Take two and call me in the morning, or…
Doing routine home maintenance is the best way to avoid those really expensive
repairs that can come when things aren’t looked after. Plus, when it comes time
to sell, buyers will pay more for a well-maintained home. Here’s how to stay on
top of the upkeep and avoid the headaches later on.
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Make a schedule and stick to it. Most maintenance can be done
annually: roof, gutter, and downspout repairs; sealing exterior cracks;
weather proofing windows and doors; furnace and air conditioning checkups;
inspecting and cleaning the drainage system. Put these on your calendar, then
do them! - Take care of problems as soon as they appear. If a pipe leaks,
repair it immediately. If a roof looks worn, repair it before it leaks. When
gutters back up, even on a new house, water can come down inside walls and even
damage the framing. You want to avoid the extra damage that can occur after
something fails. - Assemble a team of contractors and repair people. I recommend Josh Nimmo
with Capstone All-Trade Contracting here in the Springfield, Ozark, and Nixa area.
Ask friends in your area, neighbors, and your real estate agent to recommend trades
people. When buying a home, ask the seller for a list of the people who have
worked on the property. - Be careful when choosing the least expensive contractor or building
materials. Don’t make cost the most important factor. Shoddy work and
inferior materials will cost you more when you have to redo the job. - Ask your home inspector to re-inspect your property. Periodically
bring in a professional inspector to show you what needs to be done to keep
your home in good shape. Inspectors can point out simple, inexpensive things,
like sealing cracks and touching up paint, which can make a big difference in
the long run.
It’s also a good idea to keep up with the latest home financing information. If
you’re thinking of buying a new home, refinancing your existing one, or funding
home improvements, please call or email us – we’re always here to help…. Have
a great day!
P.S. The housing market is in the early stages of recovery, as home
prices inch up in many areas yet remain extremely affordable – and mortgage
rates stay historically low. But if you’re thinking about buying or
refinancing, it’s smart to get the financing process started early. Please call
or apply online to talk about the attractive options available now.
