Get your home ready for barbecues, play time and good fun in the great outdoors.
Check deck or patio for possible deterioration and safety hazards such as loose boards and protruding nails.
Check electrical outlets for potential fire hazards such as frayed wires or loose fitting plugs. Be sure not to overload electrical outlets, fuse boxes, extension cords or any other power service.
Check all windows and door locks to ensure correct functioning. Make sure all locks are secure and there are no holes in any of the screens.
Inspect recreational equipment for proper operation and possible dangers (e.g., are swing sets secure with no rusty bolts?).
Clean and/or replace furnace filter.
Check and clean central air conditioning system.
Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust and pieces of material.
Inspect washing machine hoses periodically and replace hoses that show signs of leaking.
Clean out your gutters - our Maple trees have produced a bumper crop of helicopters this year and they quickly sprout and clog gutters
Have roof inspected by a professional once every few years to identify potential leaks.
Check landscaping sprinklers to ensure proper alignment (do not let them soak your siding or foundation).
Northern Virginia MarketWatch - May 2009
New Contract Activity
The number of new contracts ratified in April 2009 was up 24.4% from the number of contracts ratified in April 2008. Homes priced below $300,000 saw significant increases in activity.
Contract activity for 2009 year-to-date is up 24.5%.
38.0% of all homes going under contract in April 2009 had at least one price reduction before going under contract.
