Spring has officially sprung in 43209 and it's time to tackle those annual checklist items that keep your home in tip-top shape.

If you don't have an "annual checklist", don't worry! Here's a quick guide to the most important features of your home that when consistently serviced will make sure the value of your largest asset continues to grow.

• Replace filters in your AC/Furnace (HVAC)

• Check windows & doors for cracks in your weatherstripping

• Clean out your dryer vents

• Seal up any cracks or holes on the outside of the home that critters may enter from

• Clean out gutters and downspouts

These items will get your house ready for the spring but they'll also make sure your home is ready to list for sale. You may not be thinking about listing right now but 43209 continues to be hot. Between March 7th and April 7th, there were 26 home sales. In the same time period, one month prior, there were 21 home sales, a 19% increase. This most recent time period also showed an average sale price of $493,000 (+18%) and 13.7 (-63%) days on the market versus $401,000 average price and 37.6 days on market.

While this may be a blip on an already rocky real estate market, it also may be the start of an uptrend that can't be ignored.