It can be exciting to buy a new home, whether it's your first home or your third home. However, we must never let our excitement keep us from protecting this precious investment. It is important to perform regular maintenance on your home annually. Therefore, we offer the following tips to help you prevent some of the most costly repairs that homeowners face when they neglect their investment. These tips can 
also help you save money on your monthly utility bills.
Spring is the best time of the year to give your home a good once over. So each spring, go through this list:
· Check for water or moisture damage in the basement, crawl space or attic. If you find any leaks, have a professional come out to fix these right away.
· Have your chimney cleaned before or after use each year.
· Change the filters on your heating/cooling unit regularly and have the unit serviced annually.
· Have your dryer vent cleaned out by a professional annually.
· Change the batteries in each one of your smoke alarms at least twice a year. The best times are in the spring and fall. A great way to remember is to change batteries at the beginning and end of Daylight Savings Time.
· Check all your plumbing for leaks. If you find any, have a professional come out to fix it right away.
· Drain two gallons of water from your hot water heater twice a year to extend its life.
· Repair any tile grout in need of repair annually.
· Check the foundation of your home for cracking.
· Replace any weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows that may be missing.
· Clear gutters and downspouts in the fall and spring.
Following these simple tips will help you protect one of the most precious, life-long investments you will make. It will also help keep costs down on repairs if you find yourself wanting to sell your home.
Realtors® Sharon & Crist Fanning - Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri Real Estate
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