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Get Your Home Ready for Summer: Simple Tips for the Season
Summer is right around the corner, bringing longer days, warmer temperatures and more opportunities to enjoy your home—inside and out.
Whether you’re planning backyard barbecues, relaxing on the patio or trying to keep things comfortable when temperatures climb, a little summer home preparation can make the season easier to enjoy.
You don’t need a major renovation, either. Start with a few simple maintenance projects and seasonal updates to get your home summer-ready.
Refresh Your Outdoor Living Spaces
Start outside with a good cleanup.
Sweep patios and decks, remove debris and give outdoor furniture a thorough cleaning. Check tables, chairs, cushions and umbrellas for wear or damage before your first gathering of the season.
If your patio gets a lot of direct sunlight, adding an outdoor umbrella or another appropriate shade solution can make the space more comfortable during warmer parts of the day.
Planning on grilling this summer? Give your grill a preseason inspection and cleaning according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Check its condition and make sure you have the appropriate fuel or supplies before everyone shows up hungry.
Finish things off with some outdoor lighting. String lights, solar-powered fixtures or appropriately rated outdoor lights can help make patios and seating areas more inviting after sunset.
Prepare Your Home for Hot Weather
Before the first really hot day arrives, give your home’s cooling system some attention.
Check your HVAC filter and replace or clean it as recommended for your particular system. If your air conditioner needs professional maintenance or isn’t operating properly, it’s better to discover that before the hottest stretch of summer.
Ceiling fans can also help circulate air and make occupied rooms feel more comfortable. Make sure they’re clean, operating properly and rotating in the appropriate direction for summer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
A programmable or smart thermostat can help you manage temperature settings around your household’s schedule. Window coverings and certain professionally installed window films may also help manage solar heat gain, depending on the windows and products involved.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one, too: close blinds or shades during the hottest, sunniest part of the day when appropriate.
Give Your Home a Lighter Summer Look
Getting your home ready for summer isn’t all maintenance. It’s also a good excuse to freshen things up.
You don’t have to redecorate the entire house. Swap out a few heavier accessories for lighter fabrics, introduce seasonal pillows or artwork, or add fresh flowers and greenery.
If you enjoy houseplants, choose varieties that are appropriate for the light, temperature and other conditions in your home. Households with pets should also check whether a plant is considered safe for their particular animals before bringing it home.
A few small changes can give a room a completely different feel without requiring a big decorating budget.
Help Keep Summer Pests Outside
Warmer weather can also mean more insects trying to find their way indoors.
Inspect screens for tears and check around windows and exterior doors for obvious gaps. Depending on the location and material, weatherstripping or caulk may help seal appropriate openings.
It’s also worth checking around your yard for standing water in items such as empty planters, buckets or other containers, since standing water can provide breeding sites for mosquitoes.
If you’re dealing with an ongoing pest problem, use pest-control products only as directed on their labels or consider contacting a qualified pest-control professional.
Don’t Forget Basic Summer Home Maintenance
While you’re already walking around the property, take a few extra minutes to look for small maintenance issues.
Check exterior faucets and irrigation for leaks. Look over fences and gates. Clear debris from outdoor areas and inspect frequently used walkways for obvious hazards or damage.
If you have landscaping, summer is also a good time to review your irrigation schedule based on your plants, lawn, current weather and local watering requirements.
You don’t have to finish everything in one weekend. Make a list, prioritize what actually needs attention and work through it as time allows.
Make Time to Enjoy Your Home
Once you’ve finished the cleaning, checking and organizing, there’s one last item for the summer home checklist:
Actually enjoy it.
Fire up the grill. Have dinner outside. Invite some friends over. Read on the patio. Or turn on the air conditioning, close the blinds and enjoy doing absolutely nothing.
That counts too.
A little preparation now can help you spend less time dealing with home-maintenance surprises and more time enjoying the season.
Thinking About Making a Move This Summer?
Summer maintenance can also be a good opportunity to take a fresh look at your home.
If you’re considering selling, some of the same projects—cleaning outdoor spaces, tackling deferred maintenance and improving presentation—may become part of your pre-listing plan.
But before spending money on major improvements, let’s talk about your property, the current market and which projects may make sense for your particular home.
If you’re considering buying or selling in San Jose, Willow Glen, Cambrian, Almaden, Japantown or the surrounding Silicon Valley area, I’d be happy to help.
Michelle Elliott
Coldwell Banker Realty
408-839-7915
DRE #01777533
GET YOUR FREE HOME SELLING BOOK
About the Author – Michelle Elliott
With over 20 years of experience navigating the fast-paced Silicon Valley market, I provide a strategic, results-driven approach to residential real estate. My career is built on a foundation of deep local expertise and a relentless commitment to my clients’ success, resulting in over $235 million in lifetime sales volume and a consistent ranking in the top 3% of agents in Santa Clara County and top 2% at Coldwell Banker. My expertise has been featured on KTVU Fox 2, Real Producers and the Willow Glen Resident. She is also the co-host of the San Jose Podcast “Say What You Want About Real Estate”
A Hyper-Local Expert with Global Reach
I specialize in San Jose, in the neighborhoods of Willow Glen (95125 & 95124) Cambrian Park and Almaden, Downtown San Jose/Japantown (95112) markets. As a certified Luxury Property Specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty, I combine high-end marketing strategies with granular neighborhood knowledge to help my clients achieve premium results.
The “Tiger” at the Negotiating Table
My clients have characterized me as a “tiger” at the negotiating table who remains “sweet and patient” with my clients throughout the process. I pride myself on being a fierce advocate for my buyers and sellers, ensuring the best possible terms in every transaction, and I strive to be the best Realtor in 95125! This balance, drive, and tenacity have earned me consistent 5-star ratings across Google, Zillow, Realtor.com, and Yelp.
Michelle Elliott
Michelle@michelleelliottrealtor.com
1712 Meridian Ave, Ste C, San Jose, CA
DRE 01777533
