Take a fresh look at your home once a year.  Checking things out after a spring cleaning is ideal.

Pretend you are a home buyer, and look at your home from a different perspective.  Enlist a friend or neighbor to help if you have trouble changing your mindset.  Take notes on the condition of your home - inside and out.  Address immediate concerns, and keep your notes on hand for future comparison.

It is almost always cheaper to perform preventative maintenance, or to make minor repairs before things get out of hand.  When you live somewhere, it's easy to ignore things that can become significant problems.

The kinds of things you'll want to monitor in your home include:

• Gutters and downspouts: Inspect for leaf and debris buildup that can cause overflow problems.
• Paint: Make sure painted surfaces aren't peeling or cracked, exposing wood to weather damage; clean off any mold or mildew.
• Windows: Check the weather proofing and caulking and replace cracked panes.
• Roof: Inspect tiles or shingles and flashing to prevent leaks; clean off any moss, mold, or mildew.
• Appliances: Check and replace frayed electrical cords, damaged plugs, and cracked or leaking hoses.