Springtime means so many wonderful things. The trees are blossoming, flowers are blooming, bees are attacking anything sugary, and the time change will make us lose an entire hour of precious sleep. While all our night owls may hiss at the sunlight creeping through the bedroom curtains earlier, on March 8th, 2020, those rays are going to spring forward and cause everyone a bit of a headache.
Being cranky from lack of sleep doesn’t excuse you from your duties as a landlord. This season of spring cleaning comes with its own quarterly laundry list. Get the tools out from winter storage because with the sunshine comes work to do in it.
Curb Check the Property
Maintaining curb appeal is a must for any rental property owner. Some people may forgive a place for looking a little dingy or dark in the deep recesses of winter, but in spring, it’s a different story. In the spring, people expect the warm and fuzzies, bright flowers. Instead of creepy dead trees that whistle in the wind, they expect apple blossoms should your location allow it, dogwood trees in full explosion of pink and white flowers, or palm trees that are green with the tide.
The influx of warm weather makes spring a great opportunity to check the landscaping. The ice is melting away, and it’s not hot enough to cook an egg on the pavement. Make sure to check a few common but necessary tasks while you are at it. That would include checking the gutters for the organic build up. During heavy winter storms, leaves and sticks can get caught in there, and you will need the gutters to be clean during April showers while they bring you flowers.
Setting Up Expectations
This self-proclaimed night owl may spend the day cursing all that come near because on March 8th, it will be a bit more difficult to be as productive as you may want. Set your expectations and make sure to double-check your time management desires. By all technicality, the time change happens at 2:00 AM local time, instead leap-frogging over that 2:00 AM hour straight to 3:00 AM. That is not what it feels like, however.
Check your schedule that day to set realistic expectations. Are you really going to be chipper enough at 8:00 in the morning to deal with that extra difficult tenant? Or should you instead plan to do the less emotionally-taxing projects such as data entry so you can pout over getting less sleep than you typically desire. If you’re a fan of getting the early worm or morning glory, go right ahead. If you’re a fellow member of the Grouch Club, well, no one is going to judge you for making an extra stop at Starbucks.
Daylight Savings time is so much more fun in the fall when it feels like the day is handing over more time. With the spring, there is more of a trade. With shorter days comes pretty flowers, so keep that twist in mind. Are you ready for the time change?
