You've heard how a stitch in time saves nine. It's as true for your home as anything else in your life. When you notice a problem, address it as soon as possible. A bit of maintenance now will save a lot of maintenance (and heartache) later. It is also important to practice good preventive maintenance.

For example, keep windows, porches, and fixtures well-caulked. These minor details go a long way in protecting your investment and keeping your utility bills in check.

Be sure to keep a home maintenance and repair journal. Some items in your home may only need to be looked at yearly and it's easy to forget when the furnace or hot water heater was last checked.

While it is sometimes necessary to delay a repair, try not to make this the norm. It's always easier to budget ahead of time and usually cheaper in the long run. A busted hot water heater can do a lot of damage if you have a finished area close by. And you definitely don't want to be surprised in the middle of summer with an air conditioner that suddenly decides not to work. Plus, you'll have the added headache of waiting additional time for the repair person to show up.

As a general rule, the return on home maintenance is dollar for dollar. Besides, when it's time to sell, you'll have a lot less to do.