June Homeowner Guide
Dianna Vonderheide June 6, 2025
Dianna Vonderheide June 6, 2025
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By Dianna Vonderheide | Templeton Local & Expert Real Estate Advisor
June is here, and if you’re like most homeowners in San Luis Obispo County, you’re probably thinking about BBQs, beach weekends, and a break from the school routine. But before you get too comfy in that Adirondack chair with your glass of Paso Robles rosé—let’s talk about your house.
June isn’t just the start of summer—it’s the perfect time for a few essential, often-overlooked home maintenance tasks that can protect your investment, save money, and improve your peace of mind.
To make things easy, I’ve created a downloadable Homeowner’s Maintenance Tracker that helps you record all updates, repairs, appliance info, and preferred contractors. (More on that later!)
Let’s dive into what most homeowners don’t know they should be doing in June.
June hits that sweet spot between the end of the rainy season and the start of intense summer heat in California. It’s also:
Early enough to prepare for fire season (a growing concern for Central Coast homeowners)
A good time to get ahead of repair delays before the contractor schedule backlog of mid-summer
Right before many folks start traveling or hosting houseguests
June is your window of opportunity—use it wisely and you’ll thank yourself in August.
California homes are required to have GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets in moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and outdoor spaces. These outlets protect you from electrical shock.
📍Pro Tip: Press the "test" button on each outlet, then "reset." If it doesn't click or resets too easily, replace it. These are critical for safety around sprinklers, pools, and patios.
Creeping vines may look charming, but they can pull siding away or trap moisture that leads to rot. Also check under eaves, in corners, and near vents for wasp nests, spider webs, or ant colonies.
📍Did You Know? Termites swarm in spring and start eating in summer. Schedule a preventative inspection now—it’s much cheaper than treating an infestation later.
If you’ve never flushed your water heater, now’s the time. Mineral deposits from hard water (a real issue here on the Central Coast) can reduce efficiency, shorten its lifespan, and cost you more in energy bills.
📍How-To: Turn off power or gas. Attach a hose to the drain valve. Open the valve and flush out the sediment. If this sounds like a hassle, your local plumber can do it quickly and affordably.
Dryer vent fires peak in summer months when usage is high. A clogged vent means higher fire risk and longer drying times.
📍What to Look For: If your clothes are still damp after a full cycle, it’s probably not the dryer—it’s the duct. A $100–$150 service could save you thousands in damage.
Cal Fire recommends clearing flammable vegetation within 100 feet of structures. But there’s more to fire-safe prep:
Clean roof & gutters of leaves and pine needles
Trim tree limbs at least 6 feet off the ground and 10 feet from chimneys
Move firewood away from the home
Review your homeowner’s insurance coverage for wildfire clauses
📍Bonus: Update your home inventory—use photos, videos, and receipts. Store a copy digitally and physically.
June is bug season, and tiny invaders love crawling through unsealed cracks.
📍Pro Tip: Use a flashlight from the inside after dark while someone checks outside. If light shines through, seal it up.
Most SLO homeowners turn their sprinklers back on in late spring—but many forget to check for:
Broken heads spraying the sidewalk
Cracked drip tubing under mulch
Leaky control valves
📍Did You Know? One broken sprinkler head can waste up to 25,000 gallons of water in a single summer. That’s money down the drain—and not great for drought-conscious living.
You wouldn’t buy a car without a maintenance history, right? Think of your home the same way. Documenting updates helps you keep track—and adds value when it’s time to sell.
📍Use This: Download the Homeowner’s Maintenance Tracker and start logging everything from paint touch-ups to appliance installs. Download the Tracker Here
Before the sun starts baking your trim and siding, walk around the home and look for chipping or peeling paint. These areas can let in moisture and lead to wood rot.
📍What to Watch: Trim, fascia boards, window sills, decks, and your front door. Touch-ups are way easier (and cheaper) than repainting in full later.
You don’t want to be searching Yelp in a panic when your AC breaks during a heatwave. Build your “go-to” list now.
📍Include:
Plumber
HVAC technician
Roofer
Electrician
Pest control
General handyman
💡Pro Tip: Ask your neighbors or real estate agent (hey, that’s me!) for local referrals. Good contractors book fast in summer.
These extra steps go beyond maintenance—they make your home more livable and marketable:
Sunlight boosts mood and energy. Don’t let dirty glass get in the way.
Even if you don’t use it often, clean filters and coils mean cooler air and lower bills.
Adjust thermostat schedules, check battery backups, and run a Wi-Fi test on your smart sprinkler system or cameras.
Staying on top of your home's health doesn't have to be complicated. My custom Homeowner's Maintenance Tracker includes:
✔️ Appliance & system info
✔️ Maintenance log pages
✔️ Paint tracker
✔️ Preferred contractor list
📎 Download it here and keep a printed copy in your home binder or file cabinet. Trust me—this is one of those “grown-up tools” you’ll be glad you started using.
Because we live in one of the most wildfire-prone states in the U.S., June is a great time to fire-harden your property. Beyond trimming trees and clearing brush, consider:
Gravel instead of mulch near foundations
Fire-rated roof materials (if you’re due for a replacement)
Metal screens over vents and eaves
Non-combustible fencing near your home (like metal or stone)
🛑 California’s defensible space laws may affect your insurance coverage. If you need help understanding the latest codes or upgrades to stay compliant, I can help guide you.
Q: Is it worth spending money on maintenance if I’m thinking of selling next year?
A: Absolutely. Buyers love seeing a well-cared-for home. Records like those in the tracker make your property stand out and help justify top-dollar pricing.
Q: How do I find trustworthy contractors?
A: Ask me! I keep an up-to-date referral list of local, licensed pros I’ve worked with personally or come highly recommended by clients.
Q: Can you help me decide which upgrades are worth the investment?
A: Yes! I offer complimentary home walk-throughs to discuss what adds real value and what’s not worth the hassle before listing.
Being a proactive homeowner doesn’t mean spending your weekends buried in chores. It means spending one day a month doing the things that will make every other month easier (and less expensive).
And this month? Start with two things:
✅ Download the Homeowner’s Maintenance Tracker
✅ Pick three action items from this list to tackle
You’ve got this. And if you need help, advice, or a friendly nudge, you know where to find me.
Need help evaluating your home’s market value? Curious about what adds the most resale value in Templeton, Paso Robles, or Atascadero? Just want a second set of eyes on your to-do list?
I'm here for all of it. Real estate isn’t just about buying and selling—it’s about smart living and protecting your biggest investment.
📩 [email protected]
📞 805-234-0640
📸 Instagram: @diannavond
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