A number of maintenance improvements are relatively easy and inexpensive to make, yet they substantially improve a home's appearance, efficiency and comfort. A professional home inspector may make helpful maintenance suggestions like:

	Trim trees and shrubs which touch or overhang the house.
	Apply new caulking and weather stripping as needed around windows and doors.
	Clean gutters of debris; repair or replace cracked or broken gutters, downspouts and extensions to ensure proper drainage.
	Replace bathroom caulk or grouting where necessary to prevent seepage and improve appearance.
	Ventilate closed basements and crawl spaces, or install a dehumidifier to prevent excessive moisture build-up.
	Re-grade soil around the foundation, as needed, to keep water away from the house.
	Replace dirty filters in the heating and air conditioning systems.
	Have the heating and air conditioning systems professionally serviced.
	Have chimneys professionally cleaned, and install chimney hoods or caps as needed.

Fixing even minor items can go a long way toward improving that important first impression of your home. Here are some typical improvements which might be suggested by the home inspector's findings:

	Repair leaky faucets.
	Tighten loose doorknobs.
	Replace damaged screens.
	Replace broken panes of glass.
	Replace burned-out light bulbs.
	Secure loose railings.
	Repair and coat driveway.
	Patch holes or cracks in walls and ceilings, then repaint.
	Repair peeling wallpaper.

Home Inspectors also pay attention to items relating to protecting the home and its occupants from danger. They can alert you to important safety precautions which home buyers will appreciate, such as:

	Installing smoke detectors on each level.
	Installing Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) in "wet" areas, such as bathrooms, exterior outlets, and in kitchens.
	Keeping flammable products away from heaters, water heaters and fireplaces.

An attractive, clean and neat appearance will enhance your home's appeal. In addition to making repairs such as those listed above, remember to:

	Keep the lawn mowed and the house picked up.
	Clean the exterior walls and trim; repaint if necessary.
	Open window shades and curtains to create a bright, inviting atmosphere.
	Keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean, since buyers scrutinize there areas.

It's a good idea to assemble in advance various house records that can be used to answer questions from buyers and home inspectors. Specifically, you should have on hand:

	Appliance receipts, service records and warranties.
	Information on the age of major components such as the heater, air conditioner and roof.
	Major component warranties  (e.g. carpeting, siding, roof shingles).
	Heating, water and electric bills from the previous year.
	In addition, keep basement, attic and garage areas clear to give the home inspector and buyers access to the heating system, electrical equipment, and visible structure.