4 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Autumn

As any longtime Minnesota resident already knows, winter around here gets pretty darn cold. This is why taking the proper steps to prepare your home during the fall is so important. Here are four ways to prepare your home this autumn.

#1: Check Hoses and Pipes

Check around your home for any pipes that need insulating. Disconnect any garden hoses, make sure they are dry in the inside, and store them away for the winter. Irrigation systems in your yard will also need to be disconnected and dried using compressed air to keep freezing damage from happening.

#2: Maintain Your Fireplace

Make sure your fireplace is ready for the upcoming season by checking it for any cracks or damage. Have the flue professionally cleaned to remove any excess buildup of soot from the previous year. Stock up on firewood, log starters, and other similar items in case of a power outage.

#3: Get Rid of Any Drafts

Check your doors and windows for any seal damage. Use a thick layer of caulk to help eliminate drafts and keep the inside of your home nice and warm during winter weather.

#4: Get Your Furnace Ready for Use and Call in an HVAC Professional for a System Tune Up

Change any necessary filters and get your heating system ready for use. Make an appointment with your local HVAC professional to perform a system tune up on your furnace. Most companies offer a substantial discount for this service in the autumn, making the price and value extremely affordable.

Of course, these are just the four most important autumn home maintenance tasks to tackle before the weather changes. Having proper insurance coverage is definitely a fifth. To learn more or for a no-obligation quote, please contact our team at Hanneken Insurance Agency.

Tips For Having A Garage Sale In Little Falls

If you’re going to have a garage sale in Little Falls, you want it to be as successful as possible. After all, it can take time to put a sale together. There are some tips to follow to make it easier for you to hold the sale and maximize the results.

Talk to Neighbors

Talk to your neighbors about the garage sale to see if they are interested in holding one at the same time. Having a neighborhood-wide sale can bring in larger groups of people, increasing your likelihood of selling more of your stuff.

Hang Signs

Hang signs throughout your area to tell people when and where the garage sale is. This will make it easier for people to find you on the day of the sale.

Market Online

Not everyone relies on signage. Market your garage sale online using Craigslist as well as local online forums. This will make it possible for people to plan in advance to attend your garage sale. Be sure to mention some of the items you are selling.

Price to Sell

Price the items to sell. Remember that you are not going to be able to get full price for anything. The average is about one third to one quarter of retail price. You may also want to allow people to “make an offer” on items.

Donate What’s Left

Everything at the garage sale are things you don’t want, so don’t bring it back in the house. Donate whatever is left so you can get the tax deduction and be free of that stuff.

At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. we’re here to help you find a policy that works well for your home and your budget. We can get quotes on homeowner’s insurance to make it easier for you to compare quotes and get the best deal.