A home is often our greatest asset, but it comes with a lot of maintenance musts that can easily outstrip us. Take the hassle out of keeping up with your home's needs with this advice from realtor Jessica Chavanne-Williams of Century 21 Ramos Realty.
Make It Monthly
“Between work, school, kids and other commitments, we understandably can put home maintenance and care on the back burner,” Chavanne-Williams says. To keep value up and vexation at a minimum, schedule a handful of timely tasks to tackle throughout each month, and you can rest easy knowing nothing is slipping beneath your notice. Chavanne-Williams offers a monthly checklist on her Instagram account, @jess_listed. Start here for inspiration and add in any needs unique to your home and lifestyle. It might feel like homework (pun intended!), but a little loyalty to your home along the way can divert bigger, more expensive fixes down the road, and reward you with a better payoff if you decide to sell.
The Ravages of Winter
So what are our homes crying out for in the month of March? Provided the snow has cleared and the freeze has thawed, it's time to take stock of any damage done by winter's harsh weather.
Inspect your roof for missing shingles, damaged or missing pipes, and anything that seems out of place. “If you notice anything needs a closer inspection,” Chavanne-Williams warns, “be sure to call a roofing expert!” Concrete and asphalt go through the wringer as they repeatedly freeze and thaw, and Chavanne-Williams points out that if you're selling, sidewalk damage can get flagged during city inspection.
As the weather warms, prepare for the deluge of spring rains by having gutters and downspouts cleaned, making sure they aren't allowing water to drain toward your foundation.
Spring is the time to have your AC serviced and freshen up the filter so you can take future heat waves in stride. “No one wants to be surprised with a broken air conditioner when they need it the most,” Chavanne-Williams advises.
Spring Cleaning
Sweep away the musty winter mess with a manageable morsel of spring cleaning this month (after all, spring continues across April and May). Chavanne-Williams suggests the following items:
- Wash linens—think of all those blankets lying around, stuffed in the closet or draped over the couch.
- Wash your windows and put in screens—it's time to open them up and let in the fresh air!
- Flip your mattresses.
- Deep clean the kitchen—clean the backsplash, wipe down cabinets inside and out, clean under appliances, wipe down and disinfect your microwave, refrigerator and other high-traffic appliances.
- Organize the pantry and be sure to throw out expired products.
- Spot-clean your furniture.
- Clean out the garage—plan for a yard/garage sale!
Get Ready to Garden
March may come in like a cold, mucky lion, but it's time to look forward to gentle warmth and green growing things, perhaps starting spring seedlings indoors. Get organized with gardening plans and yard clean-up now, and it'll be smoother sailing as you usher your seedlings or starters into the ground in the coming months.
Whether you have vegetable gardens and flower beds or landscaping to maintain, it's time to look at your lawn-care equipment for any needful services or repairs. “Before you know it, you'll be trimming the bushes and cutting the grass,” Chavanne-Williams says, “so it's best to have that equipment ready to go.”
Selling Season
If this is the year you're looking to sell your home, spring is the perfect time. Buyers are moving out of sluggish hibernation, feeling fresh and ready to take on the house hunt. “A well-maintained home and documentation of how it was maintained is extremely valuable to your potential buyers,” Chavanne-Williams says.
Curb appeal takes off in the season of blue skies and tidy facades, so even pulling weeds and mulching garden beds can help make listing photos pop. Indoors, Chavanne-Williams always recommends decluttering and depersonalizing so that potential buyers can envision their life in your home. Packing away nonessentials for your future move can make this easier.
For optimal organization, Chavanne-Williams offers a downloadable Home Seller Bootcamp to seriously shape up your home for listing. Whether it's for future inhabitants or your own family, follow @jess_listed for regular checklists—your home will thank you!
Evergreen Efforts
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Clean the garbage disposal.
- Clean your kitchen vent hood.
- Walk the home's exterior to check for cracks in the foundation or standing water.
- Remove any debris from your drains.
- Check sinks and toilets for any leaks or running water.
Published as "Ask the Expert" in the March 2022 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
