Maintaining A Home's Value

Maintaining A Home- September Monthly Maintenance Checklist

Regular home maintenance is vital to maintaining the value of a home or from an appraiser’s standpoint, it enhances the property's economic age: the number of years a house is expected to survive. 

Proper home maintenance enhances a home’s beauty (curb appeal), ensures safety and prevents simple upkeep from turning into costly repairs. To assist our fellow homeowners in achieving this objective, Greenwood Real Properties/Keller Williams Realty has put together a monthly checklist, home improvement and inspection routine for readers to follow. 

Interior

1. Get in the habit of checking the fire extinguisher(s), carbon monoxide and smoke detectors four times a year. 
2. Close the crawlspace vents to reduce heat loss.
3. Inspect the attic and crawlspace in the house for any unwanted guests such as small animals or insects. Plug any holes that they may have entered through.
4. Schedule an HVAC inspection and cleaning. Have an efficient system ready to go to work. Install that setback thermostat you keep procrastinating about!
5. Vacuum and clean heat registers and cold air returns.
6. Clean and inspect the inside of the chimney and fireplace. If masonry, examine carefully for cracks in the brick/block.
7. Lubricate, test and clean sump pump in basement or crawl space.
8. Always be sure to change/clean your furnace/air conditioning filter monthly during peak heating/cooling season. We recommend going no longer than three months dependent on the filter type.  

Exterior

1. Inspect entry door weather stripping, caulking around windows and doors and replace as needed.
2. Check roof vents and clean or repair as needed.
3. Inspect roof and chimney caps. Repair as needed.
4. Inspect the exterior of the house for any holes, cracks or large dents that need attention.
5. Clear outdoor vent of lint build up in clothes dryer
6. Trim shrubbery away from siding.     
7. Lay in a fresh supply of firewood.
8. Put your gardens to bed for the winter.  

Brian Greenwood is an owner/partner at Greenwood Real Properties/Keller Williams Realty with offices in Canton and Westwood.