As the leaves begin to turn and the days get colder, it's time to get your home ready for the harsh winter months. If you've recently bought a house, you may be surprised by the amount and intensity of home maintenance activities. Homeownership is a huge investment that requires regular maintenance and care. That said, it can feel like a daunting chore, especially if you're a first-time homebuyer.

As summer draws to a close, here's an end-of-summer homeowner maintenance checklist from our real estate agents that can help you better protect your investment.

Inside Your Home

• Inspect the Air Conditioning
  Check and replace air filters as necessary. Inspect your vents, dryer vents, and baseboard heaters for any built-up dust and clean them. Make sure your thermostat is in tip-top shape. Turn up the heat to ensure your furnace is working properly.
  
  If you have central air, the beginning of autumn is a great time to get your HVAC system serviced. A clean system will be more energy efficient. Moreover, a professional can catch and fix problems when they're still minor, helping you avoid a costly emergency repair down the road.
  
  
• Check Windows and Doors
  Check any openings for drafts and caulk where necessary, as drafts can increase your heating bill by increasing your HVAC system's workload. It may also be a good idea to install storm windows and doors to keep the heat in and the cold out.
  
  
• Home Upgrades and Renovation Projects
  Thinking of adding your home to the North Canton homes for sale listing? The beginning of fall is a great time to get started on home upgrades. The temperature is usually moderate, giving you the freedom to update the bathroom or knock down a wall or two.
  
  
• Touch Up the Paint
  Speaking of home upgrades, there's no better time to give your walls a fresh coat of paint than at the beginning of fall. Temperatures are cooler, which means the paint won't dry too fast like it would during the height of summer. Moreover, fall is warm enough that you can open your windows for longer to bring in fresh air.

Outside the House

• Clean Your Gutters
  Here's a task you should perform ever so often. Removing leaves, twigs, and brambles from your spouting means you won't have to deal with falling icicles come winter.
  
  
• Repair Driveways and Walkways
  Winter rain and snow can cause the cracks in your driveway to widen and deepen. That's why filling any cracks during fall is important to prevent them from eroding any further.
  
  
• Inspect Your Roof and Soffits
  You can probably get away with a visual inspection of your roof if it's just a few years old. However, it's crucial to perform an integrity test once a year. Check your roof for soft spots, replace loose shingles, and maybe get a professional installer to take a look. Any discoloration in your soffits or stains on your ceiling could indicate a leak.

Are You Ready to Buy a House?

It's true that anyone can shop for a house. But it can be an incredibly stressful experience. Experienced real estate agents can match you with the perfect property much faster, taking some of the hassle and stress off your shoulders. Contact us to get a look at our Akron homes for sale.