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.
Some projects pop up unexpectedly, though, and must be addressed, but taking a little time to prevent a large – and expensive – maintenance-related repair can help in the long run.
Where’s a good place to start? The National Association of Realtors has a great checklist to get homeowners underway.
Check gutters for 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.
Prevent 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.
Check size of gutters
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 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.
Founded in 1912, Greater Chattanooga Realtors is the voice for real estate in Greater Chattanooga. A regional organization with more than 2,700 members, Greater Chattanooga Realtors serves Hamilton and Sequatchie counties in southeast Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in northwest Georgia. The association is one of approximately 1,100 local associations and boards of Realtors nationwide that comprise the National Association of Realtors. Greater Chattanooga Realtors owns and operates a Multiple Listing Service that is one of approximately 600 MLSs in the country and services more than 3,000 MLS users. Local association membership consists of Realtors servicing the Greater Chattanooga area and specializing in a variety of disciplines, including appraisal, commercial, industrial, land, multifamily, property management and residential. Affiliate members who represent related industries work alongside these Realtors, including mortgage lenders, home inspectors, title and closing services, pest inspection and control services and insurance providers.