Spring Will Come ~ Time For Your Annual Home Check-up

Ah Spring…Yes, Spring will eventually arrive and your home may need some TLC

Yes, the calendar indicates Spring has sprung but the weatherman hasn’t gotten the message.  We’ve had a few days of warmth, a tease of good days to come, so it’s a great time to put together the “to do” list… Woven throughout previous postings, we always consider your home’s value, whether through maintenance, improvements, or if you build that dream home.

This week, we’re going to prepare a list of “to do’s” with the intent of making your home the best it can be.

1)      Exterior – With notepad and pen in hand, take the big walk around, look at the windows, roof, landscaping, gutters, driveways, exterior paint, brickwork, the whole enchilada, simply note conditions based on a scale of 1 -5…1, condition great, nothing needs to be done, 5, it is past time to make repairs, must be done.  Granted, budgets may not allow for everything, however, prioritize, roof, windows, gutters, the safety items need attention,  check your budget, determine what you can afford, and schedule the work…Remember, estimate your home’s value, speak with a Mortgage Consultant at Mortgage Alliance, might be able to refinance the existing loan and cash out proceeds to pay for improvements

2)      Interior – Just like number 1, list the most important items, prioritize, budget, schedule the work.

3)      Major Items – Furnace, air conditioner, bathrooms, kitchen, make a wish list, determine cost, prioritize.

4)      Drive by homes in your neighborhood, make some notes, how does your home stack up against neighboring homes? If not, what can be done…Your goal, create an exterior vision of your home that ensures it looks as good as the best homes in the neighborhood.

5)      Take pictures of your home and your neighbors’ home, create a file, include your check list, budget, improve, timeline, prioritize.

Your home can be a value creation dynamo, however, like the engine in your car, must be kept in tip top shape to ensure longevity and enjoyment.  These simple rules –  observe, perform preventive maintenance, make the” to do” list, and do it!

Good Networking, remember a Mortgage Consultation with Mortgage Alliance is a great place to start; our trained team members know what creates and maintains a home’s value, and it might just be that a refinance option with cash out proceeds is the ticket to value enhancement.