If there is one thing in particular I could hammer home about protecting your home or investment properties, it would be to ensure water is property diverted away from your home. I've been to a lot of inspections throughout the years, and the one thing that blaringly sticks out about homes that need costly repair work is that the needed repairs stem from a water issue. The biggest contributor to water issues are homeowners who fail to pay attention to their gutter system and the vegetation around the home.

So, now that the warmer summer months are upon us, here are a few good items to spend part of a sunny Saturday checking out…

Gutters: The concept here is simple… make sure water can flow through them and then AWAY from your home (see picture). Gutters full of debris either lead to water pooling and seeping into the wood/roof above/around the gutter or spilling over the side to an undesirable location. Just as important is to have a drain pipe that comes down the side of your home which then drains water away either through an extension or a small drain field. I've seen a lot of homes with foundation issues stemming from a drainpipe that simply spewed water out right next to the foundation where it pooled and settled. Foundation repairs are obviously costly, so take the little bit of time to make sure water is diverted away from your home.

Vegetation: Trees and shrubs coming into contact with your home are an avenue for insects/rodents and water. Leave a plant touching a home long enough and moss will form, and the combination of moss and a moist environment will eventually lead to damaged siding. Further, trees overhanging your roof foster moss growth which grows into the grooves of your roof material (this picture does a good job displaying how an overhanging tree fosters moss growth). Not only does it reduce the life span of your roof, but the growing moss creates a highway for water to enter your home. If you do need to remove moss from your roof do not use a powerful spray from a hose or pressure washer as this will literally wash away years of your roof's useful lifespan. Do it by hand and use a moss killer. No one wants to blow thousands of dollars repairing their roof, siding, interior drywall, paint, etc, so just take a little time to make sure all your shrubbery and trees are pruned away from your home.

Siding: While walking around your home to scope out any plants that may need to be pruned back, take some time to look at any spots where caulking may have failed, spots that need to be caulked, or signs of failing paint. If there's even a minor break in the paint/caulk, then water can get in and rot your wood. So, take a look around your windows, look for any nail holes that can use a swab of caulk, or any spots where cracking in the paint job may be evident. A few hours a year touching up failing paint and caulking will save you thousands in the long run.

Most costly repairs come from homeowners who do not pay attention to their home, so the best recipe is to walk around your home a few times a year to look for any potential signs of trouble. Simply put, proactive homeowners save money and heartache.

- Robert E. Wasser - Bellevue and Seattle real estate blog, news, market trends, and statistics