Move-In Exterior Checklist for Older Homes

Planning Exterior Maintenance for Your New (Older) Home

We recently got a call from a new homeowner — let’s call her Linda — who was getting ready to move into a 21-year-old home that had been sitting vacant for a few months. She and her husband were thrilled about the place, but a little overwhelmed by the exterior to-do list.

The house was two stories with a lot of windows, mature trees hanging over the roof, gutters packed with who-knows-what, and plenty of spider webs around the exterior. Linda knew they needed window cleaning, gutter cleaning, tree trimming, and pest control — she just wasn’t sure what order to do everything in, or how often to schedule it once they settled in.

We walked her through a simple move-in checklist for exterior maintenance, and it made the whole process feel much more manageable. If you’re moving into an older home, here’s the same step-by-step plan we shared with her.

Step 1: Start with Pest Control

Linda had already called a pest control company and asked if it made sense to have them out on closing day. She wanted the exterior sprayed, spider webs knocked down, and a good barrier set up before they moved any furniture in.

We told her that was exactly the right first step — and that it should come before window cleaning, gutter cleaning, or pressure washing.

Why pest control should go first

• Treats active insects before you start cleaning and disturbing their hiding spots.
• Prevents streaks and spots on freshly cleaned glass from pest sprays.
• Knocks down webs and nests, so your window and gutter cleaning can be more thorough.

We’ve seen what happens when pest control comes after window cleaning — sprays can leave residue and spotting on brand new clean glass. That’s why we always recommend:

• Schedule pest control first.
• Give it a day or two (or at least later the same day) to dry and settle.
• Then bring in window and exterior cleaning.

Step 2: Do a Deep, Move-In Window Cleaning

Because Linda’s home had been vacant for months, we let her know we’d treat that first visit as a deep clean. Regular maintenance cleanings can be quicker, but older homes and long-vacant properties usually need extra attention the first time.

What we do on an initial window cleaning

On a move-in deep clean for an older home, our process typically looks like this:

• Hand-clean every pane inside and out (no quick water-fed pole the first time).
• Scrub glass thoroughly with professional applicators and squeegees.
• Use bronze wool on stubborn spots such as light hard water marks and built-up grime.
• Clean screens so you’re not putting dusty screens back on spotless glass.
• Wipe tracks and sills (basic wipe down; deep track cleaning can be added if you want us to pull, vacuum, and bleach them).

For Linda, the priority was to get the house “move-in ready” without going overboard on extras right away. We suggested a standard track wipe-down at first, with the option to schedule a full track and frame detailing later if needed.

How often to clean windows in an older home

Linda mentioned she likes windows cleaned at least twice a year, and that’s a good baseline for most homes. For older homes or properties with lots of trees and dust, we usually recommend:

• 2 times per year: Spring and fall, good for light to moderate dirt.
• 4 times per year: For homes with heavy pollen, trees, nearby fields, or if you just love spotless glass.

We typically set people up so that after that first deep clean, maintenance cleanings cost less and go faster. For example, once windows are brought up to a high standard, ongoing cleanings often don’t require the same level of scrubbing and restoration.

Step 3: Coordinate Tree Trimming Before Gutter Cleaning

Linda’s home had three large trees in front, with branches actually hanging over the roof and touching near the gutters. The inspector required those limbs to be cut back, and she asked if it made sense to have us clean the gutters before or after the tree crew came.

We told her what we tell every homeowner in that situation: always trim trees first, then clean the gutters.

Why the order matters

• Tree trimming drops a lot of leaves, twigs, and sawdust onto the roof.
• Those fresh clippings will wash straight into your gutters with the next rain or irrigation.
• If you clean gutters first, you’ll likely pay twice because they’ll be full again right after trimming.

A good sequence for an older home with mature trees looks like this:

1. Have the tree service out for pruning and clearance from the roof.
2. Allow a day or two for debris to settle and any follow-up trimming.
3. Schedule gutter cleaning immediately after.

Step 4: Set a Gutter Cleaning Schedule That Matches Your Yard

Linda already knew they’d need their gutters done more than once a year. With large trees over the roof, that’s absolutely true. Older homes often have original gutter systems, which can clog more easily because of design, pitch, or previous buildup.

How often should you clean gutters?

Here’s what we typically recommend for older homes:

• Once a year: Only if you have very few trees and minimal debris.
• Twice a year (spring and fall): Best for most homeowners with some tree coverage.
• Three or more times per year: If you have large trees overhanging the roof, lots of needles, or frequent storms.

For a house like Linda’s — two stories, with multiple large trees over the roof — we suggested at least twice a year, and possibly a third visit if they notice overflowing gutters during heavy rain.

Putting It All Together: A Simple Move-In Exterior Checklist

When you move into an older home, there’s a lot to juggle. Here’s the basic exterior sequence we walked through with Linda:

1. Schedule pest control for closing day or shortly after.
2. Book an initial deep window cleaning (inside and out) once pest treatment is done.
3. Have trees trimmed back from the roof, siding, and power lines.
4. Follow tree work with gutter cleaning to clear out old and new debris.
5. Set up a maintenance plan for windows and gutters (2–4 window cleans per year, 1–3 gutter cleanings depending on trees).

For Linda, we were able to look up the property online, get a feel for the number of windows and the roofline, and send over an estimate for both window and gutter cleaning. From there, we helped her build a schedule that kept her husband off ladders, protected the home, and kept everything looking sharp year-round.

If you’re staring at an older home with dusty windows, sagging gutters, and overgrown trees, you don’t have to tackle it all at once — or alone. With the right order and a simple maintenance plan, you can protect your investment and enjoy that “new home” feeling long after move-in day.