作为一个信用合作社, we're dedicated to providing you with trusted advice to make your money — and your mortgage — work for you! Keeping your home up to date in every season can feel like a daunting task. That's why our mortgage team has assembled a quick checklist of ideas to consider for keeping your home maintenance in check.

Winter Curb Appeal Essentials

With winter coming, we are greeted with the chill of the new season in many regions. It's a great time for catching up on anything you've forgotten to complete during the year or preparing for the year ahead. Here are a few ideas for home improvements this winter:

• 升级或更换灯具 — As the days get shorter, consistent lighting around your house could be beneficial. 玄关灯, 后院的灯, and garage lights all should be checked, 清洗, and replaced for the winter season.
• 设置安全 — Keeping you and your family safe is a top priority. Around the holidays, invest in motion detectors, cameras, or security alarms. The holiday shopping season often offers deals on these items.
• 清理电缆 -卫星电缆, 挂绳, and loose wires can all be tucked away in safer and less open spaces. Check around your house to organize any cables that may be out of place.
• Defrost Sidewalks and Walkways -雪很漂亮, but a visible and safe sidewalk provides a major increase in your seasonal curbside appeal. 在人行道上撒盐, in addition to shoveling and snow blowing, are welcome activities this winter, especially to others in your neighborhood.
• 管理车库用品 — While you may not plan on using your yard tools this winter, it's always good to check on your supplies. 清洁, 修复, or replacing tools now will make you more prepared when the next season rolls along.

冬季室内必需品

Most people enjoy staying inside and getting cozy while the bitter wind rattles outside your home. 对于许多, indoors is the best place to be this season, so we have come up with a few ideas to make your home even more comfortable:

• Replace Smoke Detector Batteries — It's a chore most people forget until they run low and cause beeping throughout the house. To avoid this, make sure your smoke detectors are functional and full of working batteries.
• 切换到LED灯 — LED lights have great functionality as it can effectively light up a room while also saving you a great deal of power. Consider investing in LED lights around the house as it can help you save on that hefty winter electricity bill.
• 管理你的恒温器 — A warm home is a happy home. Make sure your thermostat is fully operational, and your vents are all open and accessible. It’s also a great time to change your furnace filters.
• 检查供水系统 — Winter can be rough on your water systems, so discovering where your water system is, 它是如何工作的, and if it will function correctly throughout winter is an essential key to a stress-free season.
• 翻新厨房 — You may find yourself in the kitchen quite a bit more with holiday events. Renovating your kitchen will likely increase your home value and offer you an even more enjoyable place to cook and entertain for your social gatherings next holiday season.

保持联系

Overall, your 抵押贷款 Loan Originator is here to support you with anything related to your home. From considering which improvements to make using your equity, to thinking about a second home, to working through putting your house on the market, 请 reach out with your questions any time. Wishing you a safe and enjoyable winter — including a happy holiday season — from the entire 元素 team!