If you own a home, there are always things you have to do to keep it up. Even if you rent a house or apartment,t here are still things that need to happen seasonally.
Over decades, I've developed the following list of such things. Some cost, some take time, some are hard work, some apply to houses and others to apartments. Pick and choose what applies to your situation and start making your own list of seasonal home maintenance.
Know where your gas shut off is, how to access it, how to shut off the gas if needed, and have a wrench near by to do so.
Know where your water main shut off is, how to access it, how to shut it off, and have the tools near by to do so.
Know where your electrical panel is, how to access it, and how to shut off the main power to your house.
These three above are critical no matter where you live, even if you're couch-surfing.
Have your chimney cleaned - assuming you have one. Even if you don't use your fireplace, you still need the chimney cleaned periodically because of birds and squirrels and other rodents.
Have your furnace serviced, if you are fortunate enough to live in a home that has one.
Have the roof cleaned. In some areas of the country, that means de-mossing, in others, sweeping off debris. I live in Oklahoma and the wind generally does this for us, but sometimes a bit of debris gets up there that's too heavy for wind to sweep off, but it can still shift it around, causing it to loosen and damage shingles. That kind of debris needs to go!
Clean your home's siding and paint if needed. Even if you home is all brick or stone, you still have doors, windows, soffits, and such. And you might consider power washing the brick and stone.
Power wash your deck/patio/concrete/drive/walks and make any necessary repairs. Check the driveway and walkways for signs of shifting or deterioration; fix if necessary.
Change the batteries in your smoke detectors, radon detectors, carbon monoxide detectors.
Wash your windows inside and out. While you have the screens/storm windows off to wash the windows, check your window screens/screen doors/shutters and make any repairs that are needed. Re-glaze the windows while they're clean.
Check the screens in your attic/crawl space and make sure there are no holes that would let creatures invade your home. While up there, check the ventilation and insulation.
Check/repair/replace weather stripping around your doors/windows, and that your windows are properly glazed.
Check your water filters and change them if necessary. If you don't have one on the intake valve of your hot water tank, add one. Clean sediment from the tank. Insulate your hot water tank and set the temperature to 120 degrees.
If you have well water, have the water tested for purity.
Clean the gutters and down spouts, and clean out your water collection barrels. If you don't have water collections barrels, consider installing some. at least one.
Make a drawing of your garden so you can remember what you planted and rotate your crops next year.
Do any renovations you can afford (new appliances, carpet/flooring, siding, windows, etc.).
Flush/clean all the drains in your home and out to the city sewer lines.
Make sure the numbers on your house/apartment are visible.
Fix any leaks in your faucets/toilets and replace gaskets and such as needed.
Clean out your refrigerator/freezer inside and out, including the condenser coils, and rotate the food.
Change all your filters: furnace, range hood, air conditioners, HEPA filters.
Check to make sure your fire extinguishers are fully charged.
Test your GFI (ground fault interrupter) switches to make sure they work properly.
Sanitize your recycle bins/garbage cans/sink garbage disposal.
Maintain (lube, etc) your garage door opener system and remote entry gates.
Inspect caulking around the tub/shower/tiles and make any needed repairs.
Inspect your home's foundation for cracks/signs of movement, and while you're there, check masonry for cracks and refill them. Earthquake-proof your home (tie down the hot water tank, bolt large furniture to the wall, etc). The way the earth is moving lately, we might all be in earthquake zones.
Check all stairs and railings; make repairs if necessary.
Check your sump pump, if you have one, to make sure it is working properly.
Test your security system and plans - run drills.
Dust all fan systems (ceiling fans, bathroom fan vents, box fans, etc).
Clean out your sheds/outbuildings/garage/car port.
Update your home inventory with any new purchases, loses, or changes.
Trim/cut down trees near your home that may fall during a storm.
Get rid of any pest nests (wasp nests, rodent nests, termites, etc.).
If you have a septic tank, have it serviced.
Do annual maintenance on your pool/hot tub.
Check for any signs of dry rot and fix if necessary.
Lubricate any squeaky hinges: cabinets as well as doors.
If you have a wood pile and it is next to the house or outbuildings, move it to prevent insect damage.
Clean your oven and under the burners.
Replace any faulty electrical outlets.
Check/maintain portable humidifiers/air conditioners.
Clean/sanitize your dishwasher and clothes washer.
Kid proof your home (make sure you don't have window blind cords that could strangle a child, lock up poisons and medications, etc).
Pet-proof your home (remove chewing hazards, make sure blind cords can't entangle cats, etc.)
Elder-proof your home (remove tripping hazards, round or pad corners on tables, put frequently used items where they are easy to get to and easy to open, etc).
Make your home more accessible (widen doorways, replace faucet spigots with arthritic-hand-friendly ones or hands-free ones, install ramps, lower light switches, raise electric outlets, etc)
Check all electrical cords for wear/damage and replace if necessary.
Deep clean flooring: carpets, rugs, wood, tile, stone. Rebuff and refinish if necessary.
Check for trees/plants whose roots could cause damage to walkways/pipes and remove.
Rotate all of your stored food and water if you don't already do so on a regular basis.
Check retaining walls/bulkheads and repair if necessary.
Have your wood stove cleaned and inspected if you have one.
"Bug bomb" your home if necessary.
Clean the tracks of your sliding glass doors and sliding windows.
Make sure your home tool area is organized and you have all the tools/equipment/supplies to make basic repairs on your home.
Make sure that all exterior lighting is in working order.
Check all hoses (exterior water hoses, washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator) for wear; replace if necessary.
Insulate basement/under house pipes and exterior pipes.
Make sure the surge protectors on sensitive electronics are in working order.
Ensure your pet kennels are secure (no holes dug under the fence, etc).
Clean and repair the dog house and check the water system for your outside dog(s).
Make or buy new toys for your pets.
"Bug bomb" your yard for fleas, ticks, grubs, slugs, and mosquitoes.
Update your pets' vaccinations and treat them for fleas and ticks.
Check your fences, repair holes and gaps, remove damaging vines and saplings, shore up loose posts.
Ensure any outdoor hazards (pool, hot tub, trampoline, etc) are in an area that can be secured; make sure the locks are in working order.
Test/maintain your generator if you haven't already done so during the spring storms.
Check the timers on your interior lights to make sure they work and are set properly.
See if your local electric company will conduct a free energy audit on your home.
If the location of your home safe/gun safe are known to too many people, move them.
Update your homeowners/renters/auto/boat/life insurance.