Small Home Maintenance Acts Will Bring Great Reward
Small Home Maintenance Acts Will Bring Great Reward
Small home maintenance acts, over long periods of time, will not only preserve one of your greatest financial assets, but it will also enhance your home’s equity and long-term gain.
Good maintenance keeps your home young and full of value. “An out-of-shape house is older than its years and could lose 10% of its appraised value,” states Mack Strickland, a real estate appraiser in Chester, VA. “That can translate into a $15,000 to $20,000 decrease in value for the average home.”
Don’t put off minor things that can be done. Small acts, little by little, will pay off over time.
Pay close attention to the little things that annoy you in your house; over time, they will ultimately annoy the integrity of your house too.
Take a water leak for example. While not only an everyday nuisance to you, a water leak can be a sign of greater damage to come. Water and moisture can be one of the biggest threats to the integrity of your foundation, roof, walls and floors. Whether an overflowing gutter or a minor leak or drip inside your house, these things can lead to bigger problems down the road. Small, ongoing leaks can not only erode pipes, but they can also cause mold and mildew problems that could go unnoticed until it’s too late and overly costly to repair. What starts out as a $4.00/half-hour caulking job, that goes undone, can ultimately result in a $5,000 undertaking to remedy water damage and mold growth.
Whether it’s checking caulking in a shower, tightening door handles, painting a tired old wall, or replacing some carpet, little acts of kindness over time will pay off great dividends in the future. And just think how much more you’ll love living in your house each day.
There are different approaches to the “small acts over time” concept. Here are a few to consider to find what best suits you, your lifestyle, and . . . your home:
Take one room each year. Each year, focus on a different room. As you go through it, fix and improve as you go. This stretches out your maintenance plan and may keep it more fun, varied and interesting.
Consider a maintenance fund. Some experts say that setting aside 1%-3% of your initial house price should annually accommodate necessary maintenance costs. Having that on hand may take some of the stress and “putting off” of these smaller acts that can be done over time.
Have a monthly – quarterly – or annual plan. Find a regular maintenance plan that fits your ability and lifestyle. Have a checklist handy that can guide you through monthly, quarterly or annual items. Check out the attached checklists, courtesy of www.artofmanliness.com
If you’re unsure of what needs to be done, bring in a home inspector. For between approximately $200-$400, a home inspector can provide you with a detailed long- and short-term list of what should be done to give your home the acts of kindness and maintenance to keep it young, vital and full of equity.
And, as always, if you need assistance in assessing the value of your home or need referrals for painters, contractors, repairs or home inspections, call me, Karen Ingalls. I’m here to help.
(Sources: https://www.houselogic.com/organize-maintain/home-maintenance-tips/value-home-maintenance/ & www.artofmanliness.com)