They agreed: Following a regular maintenance schedule should help prevent problems and costly repair bills.
Here's what they recommend season-by-season:
Winter
Clean or replace furnace filters. Check your owner's manual for recommended procedures. Some filters should be cleaned or replaced monthly during the heating season. A clean filter allows for maximum efficiency and a less expensive heating bill.
Check batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Activate the test button in your smoke detectors at least twice a year to assure that the horn is operational.
Vacuum the coils behind your refrigerator and freezer to increase energy efficiency. The coils are located behind or under the appliance. Clean gasket around refrigerator door to ensure the door closes tightly. Clean inside of refrigerator with warm water and baking soda — about 1 tablespoon baking soda to one quart water.
Pour 1 cup bleach or lime remover down toilet bowls and leave overnight.
Pour 1 cup bleach down each drain and let stand overnight to help prevent clogging from grease and hair.
Clean the pipes or harnesses that re-circulate water from your whirlpool tub through the jets. Some manufacturers sell cleaners that are formulated for this purpose, but others recommend flushing the system with a combination of low-foaming dishwasher detergent and household bleach. Repeat twice a month.
Check for loose or cracked caulking around the shower and sink areas. Replace or touch up as necessary. Worn caulking accounts for a large percentage of needless calls to plumbers as many homeowners mistakenly assume moisture damage from bad caulk is a plumbing leak.
Discard accumulated junk from closets, attics, basements and other storage areas. Winter is a good time to donate useable winter apparel to charities.
Check for and seal cracks and leaks in basement walls and floor.
Touch up interior painting or repaint as needed. Get spackle and fill in any cracks, gouges or nail pops in wall board.
Drain and flush out the sediment that builds up in your water heater every three to six months. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for best results.
Have carpets cleaned after an event such as holiday parties.
Regularly clean out fireplace ash pit.
Ready your lawn mower: Run the engine dry, drain and replace the oil, and replace the air filter; if blades need sharpening or other repairs are needed, take your mower to the shop during this slow season.
Late winter, early spring check for signs of termites. Damage can be minimized if the colony is found and treated early. If you see signs, call a professional.
Spring
At the end of heating season, pull the plug, shut the water valve and drain your humidifier. A unit with a water reservoir should be drained and cleaned with white vinegar, a mix of one part chlorine bleach to eight parts water or muriatic acid. Mist-type humidifiers also require regular cleaning to remove mineral deposits.
Tighten all fasteners on the door hardware and lubricate all hinge points on your garage doors so that they operate safely. Spray moving parts with a lubricant.
Clean and install screen windows and doors. Clean and lubricate window channels for smoother sliding.
Clean and seal decks. Check wood for signs of rotting and replace boards where necessary. Look for and repair deteriorated finishes to preserve wood.
Check for missing or loose siding. Repair as needed. Repair any loose bricks or mortar damage.
Clean air conditioning vents to ensure proper operation.
Test, clean and lubricate sump pumps.
Turn on the sprinkler system and connect all hoses to outside spigots.
Check attic vents for nests and other blockages. Make sure vents and/or attic fans are working properly.
Look for signs of roof or flashing leaks on rafters and insulation.
Clean gutters.
Reseal driveways.
Make sure air conditioner drain lines are clear.
Summer
If you have central air conditioning, change the filter. The blower on your furnace is the same one that circulates cold air.
Have your wood burning fireplaces and stoves inspected and cleaned and repaired to prevent chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and mortar and flashing failure. If you don't have a chimney cap, consider installing one to protect your chimney from water, debris and critters.
Clear outside air conditioners vents of shrubbery and grass weekly during the cooling season so that air flow over the unit's condensing coils is not reduced.
Check flashlights to make sure they are in operating condition and batteries are still good.
Have your snow blower serviced and readied for winter.
Fall
Make sure flammable items in the garage are stored properly.
Clean gutters to reduce ice dams in the winter.
If you didn't reseal your driveway in the spring, do it now.
Drain garden hoses. Shut off outdoor water faucets and sprinkler systems.
Trim trees and remove dead branches.
If you removed storm windows for the spring and summer, reinstall them.
Check to see that windows in the basement are shut tightly. Repair or replace any cracked windows. Putty, caulk or add weather-stripping around windows as needed.
Replace worn weather-stripping around exterior doors.
Cover outside air conditioning units. Remove window units.
If you haven't had your chimney cleaned, make an appointment to do so and have it checked before you use it.
Make sure your fire extinguisher is sufficiently charged to be effective. (You should do this at least once a month.)
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TIPS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME MORE QUICKLY
Owners can help expedite the sale of their home by following a few guidelines to make the house more attractive to potential buyers. A thorough self-inspection and a walk-through with your real estate agent can reveal imperfections that might hinder a sale. (Please note: in Washington state, as in many other states, the seller must complete a "Real Property Transfer Disclosure Statement" form about the condition of property being offered for sale. Material defects must be disclosed.)
House-hunters typically begin their inspection of a property by previewing its "curb appeal." A surprising number of homes are eliminated from consideration before potential buyers get out of their car because they find the exterior appearance unsightly or uninviting.
Following are some basic suggestions for improving the marketability of your home.
- Examine the lawn and flower gardens, making sure the lawn is mowed and free of drainage problems. Colorful flowers and shrubs can enhance the home's attractiveness.
- Check the sidewalks and driveway to make sure they're free of weeds and clutter.
- Inspect the home's exterior, looking for loose, missing or damaged siding and brickwork, a cracked and uneven foundation, and gutters, downspouts or fences that are in disrepair. Paint or repair any problem areas.
- Clear the decks! Clean decks, patios and steps, removing unnecessary furniture, toys and debris. Tidy up any pet areas.
- Inspect the front door. A fresh coat of paint or stain and a clean doormat can help create an inviting "first impression."
- Check lighting, making sure pathways and entry have adequate illumination.
Inside the home, you should conduct an equally thorough inspection, since potential buyers are likely to open doors and cupboards, look into, look behind and operate everything to make sure the home offers the space, layout and features they need. Extensive redecorating isn't usually recommended, but all rooms should be clean and clutter-free. Think "light," "bright," "open" and "airy."
- Clear rooms (including closets and storage areas) of everything but the basics. Arrange furniture so rooms look spacious.
- Remove clutter from the basement and garage. Sweep floors, degrease spots and dust.
- Have carpets and drapes professionally cleaned.
- Patch walls and ceiling cracks, then repaint or wallpaper, using neutral shades.
- Check the basement for musty smells and signs of mildew or leaks, correcting any defects.
- Inspect bathroom and kitchen fixtures to make sure they sparkle, are leak-free and are otherwise functioning well. Remove stains from countertops, sinks, tubs and showers.
- Test major mechanical components, including the furnace, water heater and electrical system.
- Make sure windows and doors open and close easily. Replace cracked or scratched glass.
- Be aware of the amount and type of insulation.
DETERMINING HOW MUCH HOUSE YOU CAN AFFORD
Low mortgage rates and special incentives for first-time buyers are making the dream of home ownership a reality for more individuals and families. As you begin your search, you'll want to determine how much house you can afford and what type of mortgage is best for your budget.
In general, four factors will influence your ability to buy that dream home. They are:
- how much of a down payment you will make. The more cash you put down, the less you'll have to borrow.
- the amount you need to borrow (your mortgage) to cover a monthly payment for the loan principal (amount borrowed), interest ("price" charged for your use of the lender's money), taxes ( a portion of property taxes), and insurance.
- the mortgage interest rate.
- the repayment terms of your loan.
When applying for a mortgage, your current earnings and expected income during the next few years may influence your borrowing power. Outstanding long-term debt and how long you expect to stay in the home you're buying may also be considered.
Most realty agents recommend getting preliminary approval for a loan, usually by getting "pre-qualified" or "pre-approved" for a certain monthly payment. Getting approved for a loan requires having a lender verify your financial situation, including your current assets (income, savings, investments and other sources of revenue) and your liabilities (existing loans, credit card balances and other obligations). Using this information, the lender will evaluate whether there are sufficient funds for the down payment, whether you have adequate income to make monthly payments, and your overall credit-worthiness, which is based on a review of your borrowing history.
According to many real estate professionals and lenders, the biggest reason people get turned down for a loan is poor credit. Reviewing your credit status and correcting any mistakes before applying for a loan can help you avoid surprises or disappointments. Consumers may request a copy of their credit report from one of three major reporting services:
Equifax: 1-800-685-1111
Trans Union: 1-800-851-2674
Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (1-888-397-3742)
A small fee may apply, although if you've been denied credit recently, federal law mandates that the lender tell you which company supplied the information. You have a right to a free copy of your report from that company so long as you request it within 30 days of the credit denial.
Pre-qualification, based on numbers you supply to a lender, is an indication of the range of what you can afford. Getting pre-qualified is neither a commitment to loan you money, nor is it an obligation by you to borrow from a particular lender.
Lenders typically use one of two guidelines when evaluating a loan request. Most lenders will limit the loan amount to a percentage of your gross monthly income or to a multiple of your annual household income.
As a general rule, individuals or families can usually handle a housing payment that amounts to 25- to-28 percent of their gross monthly income. Following this guideline, if gross monthly income is $3,500, monthly payments (inclusive of taxes and insurance) in the range of $875 to $980 are considered reasonable. Some lenders use an alternate ratio that allows 36 percent of total monthly income for housing expenses and other long-term debts, such as car loans, credit card payments and obligations for child support. (Monthly living expenses for utilities, groceries, entertainment, medical and auto insurance are not calculated in this formula.)
Another guideline, based on gross annual household income, assumes most borrowers can afford up to 2.5 times their gross annual income. This means a borrower with total income of $40,000 may qualify for a loan of up to $100,000.
Whether using a "multiplier method" or a "percentage method," prospective home buyers should allow for closing costs and moving expenses. (Closing costs are the fees and taxes that are paid when the deed is transferred. These usually amount to 5-to-10 percent of the mortgage amount. Moving expenses include costs for movers, as well as "move-in" deposits for utilities and other "necessities").
Many lenders provide work sheets and charts to help you calculate your borrowing power, along tables so you can compare payments at different rates and for different loan periods. (Some real estate brokers and financial institutions even have "mortgage calculators" on their Internet site to help you determine what you can afford.)
Your borrowing power can be increased with favorable interest rates and terms. With lower rates, you can borrow more money. Different types of loans and the duration of the payback period will influence the interest rate that will be applied to your mortgage. In general, the shorter the term of the loan, the lower the interest rate.
There are dozens of different types of mortgage programs from a wide variety of financial institutions, including mortgage companies, saving and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions. Prudent consumers will find it pays to compare options to find the right loan for their particular situation.
THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE (MLS)
A multiple listing service is a system for collecting and organizing information on available properties in a given area. Such information is shared by members who agree to cooperate with each other and to abide by certain operating procedures. This service enables buyers to have a vast selection of homes to consider, while sellers benefit from having their property exposed to a large network of real estate professionals and their clients.
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