Spring has sprung!  It has been a long winter, and we are more than ready to welcome in the warmer weather.

     Here are some tips to help you get your home ready for the season:

· After consulting your hot water tank owner’s manual, carefully test the temperature and pressure relief valve to ensure it is not stuck. Caution: This test may release hot water that can cause burns.

· Check and clean or replace furnace air filters each month during the heating season.  Ventilation system, for example heat recovery ventilator, filters should be checked every two months.

· Have fireplace or woodstove and chimney cleaned and serviced as needed.

· Shut down and clean furnace humidifier.

· Check dehumidifier and clean if necessary.

· Turn OFF gas furnace and fireplace pilot lights where possible.

· Have well water tested for quality. It is recommended that you test for bacteria every six months.

· Check smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace batteries.

· Clean windows, screens and hardware, and replace storm windows with screens. Check screens first and repair or replace if needed.

· Open valve to outside hose connection after all danger of frost has passed.

· Examine the foundation walls for cracks, leaks or signs of moisture, and repair as required. Repair and paint fences as necessary.

· Ensure sump pump is operating properly before the spring thaw sets in. Ensure discharge pipe is connected and allows water to drain away from the foundation.

·        Re-level any exterior steps or decks which moved due to frost or settling.

· Check eaves troughs and downspouts for loose joints and secure attachment to your home, clear any obstructions, and ensure water flows away from your foundation.

· Clear all drainage ditches and culverts of debris.

· Undertake spring landscape maintenance and, if necessary, fertilize young trees.

     Bedding plants should not be left outside until after the risk of frost is gone.  It is a good idea to put them out during the day to help season them and make them more hearty. 

     Your garden should also be planted after the risk of frost is gone.  I usually plant mine sometime between the weekend after  the May long weekend and the first week of June.  Don’t wait too long to plant, or your harvest will be late and risk frost.

     Wishing you all the best this season!

Spruce Grove, AB - Chad W. Bonner with Exit Realty Grove has been awarded the Accredited Buyer’s Representation (ABR(R)) designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council.  (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS(R).

Chad W. Bonner joins more than 30,000 real estate professionals in North America who have earned the ABR(R) designation.  All were required to successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representaion and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

REBAC, founded in 1988, is the world’s largest association of real estate professionals focusing specifically on represtnting the real estate buyer.  There are more than 40,000 active members of the organization world-wide.  The National Association of Realtors (R), “The Voice for Real Estate” is the world’s largest professional association, representing over 1,000,000 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry.

You may contact the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council by telephone, (800) 648-6224, by e-mail, rebac@realtors.org, or by visiting the REBEC website website, www.REBAC.net.

Exit Realty is Growing!

It’s true, in January alone, we have increased our number of Associates by 3.  That is 5 new REALTOR(S) in 2 months!  Many more are lined up and will soon be ready to be a part of this great brokerage.

Ron Schwartz is our brokerage recruiter, and Career Development guru.  If you are thinking of a career in real estate, ask him about it - 780-965-3948.  He is available anytime to offer advice on getting into the real estate industry, and can also help coach and train once you are a REALTOR(R).

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