Now that Labor Day is over, we can turn our attention inward and focus on getting things done around the house that maybe went undone during the busy summer months. Fall is a perfect time to get your house in order – whether you are buying a home, selling a home, or just protecting your Seattle real estate investment. Read here for our home fall maintenance tips.
Inspect your roof.
Before the winter rain starts inspect your roof for signs of damage that moisture frequently causes. Here’s what to look for: broken, damaged or missing shingles, cracked caulk or cracked rubber around vent pipes, over growth of moss or lichen which can mean decayed roof underneath. If you have trees close to the house, remove any branches that hang over the roof. By inspecting your roof every year, you can catch trouble spots before it becomes an expensive repair.
Clean your gutters.
The best time to clean out your home’s gutters and down spouts is after the trees are done dropping their leaves and before the heavy winter Pacific Northwest rains start. Keeping your gutters and down spouts clear helps keep the water off your roof and directs it to a drainage system away from the house.
Inspect the exterior paint of your home.
Inspect the exterior of your home for blistering or peeling paint. These are signs that the exterior paint is aging and needs to be repainted. Paint is not just for cosmetic improvements – it helps protect the siding as well. Investing in good quality paint can extend the life of the paint job, so it’s worth doing.
Maintain exterior walkways and lighting.
Well maintained paths and walkways around your home can be inviting and increase curb appeal. They can also serve the purpose of creating a safe route to and from your home, garage, driveway and garden. And don’t forget about the sidewalk in front of your home! In Seattle, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain and repair the sidewalk adjacent to their home. According to Seattle department of transportation “property owners [must] keep their sidewalks in good repair and safe for public travel”.
The exterior lighting around your home can enhance your home’s appeal, while also serving a very useful function of increasing the safety and security of your home. Installing low-voltage landscape lighting to illuminate the walkway to your front door inspires a sense of coming home. What better way to welcome family, friends and guests!
Service your furnace.
Keeping your furnace in good working order, especially over the colder months, is an important part of maintaining the comfort of your home. Schedule a maintenance visit with your local furnace company in early fall. Annual inspection, cleaning and replacing the air filter will help prevent untimely problems and costly repairs.
As a Seattle realtor, I see a lot of homes come and go on the market. A home that has been well maintained stands a much better chance of selling quickly, sometimes even above the asking price. Taking care of your home is as much about protecting your investment as it is about cherishing the home you live in.
