Seasonal maintenance reminders

No matter how nice a home may appear to be, if it's not well maintained, it can quickly lose its value — especially if you’re trying to sell.

“As with anything, a home requires a great deal of attention and care,” explains Canadian Realtor Norm Jensen. “While not as noticeable as a car or electronic device, homes experience a great deal of wear and tear, braving the elements on a daily basis. This is why regular maintenance is so important. By keeping your home in good condition, you preserve its value and protect your investment.”

Home maintenance doesn't always have to be a tedious and expensive proposition. By routinely addressing the following issues, you too can ensure that your home is always in the best shape possible:

1. Pay attention to the driveway. By periodically checking for damage and repairing loose or broken paving stones and small cracks in the asphalt, homeowners can preserve their driveway's functionality and appearance. Consider applying sealer every three to five years in order to protect your driveway and freshen up your property's look.

2. Clean your gutters. An eavestrough system plays a crucial role in diverting water away from the house. With regular maintenance of this system, homeowners can help prevent water from seeping into wood siding, concrete and masonry, avoiding costly repairs.

3. Check your air conditioning unit. Ensure peak performance and lower monthly utility bills by having a qualified professional look at your air conditioning unit annually.

4. Seal up your foundation. Every spring, be sure to take a look around your house for signs of problems such as crumbling paint or water marks on interior walls. If any are found, chances are there is a crack in your home's foundation. Be sure to repair and seal these thoroughly as they can create rather expensive problems down the road.