Your home is your most important investment. However, it is expensive, it has a low rate of return and it is definitely high maintenance. It is critical to create a maintenance plan for your home to ensure proper care so that its value does not decrease. There are several basic areas that require your attention.

Inspect the structure itself
This includes the foundation, roof, siding, gutters and windows. Self-inspecting these is not always possible, so pay a professional every few years to assess the condition of your home if you’ve never changed siding, roof or windows yet. Surprises are expensive, so it’s important to plan major maintenance and repairs and save some money to cover the costs when the time comes.

Inspect the plumbing
Plumbing repairs can also be costly. It is wise to purchase water and sewer lines protection. You can inquire about this type of insurance at your water company. It will cover several thousands of dollars if your internal or external water/sewer lines require repairs. Any time you notice a leak or notice your water bill increase, you should inspect the following:
• Pipes under the sinks. Check for signs of leaks.
• Faucets. Check around the faucets for signs of leaks.
• Washer. Make sure all of the hoses are in working order.
• Water heater (at least every 3 months). Check for signs of leaks, drain to remove any sediment.
• Toilets. Checks for leaks around the toilets and make sure that the plumbing inside of the tank is in working order.

Inspect the wiring
Wiring problems usually don’t exist in newer homes and can be difficult to pinpoint. If your breakers or fuses blow frequently or if you have to change your lights frequently; if your outlets suddenly quit working or you hear sizzling or crackling noises – you definitely need to check wiring. Always have a professional work on wiring. If you have trees or bushes right next to the structure, make sure you don’t let them interfere with the power lines.

Take care of the yard
Inspect your lawn for crabgrass, weeds and dandelions. If you find any, you may need to hire a lawn maintenance company periodically to eradicate all them or buy weed killer at your local hardware store. Interestingly, a bad lawn can decrease the resale value of your home.
When you plan or change your landscape, be sure to plant trees or bushes that grow over 8 feet tall away from power lines. Make sure that trees with large root systems don’t interfere with sewer and power lines or foundation. Spot dead trees and hire a tree service company to cut them down.

Keeping your home well maintained can payoff big. If you decide to sell, you don’t have to stress over what needs to be done and what doesn’t. You always know where you’re at with your maintenance plan. Showing your plan to buyers can increase buyer confidence and result in a better offer for you. Also, consider having a separate savings account in place to cover the costs of scheduled maintenance.