Most of us have learned the hard way that a home will not maintain itself and we ought to budget for routine maintenance and repair for the house and yard. High cost, irregular expenses will occasionally occur as our homes age. Expenses such as interior and exterior painting, repairs or replacement of the heating and air conditioning units and appliances, floor coverings and roof surfaces can often surprise you.

Experts recommend setting aside 1-3 percent of the market value of your home each year to pay for maintenance and repair costs. Even though all of these funds may not be needed if your home is new, the accumulated amounts will help you prevent a budget crisis when it is time for large future expenses such as re-roofing or replacing a heating unit. Preventative home maintenance helps provide a healthy, safe environment and it protects your growing investment. We suggest having a qualified home inspector inspect at least every ten years.

Some Suggested April Home Maintenance Items

1 .Mark and monitor small/hairline cracks in foundation. If stable after a few months fill with epoxy. If they've expanded beyond one half inch, call a structural engineer.

2. Inspect crawl spaces for seepage/leakage.

3. Inspect roof for any missing, loose or damaged shingles.

4. Check and clean AC/furnace systems. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations

5. Clean and/or replace the AC/furnace filters. Adjust thermostats for season change.

6. Check and clean gutters, downspouts and extensions and repair/replace as needed

7. Do a safety check: smoke detectors, fire escape routes, fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide alarms and window locks.

8. If you have a fireplace check flue to make sure it is closed for warmer weather.

9. Scrape, caulk and paint any wood surfaces that have peeled or weathered.

10. Clean and inspect windows, windows sills and caulking.