and improving your home's insulation and weatherstripping is crucial. How to do it? Simply place your hand near window and door edges to feel for drafts, and then apply weatherstripping or caulk as needed. Late fall is a good time for this task to prep for the upcoming chill.

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Chimney and Fireplace: The Cozy Corner

A well-maintained chimney and fireplace can add both ambiance and an additional heat source. Why is it essential? Because a poorly maintained chimney can be a fire hazard. Ensure your chimney is swept and fireplace inspected during the early to mid-fall, so you’re ready for those cozy winter nights.

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Humidifiers: Combatting Dry Winter Air

A well-placed humidifier can make winter indoor living much more comfortable by adding moisture to dry, heated air. For optimal functioning, clean the filters and the unit itself before winter sets in. Usually, early winter is the best time to ensure they're ready to perform when you need them most.

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Roof Inspection: Your Winter Shield

Snow and ice accumulation can be particularly taxing on your roof. Inspecting it in late fall can help you spot and address any vulnerabilities like loose shingles or potential leaks before they become major issues under the weight of winter snow.

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Snow Removal Tools: Your Winter Arsenal

Before the first snowfall, make sure you're stocked up on snow removal equipment like shovels, ice melt, and perhaps even a snow blower. Why? Because snow and ice can be a safety hazard on driveways and sidewalks. Mid to late fall is usually a good time to get all the tools you'll need for the season.

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Freeze-Proof Faucets: The Sub-Zero Guardians

Outdoor faucets are particularly vulnerable to freezing temperatures, which can lead to pipe bursts. To prevent this, you can install frost-proof faucets or simply turn off the water supply to your exterior faucets and drain them. This is best done in late fall before the first freeze.

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Emergency Preparedness: The Safety Net

Winter storms can cause power outages and make roads impassable. Prepare an emergency kit with necessities like non-perishable food, bottled water, blankets, and a first-aid kit. Make sure to review and update your kit in early winter, so you're ready for whatever the season brings.

Winter may be cold and dark, but that doesn't mean your home has to be. By staying proactive and tackling these maintenance tasks, you can keep your home warm, safe, and efficient throughout the chilly months. Happy winter prepping!

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3 Cold Hard Truths for Sellers

  • First impressions matter. A recent study found that 80 percent of potential buyers know if a home is right for them as soon as they step inside.

  • The longer your home is on the market the lower the sales price. That’s because if your home is on the market for a while, buyers assume that the sale price is overpriced and make lower offers.

  • The longer the buyer delays an offer the lower the offer price. That’s natural because they are unsure if they want to make the offer and/or are hedging their bets between your property and another

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82 N. Summit Street, Tenafly NJ 07670

Stacy Esser Consulting LLC