Spring is here! Now's the perfect time to get moving on some projects that will prepare your home for the new season. Here are five of the easiest things you can do to get your house in order and freshen it up so you can enjoy the warm sunshine:

Clean, Clean, Clean
Spring is a fresh beginning, which makes it the ideal time to do some deep cleaning. Remember to work from top to bottom in any room—it's most efficient and ensures you'll get everything done. Begin by knocking down any cobwebs that have grown over the winter. Next, wash down walls, ceilings, trim work, and doors with a nontoxic cleaner that has a fresh scent. Don't forget to clean ceiling-fan blades, light fixtures, and air-conditioning and heat vents in each room. Now turn your attention to the floors. Move the furniture; vacuum, sweep, mop, or steam clean the flooring; and wipe off the baseboards.

Declutter and Organize
Take a look around your home and consider your organization. Are your possessions getting out of control, taking up more space than they should? Do you spend too much time searching for items in your mess? If so, it's time to remove unnecessary clutter and organize your belongings so that they're neatly put away and easy to find. Evaluate every item for its usefulness, whether you should keep it, and where. Unwanted items should be tossed out, donated, or sold as quickly as possible to avoid them being reabsorbed into the house.

Repair and Refresh
Start with the projects that you are confident you can accomplish on your own and take care of them one at a time. Inspect every room, making a list of things that need to be done and determining which ones are most important. To-dos such as replacing a leaky faucet or repairing a broken door should be higher on the list than, say, repainting the walls because leaving items in disrepair can cause more significant problems later. For repairs that you can't do yourself, or don't have time to do, call a professional.

Get Your Systems Serviced
Homeowners often forget about their home's heating and cooling systems until there's a problem and they have to call a professional. You can easily avoid this issue by changing your furnace filters and having the unit serviced before the end of the season. You should also think about the upcoming months when your air conditioner will be working overtime. By having your a/c unit serviced now, you can rest assured that when the mercury rises you'll be cool and comfortable. Plus, by being proactive you'll keep the cost of maintenance and repair low, allowing you to afford other fun things in life.

Remember the Exterior
Spend some time removing old plant material, trash, and other debris from around the house and yard. Clean up the entrance area and front of your home to give it a fresh, clean appearance and make it more inviting. When the weather permits, wash exterior windows and give your siding a good wash as well, making sure to get those gutters cleaned out. Grab some paint and touch up any areas that are looking dingy. Also, remember to have your roof inspected to make sure there's no damage or repairs you need to address.

Remember that your home is an investment, and it takes effort on your part to protect it. That means staying on top of cleaning and taking care of repairs immediately. But don't worry, you don't have to work at it all the time. Just a few hours on the weekend, or on your day off, can make a world of difference in the way your home looks and feels this spring and every season.