Don’t let deferred maintenance take over your home. Do a little maintenance each month to help keep your new house like new.

January – Decluttering and Organizing
• Take down, clean and store holiday ornaments, decorations and
exterior lights.
• Put away all of those holiday gifts.
• While you are making room for your new gifts, take the opportunity
to go through your closet and get rid of things you haven’t used for
a year.
• Do end-of-the-year accounting and set-up a file folder for the current
year’s taxes.

February – Bathrooms
• Remove and replace any worn or crumbling caulk or grout in and
around bathtubs, sinks and toilets.
• Vacuum bathroom vent fan covers.
• Clean faucet aerators and shower heads.
• Make sure your toilets are not running and are in good working
order. If it’s within your budget, consider replacing your old toilets
with newer, more efficient models—and check with your local water
company to see if they offer rebates.

March – Kitchen
• Clean the range-hood filter in your kitchen.
• Remove all the items from your cupboards and pantry. Wipe shelves
clean, check expiration dates on all products and toss anything old.
• Clean your refrigerator and oven.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks forward on March 11
during Daylight Saving Time and test your smoke detector and
carbon monoxide batteries.

April – Yards
• Check your sprinkler systems to make sure they are working properly.
• Cut back any trees or branches that are touching the siding or roof.
• Clear out debris from under decks or porches.
• Clear out gutters and downspouts.

May – Bedroom and Closets
• Thoroughly clean all bedding (bedspread, blankets, sheets, mattress
protector). If you have a duvet insert, have it professionally cleaned.
• Change bedding for summer months, if desired.
• Go through your drawers and closets and donate old items that you
haven’t worn for a while.
• Rotate and flip mattress, if needed.

June – Windows
• Wash the inside and outside of your windows (once the rainy season
has stopped).
• Inspect and wash window and door screens and repair any with holes.
• Make sure all doors and locks are working properly and are in good
condition.
• Clean tracks and lubricate hinges.
• Clean drapes, dust blinds and shutters.

July – Paint
• Inspect the exterior of your home. Scrape, caulk and paint any wood
surfaces that have peeled or weathered.
• Inspect interior walls and ceilings for cracks or bulges, and patch
and paint as necessary.
• Clean and seal decks.

August – Vents and Filters
• Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room
fans.
• Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and
draperies.

September – Seals
• Check the weather stripping around your windows and doors and
make any necessary repairs in preparation for the winter months.
• Make sure your refrigerator door seal is tight.
• Caulk any drafts in your basement, such as around your dryer vent.
• Make sure your roof is good condition and not missing any shingles,
tiles or slates.

October – Fireplace and Chimney
• If you have a fireplace, make sure you have the chimney checked
out by a professional chimney cleaner before starting the first fire.
• Be sure your fireplace tools are in good working order.
• Pull out your nonflammable rug and place it in front of the
fireplace.
• Once you start building fires, clean ashes out regularly but ensure
ashes have completely cooled before discarding.

November – Upholstery and Carpeting
• Vacuum all sofas and pillows.
• Spot clean all upholstery and carpeting.
• For extra cleaning, consider hiring a professional service to clean
your upholstery and carpeting.
• Don’t forget to move your household clocks back on November 4
when Daylight Saving Time ends and test your smoke detector and
carbon monoxide batteries.

December – Miscellaneous
• Clean your garage and get rid of anything you don’t use.
• Neatly organize all of your tools, garden equipment and appliances.
• Wander the house with a screwdriver and tighten screws on
drawers, doors and furniture.
• Make a list of any small repairs that need to be made. If needed,
go to your local hardware store and purchase the necessary items
to make your repairs.

©2012 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Each Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Office Is Owned And Operated by NRT LLC.

Start building your memories,
as you turn your house into a home. 

As you might guess, this document is a compilation of information from our own efforts as REALTORS, as well as input from other REALTORS in our Coldwell Banker office.  I hope it has been of value to you.  Don’t hesitate to email us with any suggestions that will make this document better for you and your fellow home owners!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ElkGroveRealEstate.  For information about properties available for sale and for more information for buyers and sellers, please visit our website at www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com and don’t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an email with your questions.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it: Jack & Tracey Edwards,  your real estate advocates, specialize in helping buyers and sellers in Elk Grove, CA  and the greater Sacramento area.   Get information about available homes online at:   www.ElkGroveRealEstate.com.