Home Maintenance Items To Help Keep Home’s Value
Home Maintenance
Owning a house is a great investment, but requires regular maintenance to help keep the home’s value. To protect your investment, here are some home maintenance items that you shouldn’t ignore.
Mark your calendar each year to do an annual check on the following items. Remember to keep your receipts on any repairs that you have done.
Water Leaks
Florida homes probably have more damage from water leaks than anything else in the house. Stains on ceilings can be from a roof problem or air conditioner handler located in the attic. Check them immediately and get them repaired. Early detection may be as simple as patching a leak.
Check and repair or replace leaky faucets and running toilet bowls.
Rodent Infestation
If you hear any noises in the attic, don’t turn up the TV, check out what is going on up there. You may have some critters living in your attic. Use traps or bait or call an exterminator.
Energy Cost
If your electric bill is going up and your home is not cool, make sure your air filter is clean. It is a good idea to have your air conditioner system regularly serviced by a licensed technician.
Peeling Or Chalking Paint
Paint is the home’s skin. It is your first line of defense against incursions by water and pests. Scrape off the old paint or pressure wash the home. Apply a coat or two of fresh paint. If your home was built before 1978, it may have lead based paint and will require special handling.
Garage Door Opener
Garage door openers should have an electric eye that looks for obstructions and an automatic reverse to prevent someone from accidentally getting hit by the door. Test your door occasionally to make sure it works correctly.
Dryer Vents
Clothes dryers cause more than 15,000 fires every year. These fires are often as a result of lint build-up in the vents. Check the dryer ducts regularly and clean when necessary.
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters
Ground fault circuit interrupters are electrical outlets with distinctive red and black buttons that are required to prevent deadly shocks. Check them regularly to ensure they are working. It could save your life.
Smoke Alarms
Most building codes require smoke alarms in homes. These are usually equipped with a 9 volt battery. The batteries should be replaced annually. Fire prevention week in October is a good time to change batteries.
Windows, Doors and Screens
Make sure all of your windows and doors work properly. Repair or replace any broken screens.
Landscaping And Lawn Care
Keep bushes and trees trimmed around your home. A well manicured lawn is often a sign of a well maintained home and adds to curb appeal for potential buyers.
Stay on top of home maintenance If you repair items quickly, your overall maintenance costs will ultimately be less.
A well maintained home sells more quickly than one that is in need of repair. When a home buyer sees obvious things that need repair, they are wary of what they don’t see and will often back away from a possible deal.
Look at your home from a buyer’s perspective. What would you think of the house if you were buying it today?
When you are ready to buy or sell a home, call Bob Lewis!
Phone: 239-565-0330
Bob Lewis Does Real Estate Right!
Home Maintenance
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