December Homeowner Playbook for San Diego: Essential Maintenance, Tax Prep, and Value-Protection Tips
Finishing the Year Like a Homeowner Who Thinks Ahead
December in San Diego is the quiet season—the one month where most homeowners shift their focus to holidays, travel, and the end-of-year slowdown. But if you want your home to hold (or increase) its value, this is the time to prep for the year ahead. San Diego’s micro-climates—coastal salt air, inland temperature swings, and winter storm cycles—reward homeowners who stay two steps ahead.
As a Compass real estate advisor specializing in San Diego’s coastal and inland neighborhoods, I spend December helping clients tighten up deferred maintenance, fine-tune financial plans, and set up the systems that directly impact their property value in the coming year.
Below is your December Homeowner Playbook: what to inspect, clean, protect, and plan before January hits.
Essential December Home Maintenance Tasks
1. Wood Treatment for Fences, Decks & Exterior Features
San Diego’s cooler months bring moisture swings and salt-laden winds—two things that quickly deteriorate untreated wood.
What to do:
• Inspect fences, gates, and decks for cracking or fading
• Apply sealant or weather-resistant wood treatment
• Check retaining walls or pergolas for early signs of rot
This small annual task extends the life of your exterior features and preserves curb appeal—one of the biggest drivers of home value.
2. Insulation Check for Pipes (Especially Inland Communities)
While coastal San Diego rarely freezes, inland neighborhoods—Poway, Valley Center, Escondido, and parts of East County—regularly hit low overnight temperatures.
Your December checklist:
• Insulate exposed pipes (particularly outdoor spigots and garages)
• Run heating system briefly to identify pressure or flow inconsistencies
• Verify no cold drafts are entering under doors or through attic access
A burst pipe can cause five-figure damage. A 10-minute insulation check can prevent it entirely.
3. Test Water & Gas Shutoff Valves
This is the least glamorous task—and also the most critical for protecting value.
Annually test:
• Main water shutoff
• Gas shutoff at the meter
• Individual fixture shutoffs (toilets, sinks, laundry)
If anything feels stuck or corroded, bring in a plumber. In an emergency, your valves need to respond instantly.
4. Deep Clean: Garbage Disposal & Dishwasher
The holiday season is where kitchen systems get overloaded.
What to do:
• Run a disposal deep clean (ice cubes + vinegar + a citrus rinse)
• Clear dishwasher filters
• Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle
• Inspect the seal for mold or breakdown
A clean kitchen system prevents odors, improves appliance life, and protects the home from unnoticed leaks—one of the most common insurance claims in San Diego.
End-of-Year Financial & Property Value Planning
5. Property Tax Calendar + Year-End Strategy
California’s December homeowner reminders:
• December 10: First installment of property taxes becomes delinquent
• Confirm mailing address is correct for property tax bills
• Plan ahead for April’s second installment (often the one people forget)
Optional Year-End Moves:
• Review energy credits and renovation deductions with your CPA
• Update your home inventory list for insurance
• Evaluate whether improvements planned for 2026 qualify for rebates or tax advantages
6. Get a 2025 Home Value Snapshot
Even if you’re staying put, knowing your current value—and where you sit within your micro-market—helps you make smarter improvements.
This is the perfect month for:
• End-of-year equity review
• Compass Real Estate Annual Market Analysis
• Home improvement ROI planning
• Rental or ADU evaluation
I provide a complimentary year-end report for San Diego homeowners—custom to your neighborhood, not a generic online estimate.
7. Plan for 2026: Renovations, Upgrades, or Real Estate Moves
With contractors booking early and costs fluctuating, now is the time to think ahead.
Ask yourself:
• Do I need fence or deck repairs before rainy season?
• Should I update windows, roof, or insulation in 2026?
• Am I planning to refinance, purchase, or sell?
• Do I want to upgrade the kitchen or bathrooms while demand is slow?
If you need trusted vendors, I have a VETTED LIST—from luxury builders to affordable repair specialists—and I’m happy to make introductions.
Pro Tips to Protect Home Value in December
• Salt-air protection: Coastal homes benefit from gently rinsing exterior metal hardware once a month
• HVAC tune-up: Early winter is less busy than spring/summer—book now
• Check exterior drainage: Clear debris before January rain cycles
• Review warranties: Many appliance warranties require annual maintenance
• Walk your perimeter: This quick visual scan catches issues before they become costly repairs
When You’re Ready to Talk Real Estate
Whether you’re staying in your home long-term or planning for a move in 2026, December is the most strategic time to get clarity. I offer personalized:
• Home value reviews
• Pre-renovation ROI consultations
• Contractor introductions
• Compass Concierge guidance
• Purchase and investment planning
If you want a custom 2026 plan for your home, send me a message and I’ll build one tailored to your property and your goals.
— Greg
Compass | DRE #01977577
858-361-5568
Gregory.Kuchan@Compass.com
