Taking care of your home this season isn’t just about getting in on all those trending summer looks and beautifying the backyard. It’s also about getting all those dreaded seasonal maintenance tasks done and out of the way before cold weather arrives.
We know, we know—in the thick, sweltering heat of July it’s hard to imagine another fall and winter ahead. But knocking out your to-do list now will ensure you can space things out and still enjoy some lazy days off.
In order to help you organize your summer maintenance schedule, we’ve compiled this list with input from the experts—including details on which tasks to do yourself and which are best left to the professionals. Here are seven summer maintenance musts for you to start checking off this season.
Inspect your AC units
We spend so much time washing our hands and cleaning our homes, but what about the air quality? Having a clean and dust-free AC unit is an often-overlooked summer maintenance m ...

Our homes are so much more than the houses we live in. For many, they’ve also become our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe harbors in which we’ve weathered the toughest moments of a global pandemic. Today, 65.6% of Americans call their homes their own, a rate that has risen to its highest point in 8 years.
As National Homeownership Month kicks off this June, homeowners have every reason to celebrate. A survey by Gallup just ranked real estate as the best investment you can make for the eighth year in a row. However, unlike other investment options, the benefits of owning a home aren’t purely financial. Here are the top ways Americans are winning by owning a home.
Non-Financial Benefits:
Civic Participation: Owning a home is owning a part of your neighborhood. Homeowners have a stronger connection to their neighborhoods and are more committed to volunteer work and other ways to get involved.
Pride of Ownership: Owning a home is having a space that is us ...

There’s no doubt that 2021 is the year of the seller when it comes to the housing market. If you’re a homeowner thinking of moving to better suit your changing needs, now is the perfect time to do so. Low mortgage rates are in your favor when you’re ready to purchase your dream home, and high buyer demand may give you the leverage you need to negotiate the best contract terms on the sale of your house. Here’s a look at what’s driving this sellers’ advantage and why there’s so much opportunity for homeowners who are ready to move this season.
1. Historically Low Inventory
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:
 “Total housing inventory at the end of March amounted to 1.07 million units, up 3.9% from February’s inventory . . . Unsold inventory sits at a 2.1-month supply at the current sales pace, marginally up from February’s 2.0-month supply and down from the 3.3-month supply recorded in March 20s ...

May Giveaway!
This month, we are giving away FIVE $25 gift cards to the fabulous Peachtree Sandwich Company. The already-popular Peachtree Sandwich Company recently opened its doors in Dewitt and has incredible homemade sandwiches, salads and more with a Southern flair! To be entered to win: simply share this post on Facebook or Instagram and tag us to spread the word about this awesome locally owned business. Winners will be chosen at random on Friday, May 21st, good luck! ...

As we head into summertime in Central New York, we are all thinking of ways to maximize our space at home. Think about enjoying a nice summer night outside with friends, right at home! Here 10 tips on how to elevate your outdoor space to create your own oasis: you will not want to leave home!
Gathering the right gear ahead of time so your family and (a few) guests are comfy means you’ll enjoy the great outdoors for longer.
1. Fire pit
“Outdoor fireplaces or fire pits are a big win once the sun goes down and the weather cools off,” says Marty Basher, a home design and organizational expert at Modular Closets. Choose the best option for your space based on your budget and the square footage in your yard. And don’t forget to pick up a set of extra-long skewers for s’mores. (They’re not just a summertime treat!)
2. Heat lamps
Make like a European sidewalk café and set up standing propane or electric heat lamps, says Basher. ) ...