Home Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know — Insights from The Lofty Lender Podcast
Welcome back to another blog recap from The Lofty Lender's Homebuyer Education series. In this episode, I sat down with Charlie Chedester for a lively and insightful conversation on a topic often overlooked by new homeowners: home maintenance.
Buying a home is a huge step — but what happens after you move in is just as important. Regular maintenance can save you stress, money, and time down the road. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, upgrading to a new space, or investing in property, this episode was packed with practical advice to help protect your biggest investment.
Let’s break down some of the key takeaways from the episode…
🧰 Maintenance ≠ Repairs
One of the biggest misconceptions we tackled is that maintenance is the same as fixing something — it's not. Maintenance is what you do to avoid needing repairs. Waiting until something breaks is costly and frustrating. Just like oil changes in your car, your home needs regular care to keep running smoothly.
🕵️ Start with a Home Inspection
Charlie emphasized that your first lesson in home maintenance usually starts before you even close. A thorough home inspection provides an “uh-oh” list and a “honey-do” list — things that may not be urgent, but if ignored, can turn into major headaches. Don’t skip this step. And yes, you can hire an inspector even after you’ve lived in the home for years to reassess and catch issues early.
🧽 Everyday Tasks Matter
Not all maintenance is glamorous. Cleaning is crucial — not just for looks, but for health and function. From preventing ants in the kitchen to reducing allergens by dusting and replacing filters, daily habits make a long-term difference. Vacuuming regularly, wiping down surfaces, and deep-cleaning carpets yearly can extend their lifespan (trust me, I learned the hard way!).
🛠️ DIY is Easier Than You Think
We talked about the power of YouTube and tools like ChatGPT for troubleshooting maintenance issues. You don’t need to be an expert to take on small tasks. Need to drain your water heater or troubleshoot a leaky faucet? There's a video for that — and now, AI can even help walk you through custom fixes using photos of your home.
💡 Pro Tips from Personal Experience
One maintenance lesson I shared? Draining your water heater regularly is smart — unless you wait too long. Sediment builds up and can damage the inside lining of your tank. I tried to do the right thing but ended up needing a full replacement because I waited too long. Don’t make my mistake — start a maintenance routine early.
Other helpful tips:
Write the date on the furnace or water heater after servicing.
Set recurring calendar reminders to change filters, check smoke detectors, and flush appliances.
Know where your shut-offs are for water, gas, and power — don’t wait for an emergency.
🛑 Insurance & Warranties Aren’t Maintenance
Home insurance and warranties are for disasters — not day-to-day upkeep. A home warranty might help if something fails, but it usually won’t cover wear and tear, and often requires specific procedures (like calling them first before hiring someone). Be sure to build a savings buffer or “maintenance fund” so surprise expenses don’t derail your budget.
🧾 Seasonal & Preventative Checklists
Charlie and I recommend creating a seasonal maintenance checklist:
Spring: Clean gutters, inspect the roof, replace furnace filters.
Summer: Service your A/C, power wash siding, check sprinkler systems.
Fall: Shut off exterior water, clean leaves, service the furnace.
Winter: Check insulation, clean dryer vents, inspect weather stripping.
Don’t forget little things like writing down when you last flushed the water heater or cleaned the vacuum filter. A little organization goes a long way.
🎯 Final Thought: Maintenance Preserves Value
A well-maintained home doesn't just feel better — it holds value better. If you're thinking about selling in a few years, small efforts today (like carpet cleaning and regular care) can prevent major costs down the road.
If you want to hear more tips, stories, and homeowner hacks, be sure to listen to the full episode of The Lofty Lender Homebuyer Education Podcast with me, Kyle Guldenpfennig, and Charlie Chedester.
🎧 Search for “The Lofty Lender” with #TallMoneyMan wherever you download podcasts.
Stay curious, keep learning — and don’t forget to clean that vacuum.
