School is coming to an end and the summertime is here! Amongst your summer vacations and bar-b-ques by the pool, make sure your home is properly maintained to withstand the summer climate conditions with the following tips:

• Replace air filters.
• Check moisture at the foundation. If the dirt is pulling away, water the foundation. Do not let the yard around your foundation go more than 20 days without moisture. If it doesn’t rain, lightly and evenly water the yard around your foundation. Don’t forget to water the threshold between your driveway and garage too!
• Wash driveway, patio and walkways as necessary.
• To keep the airflow balanced, adjust the air register grills or switch the ceiling fan rotation as necessary. Unbalanced airflow is often most noticeable at the beginning of summer.
• Eliminate wasted energy by unplugging chargers, electronic devices, and turning off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Clean and repair gutters.
• Prepare for the 2010 hurricane season by following the instructions found on the National Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org/.

1701 (Monte Carlo), 1705 (Barcelona) and 1709 (Florence) West T. C. Jester are being framed this week and will be listed on www.har.com and MLS the first week of February.

Please contact Sandcastle Homes for pricing information!

#1 If you’re turning on your heater for the first time this year, don’t mistake the burnt, mechanical smell for natural gas. When the heater is turned on after a long period of non-use, it may emit a burnt smell; this is normal and will dissipate after a few hours.

#2 When you turn on your gas fireplace for the first time, don’t worry if it doesn’t start right after you press the “On” button. The gas line may need to prime if the fireplaces has not been used for an extended period of time. Wait a few minutes then try it again.

#3 If you’re leaving town for the holidays and it’s forecasted to freeze, protect your pipes by leaving your faucets dripping slightly or by shutting off your main water line, then draining all of your faucets.

#4 Remember to cover your plants and bring your pets indoors if it’s forecasted to freeze!

#5 When decorating for the holidays, be careful not to overload your circuits with too many lights.

#6 If you plan on deep frying a turkey this year, don’t use the deep fryer in your garage! If you’re deep frying in your driveway, be careful of dripping grease, which will stain your concrete.

#7 Burning candles, especially scented, colored candles with lead wicks, can release soot into the air. As the air is circulated and forced under closed under closed doors, it can stain carpets and trim. It’s best to only burn candles for a short period of time, avoid candles with lead wicks and leave all interior doors open while burning candles.

#8 Be especially mindful of your personal safety during this time of year. If you’re unloading gifts from your car into your home, don’t leave the garage door open!

The H-E-B Holiday Parade continues a 60-year holiday tradition, showcasing the Houston community through floats, balloons and live entertainment to more than 400,000 parade-goers lining the streets. The parade weaves through downtown Houston beginning at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning. For more information on the H-E-B Holiday Parade, please click here.

The 24th annual Uptown Holiday Lighting event takes place on Thanksgiving Day, kicking off at 4 p.m. with food and live music. At 7 p.m., Santa Clause lights up Post Oak Boulevard with more than half a million holiday lights, followed by a fireworks extravaganza. The event benefits Sheltering Arms Senior Services and Be An Angel. For more information, please click here.