New Years Home Maintenance Checklist

Happy New Year! January is a time for self-reflection and re-directing our attention toward self-improvement — that includes giving some attention to those home maintenance tasks you may have been putting off until after the holiday season! The Rhoades Team is here to help you get motivated, get inspired, and get organized with our New Year’s Home Maintenance Checklist!

• Give your home a thorough once-over and make a plan. Check each room for loose knobs that need tightening or door hinges that need oiling. Check for dripping pipes or spots in the dry wall that need mending. Make a list of all the little items that need attending to and create a schedule or plan to start tackling them, along with any tools or supplies you may need.
• Create an inventory. Go through each room with a camera (the one on your phone is fine) and photograph or video your furniture, electronics, and most valuable possessions. Make a list of model names and serial numbers, especially of anything new you received over the holidays. This can be invaluable in the event of a natural disaster, fire, or burglary.
• Look for deals. There are bargains to be had this time of year on tools and appliances. Check out sales and discontinued items for a great deal (but make sure warranties are still good for anything that’s been discounted).
• Simplify files. Go through your files of warranties and product manuals. Toss out anything you no longer need or own. Mark your calendar for anything that needs regular recommended maintenance (like spring and fall check-ups of your HVAC system).
• Change air filters. You should probably be doing this every 1 to 3 months anyway, but if you don’t, now is a great time to start. Vacuum the intake vents well and change the filter (tip:  write the date you changed it on the filter itself). Buy extra filters so you’ll have them handy for next time, and mark your calendar now for the next change.

What’s on your New Year’s checklist? Email us or let us know in the comments!

If buying or selling your home is also on your checklist for this year, give The Rhoades Team a call at (713) 515-3463! We’re experts in the Houston real estate market, and we can help you!