New Client Recommendation on LinkedIn

The kindest thing that a past client can do for a Realtor? Write an honest online recommendation. This one was the perfect final to 2020... 

Heartwarming. Thank you so much for your friendship and kind words, Nicole!  Your sale was truly one of the highlights of my 2020, as time with you (and A) was a pleasure from moment one. St. Louis is incredibly lucky to have you back as you are a true gem.  

Thank you for your trust and for taking the time to write such a thoughtful and thorough recommendation. It means the world to me.💛

See my other professional recommendations HERE on my LinkedIn profile.

 

New Client Recommendation on LinkedIn

Nothing says "Happy Friday" like this rolling into your LinkedIn...

How sweet is this?  It made my day!

Each time a past client takes the time to share their positive feedback in the form of an online professional recommendation, it totally warms my heart.  Sweet Chelsea- thank you so much for your kind words and sweet sentiment.  I so enjoyed working with you guys and your recommendation means the world to me!💛

Connect with me on LinkedIn HERE or see what some of my other clients have had to say HERE.
 

CLOSED: #2824 Essex St in St. Charles

7 years ago, I sold a young married couple the perfect starter home for $130,000...

At the time, 2824 Essex was cute, clean, move-in ready, and the ideal place to start a family and a life together!  Today, just 7 years later and after very few renovations done, we closed it for a whopping $180,000.  That, my friends, is the power of a smart starter home purchase combined with careful preparation and diligent sale strategy. That is also what I mean by making real estate work for you by building an equity nest egg. YES.  

I am not going to lie, today was incredibly bittersweet for me.  Due to COVID19, my Sellers closed escrow electronically and I obviously was not able to attend. *sigh* Selfishly, closing  is always my favorite day of a transaction so it was a tough pill to swallow, but safety is imperative.

To the awesome W family- CONGRATULATIONS! I am taking a raincheck for a future in-person celebration of this sale!  I am so, SO happy for your family and am humbled by your trust and friendship.  High five, Team Essex!

In St. Louis and contemplating a future move?  We are living in interesting times with constantly-shifting market conditions due to the spread of COVID19 interrupting one of the most frenzied low-inventory markets I have ever experienced.  I have been thrilled by the amount of calls, texts, and emails I have received over the last week to pick my brain on what I am seeing and hearing in the trenches. Have questions about the Corona Virus' impact on the housing market?  Let's connect!  Knowledge is POWER, friends.

New Client Recommendation on LinkedIn

Oh my goodness, this made my week... 

Absolutely nothing beats waking up to a notification of a new client recommendation on LinkedIn, particularly one as kind and generous as this.  A warm thank you to my sweet Seller, Amy.  I can't begin to express how much I appreciate your sentiment, business, and most important... friendship.  

There is no doubt that no one can truly vouch for a Realtor's work ethic, integrity, and ability like their former clients.I am so humbled and grateful each and every time I receive one of their endorsements.💗

In St. Louis and contemplating a move in 2020?  Let's connect HERE on my LinkedIn.  There you can see what my other former clients have to say, as well. 

Staging Before and After

Which kitchen would you rather cook your family breakfast in? 

Easy answer.

SELLING TIP: Your home doesn’t have to be 100% updated to have a quick and profitable sale. That being said, whether original or brand spanking new... staging is EVERYTHING, friends. If your potential agent hasn’t discussed preparation strategy with you, I highly recommend getting a second opinion -STAT.

Realtor Life is more fun in October!

Dare I venture to say that there is no more entertaining week in the life of a Realtor as Halloween?

The absolute best! The entry to Rayner Road In Des Peres never disappoints!🎃

Fall Lawn Care "Do's and Don'ts" for the Midwest

Now that Fall is officially here, it's time to pay special attention outside to get your yard prepped for Winter. One of the most difficult aspects of being a novice home gardener is learning the rules of the what and when, as one little mistake can result in the loss of plants.  We have learned a lot from trial and error over 23 years of home ownership, which I have shared here on the blog from time to time.

As things get a tad more spooky around here, and we shift our own focus outside this week at Casa de Nenonen, I figured it is a great time to share my do's and don'ts for Fall. Let's face it, this is a busy time of year and daylight time is limited with the shorter days.  Focus your energy on what you can and should do now, and leave the Fall "don'ts" for when the warm weather returns to the Midwest.
.
Do's

Do aerate, fertilize, and seed your lawn.
As temperatures drop, grasses put their energy into developing roots. If you only aerate, fertilize, and seed your lawn ONCE during the year, Autumn is the time to do it in the

Midwest! It is your best shot at a lush yard throughout the rest of the year.

Steve and I actually hire a lawn service for our Fall care and it is WELL worth the money spent, approximately $175 for their Fall package. If you have bare patches in your lawn from dog play, as WE do, this is also a terrific time to request they overseed.
Tip: Learn from our mistake- it is easy to burn your lawn with fertilizer so apply with caution.

Do divide perennials.
It'a time to divide your perennials, particularly if they've become so crowded that they bloom less. This is also a fantastic time to split a large clump into smaller clumps to plant elsewhere. Generally, in Fall you can divide perennials that bloom in Spring or early Summer.

Do mow like crazy
Leaving leaves on the grass over winter can actually hinder Spring growth. Keep the lawn as clean as possible before the 1st snow. That is what teenagers are fabulous for, at least in our house where they appreciate a little more spending money. 

Do corrective pruning.
After the leaves fall from trees and bushes, branches that are broken or scrape against the house are easier to spot and get to. Make the cut where they meet a larger branch or the trunk. Reminder not to leave a stub, as it won't heal and leaves the plant vulnerable to disease.

Do plant.
Fall is the only time to plant spring-flowering bulbs! Sink the tulips, daffodils, and crocus NOW. You can plant bulbs until the ground is too frozen to dig. Fall is also a solid time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Although you can plant them until the ground is frozen, their chances for survival improve if you plant in early fall, giving them more time to develop roots. Remember to water generously if we don't have a rainy Fall.

Do control weeds.
Perennial lawn weeds such as dandelions and violets get their second wind once the weather cools and ironically are most susceptible to attack during this time. In our current house, we have been successful in keeping weeds at bay but fought a continuous violet infestation at our last house. Wage war NOW! If you pay special attention to your weeds in the Fall, they will be less of a burden in the Spring.

Do protect from deer
Got deer? Particularly if you live West of I-270 in St. Louis, I guarantee that you have had a tree trunk annihilated by the Fall scraping of the antlers. Bucks do this seasonally every year- we know this. Buy corrugated tubes and protect your young tree trunks. Just do it.

Don'ts

Don't shear spring flowering shrubs.
Shaping or lopping off length of Spring-flowering shrubs during the Fall removes the buds

that produce next year's flowers. YOU WILL REGRET THIS MISTAKE COME SPRING, I ASSURE YOU FROM EXPERIENCE. If you must control their size, cut off the longest branches at their base - you'll make them more compact and still enjoy flowers next spring.

Don't fertilize trees and shrubs.
Fertilizing stimulates tender new growth that won't have time to toughen up before winter. If your woody plants need fertilizer, wait until the Spring.

Don't cut back ornamental grasses and attractive perennials.
Wait until Spring growth starts before cutting back ornamental grasses and perennials that look decent in winter. Not only do they give you a little something to look at during the cold months, but their stems trap leaves and snow around the base of the plant, which protects the roots from freezing.

Under Contract: 585 Coeur De Royale Unit #308 in Creve Coeur

Hello low-maintenance one-level living...

This spotless condo, in the heart of Creve Coeur, popped on the market and my Buyer was quick to the draw! Despite multiple offers, we beat out the competition with some serious strategic negotiation. It closes escrow in just a few short weeks!   

YIPPEE! 

I am so happy for the sweet K duo on this smart move and can already see their grandkids having a blast in the pool!  Thank you for being such good friends and clients to me, K family. I am so glad this went your way! 💗

On a separate note, I will add that I have been incredibly impressed with 3rd quarter movement in the St. Louis real estate market.  At a time of traditional seasonal slowdown, 2019 has instead delivered a steady supply of exciting new inventory, motivated buyers, and healthy financing options.  If in St. Louis and considering a move in 2019, it is not too late, friends! The market continues to move swiftly for both Buyers AND Sellers. 

Let's connect...

My house didn't sell over the summer... HELP!!

Sweet Fall.  For most people, Labor Day is the welcomed celebratory end of Summer and threshold to cool autumn air. To a homeowner whose property sits on the market and remains unsold, however...  

... the passing of the Labor Day weekend can be stressful as traditionally, this holiday also ushers in the slower Fall selling season here in the Midwest.

Each year around this time, I have distressed homeowners reach out to me. Most of the time, they have been listed all Spring and Summer with another Realtor, resulting in no sale. They typically are at the end of their listing contract (and rope), unsure what to do next. Most times, the current relationship with their Realtor is strained, the line of communication is fractured, and they do not wish to renew their listing contract.   

It happens.  

Whether the unsuccessful Seller stumbled upon my information on Social Media or they confided in a loved one or coworker who coincidentally was one of my past clients and graciously passed along my business card... they seek honesty, understanding, advice, guidance, and HELP.

Before I proceed, I will preface by stating that a good Realtor makes the job look easy. However, it is incredibly difficult to walk into a homeowner's space - their sanctuary - and barrel off what needs changing to make the property appeal to the masses. A number of agents find this aspect of the job unbearable, revealing to a homeowner that their house needs tidying, cleaning, rearranging, redecorating, or renovation. 

Realtors also typically face a Homeowner who clearly states what they financially expect or "need" out of the property, despite what the statistical comps indicate the TRUE market value to be. Added pressure.  As a result, some agents are not honest with their Sellers... often resulting in months on market and hard feelings.

My take?  Having these difficult conversations is the basis of a Realtor's job. A difficult part of the job, yet the most IMPORTANT part of the job. A good agent faces this situation head-on and refuses to be bullied by an unrealistic Seller, even if it means potentially losing the listing.

The fact is:  While the truth sometimes hurts, information is POWER to a Seller.  It allows them to control the process and not have the process control them.   In addition, it is during these moments that an understanding is made between Realtor and client and an open line of communication is established. Both are IMPERATIVE to a successful transaction.

Listings don't sell for a variety of reasons.  As we had (and continue to have) a healthy 2019 season for Sellers in St. Louis, with a lower inventory and enticing interest rates, market/financing conditions can likely be removed as a culprit.  
The unsuccessful sale can typically be attributed to 1 of 3 factors, or a combination of the 3:

1) Realtor Blunder: 

• Dropped the ball in their preparation, pricing, and staging advice. 
• Haphazard pricing not in line with the statistical comps. 
• Didn't honestly reveal to a Seller that their house has an undesirable odor or is dirty.  
• Sloppy MLS entry with spelling mistakes, incorrect showing instructions, or incomplete or incorrect property information.
• Used an inappropriate psychology of words in marketing, not focused on the targeted Buyer pool.  
• No Open House plan in place for extended days on market.
• Low quality or inadequate photos of important house features. 
• Inadequate (or lack of) staging advice prior to photos and/or showings.  
• Poor/ inappropriate exposure across the internet and social media space.
• Vast exposure with lackluster marketing/photos to back it up.  
• Lack of communication with the Seller.
• Lack of communication with the general public or fellow Realtors whose inquiries were not met with timely response if any at all.  Yes, this is quite common.
• Didn't properly prepare the Seller with showing guidelines and expectations.  
• Didn't share showing feedback with Seller and encourage them to adhere to it.
• Didn't define communication expectations with the Seller.
• Didn't keep the line of communication open with the Seller.  
• Didn't provide the Seller with honest Buyer feedback received.  
• Made promises that they knew they couldn't keep. 
• Didn't defer a Seller who they knew they couldn't help.  
• Listed at a commission that is so low it deterred Buyer's agents.

2)  Homeowner Blunder:

• Chose to list at a challenging time of year, outside of peak market.
• Didn't properly interview and/or ask the tough questions prior to selecting a Realtor. 
• Didn't hire a Realtor with a proven track record and client recommendations. 
• Didn't trust or follow the Realtor's advice when given. 
• Wasn't realistic about value, despite statistical data given.  
• Hired a discount Broker with shoddy marketing and representation- you get what you pay for!  
• Didn't properly prepare the property before photos, listing, and every single showing- from clearing the sink of dishes to scooping poop in the yard.
• Bulldozed their Realtor and insisted on controlling the process. 
• Ignored showing feedback regarding property and price.
• Didn't make their property readily available to Buyer's agents and their clients, even if inconvenient for them. 
• Was problematic, disrespectful, or rude to Buyer's agents.
• Was problematic. disrespectful, or rude to their own agent.
• Publicly broadcasted their house woes on Social media, alienating their Realtor or snooping Buyers. 
• Didn't give potential Buyers adequate time alone in a property. 
• Didn't keep the line of communication open with their Realtor.  
• Didn't keep their Realtor informed, including withholding questions or stating concerns as they arose. 
• Was not realistic about profit potential despite comps given. 
• Used their agent as a verbal punching bag when frustrated.
• Refused price adjustments when the time arises or feedback/days on market reflect it to be necessary.

3) Location/Property features that are out of your control: 

• Market or neighborhood inventory saturation (too much supply for demand).
• Stigmatized area or property. 
• Certain location or property features automatically reduce the Buyer pool, thus prolonging the listing period, for example: vicinity near commercial or a school, busy street, power lines, flood plane, airport, swimming pool, certain architectural styles (split foyers and slabs in St. Louis), extremely stylized decor, unusually small or large lot, strange lot topography/grading, unappealing neighboring properties, etc.

OK, SO WHAT NEXT?

The key to recovery after a lengthy unsuccessful listing period is to pause and regroup before you sign another Listing Agreement.  Ask yourself the question: Should I stay or should I go?  Do you want to remain in the house or are you willing to do whatever it takes to sell that house, even if it means switching things up, engaging in difficult conversations, taking on some new projects, and/or taking a financial hit? 

Should you decide that selling is your preference,  it is time to seek a 2nd opinion, a fresh perspective, IMMEDIATELY.  Speak with a new Realtor (or two).  Conduct a formal interview.  Ask for professional references and CHECK THEM. Take the lessons learned from your 1st experience and seek someone who you think will be a better match and earn your trust.   Be honest about your past frustrations, admit what you could have done better, ask the tough questions that you should have asked the 1st time around, and ask them to highlight what they see as the key selling obstacle from an outside perspective.  9x out of 10,a skilled Realtor can directly pinpoint the problem just by pulling up the listing, carefully examining the current comps, and visiting the property.  

Most important:  

• Do not panic and stay positive.  
• Wipe the slate clean.  
• Own your mistakes and learn from them.
• Hire someone who you have confidence in.  
• Be clear about what you need and expect from your new Realtor. 
• Trust the process.  
• Trust your Realtor's advice and do not be afraid to tap their wisdom and confide in them. 
• As difficult as it is, try to approach your new agent with a positive attitude and with faith, devoid of the frustrations and bias caused by the previous agent.  
• Take each day and part of the process as it comes and keep in mind- this too shall pass.  

The fact is:  every property has a Buyer.  The key is getting your property into the hands of the right person to present it on your behalf to the world.

If you are a St. Louis homeowner currently feeling shackled by your unsold property and do not know where to turn or what to do... please do NOT be afraid to reach out.  I welcome this contact. I can help you. I do not judge. 
     
My clients, whose praises I wear like a badge of honor, will attest... 

I am brutally honest and take my professional integrity seriously. I will not compromise either of those things. I will not lie, even when the truth may sting or is extremely difficult to deliver.  

I bring to the table over 18 years of residential real estate experience, a proven track record of success, concrete statistical data, and an unbiased opinion.  When working with a Seller, I will not sign a listing agreement until the issues of the property are well-understood, discussed, and remedied.  If a Seller is unwilling to remedy issues that I address, I ensure that they understand the possible financial consequences of not doing so. 

If I think that prolonging the listing until the Spring is advisable and/or necessary to maximize profit potential- I disclose that immediately.    If I think that I am not the match for that Seller- I reveal that and politely decline the listing.  My single goal as a Realtor is to sell your property, making it as stress-free and profitable a process as I possibly can for you.  All of my advice given will support that goal. 

I can help.  Let's connect!  Many of my professional accomplishments can be found here on the blog.  Learn more about me HERE at my bio, on my LinkedIn where I have numerous professional recommendations,  or contact me directly at...

Carrie Nenonen

Licensed Realtor - State of Missouri

Selling St. Louis since 2001

9-time recipient of the St. Louis Magazine 

“5 Star Realtor Award” for best customer service

Coldwell Banker Gundaker Corporate Headquarters

#2458 Old Dorsett Road, Suite 100

St. Louis, MO  63043

www.MoveWithCarrie.com

314. 452. 7675   cell / text

314. 298. 5275   office
carrie.nenonen@cbgundaker.com

My clients are talking.  Read some of their testimonials HERE!

Beat the crowd and start Fall prep early, Homeowners!

The kids are back to school, pool days are numbered, days are shorter, and evenings are cooler as we draw Summer 2019 to a close. 

In a region with four distinct seasons, most folks have their favorite.   I unapologetically declare mine is FALL. As we begin to bid farewell to the humid, sweltering St Louis summer and welcome the cool, crisp Autumn air... I start to feel alive again.  Crisp evenings, dewy mornings, crimson-painted treetops, cornstalks and gourds, sweaters and jeans, leaves crunching under your feet, hay bales and scarecrows, apple cider, pumpkins on porches, colorful mums. There is really NOTHING about Fall that I don't adore.

Steve and I learned long ago, however, that the key to truly enjoying the coziness of Autumn is proactivity before the weather cools. There is nothing WORSE than switching on the furnace to remove the chill from the house to NOTHING or heading out to build that 1st bonfire to find you are out of wood.  The fact is, most service companies are overwhelmed and inundated with calls once the weather turns.  

This year, take the bull by the horns and beat the crowd.  While the weather is still nice, proactively get your home ready for the cooler days ahead. You will thank yourself in a few short weeks!

• FIREWOOD: Order and stock up on firewood now before the local companies are inundated with requests and the wait becomes lengthy.
• CHIMNEY:  Have your chimney professionally cleaned and inspected.  Check the flue, ensure the safety screen and/or doors are sound, and ensure the integrity of your chimney cap to keep critters and nests out. 
• HVAC SYSTEM: If you didn't do it last Spring, schedule an annual heating system check-up. A professional clean and service ensures your HVAC system is safe and ready to fire up once the weather turns.
• WINDOWS AND DOORS: Inspect your windows and doors for drafts. Check weatherstripping. Re-caulk.  If you have removable window or door screens, now its the time to clean, store, and replace them with storm windows.
• ROOF: Check for loose shingles and ensure your chimney flashing is intact and secure.

Seller Tip: What is your season?

In a perfect world, every garden would be well-planned and balanced to have something lush, pretty, and in bloom throughout the entire growing cycle.  Creating a Midwest flower-filled garden that blooms from Spring through Fall is not as challenging as it may seem, but it does require careful planning and plant selection. 

Realistically, however, most yards evolve over time and over several different owners and their individual taste and dedication. Add in four very distinct Midwest seasons, including harsh winter dormancy, and friends... it is a challenge to maintain a year-round photogenic house.  As a result, most St. Louis yards have their season, or that short window of time when the curb appeal truly sparkles as the plants are in full-bloom beauty.  

Some yards shine during early Spring, with an abundance of bulb perennials like tulips and daffodils and lovely flowering trees like dogwoods. Some yards look best in early Summer, painted with blooms of azalea and peony. Other yards, like mine, look their best at the tail end of summer when the mature flowering bushes like hydrangea and crêpe myrtle are bursting with color and the annuals are in peak mature flowering season.  

As a Homeowner, it is prudent to know your season. When does your curb appeal look its best?  If the answer is NOW and you are considering listing your house over the next year, I am addressing you...  

If you are considering listing your home during our swift late-Winter, early Spring 2020 market (Feb- April), which ironically is one of the worst times to photograph a house in the Midwest, the time to photograph the exterior is NOW.  Even if you plan to list in May, but your best curb appeal season is August, I recommend a few professional exterior photos be taken now.

I cannot speak for other Realtors, however, I happily pay for professional photography for all of my Sellers out of my own pocket.  There is nothing better than the ability to add mature yard and garden shots to an early Spring listing as it REALLY sets the home apart from the competition.  Why leave your yard to a Buyer's imagination when you can advertise the beauty that they are actually shopping?

Plan to list in 2020 and you would like to discuss photography?  Email me at Carrie.Nenonen@cbgundaker.com or call at 314.298.5275.

If contemplating a move in 2020, the time to start interviewing Realtors is now.  The time to start preparing and planning is now, as well!  I would love to be considered. Let's connect...

Seller Tip: Declutter, Declutter, Declutter!

Clutter and contract rarely belong in the same sentence, friends.

If you were a Buyer, which kitchen would compel you to pull the trigger? Exactly!  Decluttering is sweat equity, aka money in the bank for a Seller at closing!

St. Louis and affordability go hand in hand!

Hey, hey St. Louis...  SmartAsset just confirmed something that locals have known for a long time. In a recent study, they surveyed the 189 most populous cities in country, assessing everything from the price per square foot for residential real estate to the unemployment rate to residents with a college degree to walkability..

We ranked 9th in the nation as far as being undervalued at only $104.25 per square foot.  Look at our numbers compared to the other cities, with amazing public schools to boot!

St. Louis, Missouri, coming in at ninth place, is the westernmost city in our top 10. St. Louis does have the fourth-highest high school graduation rate in the top 10, at 88%, which ranks 91st in the study overall. Furthermore, 28% of the adults in the city’s population have at least a bachelor’s degree, the fourth-highest rate in the top 10 and 61st out of 189 cities overall. The unemployment rate in St. Louis is 3.9%, the second-lowest rate in the top 10.

Zillow data shows that actual cost per square foot in St. Louis is $104.25, while our model estimates that it should cost about $100 more than that, at $205.58. For those looking to get a smart start, it’s also one of the best cities for new college grads.

Rules of Real Estate: 5% rule!

Most new homeowners learn the hard way that home catastrophe happens when you least expect it. Combat surprise financial devastation by following the 5% rule...

Set aside 5% of your purchase price per year for ongoing maintenance and upkeep. If you are lucky, you won’t have to tap it all each year, allowing you save up for larger projects and/or proactive maintenance.

Under Contract: 1112 Arbor Creek, Unit 2D in 63122

Yesterday was an eventful day of showings, contracts, and negotiation for my Sellers...

Thanks to serious strategic market planning and preparation with my clients, Arbor Creek sold with multiple offers late last night.  Congratulations, Team Arbor Creek!  

I have confessed numerous occasions on the blog that the relationships I forge with my clients (and their families) are the most rewarding aspect of my job, by far.  This deal holds a special little place in my heart, however, as I sold my client this unit as a starter home just a few years ago.  What a terrific buy it has turned out to be!  A couple years later, she walks away with a whopping 30% of growth appreciation equity, a down payment on the brand new house of her dreams.  YES, YES, YES!!

Above all else, I want to ensure that all of my Buyers make a wise investment.  This is the best case scenario, indeed. S- I am so happy for you and even more so... I am so excited for your brand new start with P.  Warms my heart. Happy for you guys! 💓

Cheers to you Team Arbor on a wildly successful sale and THANK YOU for trusting me to play such an instrumental role.  We close escrow in July!

In St. Louis and considering a move in 2019? Don't wait.  The market is red hot right now!  Have a friend who is looking for an agent?  I proudly base my business on direct referrals and wear my past client reviews like a badge of honor.  Let’s connect...

Spring has Sprung: A May Checklist For Homeowners

Due to cooler temperatures and an incredible amount of rain, St. Louis has been slow to switch focus to our outdoor living spaces.  It has been a busy week here in Casa de Nenonen as we too play catch-up and continue to slowly prepare our yard for warmer weather between bouts of rain.  Parallel to that, we have had a rotating door of contractors visiting this week to do everything from power wash the exterior to aerate and fertilize the lawn.  

While I take a lot of pleasure in the planting and garden aspect of the process (my herb starters-hurray!)...

The money and time-management of the other projects?  Yeah, not-so-fun.  That being said, I have learned over 20+ years of home ownership that being proactive in the Spring almost always reduces an enormous amount of headache in the Summer and Fall.  I will also note that my weekend showings served as a terrific reminder (aka a serious kick-in-the-pants) to get started as 5 of the 11 properties that I showed in the rain this weekend had wet basements.  ALL FIVE OF THEM HAD GUTTERS OVERFLOWING WITH LEAVES.  Not a coincidence, friends. Read more about preventing water in your home HERE.

As we get periodic breaks in the rain, place your focus here Homeowners:

Clean Home Exterior:               

_ Clear all gutters, downspouts, and exterior drains of debris

_ Clean siding (TIP: if you have this professionally done like we do every other year, generously spray your plants with the hose right before the power washers arrive to protect your landscape from absorbing the chemicals.)

_ Decks and Porches: Clean, make repairs,stain

_ Patios: Clean and repair as needed

_ Windows and Screens: Clean and make repairs

Landscape:

_ Rake Leaves

_ Aerate, fertilize, and seed lawn

_ Prune shrubs (tip for pruning grasses HERE)

_ Remove weeds

_ Mulch garden beds 

Miscellaneous:

_ Check Sprinkler system

_ Schedule termite and pest inspection

_ Service your mower, have blades sharpened 

_ Check fences and gates

_ Seal driveway

_ Test outdoor lighting 

_ Inspect concrete for patching needs

_ Inspect brick for tuck pointing needs

_ Check roof for damage

_ Repair peeling paint 

_ Stain or reseal exterior wood