* Maintain your sprinkler system. Most buried sprinklers should be winterized each fall and de-winterized each spring. The exact time to do this depends on the precipitation in your area, as Mother Nature may take care of some of the watering for you.
* Clean the gutters. It's important to do this every fall, but it doesn't hurt to do it twice a year, especially if you have lots of trees near your home.
* Maintain your pool. If you have a swimming pool, choose a date in late spring to treat the water change the filters and perform other start-of-season tasks. Pick another date in late summer or early fall to clean and cover your pool for winter.
* Schedule chimney maintenance. A dirty chimney can be a real fire hazard. If you have an active fireplace, hire a pro to inspect and clean your chimney by early fall to make sure you're ready for the cozy season.
* Change your ceiling fan direction. Remember to spin them counterclockwise in warm weather to create a cooling downdraft, then reverse them to clockwise in cold weather to help distribute warmer air.
* Schedule the exterminator. If you have a professional treat your home annually to prevent insect infestations, get them on the books early to beat the rush.
* Deep clean your appliances. At least once a year, give every major appliance some thorough TLC. You can spread these jobs out across your calendar to make them more manageable, or cluster them together for a major spring cleaning blitz.