Fall Maintenance Projects for Home Sellers

Taking care of fall home projects is especially important when your home is up for sale, or will be soon. Just because you may not be your home’s owner next year, doesn’t mean you should forget about your fall maintenance responsibilities. The reason for these annual projects is to stretch your investment dollar ~ by completing the maintenance each year, you extend the life of your home’s fixtures and appliances. A few bucks spent now can save you a bundle in the long run.

And remember, any prospective buyer will almost certainly have a home inspection completed before your sale is finalized ~ it’s a requirement for most lenders. It is the home inspector’s job to find existing defects in your home and most will also point out annual maintenance issues. Since home buyers have a tendency of overestimating repair and maintenance (especially if they are first time homeowners), it’s in your best interest to eliminate as many of the smaller projects as possible. Here’s a list of the most common fall maintenance projects to get your started.

Roof – You want to be certain that your roof is in good shape for the upcoming seasonal weather. You can use a ladder for a visual check for loose or missing shingles. Repairs should be made quickly as loose or missing shingles can lead to leaks in your roof.

Chimney & Fireplace – As a general rule, it’s good to have any actively used chimney (and fireplace) inspected and cleaned once a year. A licensed chimney sweep can clean out your chimney as well as check it for cracks, leaks, clogs which can lead to problems with chimney fires, carbon monoxide, as well as ventilation issues. It’s a relatively inexpensive maintenance, but well worth the price.

Gutters – The Fall is also a great time to have your gutters cleaned. Clogged gutters can lead to any number of problems, including inspect infestations, water damage, wood rot, as well as damage to the gutters themselves. Depending on how comfortable you are with a ladder, gutters can be cleaned with a small shovel and a hose. It’s important as well to clean out all the downspouts and remove any debris from screens. It’s also relatively inexpensive to hire a local professional

Your Siding & Home Exterior – It’s a good time to inspect the exterior of your home for leaks in the your siding. Cracks can usually be sealed with caulk inexpensively. Also, make sure all branches and plants are trimmed back away from the home’s exterior and any debris, leaves, etc. near the home are cleaned up. In addition to a nicer appearance, you’ll be eliminating areas that attract pests and can lead them into your home.

Your Windows and Your Doors – Replace all your screens with storms. Wash screens before putting them in storage. Make certain all the windows and seals are tight to avoid unnecessary leaks. Replace any damaged weather stripping on the bottom of your garage door and/or any exterior household doors. Damaged weather stripping can lead to leaks, unwanted pests, and warped/damaged doors.

Your Outside Taps, & Your Exterior Plumbing – It’s important to avoid problems with frozen and burst pipes. Shut off the water supply to outside taps, pipes, and sprinkler systems. Drain them completely. Make sure all interior pipes that are close to exterior walls have the proper insulation.

Your Furnace & Your Heating System – Replace your filter and consider hiring a professional service for fall/winter maintenance of the furnace and/or water heater. If your ducts have not been cleaned in several years, you may want to consider hiring a service to have it done. If it has been done annually, you may just need to remove the vents and vacuum out the debris.

Most of these projects can be handled relatively quickly and inexpensively. If problems are found and repairs are needed, you will be in a much better position as a seller. Being aware of any problems or issues gives you the option of making repairs yourself. And while no one want to find any major problems, it’s always better to have the option of disclosing “New roof”, than for a buyer to read “Roof needs to be replaced” in their home inspection report.

Article Source: http://www.realestate-articles.info

Fall Maintenance Projects for Home Sellers by Brent Hathaway

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