PROPERTY NEWS - Summer is just around the corner - the season known for family braais, trips to the beach and warm lazy Sundays. It's time to get your home ready for the warm months ahead. Check out these tips on how to best prepare for the new season.

Inspect your air conditioning unit
There is nothing worse than going to crank up the air conditioning unit on a hot day, only to find that it's not performing at its best.

So, before the sweltering days of summer kick in, be sure to check that your air conditioning unit is in excellent condition to avoid being stuck in the stifling heat.

Consider replacing the filter in the unit. This will help to increase the efficiency of the air conditioner and it will also ensure a clean supply of air flow throughout the home.

Make room in the fridge
Winter is the season of comfort food. During this time, many of us are guilty of stocking up on our favourite foods to help keep warm and fight off the bitter cold.

But now that winter has come and gone, it's essential to give your kitchen cupboards and fridge a good clean-out.

Summer is the perfect time to empty out your freezer and defrost it. Not only will this help to melt away the icy build-up, but it gives you the opportunity to check the food contents of your fridge and to toss out any old food items that you no longer require or which have already expired. The extra room in your fridge will give you the space you need to stock up on your favourite summer treats.

Swap out your winter sheets
Ensuring your bedroom has light, cool bedding for the hot summer nights ahead is essential.

Swap out your winter comforter, flannel sheets, and woolly blankets and replace them with thinner, breathable material. To ensure a comfortable sleep, look for fabrics that promise to keep you cool and dry all night.

Ensure your bedroom has light, cool bedding.

Let the breeze in and keep the bugs out
View your home in a whole new light by prepping your home's windows. With winter out the door and summer creeping in, sun-kissed windows and sparkling clean glass are a must to reflect the bright and airy mood of the upcoming summer days. Start by switching out your dark, thick, curtains for sheer, lighter fabrics to help brighten up your home space. Winter is known for leaving layers of grit, grime and dirt, especially on windows around the house, which is why it is essential to give your windows a thorough wash, both inside and out. Instead of using a regular cloth and glass cleaner, consider using a water-vinegar solution, along with a squeegee for a more effective clean - you'll be amazed at the difference it makes. And while summer means more sunshine and warmer temperatures, it's also the time for bug invasions.

Take the necessary precautions to ensure you keep the creepy crawlies at bay.

Invite summer into your home
Simple, small interior changes are key to making any home fit for the summer. Flowers, for example; are an excellent way to dress up the inside of your home.

Not only are summer flowers bright and colourful but some are also incredibly fragrant, and perfect for adding a fresh touch around the house. Be sure to change up your home space by incorporating lighter and brighter accessories around the house and clear your home of any clutter. Pack away the heavy rugs, heaters and thick blankets to give your home a lighter feeling.

Change up your home space by incorporating lighter and brighter accessories.

Examine the outdoors
There's no doubt that summer is best spent outdoors, so take a moment to examine the outside structure of your home and its foundation.

If you happen to have any trees or shrubs lining the perimeter of your home, trim them down to ensure that they don't rub against the sides of your home. Tidying up the flower beds is also a great way to prepare the outside of your home for that summery look and feel.

This can be done by clearing out any weeds and redefining your flower beds and hedges with a spade, before applying approximately two to three inches of mulch to lock in the moisture. For those who fancy growing their own veggies, why not plant a few of your favourite summer vegetables in your back yard? Tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, and lettuce are a few summer veggies that thrive in hot weather.

Inspect your roof
Now that the temperatures are starting to heat up, summer is the ideal time to take a look at your gutters. Consider having your roof inspected by a professional so that any issues can be taken care of to avoid your home suffering from any leaks and water damage.

Prepare your home's patio
Cleaning up your patio furniture and floors is a fairly easy task. Simply hose off your outdoor furniture using a soapy solution to get rid of any stubborn dirt. If your patio or sundeck has flaking paint or any visible wood chips, this can be sanded down and resealed to keep the area from becoming mouldy. Accentuate the space with flower pots, scented candles and cushions to turn your patio into the ideal summer spot for you and your family.

Scrub down your braai stand
Before you fire up your grill to throw that much-anticipated braai and welcome in the summer season, be sure to remove any grease or residue left on the grill. A quick and easy way to get your braai stand clean is to warm up the grill for a few minutes as this will help loosen any stubborn, dry debris on the stand. Using soapy water and a scrub brush you will be able to easily remove the baked-on grease and restore your braai stand to its shiny self before kicking off your first summer soiree for the holidays.

Put the sparkle back into your pool
Getting your swimming pool ready for the season takes more than just filling it up and jumping in. If you're like most homeowners during winter, it's likely that you didn't make much use of your pool during the cold season. And after a long winter of hibernation, it is likely that your pool is now a tub of greenish water with an abundance of leaves and branches floating about.

So, before you throw your first pool party for the summer, it is essential to restore the water to its proper chemical balance. Start off by giving your pool a thorough clean by assembling the filtration system, cleaning out the baskets and clearing away any winter debris. To remove algae from the pool and restore its colour, consider using a pool maintenance kit which contains a shock kit, chemicals to stabilise your pH alkalinity and a chlorine stabiliser.

These items can be purchased from any pool or home maintenance store and are useful in eradicating bacteria and other contaminants. Many pools also lose water over the winter period, so give it a quick top-off to ensure it is at its optimal water level.

Finish off by getting your water professionally tested. This can be done at any pool store by simply taking in a sample of your pool water to get tested by a pool expert. Doing so will give you proper clarity on whether your pool water is safe to swim in.

Here, you will also be able to get advice on which chemicals need to be adjusted in your pool to ensure that the quality of your pool water is perfect.

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