As a property manager in Raleigh, I can’t stress enough the importance of regular property inspections, especially as we transition into the spring season. Inspections help identify any potential issues early on, allowing for timely repairs and preventing costly damages down the road. By staying on top of maintenance tasks and keeping a close eye on your property, you can ensure that it remains in top condition for your tenants.
Top Spring Maintenance Tasks for Rental Landlords
Spring is the perfect time to tackle some essential maintenance tasks that will help keep your property looking its best. Start by inspecting the roof for any signs of damage or wear and tear. Clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage and ensure proper drainage. Check windows and doors for any drafts or leaks and seal them accordingly. Inspect the HVAC system, change filters, and schedule a professional tune-up if needed. Lastly, don’t forget to spruce up the landscaping by trimming hedges, mowing the lawn, and planting fresh flowers to enhance curb appeal.
How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Property’s Exterior Features
One of the keys to maintaining a rental property is taking care of its exterior features. To extend the lifespan of your property’s exterior, start by regularly cleaning and inspecting the siding, trim, and paint. Look for any signs of peeling or fading and address them promptly to prevent further damage. Pressure wash the exterior to remove dirt, grime, and mildew buildup. Check the condition of the deck or patio and repair any loose boards or damaged areas. Lastly, inspect the driveway and walkways for cracks or potholes and make necessary repairs to ensure safe and smooth surfaces for your tenants.
By following these essential spring maintenance tips, you can ensure that your rental property remains in top condition and retains its value for years to come. Remember, proactive maintenance is key to preventing costly repairs and maintaining happy tenants. So roll up your sleeves, grab your toolbox, and get ready to tackle those spring maintenance tasks with confidence!
New rental property managers or someone who’s just started with a new property management company may wonder what constitutes normal wear and tear on a rental property compared to what constitutes damage to a rental property.
Normal wear and tear can be vaguely defined as the depreciation that occurs through normal daily living in the home. But what does that actually mean? Let’s look at some examples of the differences between normal wear and tear and damage.
Carpet
Matted carpet is normal wear and tear, the result of people walking back and forth or furniture sitting in the same place for many months or even years. Burned or stained carpet, however, is damage.
Walls
Small nail holes in the walls, from hanging photos or small knick-knacks, is normal wear and tear. Large holes in the wall are damage. Fading or yellowing paint is normal wear and tear, while large wall stains are damage. Loose wallpaper is normal wear and tear, while crayon markings, ripped paper or large stains are damage. Worn electrical switches or receptacles are normal wear and tear, while ones that are missing, melted or burned are damage (Note: melted or burned ones may not be the tenant’s fault if there is an electrical problem).
Hardwood, Linoleum & Tile Floors
Lightly scuffed hardwood floors are wear and tear, scratches, chips and deep gouges are damage. Worn linoleum is wear and tear, while holes in it are damage. Loose or mildly cracked tiles are wear and tear, missing or shattered tiles are damage.
Windows & Window Coverings
Faded curtains are wear and tear, while stained or torn curtains are damage. Dirty window screens are wear and tear, while cut or missing screens are damage. A cracked windowpane because the building settled is wear and tear, while a shattered window from a baseball being thrown at it is damage.
Hiring a local real estate management company can help avoid some of the damage. Rental property managers from a property management company or local real estate management company can perform regular inspections to ensure that damage is caught before it becomes more severe. The knowledge of a potential inspection can keep tenants on their best behavior, preventing damage before it starts.
When preparing rental properties for the summer, there’s a lot that needs to be done in terms of maintenance on the inside and outside of the property. Property managers in Cary should use this time to give their property a pre-summer makeover that will make the rental more attractive to anyone hoping to move in.
Summer-Ready Maintenance Tips
There’s no other season quite like summer that inspires families and friends to spend a lot of time outdoors. By taking care of their property and making it look its best, property managers will instantly boost the rental’s property value, while making renters feel at home. Read on for ways to make any rental summer-ready.
1. Get the Pool Ready
The pool is one of the most important amenities property managers must take care of before the summer arrives. Start by evaluating the condition of the pool and performing any necessary maintenance. Following any remodeling, managers should make sure the pool is clean and ready to use. Ensure the area around the pool is as safe as possible by either having a lifeguard available or signs posted.
2. Check the BBQ Grills
As the colder weather gives way to the warmer months of summer, property managers will want to make sure all of the grills are still in proper working condition. By keeping the propane filled and the grill clean, managers will ensure that renters can enjoy their summertime properly.
3. Keep a Maintenance Checklist Handy
Summer requires a different type of rental maintenance for property managers in Cary. Property managers should keep this in mind as they go over their regular maintenance checklist. This list will include maintaining the irrigation system, updating the A/C units, cleaning the community area, and any similar responsibilities.
4. Remove Fire Hazards
The heat of summer always comes with increased fire dangers. Property managers must take this into account by fire-safety apart of their summer rental maintenance. This can be achieved by removing any overhanging branches, flammable debris, or overgrown bushes.
Property managers can make their renters feel at ease and relaxed as summer approaches by performing their rental maintenance for the summer. Contact us for more information to help get your rental ready for the warmer months.
Whether you constructed or bought the property you own, you understand how huge an investment it is. This is why you will spare no effort to ensure that your property is in good condition at all times. With regular property inspections throughout the year, you will not only ascertain the structural integrity of the building but will also have a chance to correct any defects in a timely manner so as to protect your asset. Even though you may have property managers, here are some other benefits of property inspections.
1. Documentation of Property Condition
Annual property inspections will give you a great opportunity to document lease violations at your property or unreported damage. By hiring a qualified professional to do the job, we will not only check for tenant damages but we will also assess the overall condition of the property.
2. Check & Improve Owner Liability
When you own property, regular inspections will help you be sure that your investment is safe and in good condition. Once you have had a professional property inspection done, you will easily establish whether appliances, such as smoke detectors & CO2 detectors, are in perfect working condition. As a property owner, you will have fulfilled your responsibility of a well maintained environment for all occupants of the building.
3. Avoid Deferred Maintenance
While your property management company may inform you of areas that need repairs and maintenance, there is a good chance that some specific areas will be overlooked. By addressing any structural issues in good time, you will not only avoid deferred maintenance and repairs but will also save a significant amount of money.
4. Validate Insurance Policies
In some cases, landlord insurance may demand that annual property inspections be carried out on your property. If you fail to do the inspections within the stipulated timeframe, you may risk losing coverage or getting the policy invalidated. This is why you should arrange for property inspections to comply with the requirements of your insurance policy.
5. Increase Tenant Retention
When you make sure that the structural integrity of your building is maintained, you will ensure that your tenants feel cared for. When they feel safe, this may help you to retain them, building a relationship for a considerable period of time. In the long run, you may enjoy higher and consistent return on your rental property.
Hiring a local Cary property management company like Barker Realty will also help to add value to your property. It is advisable to take time before settling on the property managers that will meet your needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with property ownership.
Barker Realty proudly serves the Wake County area, including Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Wake Forest, Fuquay Varina, Clayton, Knightdale, Garner, Holly Springs, Zebulon, and Wendell.
At Barker Realty, we have been managing rental properties in the Triangle area since 1984. In 1996, Barker Property Maintenance Company was formed as a sister company to Barker Realty. While this is a separate company that functions on its own, it offers a quick and affordable resource for our property managers and the owners with which they work. Today, we would like to share a few ways we handle maintenance issues for our property owners.
One way to avoid large expenses is through preventative maintenance measures. At Barker Realty, we offer periodic maintenance services, such as gutter cleaning, filter changes, and annual service contracts for your heating and air conditioning systems. We also offer annual under-house inspections as well.
Property Maintenance Accountability
Through our maintenance company, we are able to provide more accountability to our property owners. Whether one of our staff technicians or a vendor is working on your home, everything we do is warranted by Barker Property Maintenance Company. Our technicians offer feedback and recommendations when they’re servicing your property, because preserving the condition of your property is important to us. When we work with an outside vendor, we require that they be licensed and insured. This provides additional protection for you and your investment.
Raleigh Property Management: Our Availability
Our maintenance team is available and accessible 24/7 for after-hour emergencies. One of our technicians will speak directly with your tenant and if possible, walk them through the remediation of the problem. This may mitigate any damage to your property and save you money on potentially expensive after-hours repair work.
Like any other structure, your rental needs ongoing maintenance to keep it in good condition and to ensure it retains its value. Summer is a great time to get some critical things done. Use this summer rental maintenance checklist from our experienced property managers in Apex.
Exterior of the Building
Rental maintenance on the outside of the building is important for maintaining property value.
Clean out gutters and downspouts. The removal of debris from the gutters will help keep water from spilling over into the yard, driveway, doorway, patios, etc. Keep the downspouts open is also just as important so water can flow smoothly away from the home or property foundation.
Have your chimney and fireplace inspected. If you have a gas or wood burning fireplace, it’s vital to have these appliances inspected annually, especially if you are burning and using frequently. The Fall is the best time to have this done, so you’re ready for the colder months ahe ad.
HVAC inspections also are key. We recommend having your HVAC inspected as well, especially after a long hot summer. This will ensure the furnace and units can heat your home and property efficiently.
Pressure wash the exterior. This will remove layers of dust and bird droppings. It will give the property an instant facelift while also uncovering any other problems lurking under the dirt.
Inspect the siding. Look for loose pieces of siding. If you have wood siding, look for signs of rot like deteriorating wood or bubbling paint. Have repairs made if needed.
Check the brick. If the exterior is brick, look for places where the mortar may be deteriorating. You may need to have it tuckpointed.
Check the foundation. Cracks allow water, insects, and radon to come into the basement or crawlspace. Leaks can cause the foundation to deteriorate and can even undermine the structure of the house.
Repair and paint the outside as needed. You don’t need to paint every year. However, if the paint is faded, chipped or cracked, it is time to bring out the paintbrushes.
Other Maintenance
There are other summer rental maintenance jobs that you need to do to keep your rental property in good condition.
Have the HVAC system checked and serviced. You need that unit to last as long as possible. Annual maintenance is key to making that happen.
Clean the dryer vent. If your tenants have a dryer, make sure the vent is clear. A clogged dryer vent is a fire waiting to happen.
Fill cracks on the sidewalk or driveway. Cracks are a tripping hazard, plus you want to keep the concrete or asphalt from deteriorating further.
At Barker Realty, our property managers in Apex use this checklist to keep their properties in great shape and are attentive to any needs from both landlords and tenants to maintain a presentable, and functional property. Get in touch with us for more information or to discuss your rental properties with our team to help you manage your investments.
