The holidays always take a chunk out of our bank accounts. The last thing any homeowner wants to experience after the holidays is the pain of having to dig even deeper to pay for a home repair. Of course, some projects come up unexpectedly and have to be addressed but taking a little bit of time to prevent a large (and expensive) maintenance-related repair can help immensely in the long run.
But where’s a good place to start? Luckily, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), has a great checklist to get homeowners started:
Check your gutters for seasonal debris. Make sure to remove leaves that have fallen into your gutters and check that pests or small animals did not seek shelter in them as they prepare for the colder months. Seasonal checks allow homeowners to ensure their gutters are in good condition, as it's common for underlying problems to appear during the winter.
Keep the winter weather outside by preventing drafts. Conserving energy at home is all about leaving the outdoor climate outside. Windows and doors are the main points of entry into your home for unwelcome weather and drafts, so investing in those is a sure way to keep winter weather from entering. Take simple steps like checking for holes in your screens, making sure your windows are the right choice for your region’s climate, and adding window film or insulation.
Confirm your gutters are the right size for your home. Sometimes gutters aren’t the right fit or size for a house, making it easier for the weather to damage other spaces through them. This is particularly common in older homes and is important for homeowners to assess before trouble starts surfacing.
Owning a home can be the key to financial stability for your family, but maintenance is key to making sure that your investment stays in good condition for years to come. If you have a home, or are looking to purchase property, be sure to utilize the expertise of a Realtor® in your real estate transactions. Realtors work for their communities every day. That’s Who We R®.