What Makes a Home Low-Maintenance? A Former Builder's Checklist for Your Next NJ Home

A low-maintenance home is one where the expensive parts, the roof, siding, windows, heating and cooling, and water heater, have plenty of life left, and the lot doesn't need constant work. Listing photos can't show you that, so here's the checklist I use when I walk a home with a client, from building and renovating New Jersey homes since 2003.

I'm Dennis Mark Interdonato with The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living. On the next home, I'm reading the roof, the mechanicals and the renovation work, so the upkeep you're leaving behind doesn't follow you.

Why does "newer" matter more than "updated"?

A new kitchen photographs well. A 20-year-old roof over it doesn't show up in the photos at all. When I compare two homes for a client, I look past the finishes to the age of the systems that cost real money to replace. A plain house with a new roof and new mechanicals is often the lower-maintenance home.

What should you check on the roof?

• Age. Ask the seller, and look at the disclosure statement.
• Layers. More than one layer of shingles means a bigger job at replacement time.
• Flashing at chimneys, walls and valleys, where most leaks start.
• The attic. Ventilation, insulation and any old stains on the roof boards.
• Gutters and downspouts that carry water away from the house, not into the yard beside the foundation.

What about siding, trim and windows?

Siding and trim that don't need regular painting save you a ladder job every few years. Check the trim around windows and doors, where water does its damage first.

Windows matter for comfort and bills. ENERGY STAR says certified windows lower energy bills by an average of up to 13 percent nationwide when they replace single-pane windows (ENERGY STAR). Open and close a few during the showing. Sticking sashes and fogged glass are replacement items.

How old is too old for heating and cooling?

ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement when a heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, or a furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, along with signs like frequent repairs, rising bills and rooms that are too hot or too cold. It says an ENERGY STAR certified heat pump or air conditioner can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs (ENERGY STAR).

Ask for the equipment's age and service records. Upkeep is part of low-maintenance too: ENERGY STAR's checklist says to check air filters monthly, have the cooling system checked in the spring and the heating system in the fall (ENERGY STAR). A system you can reach for service is one that actually gets serviced.

What about the water heater?

Note its age and type. ENERGY STAR estimates a certified heat pump water heater can save a household of four about $550 a year compared with a standard electric water heater (ENERGY STAR). Whatever the type, find out where it is and whether there's a drain pan and a shutoff you can reach.

Does insulation make a difference?

For comfort and bills, yes. ENERGY STAR says sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10 percent on annual energy bills (ENERGY STAR). In the attic, look at how deep the insulation is and whether it covers the whole floor.

What about the lot?

• Size. A smaller lawn is less mowing, raking and watering.
• Grading. The ground should slope away from the house on every side.
• Trees. Big limbs over the roof mean gutter cleaning and more.
• Decks and walks. Materials that don't need staining save a weekend every year.

Or let someone else handle the outside. An association-maintained exterior trades yard work for a monthly fee; see what HOA and condo fees cover and whether a townhouse is a condo.

Should you test for radon?

NJDEP recommends fixing a home when radon is at 4 picocuries per liter or higher, requires anyone testing or mitigating radon in New Jersey to be certified by the DEP, and says a seller must give the buyer a copy of any radon test results and evidence of any mitigation (NJDEP). If there's a mitigation system, ask for the paperwork and look for the fan and the pipe. And if the house ever had oil heat, see underground oil tanks.

Does this replace a home inspection?

No. My walk-through helps you pick which homes are worth an offer. A licensed home inspector still inspects the one you choose. Start the plan with what your current home should bring on my home value page, and read the Downsizing Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most low-maintenance type of home?

It depends on the home more than the type. One floor, a smaller lot, newer systems, or an association-maintained exterior all cut upkeep. A new home or a recently renovated one with permits on file is often a good start.

How old is too old for a furnace?

ENERGY STAR suggests considering replacement when a furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, or a heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10.

Should I test for radon when buying in New Jersey?

NJDEP recommends action at 4 picocuries per liter or higher and requires DEP-certified testers. Ask the seller for any past results and mitigation records.

Does a builder's walk-through replace a home inspection?

No. It helps you choose the home. The inspection checks the one you choose.

This is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. A licensed home inspector and the right contractors confirm the condition of any home.

About the author

Dennis Mark Interdonato is a REALTOR® and Master CDRE® who leads The Dennis Mark Group at Keller Williams Realty Ocean Living in Point Pleasant, NJ, helping buyers and sellers throughout New Jersey make their next move, with Monmouth and Ocean County as home base. Read more about Dennis Mark.

Keep reading

• Buying new construction when you downsize
• Single-level homes in Monmouth and Ocean County
• The Downsizing Guide and how I plan a downsizing move
• Have a question this didn't answer? Send it to Dennis Mark.