Real Estate Blog

  FALL...I bet if we took a survey on what is everyone's favorite season, the Fall (Autumn) would win.  I believe there are so many reasons that is true.  In our area we have most likely endured an incredibly hot summer with humid days and sultry nights.  We welcome the cool temperatures of the Fall season.  With that we also know that Winter is around the corner and we need to prepare and do some home maintenance items for the cooler weather. 

#1   Maintenance on all Walkways - There is a need to take care of your walkways and what you are looking for are cracks and loose pavers.  This involves taking care of entryways as well.   It is always great to get this done before the slippery weather comes our way.

#2   Window and trim maintance - Our humid summers can bring with it dirty mildewed siding.  Areas around the trim of your home are especially prone to mildew and mold.   Using a pressure washer is a great remedy for mold and mildew.  You also need to inspect your caulking to make sure there are no cracks or separations.  The days of climbing a ladder to scope out those hard to reach areas are over.  You can simply take a picture with your smart phone and enlarge the picture to take a better look.   Once you determine if you need to repair you can make the decision to do yourself or hire a pro.

#3   Inspect for leaky faucets (inside and outside) - Actually this is saving you time and money in the future.   By simply turning faucet on and then off you can tell if there is a problem.  The fix is going to cost you considerably less than taking care of a frozen pipe in winter.

#4   Checking window seals - If you notice your windows are foggy, that is a sign that you have a failed seal.  The possibility of cashing in on your window warranty is where you start.  If that isn't possible you are probably looking to hire a pro. The process is to reseal the perimeter and replace gas between the panes.

#5   Chimney Sweep - The soot that builds up in your chimney is also a risk of a fire.   It also causes an increase of carbon monoxide in your home by not allowing it to escape when you do have a fire burning in your fireplace.   No DIY here- leave this dirty job to a pro

#6   HVAC -  I said Fall preparation but this is a task you should do every month for the efficiency of your HVAC system.   Check your filter size and go to the hardware store or big box store.  While you are there buy some extra for the months to come.  If in fact you hire a pro for this task, they can also check your thermostat, your blower on your motor and heat exchanger.

#7   Equipment - The sweet warm days of summer are gone and with that the constant use of yard equipment that will now be sitting in the garage all winter needs to have a overall cleanup and oil changed.   The filters changed and sometimes even mower blades need sharpened or replaced.   

Being proactive on maintenance items around the home help us enjoy family and friends.  We are ready for football, cooler nights and hikes to enjoy the beautiful foliage.  HAPPY FALL  Y'ALL...

...."You've Got a Friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley 615.403.8265

www.Brentwoodandbeyond.com

Brentview Realty 615.373.2814

www.BrentviewRealty.com

By the time fall arrives everyone seems to be ready for cooler weather and less humidity.   Fall also brings a time for lawn care and nourishing your outdoor areas.   You not only improve the appearance but also the health of your grass, shrubs and landscaping.  

Who knew there are different heights for the mower blade depending on whether it is summer or fall.  Apparently that is exactly right.  The blade on your mower should be higher in the summer than in the fall.  You do have to be careful not to lower the blade too close to the ground in the fall.  The correct height of the blade is actually better for roots and does not allow weeds to flourish.

Watering does not vary with seasons.  You need to water whenever it is needed because of dryness and lack of rain.   It is definitely better to water and have sprinklers on in the morning rather than in the evening.  This is for a couple of reasons.  Usually winds are much less in the morning and also you run the risk of feeding mold and fungus if you water in the evening or night.  

After summer season we tend to have bare and or at least thin areas of grass from the intense heat over the summer.  Fall is the best time to seed (overseed) . The proper way to do that is by mowing a bit shorter and pick up mowed grass and then lay out grass seed.  If you moved to this area from a Northern section of the country you might want to confer about differences in the sections of the country and how to properly lay out grass seed here.  The co-op is a great place to start with your questions.

This is always a good time of year to fertilize your lawn.  It is imperative that you be sure of your grass type before fertilizing.  Clearly you can over fertilize easily with warm weather grasses. 

Pests like dandelions, clover and other weeds can best be treated during the fall.  For correct sprays for your grass you can check with experts again starting at the co-op is a good idea.  They will also tell you that moderate temperature days are the best times to spray and kill those weeds.

If you have the luxury of waiting until fall to put down sod you are going to be so much more successful with a great result.  You will have a beautiful dense lush weed free grassy lawn.  This is also an instant solution to bare spots.   

Aeration isn't as easy as you might think.  It is not just making holes in your lawn because you have to make sure the plugs are removed as you punch the holes.  This process is successful in early spring or in the fall.  In order to add a top dressing or additive to aid in the health of your lawn you definitely need to prepare the grass for this process.  Preparation includes dethatching and/or aeration. When in doubt, seek out the help of experts and others who are familiar with the process you are executing on your lawn and shrubbery.

If you are blessed with a multitude of large trees in your yard, you will certainly be dealing with leaf removal.  We also have now power rakes and vertical mowers for dethatching debris and dead grass.  Of course it is easy to rake with a grass rake and remove the debris. You can use a mulching process with your mower or you can rake to remove the leaves.  You can follow this with some type of fertilizer.

If you have an irrigation system you always need to drain the system before freezing temperatures.  You are safe for quite some time with Nashville area weather.  

Enjoy the fall weather with all of its beauty and grandeur....and remember....

...."You've got a friend in Real Estate"

Jarod Tanksley  615.403.8265

www.BrentwoodandBeyond.com   jarod@realtracs.com

BRENTVIEW REALTY  615.373.2814