Want your home value to go up… not down?
We all hope our home value will go up over time. But the truth…
Most homeowners completely forget about maintenance that protects their biggest investment. And they pay for it later when trying to sell their home.
The result? Thousands lost on things that could have been prevented.
Fortunately, protecting your home value is easy with the right maintenance plan.
Many of the MOST valuable home maintenance tasks are also the easiest to keep up with. You can protect (and even increase) your home value by simply staying on top of things. Without spending your life savings to do it.
Table of Contents
- Here’s The Damage Caused By Skipping Maintenance
- Start With Your Roof
- Protecting Home Value Through Maintenance
- How To Stick To A Home Maintenance Schedule
Here’s The Damage Caused By Skipping Maintenance
You may think skipping maintenance is a great way to save money. But in reality, it’s the fastest way to destroy your home value.
Let’s look at why…
Small issues turn into big problems. A little roof leak turns into water damage. Overflowing gutters lead to foundation problems. And that HVAC that’s been making funny noises? It’ll stop working when you need it most.
And potential buyers will see every single issue.
The first thing many realtors do is climb up on the roof. A badly maintained home screams TRAILER PARK to buyers. Either they walk, or you’ll lose negotiating power when asking prices are slashed.
Let’s use your roof as an example…
Fixing a minor leak now might cost you $200. Water damage, rotting decking, and failing roof structures? Thousands of dollars.
Start With Your Roof
Roof maintenances should be at the top of your list. Protecting your home value starts at the top!
Here’s why…
Research from Verisk revealed roofs rated in moderate or poor condition experienced loss costs 60% greater than good or excellent roofs. That’s significant money when talking about damage and repairs.
Here’s another crazy stat. Roof claims are already at an all-time high. But did you know 38% of roofs across America are considered moderate or poor? Nearly 4 out of every 10 homeowners are sitting on a disaster.
How does your roof affect home value?
Poor insulation is the number one culprit. Heat will escape during the winter and cool air will run out during summer. Higher utility bills every month doesn’t sound fun.
Working with an expert roofing contractor in Centralia is beneficial to point out problems before they get out of control. Maintenance services by roofing contractors include full inspections that can reveal problem areas before they become costly.
Signs you might need roof repair or replacement?
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Granules in the gutters
- Dark spots on ceilings
- Visible drooping
- Sunlight coming through attic floor boards
If water comes leaking through your ceiling, it’s already too late.
Protecting Home Value Through Maintenance
Your roof isn’t the only thing that affects your home value. Simple maintenances play a key roll in protecting your largest investment. So why not focus on maintenance that will give you the biggest return?
Here’s a fun fact for you…
Zonda’s Cost vs. Value report found that 9 of the top 10 projects with the highest ROI were exterior improvements. When it comes to home value, exterior projects outshine anything you can do on the inside of your home.
Clean Your Gutters
Rotting Foundations? Check. Burst Water Lines? Check. Destroyed Landscaping? Check.
Clogged gutters lead to all of these problems (and more). When gutters don’t drain properly, the water pools around your homes foundation. This constant exposure to water leads to all kinds of problems.
Cleaning your gutters twice a year keeps them draining properly. Prevention is the best (and cheapest) way to protect your foundations integrity.
HVAC System Services
Who wants high energy bills? No one!
Your HVAC system controls the comfort of your home and impacts your utility bills. A well maintained system won’t have to work as hard to keep you comfortable. Plus, you’ll avoid those costly emergency replacements in the middle of summer.
Another pro is having working HVAC systems for sale. Most buyers want move-in ready homes. If your HVAC system is running, you’re one step closer.
Paint and Caulk Exterior
Flaking paint and weathered siding is a sure fire way to turn off buyers. But worse than your home’s ugly face, it leaves your home vulnerable.
Paint and siding protect the underlying materials from moisture damage. A fresh new coat of paint does more than make your home look nice. It provides a layer of protection against the elements.
Inspect Your Foundation
While small cracks in your foundation may seem harmless. They can be an indicator of bigger problems below.
Finding foundation issues early will save you from paying for major structural repairs. The earlier you find the problem, the cheaper it is to fix.
Keep an eye out for cracks wider than a quarter inch, doors that stick, and floors that look uneven. These are all signs it’s time to call in the professionals.
Maintain Your Landscape
Overgrown bushes, brown lawns, and dead trees make your home feel neglected. While fresh cut grass and trimmed trees aren’t enough on their own. They give off the illusion that someone cares about their property.
Trim back any trees that come into contact with your home. This can cause damage to your roof and siding during a storm. Not to mention, provides plenty of access for pests to enter your home.
How To Stick To A Home Maintenance Schedule
Staying on top of maintenance isn’t as hard as you think. Consistency is the most important thing.
Here’s an example of what we mean.
Monthly:
- Check HVAC filters
- Test smoke detectors
- Inspect visible pipes for leaks
- Clear outdoor drains of debris
Seasonal:
- Clean out gutters
- Inspect roof
- HVAC services
- Test door and window weatherstripping
- Power wash home exterior
Yearly:
- Professional roof inspection
- Schedule HVAC Tune-Up
- Chimney Sweep
- Foundation Inspection
- Flush water heater
Breaking up maintenances into small tasks will keep you from getting overwhelmed. Before you know it these maintenances will become habit.
Wrapping Things Up
Maintaining your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Protecting home value can be simple if you know what maintenances to focus on.
The best place to start is the roof. It does the job of protecting everything else inside your home. Keep your roof in good shape, and you’ll avoid the headache of deteriorating home structures.
Outside of roofing maintenances, here are the most important things to focus on.
- Gutters prevent foundational issues
- HVAC Systems make your home move-in ready
- Paint & Caulk protect exterior homes from damage
- Foundation catch problems before they get too expensive
- Landscaping makes your home look lived in and loved
Homes that lose value are the ones that neglect maintenances. Homes that gain value take pride in their property and stick to a maintenance schedule.
Start with your roof. Create a simple schedule. And for goodness sake, stay consistent!
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