There’s no denying it.  The college kids are back, the days are getting shorter, and the leaves are starting to turn.  Fall is here! It’s not only a wonderful time to enjoy New England, it’s also a good time to do some annual house maintenance.  As I was compiling my own “to-do” list, I thought why not share it with my friends and clients?  So here it is!

Heating System Tuneup.  Don’t wait until heating season starts to find out if you have a problem with heat.  Companies get swamped with service calls when that first cold wave hits, so why not stay ahead of the curve and schedule a system check now?  If you have oil heat, your oil delivery company will most likely be able to check your system.  For gas systems, try National Grid (formerly Keyspan) @ 1-800-539-7726. Electric baseboard systems generally don’t need much maintenance, but it’s a good idea to dust or vacuum inside the registers to keep them operating as efficiently as possible.

Chimney Cleaning/Inspection. Chances are you haven’t used your fireplace since last winter.  It’s a good idea to have it inspected and cleaned annually.  No one wants a smoky room the first time they light a fire! Try Boston’s Boston Chimney (http://www.bestchimney.com/) 800-660-6708.

Check your smoke detectors & CO detectors to make sure they are working and that the batteries are still good.

Check your gutters and downspouts for blockage.  All those fall leaves are beautiful to look at but once they fall, make sure they don’t take up residence in your gutters!

Finally, remember that fall is our 2nd busiest real estate season.  Early market indications are looking good and rates are still fantastic. If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling, now is a very good time. I always have time to take care of you and those you introduce to me, so please don’t hesitate to contact me for help!