During the summer months, the major systems of a residential home are pushed to the limits. Rental property owners should ensure that their properties are prepared by performing summer rental home inspections. If you are self-managing or using a professional property management company, now is the best time to schedule an inspection.
Make a Checklist for a Systematic Inspection
Start by making a list of all the things that you need to check around the property. This will prevent you from forgetting important tasks or overlooking vital areas. The list will also help you monitor every project that you might have to do after the inspection. It is much easier to plan the evaluation if you know exactly what to look for, as well as the order in which to check them.
Divide the inspection into two. Write down the items for the exterior and the interior. While outside the property, you should see whether the drainage systems are clean and clear. Look for signs of roof leakage and other forms of damage. Check the condition of the landscaping, the security measures, the siding, and the driveways. When inside the property, check the HVAC system, inspect the caulking, look for water leaks, and moisture issues, and test the alarms for functionality, to just name a few.
Concentrate on the Major Components First
After the inspection, you may discover multiple problems that you need to solve. These can be difficult to tackle all at once since they will require a lot of time and money. Focus your efforts on the major system problems first. Ignoring them will only make matters worse and more costly to repair later on.
Curb Appeal
Remember those first impressions last. Prune the trees and bushes. Remove the weeds and clean the garden. Paint the home, the fence, the deck, and anything else that needs a fresh coat.
Get Help from Professionals
If you have multiple properties, then these tasks can be challenging to complete alone. Hire a contractor to perform the maintenance work to save time and effort. Better yet, you can get a property management firm to handle everything from repairs to tenants. The latter will reduce your stress, increase tenant satisfaction, and improve business income.