5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Florida Summer

Are you preparing your home for a Florida summer? If so, check out these 5 tips that I compiled for you! There are so many things that you could do to improve your home, but these things are some of my favorite ways to spruce up your home and make sure that it’s in working order before the summer heat hits us for good:

Pull out your favorite essential oils

Time to put away all of your cool weather essential oils and bring out the summer ones! I recently posted about an oil that I am loving lately -- Present Time! Like I said in my Instagram post, I have been trying really hard to be more intentional with my time recently and more importantly, present with my time. This is an awesome oil to diffuse for that purpose! Bring out your favorite oils that will help you get in the summer spirit! 

  

Check your air conditioning unit

If there is anything you want to do, it is making sure that your air conditioning unit is in proper working condition for the summer heat that is coming your way. With that being said, spring is the best time to give your air conditioner a checkup, but if you have not already done it, schedule it ASAP (or do it yourself). Start by replacing your air filter and cleaning exhaust vents of any dirt or debris. If outdoor temperatures are warm enough, run your air conditioner to make sure it runs and cools your home. Spring is also the right time to schedule an annual cleaning and inspection of your A/C unit so you can be sure you’re ready for the hot summer months. That way, any problems can be resolved before the temperature starts rising.

Consider window coverings

No matter how hard your A/C works, with the midday sun streaming through your windows you may still feel the heat inside your home. Reflective film can be applied to windows to block some of the harshest rays without ruining your view. If you need more thorough coverage, just consider fabric curtains with blackout backing or roller shades that will block the sun completely. Plus, it is more cost effective (most of the time), too. As an added bonus, most of these window coverings also provide a bit of insulation to keep cooled air inside your home where it belongs.

Think about exterior improvements before it gets too hot

If you are planning any major lawn work or other exterior improvements (especially if you are doing them yourself), consider doing them before it gets too hot. Trust me - you do not want to be digging up trees, shrubbery, or getting on top of your roof in 90-100 degree temps! Plus, if you are planning to do a large renovation such as improving your outside patio, adding in a pool, or something of that sort, you will probably want to take advantage of your space this summer! When doing improvements, think about the heat, yes, but also think about if the improvement will actually improve your overall home value, because you do want to think long-term with any major home improvement that you do.

Not sure if it’s a good way to spend your money when it comes to actually improving the value of your home? Ask an expert, such as Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty, Erin E. King MBA. He has seen plenty of homes for sale in Avondale FL, as well as all around the greater Jacksonville area, so he knows what home improvements draw in prospective buyers - and what improvements do not. “Erin King is a Best of Zillow® REALTOR® who specializes in Jacksonville’s historic neighborhoods. Historic homes feel a bit like kindred spirits. For the past two decades, he has been passionate about telling their unique histories and restoring them to new life. Today, he helps other old home aficionados do the same.” He is a Ramsey Endorsed Local Real Estate Provider and was featured as a 2017 “Rising Star'' by Jacksonville Real Producers Magazine. If you are looking to buy a home, sell your home (now or in the future), or if you have any questions at all, he’s your guy!

Add in fun summer decor

Need a fun way to improve your home's interior? Add in colorful throw blankets, pillows, or other summer decor items for a fun (and inexpensive) upgrade! Once summer is over, just tuck them away in storage and bring them back out next year.