Every month, we share easy tasks you can do to keep your home in tip-top shape all year long.  So, here are 5 tasks that you can do in September to prepare your home for cool fall weather!

1.  Check Gutters:  Take a few minutes to make sure your gutters are clear.  With rain and falling leaves, gutters will be working overtime.  By making sure they're clear now, you'll avoid possible water damage later on.

Every month, we share easy tasks you can do to keep your home in tip-top shape all year long.  In August, we still have warm weather and a few summer days left to enjoy.  So, here are 4 things you can do for your home this month:

1.  Get Rid of Allergens:  Many people suffer from allergies due to dust mites.  But there are ways to rid your home of the dust without spending all day cleaning!  Look for where dust lurks.  Use a damp cloth to clean all window blinds and fan blades (here is a link to the pillowcase trick http://lifehacker.com/5823341/clean-your-ceiling-fan-easily-with-a-pillow-case ) once a month.  If you have carpet, make it a priority to vacuum on a regular basis.  These things will get rid of the dust and help to prevent allergies.

Claims can be a stressful process.  We've worked with our clients after car accidents, home fires, storm damage and even after a death in the family.  Claims are tied to the most stressful events in our lives - That is why it's extremely important that you work with an agent and a company that you trust.

After an insurance claim, you will work with an adjuster and appraiser to evaluate your loss.  Depending on the type of claim, they will examine the property and gather more information.  After gathering all necessary info, you will then be offered a settlement and the process will begin to restore your loss.

You purchase insurance in order to protect your home but there are other things you can do to protect your large investment as well.  Regular home maintenance is important and frequently overlooked.  We tend to forget about our HVAC systems until it quits working on a hot day! (I've been there..) That's why we are providing a few simple tasks you can do each month to keep your home in tip top shape all year long.

Here's where you can get started in July:

Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially when it doesn't move quickly.  WIth a new job looming, you may have no choice but to leave the home vacant until it sells.

The problem?  Vacant homes fall under different insurance rules and can leave you at risk.  Here are a few things you need to know before leaving town:

A vacant home is determined when there is not enough furniture inside for a reasonable person to live.  It can also apply if all the utilities have been shut off.  If a home is vacant, the insurance company can deny a claim or cancel the policy altogether (the rules vary by company).