According to Jennifer Hupke, a top-selling agent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, failing to keep up with your home’s primary maintenance needs can reduce your selling price by at least $30k. Subsequently, the buyer starts thinking, “What else is wrong?” Though everyday chores like vacuuming are easy to keep up with, it’s the big-ticket items that are often neglected…and they become a real problem. Our maintenance guide will illustrate how making some minor investments of time and money annually will ultimately yield you a higher price when it comes to selling. Your furnace gathers a lot of dirt and debris. Have it regularly cleaned and serviced by a trusted technician to avoid costly repairs down the line, Unfortunately, problems can occur. Dead animals may get trapped in your furnace or ductwork. These complications are best tackled sooner rather than later, and regular maintenance work can help you get in front of these headaches. Hupke says that additionally, one of the most commonly neglected items is furnace filters. However, it’s an easy thing to maintain, as it only takes a moment to pop one out and replace it or vacuum it clean. If you go the vacuum route, verify that the filter doesn’t rip or tear. You typically want to replace your furnace filters every 2 to 3 months, on average. Pro tip: Hupke also suggests rubbing some essential oil on the filter to make the whole house smell nice. Don’t forget that your furnace is a focal point of the home inspection. If you maintain yours well, it will pass with flying colors. Buyers love a house with “good bones,” which means the functional and mechanical items (like the furnace) are in good working order. The home inspector will do it and so should you. If you live in an area where floods are a regular occurrence, you must have a working sump pump. Follow the pipes in your basement to the sump pump, and test it once a year to verify that it is working. Use this quick sump pump inspection guide from Roto-Rooter, a top plumbing service in the U.S. since 1935. Spring for the battery backup in case of power outages. You don’t want to wake up on the morning of a showing with a flooded basement. Poorly maintained gutters are the leading cause of foundation damage. If your foundation has mold or discoloration, your rain gutters may not work properly. Don’t forget about the downspouts when cleaning out the gutters! Without proper downspout drainage, you could have foundation problems or a wet basement.Get your furnace serviced by a professional.
Test your sump pump.
Clean out those gutters!
