Home & Wealth | April 2025

April 11, 2025/
A DOZEN MAINTENANCE ITEMS HOMEOWNERS OFTEN NEGLECT  
  Few things can compare to the feeling of being a homeowner. You have achieved a big part of the American Dream for yourself and your loved ones. But you want to keep that dream alive and well. So, along with the joys of home ownership come the challenges of maintaining your big investment. Don’t set yourself up for future trouble by putting off important maintenance issues. Doing small jobs when they’re needed will help you avoid big problems later. Here are the home maintenance items you don’t want to neglect. 
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HVAC. Have heating and air conditioning systems checked annually. Change filters regularly. Water Heater. Drain it once a year. Sump Pump. If you have one in the basement, pour water into its basin twice a year to check that it kicks on.
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Water Filtration System. If you have one, ask a qualified professional how often filters and softeners should be replaced. Radon Mitigation System. If you have one for household air, have a qualified professional check it at least once a year. If you have one for well water, ask a qualified professional how often it should be checked.
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Pest Control. Hire a service to check for bugs and rodents at least twice a year, and for termites annually. Carpets. Have them professionally deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Fireplaces. Hire a chimney sweep every spring. Have a qualified professional service gas fireplaces once a year.
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Gutters. Clean them out in the spring and the fall after all the leaves have come down. Garage Door Springs. Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for how often you should lube them. Deck. Power wash and seal wood decks every two to three years. Curb Appeal. Trim trees and shrubs; maintain your lawn, walkways, and railings; wash windows once a year; and touch up paint trim when it starts to peel.
The Jim Passi Team at Citywide Home Loans proudly serves Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Georgia and Flordia. If you are looking to buy a home or refinance, we have you covered. Apply Now to get started.
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Jim Passi - Citiwide Home Loans

Jim Passi
Regional Manager
NMLS# 158000

1121 E. Main Street, Suite 121
St. Charles, IL 60174
Mobile: 847-899-1813
Email: jim.passi@alamedamortgage.com

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This testimony is from my

This testimony is from my experience being a first-time home buyer going through the process of purchasing a home with Jim Passi from City Wide home loans. Let me just start off by saying how reliable, courteous, genuine, informational and hardworking Jim Passi is. Jim is not like a lot of other loan officers. My house I purchased for under 160 grand, not a huge real estate deal. From experience with other loan officers they don’t want to deal with a smaller purchase or work on a loan that might be difficult. With our credit score being low and work history not at expectations I was almost positive I would have to wait a year or maybe two years before being approved and close on a house. I definitely had doubts that I would be a home owner, Jim worked hard and stayed in contact with us updating us almost every day of the process, even during evening hours and weekends during the stressful underwriting process. Communication is key and I give Jim a 5-star rating with that. I consider myself an average blue-collar hard-working guy that has experienced hardships during life. Jim was never turned away by the hardships, he was understanding of them and I feel like it made him work even harder to make this process a success.

I just successfully closed on a house with my fiancé. Jim did what I thought was impossible. Again, with our credit score being under 600 and spotty work history it was a difficult process that became a success with a lot of hard work. Jim also got me the best interest rate that was available. He was constantly checking the market and keeping me informed on what was available. He wanted me to take my time and make sure what rate was in our best interest. Jim has a cretin genuine care for his clients and speaking with him so much during this process I know he truly cares and wants to help people. Even after we closed Jim called and congratulated us with excitement. Jim made a dream come true for us that I was sure we would have to wait for. I’m just going to say if he made my dream come true with all the problems I had he can make a lot of others come true for any one in a similar situation. Jim Passi is highly recommended.

Tim A.