Wednesday, October 11, 2017 / by Carlos J Higareda
Easy Maintenance Tips to Boost Value
Simple maintenance projects and updates can increase a home’s value by roughly 1 percent each year, according to research from the University of Connecticut and Syracuse University. RE/MAX put together a list of four tips on where home buyers can focus their efforts to help maintain and increase the value of their home.
- Fight moisture. Moisture is a home’s number one enemy, so clients should clean out their gutters seasonally and adequately caulk windows and doors. The refrigerator, water heater, HVAC, and other water-related appliances should be inspected annually. Leaky faucets should be fixed right away to avoid pipe erosion.
- Strive for energy efficiency. Schedule a furnace inspection each year and replace filters to save money on energy bills. Cleaning the AC and replacing the AC filters are other ways to save.
- Maintain the exterior. Curb appeal plays a big role in how well your investment sustains and grows over the years. Homeowners should keep all shrubbery trimmed and regularly power-wash decks, driveways, and sidewalks to fight mold and give the property a clean appearance.
- Plan ahead. Help your homebuyers keep records and schedule maintenance by recommending apps such as BrightNest, which provides how-tos, maintenance tips, and cleaning/organization schedules.
Source: “Maintenance tips for protecting your biggest investment,” RE/MAX (Oct. 3, 2017)