One of the most common deterrents to potential buyers is deferred maintenance. Keeping up with routine maintenance is critical in preparing your home to shine in a future sale – whether it be today, in two years or in twenty years. Attentive care along the way can save you a lot of dough in the long game.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’d like to suggest a few tasks that will keep your most valuable asset in tip-top shape. You can prevent problems from spiraling into more expensive repairs by thinking like a home inspector and taking action each month to maintain the inside of your home. You can download a printable version of this checklist here.
January
Declutter: Start the year off by checking your storage rooms, junk drawers, game closets, and other hidden areas that tend to collect things you don’t use often, then donate to a local organization. Need a little motivation? Check out these blog posts about decluttering and the Marie Kondo Method. Having a low-clutter home makes it possible to closely monitor the structure of your home and decluttering is usually one of the biggest tasks people face when preparing to sell a home. Chip away at it to reduce stress when it comes time to move.
February
- Flat Surfaces: Deep clean your carpets and rugs. Check if your carpet has a warranty and review instructions carefully before using any DIY products.
- Filters: Clean your dishwasher and range hood filters; change fridge and water filters. Order new ones if needed.
- Electrical Test: Walk room by room and check all outlets, switches and fixtures. Replace lightbulbs.
March
- HVAC: Get a tune up on your AC unit before technicians get super busy.
- Air: Check room by room for any drafty air coming in through windows or doors and seal them up to make your systems run more efficiently.
- Tighten Up: Walk your entire home with a screwdriver and tighten light switches, hardware, door knobs and cabinet hinges.
April
- Air Filters: Change your air filters after winter months and before summer.
- Garage: Start decluttering your garage and make space functional for summer activities. Clear away debris and make sure doors are operating properly. Hop on YouTube to watch some tutorials on tightening and lubricating your hinges, bearings and springs and prolong garage door life. Power wash the inside and outside to enhance curb appeal.
May
- Windows: Wash your windows inside and out. Let us know if you’d like recommendations for local professional window washers.
- Refresh Window Coverings: Vacuum blinds, shutters and drapes.
- Deep Clean Bathrooms: Scrub tiles and grout, clean vents and sanitize surfaces and corners thoroughly.
June
- Detectors: Test and change your carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries.
- Water Heater: Flush water from your water heater and water softener to prevent sediment buildup. YouTube can guide you through this process.
- Get Your Ladder Out. Dust your ceiling fans. Clean your light fixtures to brighten up your rooms. Change hard-to-reach light bulbs while you’re up there.
July
- Appliances: Unplug, pull out and clean behind your washer, dryer, oven and fridge. Bonus points for cleaning the insides of the appliances while you’re at it.
- Vents: Detach your dryer vents and blow out to prevent fires from lint buildup and maximize efficiency.
- Chimney: Clean your chimney, check gas lines and prepare for winter by getting technicians when they’re less busy and less expensive.
August
- Windows: Clean your windows inside and out.
- Pest Control: Prepare your home for unwelcome guests during winter months. Message us for the best spider spray and rodent bait!
- Inspect Fire Extinguishers: Ensure they are easily-accessible and not expired.
September
- Seal up cracks: Re-caulk and grout around sinks, bathtubs, and tile.
- Touch Up Paint: Repair chips or scuffs on walls and baseboards.
- Attic and Basements: Inspect the places you don’t treat often for leaks, pests, or insulation issues.
October
- Filters: Change your air filters again after summer and before winter.
- Check for Water Damage: Walk the perimeter of each room in your home and check for water damage or potential leaks in preparation for changing seasons.
- Polish Wood Furniture and Floors: Protect surfaces against dry winter air and repair as needed.
November
- Soak Faucets and Fixtures. Detach and soak your faucets, drain covers and plugs in vinegar to dissolve hard water buildup.
- Clean Drains: Snake sinks and toilet drains to prepare for holiday guests.
- Plumbing: Inspect plumbing in bathrooms and kitchens, garages and storage areas and insulate exposed pipes for freezing risks.
December
Clean the Garbage Disposal: Use ice, baking soda, and citrus rinds to eliminate odors.
One of our favorite sayings is “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and it’s certainly true when it comes to home maintenance. We have a robust list of trusted vendors who can make these tasks a breeze and keep all of the systems in your home running smoothly. Reach out to your agent and they will gladly share it with you. We promise it will pay off in the long run! Stay tuned for an upcoming article about exterior maintenance.
Niche Homes Realtor Betsy Broadwater has been supporting clients with their homeownership goals from Stansbury Park to Olympus Cove and Bountiful to Saratoga Springs. She’s an expert in national and international relocation to and from Salt Lake City, with a focus on working with refugee families resettling in Utah.
