Whether you have recently purchased your new home, or have been there for years, that real estate investment is probably your most important asset. Protecting and maintaining your home serves a number or purposes. Maintaining your home will save you money, allow your house to sell more quickly and at a higher price, and contribute to the overall comfort, health and safety of your family. Some of the most expensive and damaging home repairs can be averted with routine maintenance.

Water Damage to Real Estate

Water damage causes thousands of dollars a year to real estate owners. While you can't prevent a major flood, most of the causes of real estate water damage can be prevented. When thinking about maintaining your home, take a close look at pipes, appliances, and potential leakages. In colder areas of the country pipes have a tendency to freeze and often burst. Insulating and running them regularly can save carpets, furniture, and wood fixtures.

Moisture from leaks is a cause of warped wood and mildewed walls. Maintaining your home should involve managing the moisture with a humidifier or other regulating device. Home inspectors also advise that you check the caulking around tubs and sinks, and the barriers around windows to prevent leakages. Finally, keep an eye on your appliances. The icemakers in some refrigerators have a long tube in back that will water your house while you sleep if it comes loose.

Maintaining Your Home with Consistency

When it comes to cost effectiveness in maintaining your home, nothing beats the minor investment in a fire or smoke detector. Check the batteries on the first of each month, or at least with each change of season. Also consider carbon monoxide detectors, or a home security system. These can save lives and your entire real estate investment.

Heater and cooling systems should be part of a regular real estate inspection schedule for maintaining your home. Routine maintenance on those items by qualified professionals can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

One of the easier do-it-yourself fixes for maintaining your home is to change filters, and vacuum vents on a regular basis. One of the least known causes of home fires is the vent leading to your clothes drier machine. Check and clean this out each season.

Maintaining Your Home From the Outside In

There are some basics for maintaining your home on the outside as well. Even if you don't plan to sell your home, protecting the outside is critical. Trimming tree limbs and branches now is a lot better than having one crash into the side of your house during high winds. Power-washing outer walls and shutters improves the appearance, but also cleans off dirt and mildew that can decay and damage surfaces. Finally, regular cleaning of gutters and eaves can prevent debris and water from suddenly crashing down and damaging your house or yard.

Your home is truly the greatest investment most of us will make. Maintaining your home requires diligence, but will reward you with time, money and peace of mind.