Do you remember the movie Gremlins? It’s a cheesy horror film from the ‘80s with a plot about a boy who takes home a cuddly little mogwai named Gizmo.

Gizmo has three rules:

1. Don’t expose him to bring light.
2. Don’t get him wet.
3. Do not, under any circumstances, feed him after midnight.

Spoiler alert: 25 minutes into the movie, all three rules are broken. Gizmo winds up spawning dozens more mogwai who end up turning into evil, scaly-green gremlins (like the action figure in the photo above).

This movie got me thinking… What are the three simplest “rules” homeowners can follow to avoid total calamity?

Here’s what I came up with:

1. Keep the gutters clean. Most basement moisture issues can be eliminated with clean, functional gutters and downspouts. Performing basic maintenance a few times a year could save you from having to replace your home’s entire foundation. Sounds like a pretty good deal, right?

2. Make sure the grading around your house is ushering water away from the foundation. I’ve witnessed people installing $15,000 basement moisture remediation systems when less than $1,000 of soil work could have fixed the problem. Try the path of least resistance before jumping into the expensive one!

3. Make sure bathroom exhaust fans vent outdoors. Improperly ventilated bathrooms create moist conditions that quickly lead to mold growth. In my 16 years as a realtor, I’ve seen my fair share of moldy attics that could have been spared by a proper ventilation system. Spaces like this are a costly health hazard — don’t risk it.

Nothing too crazy, you know? These three things alone will help you avoid a whole mess of Gremlins in your house.

(And if you’re interested in revisiting your youth, Toys From The Past on 13th and Arapahoe is a great place to get lost in some nostalgia. Check it out!)