First Time Home Buyer's Guide

Home Maintenance Checklist

home maintenance checklist

Winter

December

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

January

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

February

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Quarterly

☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Test garage door auto-reverse feature
☐ Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces
☐ Check water softener, add salt if needed
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Biannually

☐ Give your house a deep clean
☐ Vacuum your refrigerator coils
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Annually

☐ Regularly check for ice dams and icicles
☐ Test your electricity to the extent that you can
☐ Tighten any handles, knobs, racks, etc.
☐ Check all locks and deadbolts on your doors and windows
☐ Check caulking around showers and bathtubs; repair as needed
☐ Remove showerheads and clean sediment
☐ Deep clean and inspect the basement
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Spring

March

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

April

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

May

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Quarterly

☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Test garage door auto-reverse feature
☐ Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces
☐ Check water softener, add salt if needed
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Biannually

☐ Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve
☐ Replace batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Annually

☐ Check the exterior drainage
☐ Clean out gutters
☐ Inspect the exterior of your home
☐ Get your air conditioning system ready for summer; consider servicing
☐ Repair/replace damaged window screens
☐ Clear dead plants/shrubs from the house
☐ Check trees for interference with electric lines
☐ Inspect roofing for damage, leaks, etc.
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Summer

June

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

July

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

August

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Quarterly

☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Test garage door auto-reverse feature
☐ Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces
☐ Check water softener, add salt if needed
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Biannually

☐ Give your house a deep clean
☐ Vacuum your refrigerator coils
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Annually

☐ Check grout in bathrooms, kitchen, etc.; repair as needed
☐ Inspect plumbing for leaks, clean aerators on faucets
☐ Take care of any insect problems you may have
☐ Clean and repair deck/patio as needed
☐ Clean out window wells of debris
☐ Check and clean dryer vent, other exhaust vents to exterior of home
☐ Clean garage
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Fall

September

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

October

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

November

☐ Inspect, and possibly change out HVAC filters
☐ Clean kitchen sink disposal
☐ Clean range hood filters
☐ Inspect your fire extinguisher(s)
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Quarterly

☐ Test smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ Test garage door auto-reverse feature
☐ Run water and flush toilets in unused spaces
☐ Check water softener, add salt if needed
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Biannually

☐ Test your water heater’s pressure relief valve
☐ Replace batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide detectors
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

Annually

☐ Flush hot water heater and remove sediment
☐ Winterize air conditioning system
☐ Get heating system ready for winter
☐ Turn off and flush outdoor water faucets
☐ Get chimney cleaned
☐ Test sump pump
☐ Check driveway/pavement for cracks
☐ Buy winter gear
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________
☐ _____________________

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Amazon.com Best-selling author, Shashank Shekhar (NMLS 8176) is a mortgage lender with Arcus Lending, offering loans for home purchase and refinance. Shashank has been featured as a mortgage expert on Yahoo! News, ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. He has been named "Top 40 under 40" most influential mortgage professionals in the country.