We hate to nag...but when are you going to fix that faucet??

The blur of 'The Holidays' has come and gone and pink candy hearts and chocolate-filled boxes have taken their places on store shelves. President's Day sales circulars will be arriving in our mailboxes and though there are still a few frosty mornings ahead of us before the clocks move forward, spring is on its way.

In real estate terms, that means the now is the time to shore-up the homestead, tackle any pesky repairs that have been on your to-do list, finish those remodeling projects, update any fixtures that may be dating your digs and just generally clean-up the place. These are imperatives for listing your home for sale if you want to get top dollar (a.k.a. not give your money away) and help to ensure a smooth transaction. Pretty good idea even if you just want to have a clean, comfortable home too (makes those à la minute entertaining opportunities less-stressful too.)

Sometimes it feels like our home is made of money...
make sure you don't lose out on your investment!

Here are some things we think are must-dos for selling, taken from some of the top real estate sites around. We've also included some tips that we've found to be beneficial.  A good way to go about these projects is to update and repair the things that don't require good weather and procure the items you need to tackle those to-dos that necessitate a dry day so you are ready to go when the occasion arises.  

Find some 'fresh eyes'

If you are selling, ask a friend to pay a visit and give you an honest tally of the things they notice that could use some attention. It's common to become numb to our surroundings or simply just them from our own perspective so for some enlightenment on what might create a bit of neutrality, is a savvy move. 

Be a can-opener

Freshen up that paint! Neutrals are great if you're selling and if you just want a change and are feeling *slightly* bold but want to take it slowly, cut a highly-saturated shade with some white paint for lightening. 

Give Your Windows The "Once Over"... 

Whether you have single pane or double pane glass windows, make sure you always
examine them for either missing glazing or seals that are damaged.  On a single pane glass
window, the glazing will deteriorate, which will cause the window to break away from the wood
frame.  On a double pane glass window you will notice that a fog will appear between the
two panes of glass.  This is a sign of a broken seal.  If you notice any of your windows having
one of these problems, contact a window contractor for repair or replacement.

http://www.zillow.com/wikipages/SELLING-YOUR-HOME--FIVE-HELPFUL-TIPS/ 

... and caulk your gaps

Winter is an excellent time to spot drafts in your home because it’s easy to feel the cold air entering your home. Seal up gaps with caulk and use insulating foam sealant to fill any small holes or larger cracks. Give your exterior door frames a once-over as well to make sure you can’t see light filtering through. If you’re fighting an uphill battle against single-pane windows, it might be time to set up a savings plan to update to more energy-efficient dual-pane windows (see above)

Check for leaks

We’re not talking about leaks around faucets and pipes (although those are important too). The water supply lines to washing machines can crack and leak, which you may not notice for weeks — a prime breeding ground for mold and water damage. Inspect hoses for signs of wear and, if you find leaks, swap out for new. Do the same for your dishwasher. If you have accordion-style plastic plumbing anywhere in your house, now is the time to upgrade. Not only is the style against code in many states, but these pipes are also notorious leakers.

- See more at: http://www.trulia.com/blog/worth-the-work-13-diy-home-projects-to-tackle-this-spring/#sthash.TfEb4oSB.dpuf

Forbes has compiled this list chock-full of tips that include plenty of ways to fill your free-time making your home more appealing for sale or just for comfort. Get the family involved by giving everyone something they can each tackle. 
After a day-well-done, enjoy some down time and revel in your sweat-equity! http://www.forbes.com/sites/trulia/2014/06/13/21-ways-to-prepare-your-home-for-selling/#2715e4857a0b2e7bef85d626