If you're like most people, your home is one of, if not THE largest investment you'll ever make and maintaining it is key to protecting its value. With Spring upon us, there's no better time to put a little sweat equity into your home!

This list is a great start to getting your home in great shape, now, and when you're ready to sell!

If you're heading to the Rochester Area Builders Home Show this year, make sure you stop by "Once Upon a Playhouse."

Family Service Rochester is once again raffling off four custom built playhouses. They all have two stories and are finished both inside and out. But each one has its own theme.

     "People who have young kids know they want to get down here. They know they want to see them. They know their kids want to see them. But I would tell other people, if you didn't have kids, you still want to check this out because I guarantee you were a kid once and it brings you back to this happy place in childhood where you just think about, oh that would be so much fun!" says Brenda Walker.

Last year the event raised $40,000, all of which went to Family Service Rochester's domestic violence programs.

Information from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division reminds Minnesotans to celebrate safely this holiday season, keeping in mind the added fire risks our holiday traditions bring with them.

The period between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day typically includes more fire fatalities than any other week of the year. On average, 121 structure fires occur each week in Minnesota; during the week of Christmas that number spikes to 189. These patterns are due primarily to additional cooking and increased use of candles, fireplaces and electric lights.

Fortunately, awareness and caution can keep the festivities from destroying our homes and holidays, says State Fire Marshal Jerry Rosendahl. “Personal responsibility is the key to fire safety.  We must look for potential threats and proactively prevent trouble.