HOME MAINTENANCE: 20 TASKS FOR THE NEW YEAR

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When you first bought your Santa Barbara home, you probably had a lengthy list of projects and annual maintenance tasks you promised to tackle. Over time, that list may have fallen by the wayside. But staying on top of yearly home maintenance is essential—not just for preserving your home’s condition but also for making it easier to sell when the time comes. Here’s a comprehensive checklist of 20 must-do tasks to keep your home safe, efficient, and beautiful year-round.

A luxury single story home surrounded by trees and exquisite landscape.

1) Inspect the Exterior

Take a walk around your home and examine its exterior. Look for cracks in the foundation, driveway, or walkways, and inspect your chimney for wear and tear. Assess whether your home’s paint needs touch-ups; chipping or peeling paint might require professional attention. Consider hiring a professional to power wash your home’s exterior and remove dirt and grime for a fresh look.

2) Drain Your Hot Water Heater

Over time, sediment can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater, leading to corrosion and reduced efficiency. Once a year, partially drain the tank to remove this buildup. This simple task can extend the life of your heater and improve its performance. While you're at it, schedule a plumber to check your boiler tank and radiator. Ensure the valves are functioning properly and haven’t worn out to avoid costly repairs down the line.

A small bird with a stem in its mouth sitting on a home gutter.

3) Have Your Gutters Cleaned

Over time, gutters can fill with leaves, dirt, and other debris, obstructing the proper flow of water and potentially causing significant damage. When rainwater has nowhere to drain, it can overflow and seep into areas it shouldn’t, leading to a host of issues. Left unchecked, clogged gutters can damage your roof by causing water to pool, which may result in leaks, mold growth, or rot. Additionally, the excess water can spill over the sides of the gutters and accumulate around your home’s foundation, increasing the risk of cracks, erosion, or even structural instability. Regular gutter cleaning is essential to ensure water flows properly and to protect your home from these costly problems.

4) Inspect for Termites

Unfortunately, the warm, wet seasons we experience on the West Coast make it the perfect place for termites to find their home year-round. While other states can expect a little break as these pests move underground in colder months, termites in California continue to damage Santa Barbara homes. That’s why checking your home for signs of wood damage and termites is essential to avoid a significant infestation. When your termite inspector arrives, ask about other preventative measures you can take to keep termites out.

5) Schedule Regular Pest Control

In the Golden State, termites are just one of many pests homeowners face year-round. To keep your home protected, hire a professional pest control company to evaluate and update your annual pest abatement plan. Consider quarterly treatments to ensure your home stays pest-free throughout the year. Additionally, seal any gaps or holes where rodents or insects might enter. After traveling, be sure to wash all your clothes promptly to prevent bringing any unwanted pests back home with you.

A luxury patio with comfy looking furniture and mature landscaping and trees in the background.

6) Maintain Your Landscape

Regular maintenance by your gardener will keep your Santa Barbara property looking its best. Given the area's unique landscaping needs, skilled horticulturalists are invaluable for tailored lawn and garden care. Additionally, schedule an annual sprinkler system checkup and hire a landscaper if necessary. Fall is the ideal time to plant trees and shrubs and reseed your lawn, ensuring your outdoor space thrives year-round.

7) Steam Clean Your Carpets

Over time, carpets and area rugs accumulate buildup that can release airborne allergens whenever someone walks across them. A deep cleaning is the only way to remove these allergens and restore a healthier living environment effectively. For households with family members who suffer from chronic allergies, regular carpet and area rug cleanings may be a home maintenance essential to help reduce recurring symptoms.

A luxurious white living room with sunlight streaming through the wall of windows enveloping the far enbd of the room.

8) Wash Your Windows

Hiring a professional window cleaning service for your Santa Barbara home offers numerous benefits, from extending the lifespan of your windows to enhancing energy efficiency. Professionals come equipped with the tools and expertise to ensure a safe, thorough job. And the best part? You’ll enjoy those stunning Santa Barbara sunsets through crystal-clear glass.

9) Organize Your Junk Drawer

The junk drawer is a place for odds and ends that don’t belong anywhere else. Once a year, empty it completely and discard anything you no longer use. Clean the drawer thoroughly, then restock it with organizational tools to keep everything in its proper place.

A walking path through mature landscaping leading to a luxury home in the distance.

10) Trim Your Trees

Well-maintained trees add beauty and value to your home. Regular trimming promotes healthy, sturdy growth and enhances their overall appearance. A professional tree service can ensure proper care, especially for fruit trees, which benefit from yearly pruning to produce larger, better-quality fruit. Evergreens, on the other hand, may need less frequent attention. Healthy trees make for happy neighbors—and a gorgeous yard.

11) Inspect Your Ductwork

Sagging ducts in your attic or crawl space can lead to loose connections, allowing heated or cooled air to escape. This inefficiency drives up energy costs and reduces comfort inside your home. Check your ductwork yearly to ensure everything is secure and functioning optimally.

12) Clean Your Dryer Vent Duct

This is a crucial home maintenance safety task. Over time, lint builds up in your dryer vent duct, increasing energy costs and creating a serious fire hazard. Remove and thoroughly clean the duct to keep your dryer running safely and efficiently.

13) Update Your Home Inventory

Keep an up-to-date record of your belongings. This is invaluable if you need to file a homeowners insurance claim, as it documents the condition of your possessions before any loss. An annual review also ensures you have adequate coverage for your current assets.

14) Review Your Homeowners Insurance Policy

Take an hour each year to review your insurance policy. Ensure it covers Santa Barbara’s unique weather hazards and check your deductibles. This small step can provide peace of mind, knowing you’re fully protected.

A stunning single story Mediterranean style home with a red tile roof, a large tiled patio and verdant lawn and landscaping in the foreground..

15) Schedule a Roof Inspection

Santa Barbara’s iconic red tile roofs are beautiful and durable, but even they require upkeep. Schedule an annual inspection to address wear and tear and prevent costly leaks or structural damage. A well-maintained roof not only protects your home but also enhances curb appeal.

16) Check Your Foundation

A stable foundation is critical to your home’s structural integrity. Hire a professional to inspect your foundation annually for cracks, sloping floors, or other warning signs. Catching problems early can prevent expensive repairs later.

17) Declutter Your Garage

Don’t let your garage become a dumping ground. Remove everything, clean the space thoroughly, and get rid of items you no longer use. Organizing your garage improves its functionality and keeps you active.

18) Conduct a Home Energy Audit

Air leaks and drafts can waste energy and money. Hire a professional to perform a home energy audit or do it yourself. Identify areas where you can improve energy efficiency, keeping your home comfortable year-round.

19) Prep an Emergency Supply Kit

Be ready for the unexpected. Stock up on essentials like nonperishable food, toiletries, first aid supplies, and batteries. The COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters have shown the importance of having a well-prepared emergency kit.

20) Explore Neighborhood Open Houses

Stay informed about your local real estate market. Visiting open houses can give you insight into current trends and pricing. A significant sale nearby could increase your home’s value and keep you up to date on market conditions.

If you’re considering implementing these top 20 yearly home maintenance tasks for a new home in Santa Barbara, Montecito, or Ojai, or for your current home you’re contemplating selling, please allow me to help. Take a look at my comprehensive website, then call me at (805) 886-9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. I am happy to show you the amazing properties available right now.

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Client Reviews

“It was an emotional experience selling our mother’s home in Montecito that we all loved so much but Cristal made the process easier on our whole family by guiding us through the transaction every step of the way. She knows the market so well and everything she recommended was on point including the asking price, painting, and staging the home, which looked beautiful and helped the buyer envision her new home. We sold it the first day it hit the market with an offer above asking! Cristal did an incredible job communicating with us and the buyer to ensure that the transaction would run smoothly. We highly recommend using Cristal, she was a pleasure to work with! ”

- J & A

“Cristal is a pleasure to work with! Her knowledge of the local real estate market coupled with her amazing listening skills resulted in her showing us an array of homes that were all excellent choices. Her low-pressure patient attitude made us feel extremely comfortable with the whole process. I cannot recommend her highly enough.”

- M.F.

“Cristal Clarke is #1 in her field - and you don't become #1 by luck. Cristal works harder, and longer, and with more charm and patience than any real estate agent I have ever worked with in the past; her calendar has no weekend, her days have no clocks, her only concern is selling your property as soon as possible and for the best price on the market. Am I a fan? You bet!”

- P.B.

“We have used Cristal now several times and cannot express how grateful we are for her expertise, dedication, and unwavering support throughout the entire home-buying process. Cristal is knowledgeable, patient and attentive. Her attention to detail is remarkable, and she consistently went above and beyond to provide us with all the information and resources we needed to make informed decisions. Cristal is a skillful negotiator and advocate. She can navigate complex negotiations with professionalism and grace and felt like a true partner to us in the home-buying process. Cristal has a genuine passion for real estate and a deep commitment to her clients' satisfaction. I cannot speak highly enough of Cristal and her exceptional service. She is a true expert in her field and her dedication to excellence, combined with unwavering support is the reason we choose to work with her for all our real estate buying needs.”

- T.C.

“Cristal is a top-notch realtor who sold my home before it ever went on the market. I had two competing offers that enabled me to get top dollar for my home. Not only is Cristal superb but her team is extraordinary. I cannot say enough about Cristal and her team. They are simply phenomenal, the consummate professionals, who took care of every possible detail, making the sale and transition period, smooth from our end. They are also lovely, caring people, who knew all the right professionals, to get the job done. Thank you, everyone!”

- D.R.

“I could list lots of cool adjectives to describe Cristal. All good by the way. But, that is not why I or anyone should hire Cristal. My reason for hiring her, which proved to be correct, is very simple. She got the job done. And, she does it time and time again and with zero issues. And, that is why she is one of the top agents in the country. End of subject. ”

- M.A.

“Working with Cristal was a complete pleasure. Cristal was extremely patient with us as we evaluated nearly 2 dozen homes over a span of 2 years. Her knowledge of the market is unmatched. Cristal provided us with exceptional counsel as we evaluated opportunities and negotiated pricing. The closing process was handled thoroughly and efficiently. We could not be happier with our purchase and even more happy to now call Cristal our friend.”

- D.K.

“Cristal Clarke has conducted numerous real estate transactions for me beginning 13 years ago with the purchase of a Lemon Ranch. She has handled both large and small purchases and sales with equal dedication. As a negotiator, you can’t find anyone better. Her transactions are always conducted in the most appropriate and professional manner. Cristal has considerable knowledge of the Santa Barbara market.”

- S.N. Decker Ph.D.

“Living in Europe, we were to say the least, unaccustomed to the nuances of Real Estate acquisition in California and Cristal steered us through the process with absolute professionalism and personal attention to detail at every turn. Her in-depth knowledge of the market place combined with enthusiasm and drive was the only reason we secured the property of our dreams and will be forever grateful. If you are looking for personal discrete and private representation of the highest quality we suggest you look no further than Cristal Clarke.”

- Johan and Paula van den Berg

“Cristal is very straightforward, cheerful, helpful, professional and trustworthy….we felt very lucky to work with her.”

- John and Lacey Williams

“After considering our many choices, we are grateful it was Cristal Clarke of Sotheby’s International who represented the sale of our Montecito cottage. We are familiar with Cristal’s reputation of hard work and dedication to clients, but it was her attention to detail that made our experience so positive. She offered suggestions for staging the property, worked in harmony with potential buyers and was even able to secure back up offers. The sale of our cottage was completed much sooner than we expected, due in great part to Cristal’s professional skills and support. We highly recommend Cristal as a first choice for anyone needing representation with real estate.”

- Michael & Nancy Lee

“Our experience in working with Cristal Clarke resulted in the successful and discrete acquisition of a property which was not yet on the open market. Her knowledge of the Montecito/Santa Barbara area and vast expertise blended with her passion for real estate and architecture, provided us with the very highest level of professionalism and personalized services. Cristal exhibited a rare combination of excellent communications, attention to detail, creativity and patience.”

- Richard and Catherine Frinier

“Cristal really breaks the mold. She knows every nook and cranny of this real estate market, understands value, and follows up on everything, all the time. She was incredibly patient with our two year quest to find the perfect house. Every house hunting trip from across the country was well planned, and our time was never wasted. On top of her professionalism and expertise, she is delightful to spend time with. We are thrilled with the home we purchased, and grateful to Cristal for so wisely advising us through this process, right through to the close and beyond.”

- Laurie Siegel

“We met Cristal first in the course of renting a winter home (for three years), then buying a house using her as our agent. She was amazingly good at listening to our wants and showing us homes that fit our needs. Her mastery of the paperwork was perfect. Most importantly, there was never a situation where we doubted her straightforwardness or integrity. If we do another real estate transaction in Montecito (which I doubt, we’re happy with what we purchased), without question we’d use Cristal again.”

- Ken Saffir

“Susan and I just want to thank you for your efforts in the sale of our home. You are really quite amazing. Your competence, persistence, optimism and humor made the entire process effortless. Every problem that arose, you somehow fixed; any obstacle, you overcame. We have bought and sold many homes. It has never been such a painless and enjoyable process!”

- Michael & Susan Marquart

“A little something about “our” realtor, Cristal Clarke. My wife and I came to Santa Barbara about fifteen years ago looking for a seasonal home from which to enjoy the weather and amenities of the central coast. Being in the real estate business myself I was familiar with agents and brokers so entered the market with open eyes. We “flipped” a few houses in the early years, dealing with various agents and finally ended up in Montecito. That’s when good fortune put us together with Cristal. To say we were impressed is to put it mildly. Cristal really knows the market. She is familiar with the area, its history and trends. When we have questions about a particular property she either has the answers immediately or gets back to us by phone or email. There is no waiting or wondering with Cristal. She is an agent who is “on top of it.” Her recommendations as to price points, contractors, inspectors and title agents have proven to be exceptional, showing great insight and the highest professional standards. We consider ourselves exceedingly fortunate to say that Cristal Clarke is our realtor and would recommend her services to any serious buyer or seller.”

- Rob & Judi Kelch