More often than not, most homeowners, (myself included) find a home, make the necessary repairs found on the inspection report, move into our homes and live our lives.
We repair items as needed. Leaky faucet, no problem. Don’t like the bathroom, bye, bye “Mamie Pink” tile. Viola’! – new bathroom. A hurricane or tropical storm blows through – time to get a new roof.
What I learned, and only from meeting a lot of people like myself, is our homes are kind of like our cars. There are a few key maintenance items we should be doing along the way to protect our investments.
After experiencing countless home inspections, I noticed that most of the items that came up on an inspection report were things the homeowner, (myself included), could have been taken care of with a simple repair – when the problem started. The small neglected problem over years, is now a big problem. Causing the homeowners costly repairs or worse brought down the value of the home.
If you’re the handy type and you already do these things, you are doing a great job protecting your investment and when you do decide to sell your home, it will definitely pay off!
So, for the rest of us, here are the things you need to do when you’re NOT selling your home; so, when the day comes you do sell your home you’ve protected the value of your home. We call this the “Condition” of the home. One of the three things used to calculate your home’s value proposition. (What does Home Value Proposition mean? Find out here.)
Just like you change the oil in your car or check the wear and tear of the tires, here are the things we tend to neglect until there is a problem:
WINDOWS: Probably one of the most neglected areas of a home.
Touch up your windows with caulk to help prevent drafts and cut down on energy bills.
The sealant or caulking around your windows helps ensure that they are watertight
If moisture accumulates between your panes, you’ve got a problem with the seal. Your window needs replacing.
WASHER:
CHECK hoses connected to your washing machine often and look for any signs it could be wearing out.
If you see any CRACKS or BENDING, replace the hose immediately.
DRYER:
Every few months to CLEAN the chute which leads to the filter (you can use a vacuum attachment or brush to remove any lint).
BATHROOMS:
CHECK under the sinks for leaks. Even small leaks over time can damage cabinets and create mold.
CLEAN the sink and tub drains.
CAULK at least once a year or better yet, as soon as you see the spots where the caulking is compromised. If the caulking is worn and allows water to get behind the tile you won’t know how much is getting back there and you won’t know there is damage until there is A LOT of it.
BEDROOMS, LIVING SPACES, DINING ROOMS & KITCHENS:
Consider replacing lightbulbs with LEDs. They use one-fifth the amount of energy and they last longer than other bulbs, but the big plus with these bulbs, ESPECIALLY LIVING IN FLORIDA, they emit less heat!
If you’re like me, I completely take my A/C for granted. Which is kind of funny considering I live in Florida and it’s not just a luxury item – it’s a necessity. Again, just like our cars, A/C units need to be serviced each year to keep them running efficiently and extend the life of the unit. Also, don’t forget to pour 1/4 cup of vinegar each month down your A/C drain line.
