As the final days of 2011 slip away, you’re probably planning your New Year’s Eve festivities and thinking about the promise that a new year always brings. 2012 is full of promise, and while the news is not all good for the housing market, some analysts are predicting that we might finally hit bottom and see some of that long-awaited appreciation starting by the end of next year. However, if you fail to care appropriately for your properties in 2011, 2012 might not hold any promise for your home value at all. There are many simple things that you can do as this year winds down to help make sure that your properties remain in good condition for the coming year. Here are 3 maintenance moves that you can do now to insure a healthy future for your home:

  1. Take a Look at Your Attic
    In the winter months, snow, storms and ice can wreak havoc on your roof. But did you know that improperly installed insulation, attic fans and ventilation fans can also prematurely age your roof and create an ideal haven for mold in the winter months? Check out your attic and make sure that you have no undetected leaks caused by the winter weather and that all of your ventilation is venting properly and not creating a warm, moist environment for mold to grow in over the cold months.

  2. Examine Neighborhood Trends
    Take a look at the direction in which your neighborhood is heading. Most people prefer not to put their homes on the market around Christmas, but you may want to consider trying to rent out your home in the new year if your neighborhood seems to be trending downward and showing little signs of weathering the housing crisis. With rental rates projected to skyrocket in 2012 and many renters hoping to find flexible financing options that will ultimately enable them to buy, such as lease-options, you could turn your depreciating property into a profitable enterprise by getting a jump on neighborhood trends this week.

  3. Appeal Those Property Taxes
    With spring flowers come property taxes, and you can bet that your local government has not factored in just how much the value of your house has fallen. After all, if they factor in depreciation then they lose money on property taxes! In order to keep as many of your hard-earned dollars in your own pocket this spring, you need to start the appeals process now to have your appraisal lowered in time for. Check out your community’s appeals process today online and get the ball rolling!

What other things will you do to make sure that 2012 is a good year for your own home or for your investment properties?

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