10 Things to Do Before the First Ohio Freeze (That Save You Money Later)

Ohio fall is the best. The leaves turn, there's a festival every weekend, and for about three weeks the weather is perfect. Then one morning you walk outside and there's frost on the windshield, and you remember that winter here doesn't send a warning.

I walk through a lot of houses, and I can usually tell which ones got a little attention every fall. Small stuff now prevents the expensive stuff later, and it helps a lot when it's time to sell. Here's my list.

Outside

1. Clean the gutters after the leaves drop. Clogged gutters send water over the edge and right down along your foundation. Wet basements are one of the most common things I see come up in inspections around here.
2. Check where your downspouts dump. You want water landing at least a few feet from the house. A $10 extension can save you a real headache.
3. Shut off and drain outdoor spigots. Disconnect the hoses, shut off the inside valve if you have one, and open the outside spigot to drain it. A frozen, cracked pipe inside the wall is a miserable surprise in January.
4. Walk the roof line from the ground. Look for missing or curled shingles and loose flashing around the chimney. You don't need to climb up there. Just know what you're looking at before the snow hides it.
5. Trim branches that hang over the house. Ice is heavy. Limbs that are fine in October can end up on your roof in February.

Inside

6. Get the furnace serviced and change the filter. A tune-up is cheap compared to an emergency call on the coldest night of the year. Change filters every one to three months through winter.
7. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. With the furnace running and windows closed, CO detectors matter a lot more now. Swap the batteries while you're at it.
8. Seal drafts around windows and doors. Hold your hand near the edges on a windy day. If you feel air, a tube of caulk or new weatherstripping is a cheap fix that pays for itself on the gas bill.
9. Reverse your ceiling fans. Clockwise on low pushes warm air back down from the ceiling. Most people never know that switch exists.
10. Look at your sump pump. Pour a bucket of water in the pit and make sure it kicks on. If you've had trouble before, a battery backup is worth looking into before the spring thaw.

Why I care about this as a Realtor

When a house goes on the market, the inspection report tells the story of how it was cared for. Water stains, an old furnace, or a roof at the end of its life can turn into repair requests or price reductions right in the middle of a deal. A little upkeep each fall keeps that list short and keeps more money in your pocket when it's time to move.

If you're thinking about selling in the spring, fall is actually a great time to start. Knock out the small stuff now, and you'll be ahead of the game when the market picks back up. And if you want a second set of eyes on what buyers will notice in your home, I'm always happy to walk through it with you.