Try This December Home Maintenance And Inspection Routine

Homeownership is one of the single biggest investments one will ever make. That is why proper home maintenance is so important. 

Regular home maintenance enhances the properties economic age (the number of years a house is expected to survive), ensures safety, prevents simple upkeep from turning into costly repairs and may even reduce energy consumption. 

Having a well-maintained home provides piece of mind and increases re-sale value. 

Greenwood Real Properties has put together a monthly checklist, home improvement and inspection routine for readers to follow. 

1. Review emergency procedures and practice fire drill escape routes. Every family should have an emergency escape plan in place and know how to evacuate in the case of fire. An emergency escape ladder stored in the upper floor of your home may save the resident and their family. One can get a decent one for under $100, and it could prove to be invaluable if ever needed.
2. Reverse direction of ceiling fans. Since hot air rises, fans should rotate clockwise to push the air down making the heating system more efficient
3. Replace filters in heating/cooling system and humidifier.  Change monthly during peak season no longer than three months dependent on filter type.  Not sure how to change the filter?  Click here.
4. Bleed the radiators. Don't know how? Click here http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-bleed-a-radiator.
5. Want to know how to maintain radiators? Click here http://www.doityourself.com/stry/maintainradiators.
6. Clean and inspect kitchen range exhaust filter.
7. Inspect toilets for any rocking motion. To repair a wobbly toilet click here for help http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1631558,00.html
8. Tune up fireplace and/or wood/pellet stove.
9. Inspect indoor and outdoor Christmas decorations and inspect lights and extension cords to see if replacements are needed.
10. Water Christmas tree daily and turn lights off before leaving home.
11. Mark driveway with stakes for snow.
12. Tune up snow shovel and snow-blower.
13. Leave cookies and milk for Santa. If not sure how, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yz7vL4I0Cg
14. Enjoy your holidays.

How important is preventative maintenance? Without it, a home could easily lose 10 percent to 12 percent of its appraised value. 

Researchers suggest that regular maintenance increases the value of a house by about 1 percent a year. However, professional appraisers are quick to point out any gain is typically offset by the ongoing cost of maintenance. According to the U.S. Census, over time, annual maintenance can cost upwards to $3,300, or 1 percent to 3 percent, of a home's initial cost dependant on its geographic location. To put this in perspective: owners of a $200,000 house should plan to budget $2,000 to $6,000 per year for ongoing maintenance and upkeep depending on the age of the home.

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