Caring for Your Home: Fall Maintenance Checklist

Whether you’ve just bought your first home or have lived in your place for a decade or more, consistent maintenance is critical – not only to keep your house in good working order but to enhance your property’s value. Future Buyers can tell when a home has been well-maintained, and this gives them confidence in making a purchase. Not only do well-maintained homes command higher prices, but the process of selling them is easier because home inspection snags are avoided.

We’ve listened to countless home inspectors identifying issues of concern. We’ve come to understand what needs to be done on a seasonal basis to keep a home in tip-top shape. We’ve counseled sellers who are preparing their homes for sale and have to address what years of deferred maintenance have done to their property, often at great expense. By following our simple seasonal protocol, you will be able to address small issues before they become large, expensive ones – saving you money in the long term.

Roof

Inspect roof surface, flashing, eaves, and soffits. Repair if needed before winter weather hits.

Gutters and Downspouts

Clean out when leaves are done falling. Check for proper slope. Make sure downspouts drain water away from the foundation. Make sure the underground drainage system is functioning.

Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler System

Shut off valves to outdoor faucets. Open spigots and drain, and store hoses. Don’t forget to winterize your sprinkler system.

Yard

Rake leaves and aerate the lawn. Take care of any insect or vermin problems you may have. See if any trees or shrubs need to be trimmed. Take down limbs that are dead or dying to prevent them from falling during winter storms. Clean and store your outdoor furniture in a dry place. Empty ceramic pots and store them in your garage or basement so they don’t crack.

Winter Necessities

Have sidewalk salt, good shovels, etc., ready for winter. Be prepared for that first snow! Order your seasoned firewood and store it outside, covered with a tarp. Update your emergency supply kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, a first-aid kit, food, water, and a portable radio.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Test batteries and replace if needed. Consider replacing old detectors with new ones with “10-year sealed batteries” as these are preferred.

Air Conditioning/Heating Systems

Remove and store all window AC units. Have your system inspected annually by a professional. Schedule an inspection in late summer/early fall before the heating season
begins. If you have a system with filters, change the filter every 3 months.

Clothes Dryer

Vacuum lint from ducts and surrounding areas.

Range Hood

Wash fan blades, housing, and screen.

Refrigerator

Vacuum the coils, change the air and water filters.

The Allison Ziefert Real Estate Group is a top-producing real estate team based at Compass in Short Hills, NJ. We are local market experts, specializing in real estate and homes in Maplewood, South Orange, Millburn/Short Hills, Montclair, West Orange, NJ, and the surrounding towns. We are driven by earning great testimonials and referral business from happy clients. You can read our testimonials here.