We bought our home in the middle of a Minnesota winter, and there was snow on the ground--a lot of snow. The day we closed, we got 14 more inches. Everything looked calm under the snow, but once it melted, it was a whole different story: leaves everywhere, grass growing wild, and way more yard work than I expected.
If you’re heading into your first summer as a homeowner, here are a few things I wish I had known:
Clean up the yard
Rake up leftover leaves, clear out flower beds, and give your lawn a chance to dry out before mowing. Fortunately for us, once the leaves were cleared we found out we had beautiful hostas, lilies, ferns and more.
Check your gutters
Winter debris can clog them up fast. Clearing them now can prevent water damage later.
Service your A/C
Make sure your air conditioning is ready. Clean the outdoor unit and replace your furnace filter before the heat kicks in. Keep flowers away from the A/C unit.
Inspect decks and driveways
Look for cracks or weather damage and take care of them early to avoid bigger problems.
Wash your windows
Once the snow is gone, you really notice how cloudy those windows are. A good wash makes everything feel fresh and bright.
Pace yourself
You don’t have to do everything at once. Make a short weekend to-do list and give yourself time to enjoy your space.
I learned most of this the hard way, but the good news is you don’t have to. If you ever have questions or need a trusted referral, I’m always happy to help.
