Long & Foster offers home maintenance tips

Two Long & Foster agents have offered their recommendations on keeping your home in good shape. Their suggestions included tips that go beyond the usual yard care tasks and include helpful items that may not have been on your spring to-do list.

Long & Foster Realtor Stephanie Maric, of The Legal Team in the Columbia, Md., office, recommends doing at least one home improvement project per year to prevent being overwhelmed when selling your

home. Spring is a great time to take on your yearly home improvement projects, even if they’re simple tasks like trimming bushes and trees before they get too overgrown.

Maric offered some additional recommendations to do this month to keep your home in top shape.

• Check smoke detectors. Replace smoke detectors when they are 10 years old.

“New smoke detectors are on the market that last 10 years and include a builtin battery,” Maric said. “The batteries are made to last the 10-year lifespan of the unit, so you no longer hear that unexpected beeping or chirping sound when the battery is low.”

• Chimney sweep. Clean the chimney on a yearly basis to inhibit debris from collecting and becoming a fire hazard of its own.

• Termite inspection. Prevent damage caused by wood destroying insects by having an inspection done each spring.

“A termite inspection is done usually only when the home is purchased but is never done again,” Maric said. “Avoid surprises by having an inspection done while you occupy the home rather than finding out you have a problem when you sell.”

David Cooke, an associate broker in Long & Foster’s Old Ivy sales office in Charlottesville, Va., explained that in his area, as well as other rural areas, there are homes with wells and septic systems. He offers advice to anyone with a septic system or well to maintain them with the following steps.

• Septic system inspection. Have the system’s drain lines and distribution boxes inspected in the spring.

“It’s easier to access the system when the ground is not frozen,” Cooke said. “Buyers are choosing to have the septic system checked, so it’s a good idea to have a recent inspection certificate available to show them.”

• Well water testing. Ensure your well water is safe to drink by having it tested.

“Have your well water tested every year or two,” Cooke said. “Even if you’re not going to sell, it’s good to know that your water meets state requirements.”

If you’re planning to sell your home during this season, you’ll want to make sure it’s ready. Talk to your real estate agent about any other suggestions or maintenance tips they may have that will help to make your home an attractive and a special place to be acquired.