9 Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Put Off

Whether you plan on listing your home for sale soon or not, there are nine repairs that no homeowner should put on the back burner.

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Whether you plan on selling your home or not, there are nine home repairs that you shouldn’t put on the backburner.

1. Caulking. This is one of the easiest ways to improve your property, make it look clean, and keep water out of your home. 

2. Clean out the dryer vent. I don’t know how many times I go to properties and find a disgusting dryer vent. I don’t know what all is coming out of there, but it’s very easy to repair.

3. Roof repairs. Any buyer can have an inspector come out--one big thing they'll look at is the roof.

4. Get your chimney swept. This is not a big issue in Arizona, but if you have a fireplace, make sure that it gets cleaned out.

5. Change the HVAC filter. There’s nothing worse for your HVAC system than letting the same filter sit there for years. 

These repairs are fairly easy to handle and will definitely improve your home.

6. Treat for pest problems. If your property has termites, everything will come out in the inspection. Make sure that you have a recent pest report on file.

7. Plumbing leaks. The inspector will look under all of the sinks, so take care of wood rot and any other issues.

8. Watch for peeling paint. This is very easy to repair and will definitely come up on the inspection report.

9. Drainage problems. If you have stuff up against the house or rain came off the roof and dug a hole near your house, take care of it. Make sure there aren’t any drainage issues.

If you have any questions about these repairs or would like to learn more about preparing your home for the market, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

 

HVAC Maintenance & Repair Tips for Homeowners

With summer nearly over, I’m sure you (like me) have been reminded just how much we use our air conditioning. Soon, in the winter, you’ll be reminded of how often you use the furnace, too.

It’s one of the major systems in your home, and a surprise issue with one of these systems can be a nightmare if handled improperly. That’s why I wanted to share a video from Angie’s List that I recently saw about proper maintenance of your heating and cooling systems.

If either unit is having issues, did you know you can actually hire technicians who are specially trained to work on certain brands? For example, if you have a Trane system, you can find a tech who is trained specifically to work on Trane products.

Secondly, always remember to get a second opinion when someone recommends that you replace a system because oftentimes a repair will do. You want to be certain of this when it comes to a part of your home that should last 20 years, especially considering the cost of a replacement. 

Unfortunately, as the video points out, there are a lot of people out there who deal with these systems and prey on customers who don’t know any better. If you’re hiring a company, you should investigate them by checking out their web reviews or social media pages. 

Also, be proactive with service on these systems. If you wait until the system is broken down to get it checked out, you are now at the repair company's mercy. 

As always, if you have any real estate questions about the Phoenix area, just give me a call or send me an email. I’d be happy to answer them for you!

Six Strategies to Add Value to Your Phoenix Home

Looking to buy in Phoenix?  Get a full home search, 

Looking to Sell in Phoenix?  Get a free home value report

Today, I want to discuss six ways to upgrade your home’s look, and add value while you’re at it. Many of these are fairly inexpensive, too!

1. Reduce clutter. Over time, it’s normal to accumulate belongings to fill up your home. Start going through and clearing tabletops.

2. Eliminate grunge. Sometimes, I open my garage and there’s stuff everywhere. Clean it and reduce the junk.

3. Change lighting. Add or rearrange lamp fixtures. This one of the best and simplest ways to make a room appear bigger.

4. Upgrade hardware. It always surprises me how adding new hardware makes such a big difference.

5. Repaint. This is the least expensive yet most impactful way to upgrade your home’s look.

6. Focus on decor. Sometimes, when you’ve had furniture for a long time, you want to invest in some new decor. This could include furniture, drapes, and other fixtures.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling in the Phoenix area, give me a call or send me an email. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about this topic or more!