Winston Salem | Protect Your Home and Your Budget With These Annual Maintenance Essentials

 

Homeowners juggle comfort, safety, and long-term value every year. Annual home maintenance tasks help protect your investment, reduce surprise repair bills, and keep daily life running smoothly. When small issues are caught early, they rarely turn into expensive emergencies. A thoughtful, repeatable routine makes that possible.

Quick Insights

●     Inspect roofing, gutters, and exterior siding to prevent water intrusion.

●     Service HVAC systems before peak heating and cooling seasons.

●     Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms annually.

●     Review and maintain your home’s electrical system for safety and reliability.

●     Keep clear records of repairs, warranties, and service visits.

Exterior Care Sets The Tone

Your home’s exterior absorbs the harshest weather. Walk around the property at least once a year and look for cracked siding, peeling paint, loose shingles, and damaged flashing. Clean gutters and downspouts so rainwater flows away from the foundation. Trim tree branches that hang too close to the roof to reduce wear and storm damage.

These tasks may feel routine, yet they form the first line of defense against moisture problems. When water stays outside, structural components last longer, and indoor air quality improves.

Keep Your HVAC and Plumbing Systems in Check

Inside the home, mechanical systems deserve equal attention. Schedule professional HVAC service to check refrigerant levels, clean coils, and ensure safe operation. Replace air filters regularly to maintain airflow and efficiency.

Before winter, test your heating system. Before summer, confirm the air conditioner cycles properly. Annual servicing extends equipment life and lowers utility costs.

You can also tackle smaller mechanical upkeep, such as flushing the water heater and checking visible plumbing connections for corrosion or leaks. A steady drip today can become drywall damage tomorrow.

Electrical Maintenance For Safety And Reliability

Your electrical system quietly powers every room, yet it benefits from consistent oversight. Inspect outlets and switches for warmth, buzzing, or discoloration. Test ground fault circuit interrupter outlets in kitchens and bathrooms to confirm they trip and reset properly. If your breaker panel shows signs of corrosion or repeated tripping, have it evaluated by a licensed electrician.

When upgrades or repairs are needed, use dependable components from a trusted electrical supply source to ensure long-term performance and code compliance. Reliable parts help reduce fire risks and maintain stable power flow throughout the house. Addressing small electrical concerns annually supports both safety and everyday convenience.

Seasonal Timing Overview

Spreading tasks across the year prevents overload. The guide below shows how homeowners often distribute responsibilities.

Season	Focus Areas	Why It Matters
Spring	Roof inspection, gutter cleaning, exterior paint touch-ups	Prepares home for heavy rain and summer storms
Summer	HVAC cooling check, deck and patio maintenance	Supports comfort and outdoor living
Fall	Heating system service, seal gaps, chimney inspection	Improves efficiency before cold weather
Winter	Indoor plumbing checks, monitor insulation	Prevents freeze damage and heat loss

Planning by season creates rhythm and accountability.

Organize Maintenance Records For The Long Haul

Annual upkeep also involves paperwork. Taking time to organize important home records keeps your household financially prepared and well-documented. Maintain both paper and digital copies of invoices, warranties, inspection reports, and contractor agreements.

Clear records also strengthen resale appeal, showing prospective buyers that the property has been responsibly maintained. A structured system allows you to quickly reference service dates and warranty timelines.

FAQ

How Often Should I Hire A Professional For Inspections?

Most homeowners schedule professional HVAC servicing annually and roof inspections every one to two years, depending on climate and roof age. Electrical panels and major systems benefit from evaluation if you notice irregular behavior. Regular checkups reduce the likelihood of emergency repairs. Professional oversight adds peace of mind to routine self-inspections.

Is Annual Maintenance Really Worth The Cost?

Preventive maintenance often costs far less than major structural or mechanical repairs. A small investment in servicing can extend equipment life and improve efficiency. Homes that receive consistent upkeep typically hold value better over time. Budgeting for maintenance also prevents financial strain from sudden breakdowns.

What Tasks Can I Safely Do Myself?

Homeowners can usually handle filter changes, visual inspections, detector testing, and basic gutter cleaning with proper safety precautions. Tasks involving electrical wiring, gas lines, or structural repairs require licensed professionals. Knowing your limits protects both safety and property. When in doubt, consult a qualified contractor.

How Do Maintenance Records Affect Resale Value?

Detailed documentation demonstrates responsible ownership to buyers and inspectors. Records show consistent servicing and can justify asking price during negotiations. They also reduce uncertainty for lenders and insurers. Organized files signal that the home has been carefully managed.

When Should I Upgrade Instead Of Repair?

If a system frequently fails or requires repeated costly fixes, replacement may offer better long-term value. Consider the age, efficiency, and repair history of the equipment. Energy-efficient upgrades can reduce monthly expenses and improve comfort. A professional assessment helps weigh repair versus replacement.

What Is The Biggest Risk Of Skipping Annual Maintenance?

Deferred maintenance often leads to hidden damage that spreads quietly. Water intrusion, electrical faults, and HVAC strain can escalate without visible warning. Small neglected issues compound into larger structural concerns. Consistency is the strongest safeguard against these risks.

Conclusion

Annual home maintenance is a steady, disciplined practice that protects comfort and value. By inspecting critical systems, organizing records, and addressing small concerns early, homeowners create stability for the long term. A clear plan transforms maintenance from a burden into a predictable routine. With each yearly cycle, your home becomes more resilient and reliable.

Information courtesy of:

"Paul Denikin created Dad Knows DIY to share home improvement and accessibility resources. Inspired by his daughter’s needs, he learned DIY repair through trial and error to make their home more accessible."

• As for the areas covered, it is especially critical in regions with extreme seasonal weather (snow, hurricanes, tornadoes, intense heat).

• The seasonal timing guide assumes a four-season climate, so it aligns most naturally with states that experience clear spring, summer, fall, and winter cycles.

• In places like Southern Florida or Southern California, maintenance still applies, but timing may revolve more around wet/dry seasons rather than temperature shifts.

Winston Salem - New Listing - 210 Petree Rd.

 

See More at 210 Petree Rd.

Features: screen porch, large yard, laundry room, partially finished basement, ample storage, large deck, remodeled primary bedroom and bathroom. Walking distance to Mt. Tabor and much more! Sidewalks for dog walking & exercise 12 min drive downtown W/S

$325,000

3 bedrooms

2.5 Baths

Fenced Back Yard 

Screened Porch

Large Deck

Large Lot

Winston Salem | How Home Sellers Can Use Concessions to Get to Closing

 

Some buyers are looking for better deals to counter higher mortgage rates.

As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.

“With where interest rates are, buyers can be deterred if they don’t feel like they're getting some kind of deal,” says Cooper Thayer, ABR, broker-associate at Keller Williams Action Realty in Denver. “We're definitely advising sellers that they can expect to offer a concession to help a buyer get into their home specifically—if it's not a super-hot product.”

What Are Seller Concessions?

A concession is when the seller covers certain costs associated with the purchase of the home. Concessions can make homeownership more accessible for buyers by reducing upfront costs. Seller concessions are often used in markets where buyers have more negotiating power or when the seller needs to stand out in a competitive environment.  

Real Examples of Seller Concessions in Action

NAR data found that “given buyer demand and lack of housing inventory,” only 24% of sellers nationwide offered a concession in 2024, down from 33% the previous year.  

While the 2025 housing market remains to be seen, several signs point to a healthier outlook: both pending home sales and existing-home sales jumped in November and there are more homes on the market compared to a year ago.

“Sellers do have to differentiate themselves in the market now with the levels of inventory that we're at,” Thayer says.

In late 2024, NAR published a one-page resource on seller concessions, which is part of a series of Consumer Guides that NAR provides at facts.realtor. The consumer guides address many aspects of the homebuying and selling process as well as the real estate practice changes that went into effect last August. NAR members can share the guides directly with their clients.

Concessions can cover a wide range of costs, like those associated with a title search, home repairs or fees for real estate agents and appraisers. Closing costs were the most common concession in 2024, NAR data shows. That makes sense in markets with a high volume of first-time buyers, like Salt Lake City, where the median age of residents is 33.  

“First-time home buyers are huge in our area,” Scott Robins, an associate broker at Summit Sotheby’s International Realty in Salt Lake City, says. “We have two universities in downtown Salt Lake City. We have four additional universities within an hour drive. If I'm working with a first-time home buyer, it's almost given that they are going to need some help with concessions.”

He says those in their late-20s and early-30s “typically have their down payment, but they don't have all of their closing costs.”

Robbins says 2-1 buydowns as a seller concession are popular. Essentially, the seller will pay to reduce the buyer’s mortgage rate by two percentage points for the first year and one percentage point for the second year. After those two years of monthly savings, buyers are on the hook for their agreed upon mortgage rate.

“The place where concessions or rate buydown offerings are really being successful right now is with new construction,” Thayer says. “We're seeing builders utilize those kinds of incentives a lot more because they have the ability to, one, hold on to their inventory longer, and two, do a better job at marketing those incentives. They've got a little bit more marketing purchase power than the average [real estate broker or agent] has.”  

Home repair credits are also common. Most buyers want a turnkey home, Thayer says, “so those concessions are a useful tool, but they’re definitely not the end-all, be-all.”

Marlene Llamas Leon, ABR, CIPS, of LPT Realty in Miami recalls a recent deal on a large estate in which her sellers chose to make a concession.

“What came up in the inspection were six roof leaks that [the sellers] had no idea they had, and the new roof for the home was $120,000,” she says. “So, that was definitely something that [if this transaction had fallen through] we would have had to disclose, and it would have been a turnoff for any buyer that would have walked in next. These sellers were very proactive, thank goodness. Once I spoke to them, they completely understood, and they said, ‘Please leave it up to the buyer. Do they prefer a credit or a price reduction?’”

The buyer went with a price reduction.

In general, Thayer advises his sellers to make repairs before putting their homes on the market.

“That is really the best strategy that we’ve seen ... to really differentiate your home as much as possible so we don’t have to start talking about concessions and really minimize what may come up in an inspection objection,” Thayer says.

Information courtesy of:

Eliana Block

Eliana Block is a business writer for REALTOR® Magazine. She can be reached at eblock@nar.realtor.

• Content by Eliana Block

Winston Salem | Selling Your Home As An Estate Sale?

 

I am in the process of selling a home for a client and it is an Estate sale because his son passed away suddenly.    I wanted to provide, below, some of the considerations. 

I wanted to mention separately that there are special considerations when a divorce and minor children are involved.    Unfortunately, the son did not have a will.    

This is a situation that has to be remedied before the sale can go through because the title can't be transferred without dealing with the proceeds that involved the children's rights.   

If you are in the midst of having to do this, please call me.  I believe I can help with my knowledge and an attorney we use to help with these situations.  

Selling a home as an estate sale is pretty common, but there are a few extra steps compared to a normal sale. Here’s a clear, practical rundown 👇

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1. Make sure you have legal authority

Before anything else, someone must have the legal right to sell the property.

• If the owner left a will → the executor named in the will usually handles the sale.

• If there’s no will → the court appoints an administrator.

• In many cases, the home must go through probate before it can be sold (rules vary by state).

👉 A real estate attorney or probate attorney is often worth it here.

---

2. Confirm probate requirements

Depending on the situation:

• The court may need to approve the sale

• There may be timelines or required notices to heirs

• Sale proceeds are usually distributed after debts and taxes are paid

Some estates qualify for simplified or fast-track probate, which helps a lot.

---

3. Decide how to sell the property

You’ve got a few options:

Traditional MLS sale

• List with a real estate agent

• Usually gets the highest price

• Takes longer and may require clean-up or repairs

As-is sale

• No repairs

• Attracts investors or cash buyers

• Faster, but typically lower price

Cash buyer / estate specialist

• Very fast closing

• Minimal hassle

• Lowest price, but convenient if speed matters

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4. Clean out the home (or don’t)

Options here:

• Family keeps what they want, then sell the rest

• Hire an estate sale company (they sell the contents)

• Donate or junk what’s left

💡 Many sellers do the estate sale before listing the home.

---

5. Price it correctly

Estate homes often:

• Haven’t been updated in years

• Need repairs

• Still sell well if priced right

An agent experienced in estate or probate sales is a big plus.

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6. Disclosures & taxes

• You still must disclose known issues (even if selling “as-is”)

• Capital gains taxes are often minimal or none due to the stepped-up basis (huge benefit for heirs)

A CPA can confirm tax specifics.

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7. Distribute proceeds

After closing:

1. Pay off mortgage (if any)

2. Pay estate debts and expenses

3. Remaining funds go to heirs per the will or state law

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Quick tip

Search for an agent who specifically mentions:

• “Probate”

• “Estate sale”

• “Trust & estate real estate”

They’ll save you time and stress.

Winston Salem | A 10 Point Checklist to Prepare your Home For Sale

 

Here’s a clean, go-to post you can drop anywhere—social, blog, or email 👇

Preparing Your Home for Sale: 10-Point Checklist 🏡✨

Before you list, make sure your home is truly market-ready. This quick checklist helps buyers fall in love fast:

1. Declutter every room—less is more.

2. Deep clean kitchens and bathrooms.

3. Make small repairs you’ve been putting off.

4. Touch up paint with neutral colors.

5. Let in natural light (open blinds, clean windows).

6. Organize closets and storage spaces.

7. Freshen curb appeal—lawn, entry, and landscaping matter.

8. Remove personal photos and bold décor.

9. Eliminate odors (pets, food, smoke).

10. Stage or arrange furniture to highlight space.

A little prep goes a long way toward faster offers and better results.

Feel free to contact me for a free no obligation assessment. 

Winston Salem | “The one negotiation tip I always use for my buyers and sellers.”

 

The things that a seasoned agent has at his/her disposal are experienced way's to negotiate for our clients.

Having grown up my life playing sports, I learned that it really is about winning.   

I work hard to create a scenario where my clients are in a winning situation.  Granted the state of the market, definitely affects how to approach scenarios,  at the end of the day, we try to make is simple for you.

Of course everything we can suggest requires YOU!   

Please let me know if you are interested in learning more how we can do this. 

“Winston Salem area! Have a real estate question? Ask me anything—no pressure, no strings.”

Winston Salem - We can Market Your Home The way You Want

 Listing-ready description we can use or tweak to your specification:   

This is a home I sold in the $400,000's.   It sold very quickly due to marketing, pictures and pricing!

Beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with a 2-car garage, offering timeless curb appeal and a welcoming presence. The exterior showcases a classic blend of brick and siding, complemented by crisp white trim, symmetrical windows, and a charming front entry. A well-manicured lawn, mature trees, and a wide driveway create an inviting first impression.

Inside, the home offers a spacious and functional layout ideal for both everyday living and entertaining. Generously sized bedrooms provide comfort and flexibility, while three full baths add convenience for family and guests. The two-car garage offers ample storage and easy access.

This home combines space, style, and practicality in a setting that feels warm, refined, and move-in ready.

If you want, I can make this more luxury-focused, MLS-short, or more emotional and buyer-friendly depending on where you plan to use it.   Let's work on this together!