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Kathy Bixler
Residential Specialist
REALTOR®
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Bixler’s Blog

Bixler’s Blog

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September
13

September 13th, 2021 by

Spokane Home Improvement

When looking at Spokane homes for sale, buyers often plan how they might fix up a home or make it their own. The right home improvements can go a long way towards making a home more livable and increasing its value. But as your list of home improvement projects grows, how do you decide which ones to tackle first? Here are some tips to help you prioritize your to-do list.

Click Here to Read More...

Categories: Home Improvement
Tags: Spokane, New Home , Home Improvement, REALTORS, Chattaroy WA, Cheney WA, Chewelah WA, Davenport WA, Deer Park WA, Liberty Lake WA, Loon Lake WA, Newport WA, Nine Mile Falls WA, Spokane WA, Spokane Valley WA, Sell a Home, Selling Your Home, Listing Your Home
Related Markets: Chattaroy, Cheney, Chewelah, Davenport, Deer Park, Liberty Lake, Loon Lake, Newport, Nine Mile Falls, Spokane, Spokane Valley
September
3

September 3rd, 2021 by

View our comprehensive Spokane real estate market report for the month of August!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Click Here to Read More...

Categories: Market Reports
September
3

September 3rd, 2021 by

View our comprehensive Coeur d'Alene real estate market report for the month of August!

The information in this report is compiled from a report given by the Spokane Association of REALTORS© and to the best of our knowledge is accurate and correct.

Click Here to Read More...

Categories: Market Reports
August
30

August 30th, 2021 by

From summer vacations to winter holidays, it seems each season offers the perfect excuse to put off our to-do list. But be careful, homeowners: neglecting your home's maintenance could put your personal safety—and one of your largest financial investments—at serious risk.

In no time at all, small problems can lead to extensive and expensive repairs. And even if you avoid a catastrophe, those minor issues can still have a big impact. Spokane Homes for Sale that are not well maintained can lose 10 percent (or more) of their appraised value.

The good news is, by dedicating a few hours each season to properly maintaining your home, you can ensure a safe living environment for you and your family ... and actually increase the value of your home by one percent annually!

While this checklist should not be considered a complete list of your home's maintenance needs, it can serve as a general seasonal guide to maintaining your property throughout the year.

SPRING

After a long, cold winter, many of us look forward to a fresh start in the spring. Wash away the winter grime, open the windows, and prepare your home for warmer weather and backyard barbecues.

INSIDE

  • Conduct Annual Spring Cleaning
  • Shut Down Heating System
  • Tune Up A/C
  • Check Plumbing
  • Inspect Smoke Alarm & Batteries
  • Check Carbon Monoxide Detector
  • Check Water Filters & Replace as needed
  • Clean out Sink & Shower Drains

OUTSIDE

  • Inspect Perimeter of Home & Deck
  • Clean Home's Exterior
  • Clean Gutters and Downspouts
  • Seed or Sod Lawn & Fertilize
  • Apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide
  • Plant Flowers & Mulch Beds
  • Tune Up Lawn Mower
  • Inspect Sprinkler System

SUMMER

Summer is generally the time to relax and enjoy your home, but a little time devoted to maintenance will help ensure it looks great and runs efficiently throughout the season.

INSIDE

  • Adjust Ceiling Fans
  • Clean A/C Filters
  • Clear Dryer Vent
  • Check Weather Stripping

OUTSIDE

  • Mow Lawn Regularly
  • Water Early in the Morning
  • Weed Weekly
  • Exterminate Pests

FALL

Fall ushers in another busy season of home maintenance as you prepare your home for the winter weather ahead.

INSIDE

  • Have Heater Serviced
  • Shut Down A/C for the Winter
  • Inspect Chimney
  • Seal Windows and Doors
  • Check Smoke Alarm & Carbon Monoxide Detectors

OUTSIDE

  • Plant Fall Flowers, Grass and Shrubs
  • Rake or Mow Leaves
  • Apply Fall Fertilizer
  • Inspect Gutters and Roof
  • Shut Down Sprinkler System
  • Close Pool

WINTER

While it can be tempting to ignore home maintenance issues in the winter, snow and freezing temperatures can do major damage if left untreated. Follow these steps to ensure your house survives the winter months.

INSIDE

  • Maintain Heating System
  • Tune Up Generator
  • Prevent Frozen Pipes
  • Adjust Ceiling Fans

.

OUTSIDE

  • Drain and Shut Off Outdoor Faucets
  • Remove Window Screens
  • Service Snowblower
  • Stock Up on Ice Melt
  • Watch Out for Ice Dams
  • Check for Snow Buildup on Trees

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR HELP

...with home maintenance or repairs? We have an extensive network of trusted contractors and service providers and are happy to provide referrals! Call or email us, and we can connect you with one of our preferred vendors. Contact us
Categories: Home Improvement
Tags: Spokane, Area Information, Moving Tips, New Home , New Town, Home Improvement, REALTORS, Local Businesses, Mead, Colbert, Kitchen, Chattaroy WA, Cheney WA, Chewelah WA, Davenport WA, Deer Park WA, Liberty Lake WA, Loon Lake WA, Newport WA, Nine Mile Falls WA, Riverside WA, Spokane WA, Spokane Valley WA, Coeur D'Alene ID, Hauser ID, Hayden ID, Post Falls ID, Garden, Spring, Sell a Home, Selling Your Home, Listing Your Home, Buying a Home, summer
Related Markets: Chattaroy, Cheney, Chewelah, Coeur d Alene, Colbert, Davenport, Deer Park, Hauser, Hayden, Liberty Lake, Loon Lake, Mead, Newport, Nine Mile Falls, Post Falls, Riverside, Spokane, Spokane Valley
August
23

August 23rd, 2021 by

Neighbor List

There's a lot you can learn from homes selling in your neighborhood, especially if that home is right next to yours. If you spotted a sign in your neighbor's yard, you might want to do some investigating.

Keeping tabs on the outcome of your neighbor's home sale can prove extremely beneficial when it comes time to list your own property. Details about your neighbor's home and the transaction can provide key information about your local real estate market. Luckily, it's fairly easy to find out important pieces of information. Below are four things we encourage consumers to watch out for when a neighbor puts their home on the market:

Click Here to Read More...

Categories: Selling A Home
Tags: Spokane, Area Information, REALTORS, Chattaroy WA, Cheney WA, Chewelah WA, Spokane WA, Spokane Valley WA, Sell a Home, Selling Your Home
Related Markets: Chattaroy, Cheney, Chewelah, Spokane, Spokane Valley
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Kathy Bixler
Kathy Bixler Cell: (509) 879-4493 Email Me
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Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/25/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/25/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Sat 04/25/2026 12:11:39 AM EST) or Coeur dAlene MLS (last updated Fri 04/24/2026 11:47:13 PM EST) or Spokane MLS (last updated Fri 04/24/2026 11:44:12 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Coldwell Banker Tomlinson may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.

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