1.  Flush Sprinkler Systems

Many sprinkler systems are buried above the frostline, meaning that any residual liquid in them can freeze when temperatures get low enough.  Freezing liquid can cause pipes to burst which means costly repairs in the spring.  There are companies that can flush residual liquid out of sprinkler systems by pumping air into them.  Consider looking into getting your sprinkler system checked out if you are unsure.

2. Prevent Mold Growth

Certain areas that are prone to humidity and stuffiness.  Bathrooms, crawl spaces, and basements, can be hotbeds of mold growth.  Make sure exhaust fans in bathrooms are working properly and used if the room gets humid, such as after a shower.  Ever smell that mildew smell in your basement? Mold and mildew can increase the risk of illnesses.  Consider placing dehumidifiers in crawlspaces or basements.

3. Check your Heating System

You may have your AC on full blast at the moment, but soon you’ll need your heater.  It has probably been sitting dormant for months, are you sure it still works?  Consider taking an hour, however uncomfortable it may be, and cranking the heat.  You may end up a bit sweaty, but you will be able to rest assured that your heater will work the moment you need it.  An hour of heat is better than a few days of cold while you wait for repairs.

4. Roof Maintenance

Roofs have a lifetime of many years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need periodic maintenance and repairs.  Get a roofing company topside on your home to check that everything is in mint condition.  Make sure they check for missing or rotting shingles.  While their at it, you might as well have them clean out your gutters and repair any broken gutters, drains, and downspouts.

5. Garage Safety

If you have an attached garage, you may heat up your car before leaving on cold days.  The carbon monoxide fumes are extremely toxic and can build up in the garage as your car is heating.  These fumes can be dangerous to you, and can seep into your house as well.  Fumes from certain chemicals and fertilizers stored in your garage can also be seeping into your house.  Know what is in your garage and look it up to make sure that its safe.

Now you can feel secure and enjoy a beautiful New England Fall!  Thinking about buying a new home or moving into a luxury condo for the fall?  Contact Warren Residential today!

-Existing home sales rose 10.1% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.1 million units from 5.54 million units in September. The increase was largely due to the tax incentive for first-time homebuyers. The inventory of unsold homes on the market fell 3.7% to 3.57 million, a 7-month supply at the current sales pace, and the lowest level since February 2007.

-The Commerce Department announced that gross domestic product — the total output of goods and services produced in the U.S. — increased at an annual rate of 2.8% in the third quarter of 2009, rather than the 3.5% increase initially reported last month.

-The Standard & Poor’s / Case-Shiller 20-city housing price index rose 0.27% in September. It was the fourth consecutive monthly gain and follows a 1.13% increase in August.

-The Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index rose to 49.5 in November from a revised 48.7 in October. Economists had expected a reading of 47.3. The index was benchmarked at 100 in 1985, a year chosen because it was neither a peak nor a trough in consumer confidence.

-The Commerce Department reported new home sales rose 6.2% in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 430,000 from an upwardly revised rate of 405,000 in September. It was the highest level since September 2008. Economists had expected a pace of 410,000.

-Orders for durable goods — items expected to last three or more years — fell 0.6% in October after a revised 2% gain in September. The drop was largely due to an 18.4% decrease in orders for defense-related goods.

-The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending rose 0.7% in October, higher than economists had anticipated. Personal income increased 0.2%.

-Initial claims for unemployment benefits fell by 35,000 to 466,000 in the week ending November 21. Continuing claims for the week ending November 14 fell by 190,000 to 5.42 million, the lowest level since the week ending February 28.

-Upcoming on the economic calendar are reports on construction spending and pending home sales on December 1, and factory orders on December 4.