If you have just received the keys to your very first home, this is an exciting time and you are to be congratulated for achieving what many consider to be an impossible goal for young working couples. Sadly, there are serious responsibilities when you become a property owner, namely building maintenance and with that in mind, here are a few property maintenance tips to help you manage your prime investment.
- Regular inspections – You can’t fix what you are unaware of, which is why you need to schedule regular building inspections. The roof is one of the most important components of any structure and we recommend a yearly roof inspection, which your local roofer would be happy to do. A visual inspection from the ground does not give you access to all parts of the roof, whereas a detailed inspection covers every square foot of the roof.
- Room décor – If you plan on doing one room per year, this ensures that the entire house gets a face-lift. Check out the stunning Feliz Home designer wallpapers from a leading Australian supplier, with literally 100s of attractive designs and patterns. The kitchen is the busiest room in the house and would probably be the first place to renovate.
- Checking for leaks – Water is the property owner’s worst enemy and you need to check often for water leaks, which can damage stone, cement and timber. Keep an eye on your monthly water usage and if you suddenly use more, this is a sure sign that you have a leak somewhere in the system. Click here for leaking ceiling tips.
- Sourcing tradespeople – Of course, there are some things that are best left to the professional; pre-source an emergency plumber, electrician and roofing contractor and store their numbers in your smartphone for future reference.
- Carry out prompt repairs – As soon as you become aware of an issue, you should make arrangements for repairs to be carried out sooner rather than later. Time waits for no man and the only guarantee is that a problem becomes worse as time passes.
Building maintenance is part and parcel of real estate ownership and we hope that this short article has enlightened you in some ways. Regular interior and exterior inspections alert you to any minor problems and you can repair before they become major.