Mechanical
The Un-Sexy Part of Homeownership…Maintenance and Infrastructure – it’s so un-sexy I don’t even know where to start, except to say, “Ugh.” But the bottom line is the bottom line. Fix it now, or pay more to fix it later. If that paint is peeling – get up on that ladder or call your painter. If there’s a major hail storm, call a roofer to make sure there’s no damage or see if you should file a claim. Keep those gutters cleaned out. Have your carpets professionally cleaned once or twice a year. Have your furnace serviced yearly. Keep after those annoying elm seeds that sprout up every summer before they turn into gigantic trees that are bringing up the sidewalk.
Speaking of furnaces (and hot water heaters) – a furnace has about a 25 year life span, and hot water heaters are about 10-15. There are some amazing rebates and tax credits that really make it worth getting a high efficiency unit. Again, go with the best quality you can afford – a high efficiency furnace is a great selling point for a home. When I take buyers out, the “Big 3” are furnace, windows and roof.
Radon is a major issue that neatly falls into the mechanical section of this site. This is an excellent web-source www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
Here are two sites to help you with heating & cooling systems. Home repair heating & cooling systems Furance Helper website