How to Maintain Your Real Estate

Homeowners put a lot of time and effort into making a home their own, but neglecting a flickering light or an overgrown tree can undo all those efforts. To best enjoy your Scottsdale luxury real estate, here’s how you can maintain your property to last for the years to come.

HOAs or personal preferences may keep the outside of your home well landscaped, but there are reasons beyond the aesthetic to keep the outside of your Paradise Valley AZ real estate in good shape. To maintain your home, keep the trees around your house trimmed and away from electric lines or from hanging over your roof. In a summer monsoon or winter storm, a fallen tree can cause a lot of damage to your home and surrounding property.

Also, clear away dead plants and shrubs. Not only is dead plant life a fire hazard during the summer, but small vermin will also be attracted to the debris and may weasel their way into or under your home. Summertime is usually when insects come out, so during the hot months make sure to clear your home of any cobwebs and hire a professional to spray your home for ants and spiders.

To make sure your Scottsdale luxury real estate remains enjoyable to live in, keep an eye on the home’s exterior. One of the trickiest but most important areas of your home to maintain is the roof. Check your roof for damage like missing shingles, mold, moss, or damaged flashing. This will help prevent any leaks or damage to the ceiling and attic. Also check areas like doors and windows to make sure they seal properly, which ensures you aren’t letting any bugs in or any cool air out.

You’ll also want to make sure that the gutters around your home are clear from leaves and grime. This will help you steer clear of any flooding issues. Before the winter season, check your driveway or sidewalk for cracks and have them resealed so they don’t expand in the winter. Lastly, maintain outdoor areas like decks or patios by checking for loose boards, posts, or stairs. Also, wash these areas down and have them re-stained to protect them from the elements.

Although a small task, checking the batteries in carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is a significant one when making sure your Paradise Valley AZ real estate is up to date. Every two or three months, test your detectors by pressing the test button. To stay safe, replace detector batteries every six months instead of waiting for the telltale low battery beeping noise.

To make sure the heating and cooling units in your home are working to their best ability, change out the filters regularly. Buying quality filters will help with how frequently they need to be changed. Also, change the hood filter in your kitchen to clean out built-up grease or residue.

Before the summer begins, consider getting your HVAC system serviced. Especially in hot Arizona, your Scottsdale luxury real estate will need strong central cooling to keep you safe and comfortable year-round. Similarly in the fall, you will want to check your heating system by making sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture. If you have a fireplace, fall is the time to clean the chimney of any debris to ensure it functions efficiently.

You should also maintain your water heater to keep it working well daily. Getting your water heater checked yearly can help you avoid problems due to leaks or build-up that lead to clogs. Beyond yearly checks, make sure to regularly drain the water heater, as this will help you manage any dirt or sediment that collects in the system.

A part of your home that gets a lot of use is the garage door, so it’s important it stays working to avoid any accidents or injuries. Check its auto-reverse system by placing an object like a plank of wood on the ground, and watch if it stops correctly. Also, check the garage door’s tracks and lubricate the chain to keep it functioning smoothly.

A bathroom that doesn’t work can ruin your experience living in Paradise Valley AZ real estate, which is why it’s important to regularly check and fix minor problems before they become major ones. Check toilets and faucets for small leaks to avoid any water damage or larger leakage issues.

If there are areas like the guest toilet and bathroom that don’t get a lot of use, run the water to prevent buildup and to check for unnoticed problems. You’ll also want to check the grout in bathrooms, kitchens, and other tiled rooms to make the flooring last longer and look better.

Schedule a deep clean of your home every six months to keep it well maintained. Whether you do it yourself or hire some help, deep cleaning your home prevents build-up and helps you spot potential problems in areas that you wouldn’t usually think to look at. Clean appliances, wash windows and window screens, dust off cabinets and shelves, and mop and vacuum floors.

Don’t forget to clean out areas like garages and basements, even if you just use them for vehicles and storage. Watch out for mold in basements, and dust or clear out garages of any debris. Cleaning your garage can also help you spot any issues with insects or pests before they enter the rest of your home.

With a new understanding of where to start when maintaining your home, your property is sure to look its best for years to come. When you’re ready to apply these tips to your own Scottsdale luxury real estate, contact trusted local agent Adrian Heyman to guide you through the process.