Create the Ultimate Home Maintenance Checklist
There is plenty that goes into caring for, owning, and preserving a home. When it comes to maintenance, the list can seem endless, and there are never enough hours in the day or funds in the bank to accomplish this. Once you buy a home, it is easy to forget about all the maintenance to keep the home in tip-top shape. Before you know it, there are higher repair costs on your hands. If so, don't worry, this article has plenty of handy tips equipped with a checklist that helps solve this problem easily.
Continue to read to find out the ultimate home maintenance checklist to keep your house in tip-top shape.
Why Is Regular Home Maintenance Important?
Why is it important to perform regular home maintenance tasks? Regular home maintenance will protect your investment and minimize the total repair costs. Your home is one of the biggest investments you might ever make, and you want to keep it in good, working order. It is easy to fall into the bad habit of being reactive and not proactive–when something breaks or leaks, it is time to fix it when it may have been cheaper to change, fix, or maintain what breaks beforehand.
How Much Will You Spend on Home Maintenance?
We reached out to Bob Jamison of Tuscana Properties for his advice on budgeting for home maintenance:
"Homeowners who do regular home maintenance can expect to spend between 1 and 4% of their home's value on maintenance each year. This is the reality of homeownership, and a little regular maintenance throughout the year reduces big-ticket repair costs when least expected. Do you need an easy way to plan for this cost? Budget for it and set it aside in a dedicated home maintenance fund every year."
Important Home Maintenance Tasks
Among the most important home maintenance tasks, we recommend prioritizing the following:
- Changing HVAC Air Filters Monthly. Change the air conditioning and furnace filter of your HVAC monthly to keep the components inside your system clean and running properly.
- Clean Gutters Annually. Clean your gutters to ensure that they are working properly and reduce water damage to the foundation of your house and/or basement.
- Lubricate Doors and Windows. Lubricate doors and window hinges for ease of operation.
- Lubricate the Garage Door Opener. Lubricate the garage door opener track and rollers annually.
- Replace Weatherstripping. Replace all the weatherstripping at doors periodically, especially when repainting.
- Cleaning Your Dishwasher. Clean out the inside of the dishwasher regularly, especially the screens and reservoir.
- Wash Windows Annually. Wash screens and windows annually.
- Cleaning Your Refrigerator Coil. Clean the coil of your fridge on the backside.
- Trim Vegetation. Stay on top of tree, bush, and shrub trimming away from your house, as it helps to prevent exterior damage due to pests and deterioration.
The Easiest Home Maintenance: Observe Your Home and Walk Around
Something that is lacking in home maintenance often involves homeowners walking around their houses looking at things. Doing this regularly can help you notice changes and/or damages, including the following:
- Inspect Faucets, Sinks, and Pipes. Make sure to look under the sinks for leaks, clogs, and/or corrosion.
- Checking Toilets. Check the toilet for damage to components or leaks.
- Look Inside Utility Rooms. Check for corroded or leaking water or drain piping inside your utility room.
- Inspecting Water Heaters. Give your water heater a look-over and check for any damage.
Utilize a Checklist
When you purchase a home and realize how much maintenance you should be doing, it can feel overwhelming. That is the beauty of using a home maintenance checklist throughout the year. Tackle small tasks and quick checks seasonally, monthly, and annually to simplify your upkeep. It will be a more sustainable routine over time. A checklist can come in handy if you have to sell your home or are planning on doing so. Ideally, you will have fewer repairs to complete ahead of selling an easy maintenance record you can pass on to the buyer.
Conclusion
When you buy a house, that is not the end of the story but the beginning. Maintenance is one of the more expensive aspects of owning a home, but if you stay on top of it and regularly maintain your home, chances are, it will treat you right. From understanding why home maintenance is important and how much you will eventually spend on it to discovering the tasks to keep up with that are more important, this article is here to guide you in finding the best way to maintain your home. Trust your real estate professionals at Coastal Realty Group to guide you in finding your dream home in the scenic and unforgettable neighborhoods that make up the Forgotten Coast of Florida today.
