Regular maintenance on your home gives you peace of mind and keeps your resale value strong. Putting some energy into seasonal and biannual tasks now will set you up well for holiday entertaining.

Here are 9 items to include on your fall to-do list:

Clean the gutters: Clear out any leaves and debris, and ensure your downspouts are draining properly. This will help prevent wood rot, keep away pests and prolong the life of your gutters.

Check smoke/carbon monoxide detectors: It’s recommended to do this each spring and fall, so give them a test and replace batteries if needed.

Inspect and clean the dryer vent: It’s recommended that you have your dryer vent checked once each year. Excessive lint buildup can pose a dangerous threat of fire.

Clean the chimney: Whether you have a wood-burning fireplace or gas logs, hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney once a year.

Service your HVAC: Call a professional to service your HVAC components to see if everything is running efficiently. Make sure to change your air filter and test your thermostat as well.

Deep clean indoors: Polish wood floors, scrub down cabinets, vacuum hard-to-reach spaces, wipe down the fridge, dust ceiling fans, etc. This will make hosting easier with the busy entertaining season quickly approaching.

Spruce up the yard: Rake leaves, prune back bushes and trim any trees that are getting too close to power lines or the roof. This will promote healthy growth and protect your property from falling branches.

Inspect windows and doors: Check for drafts and re-caulk or add weather-stripping where needed.

Reseed/fertilize the grass: Lawn-and-garden experts recommend fertilizing in the fall and spring, and fall temperatures are ideal for helping cool-season grasses take root.