Preparing Your Home for Winter

Every season brings a whole new set of things to do when you own a Lake of the Ozarks home, and winter is no different. From making sure the leaves are all raked up to making sure your home is well insulated, it can be hard to know what to do next. At Gattermeir Davidson, we want to make sure that you are well prepared in any season as a homeowner, and that you can easily transition between each one. Here are a few things you need to remember as the weather starts to get colder, and your home needs a few things done.

Check The Gutters

While you've been enjoying the fall weather and activities, the leaves and debris have been building up in your gutter. You'll want to find a way to clean these out before the winter sets in. Even though we may not experience hard winter's in the Midwest, you never know when a storm is going to come through that could leave you surprised. When your gutters are clogged up with debris it can cause ice dams, and those can lead to water leaking around your home where it's not wanted.

Create Air Boundaries

You want to keep the cold air out and the warm air in this winter, but you may need to do a few things to make this possible. This isn't just so you can stay warm through the winter, but it helps your energy savings drastically. Some of the most popular areas to look are around your windows and doors. These items of your home are more likely to have gaps, which is where you'll find your warm air leaking out. Get some caulk and go around your windows to ensure a good seal.

Fix The Furnace

We're guessing that in all of the summer fun, you've probably not given your furnace much, though, and we can't blame you! Now it's time to go ahead and give it a good inspection, though, before the cold sets in and you really want it. It's a good idea to have it inspected to make sure that everything is clean and that there is no build up anywhere. You should also remember to clean out your air filters every so often in the winter to keep everything running efficiently.

If you need a new unit, make sure to look for one that is energy efficient so that you can save money through the years on this vital piece of your home.

Are Your Ducts In A Row?

They're out of sight, out of mind - and if you haven't considered checking out the duct work in your home, now is a good time to do it. You may not be paying attention to them, but if they aren't sealed and insulated properly, you could be losing $120 or more on your electric bill.

Let There Be Light

Daylight Savings has ended, and now it's time to make sure your yard is properly lit for the safety of your and your family - not to mention any guests that may come over. If your porch lights have burned out, it's time to replace them, and even give the glass globes a good cleaning from the bugs. If you don't have lighting along your sidewalks, it may be a good time to consider have some LED lights installed around your landscape to help make it easier to see. You can have them installed on a timer, or motion sensor so that you aren't wasting electricity as well.

Owning a Home at the Lake of the Ozarks

Owning your own home can be extremely gratifying, but it can also involve a bit of work as well. At Gattermeir Davidson, from the moment you start to look for your dream home, to the day you sell it because you need something bigger - we're here for you. Let our team of the best real estate agents at the Lake of the Ozarks assist you in finding your home, and then keeping it maintained through the years! Visit our website at www.GotLakeRealEstate.com to learn more about the properties we have available and how we can help you get settled into a Lake of the Ozark home.

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2011 REALTOR Salesperson of the Year

Missouri Association of Realtors

Gattermeir Davidson Real Estate, LLC

752 Bagnell Dam Blvd., Suite A

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Office | 573.365.1555

Fax | 573.365.1766