When selling your home, there are things you can and can't control. The three items in which you and your Realtor have control of are price, marketing and the condition of your home. The price is something that will be agreed upon between you and your Realtor and the marketing will usually be your agent's responsibility. The condition of your propoerty will be the responsibility of you the homeowner.
Sometimes people wait a little too long before they decide to get their home ready to sell. This blog is geared more towards things you can do on an annual basis to help keep you home in good repair and safe condition. Keeping a schedule is very important. Try to keep it current by routinely completing tasks and marking when the task was done. By doing this, you could save yourself both time and money in the future as well as prevent damage to your home.
Below is a chart to help you keep track of maintaining your home. If you do not know how or do not feel comfortable doing any of the following, you should contact a professional.
| Items to be Checked | Quarterly | Spring | Fall | Annually |
| Exterior |
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| Roof |
| X | X |
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| Check for leaks |
| X | X |
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| Check for damaged, loose or missing shingles |
| X | X |
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| Check vents, louvers and chimneys for birds’ nests, squirrels or insects |
| X | X |
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| Check flashing around roof stacks, vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks |
| X | X |
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| Check chimneys for deteriorating bricks and mortar |
| X | X |
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| Keep tree limbs away from roof | X |
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| Gutters and Downspouts |
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| Check for leaking, misaligned or damaged gutters and downspouts |
| X | X |
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| Remove debris from gutters and downspouts | X |
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| Exterior Walls |
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| Check brick walls for deteriorating bricks and mortar |
| X | X |
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| Check siding for damage, warping or rot | X |
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| Check painted surfaces for flaking or damage |
| X | X |
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| Trim shrubbery around walls | X |
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| Doors and Windows |
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| Check caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows |
|
| X |
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| Check glazing putty around window panes |
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| X |
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| Check window and door screens; patch or replace as needed | X |
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| Lawn and Garden |
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| Remove tree limbs, branches or debris that can attract insects |
| X | X |
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| Maintain grading sloped away from foundation walls |
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| X |
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| Driveways, Walkways and Patios |
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| Check for cracks or deterioration. Reseal or repair if necessary |
| X | X |
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| Clean and store patio furniture |
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| X |
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| Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
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| Check operation |
| X | X |
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| Change batteries |
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| X |
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| Heating and Cooling |
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| Remove debris around units. Clean with garden hose. |
| X | X |
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| Remove window air conditioner or protect with weatherproof cover |
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| X |
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| Replace or clean air conditioner and furnace filters |
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| X |
| Service heating system and heat pump |
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| X |
| Clean and service humidifier |
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| X |
| Check for signs of leakage from water heater. Drain to remove any sediment. |
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| X |
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| Faucets |
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| Check interior and exterior faucets for leaks; replace washers if necessary | X |
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| Drain outside faucets |
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| X |
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| Attic |
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| Check for leaks | X |
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| Check insulation. Replace or add as necessary |
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| X |
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| Check for signs of birds, squirrels, raccoons etc. Remove | X |
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| Check for proper ventilation |
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| X |
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| Basement |
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| Check for dampness and leakage after wet weather | X |
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| Check for insects |
| X | X |
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| Baths |
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| Check for evidence of leaks around toilet, under sinks | X |
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| Check grout on ceramic tile | X |
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| Kitchen |
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| Check for leaks under sink, around dishwasher | X |
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| Clean refrigerator coils at the rear of the unit |
| X | X |
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| Electrical |
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| Check all wiring and plugs for wear or damage. Replace if required. | X |
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While completing this list, there are some safety tips you should follow.
- Know the location of the main water shut off valve
- Know the location of the main electrical disconnect or breaker
- Know the location of the main emergency shut off switch for heating system
- Mark and label each circuit in the electrical panel box
- Call a licensed electrician if fuse blows frequently or circuit breaker trips frequently
