General: Home Maintenance
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Maintenance is not much fun, but in our experience it is the most valuable thing you can do for your house. It extends the life of your home and prevents surprise problems caused by neglect. See the article linked below for more tips.
Every home needs some amount of upkeep. Smoke detectors, gutters, caulking, paint and similar items all need ongoing care. Repainting windows, changing batteries, trimming shrubs and clearing leaves out of gutters should be done, or at least checked, once a year.
DIY Annual Maintenance Checklist
Change Those Batteries
Many safety devices and detectors have backup batteries that need to be replaced regularly. Check each device's owner's manual for its specific requirements. Don't be the person who tosses a smoke detector into the garage when it starts chirping.
Don't Forget Your Mechanicals!
Furnace filters are an often neglected maintenance item. Clean or change yours every 1 to 3 months.
Do an Annual Check
Home maintenance involves more than what is listed on this page. A good rule of thumb is to go through your entire house, from attic to basement, at least once a year.