Health & Fitness
Follow This April Home Maintenance Checklist and Inspection Routine
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 dependent on its geographic location.
Homeownership is one of the single biggest investments one will make in our lifetime.
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 resale value.
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To support homeowners in achieving this objective, Greenwood Real Properties has put together a monthly checklist, home improvement and inspection routine to follow.
- Replace filters or wash permanent ones in heating system. To learn how, click here.
- Change batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
- Reset clocks and clocks in electronics for Daylight Saving Time.
- Turn off water supply to humidifier located on furnace.
- Tune up gas grill.
- Tune up lawn mower and other power equipment. To learn how, click here.
- Prepare garden plots.
- Inspect the siding and foundation for damage from pests, cracks or weather
- Inspect insulation for gaps and remove vent covers.
- Inspect heat pump or air conditioning unit and clear debris.
- Turn on outdoor water spigots.
- Apply pre-emergent on lawns to curb growth of weeds.
How important is preventative maintenance? Without it, a home could easily lose 10 percent to 12 percent of its appraised value.
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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 dependent 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 w/Offices in Canton, Easton and Westwood.