as we head into fall, don't forget about these...

When you buy a home, nobody gives you a "how to" manual. For the most part, most homeowners are uneducated of what needs to be done to maintain your home throughout the year.

It may sound monotonous, but routine maintenance on the home is CRITICAL. Letting certain things go can cost you thousands don't the road. Don't let this be you..

Here is just a sample list of important items to think about as we head into the fall/winter months.

1. Furnace Filter Change - if you have an HVAC system, it is critical that your furnace filter is changed out at least every 3 months. Without doing so, dirt and dust build up quickly and can cause your HVAC system to work harder and puts more wear and tear on it than needed.

2. Irrigation System Blow Out - if you have an irrigation system, ensuring all the water is blown out of your lines is very important. If there is any standing water in the lines, when the temperature drops below freezing, that water will freeze and expand, likely bursting the line while doing so.

3. Water Softener Change - if you live in an area where traces of lead affect your main water line, you could have a water softener. If you do, just like anything else, this needs to be changed out periodically. That will be determined by how bad your water is affected by lead. But, I would check every 3-6 months to see the condition of it and if it needs to be changed.

4. Winterize A/C - whether you have central a/c or a swamp cooler, it is almost time to start thinking about winterizing this. Again, forgetting to do so in something like a swamp cooler could freeze lines or cause mold/mildew buildup. If you have a central a/c unit, simply powering off the condenser may be all that is needed.