Property
management is almost always considered, in considerable detail, regarding
commercial properties. However, each homeowner needs to pay particular
attention, to maintaining, enhancing, and focusing, on a plan, to manage his
personal property. Most home buyers consider their monthly carrying charges,
and think about their mortgage interest and principal, escrow items (such as
insurance, real estate taxes, etc), and utilities. However, far too often,
there is no planning for the other necessities and obligations of home
ownership, and because of this, many are unprepared for major repairs, or even
minor ones. For that reason, I have created these 6 items every homeowner needs
to plan for, prepare for, and pay attention to.
1. Painting/ power - washing: Depending upon where your home
is, and what material is on the exterior, your schedule for these things will
differ. If you are in a region where there is a lot of snow and ice, or one
which is close to the ocean, you will need to maintain it more often. If the
property is in the woods, it will probably require special care. If you have a
wood house (such as cedar shingles, etc), ask a local paint store, how often
houses in your area need painting. If you have a vinyl, etc - sided house, you
should probably power - wash it, once every year or two. Doing regularly
scheduled preventative maintenance, will often cost far less, than waiting for
the major disasters.
2. Grounds: What kind of property is your home situated on?
Is it level, or sloped, clear or wooded, etc? If there are lots of trees,
regular leaf removal is needed. Obviously, mowing, repairing and maintaining
your lawn, which includes regular watering, etc. Do you need in - ground
sprinklers, and if you have these, prepare for regular maintenance, including
winterizing, back - flow devices, repair, etc? How about your gardens, etc? How
will you care for them?
3. Heating/ air conditioning systems: Make sure you have
your boiler maintained and cleaned, and that a Preventive Maintenance, is
performed, prior to the winter! Change/ clean your air conditioning systems,
winterize (if needed), and make sure these are kept clean and well -
maintained. Don't forget your air filters.
4. Windows/ doors: Are you heating the inside or outside of
your home? Unless your windows and doors are somewhat air - tight, you will be
wasting lots of money, on your heating bills, as well as on your utility bills
when you use your air conditioners! Make sure windows are caulked, when needed,
and doors have sweeps, and close securely!
5. Roof: Two considerations in this area of the house. A new
roof will usually last 25 years or more, but that doesn't mean, there may not
be a faulty area. Remember to clean leaves from your gutters, etc, and at the
same time, take a look at your roof. Are there any areas, either in your house,
or attic, which appear to indicate some dampness?
6. Interior: floors, walls, etc: Don't forget the inside of
your house. Remember, you often need to paint around windows and window sills,
more often than the rest of the house. Consider a rotating painting schedule,
so you paint one or two rooms, every year, on an alternate schedule! Inspect
your floors, and do your wood floors need care? How are your tiles holding up?
Inspect your carpet.
Create a budget for maintaining your home annually, Put
aside money in a separate Home Maintenance account, and only use it, for those
purposes. Anything you don't use in one year, add to the next year's
contribution. Do this weekly, but do it always!
Richard has owned businesses, been a COO, CEO, and Director
of Development, as well as a consultant. He has professionally run events,
consulted to thousands of leaders, conducted personal development seminars, for
4 decades, and a Licensed RE Salesperson for over a decade. Rich has written
three books and thousands of articles. Website:
http://PortWashingtonRealEstateOffice.com and LIKE the Facebook page for real
estate: http://facebook.com/PortWashRE
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