My Three Biggest Tips for Homeowners

In this job it should come as no surprise that I see a lot of houses. I get to help sellers prep their homes to get them in the best shape to list + I get to go shopping with buyers and see first hand what they look for in a home (and what some of the biggest issues come inspection time are). All of my clients will be 𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗦 for longer than they were buyers + sellers, and these tips might be helpful for those who don’t have plans of moving any time soon too!

1. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀. A small leak could turn into major water damage or mold if not addressed. Neglecting cleaning, servicing, or changing filters on major systems could lead to early repair/replacement. Letting exterior paint/caulking chip or deteriorate could lead to big ticket siding or soffit problems. A little maintenance goes a long way.

2. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀. You don’t have to jump on the bandwagon for every new trend, but ditching some outdated features + making some cosmetic upgrades or making the bones of the house stronger can not only make your home more comfortable while you live there, but it can help make your home more marketable whenever you sell it down the road. Pick a project or two a year to tackle, whether you make it a fun DIY project or save some money up to hire a contractor.

3. 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 + 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲. If I had a dime for every time this issue came up on inspections I’d have…𝗔 𝗟𝗢𝗧 of dimes. Colorado’s soil has high clay content, making it expansive when it gets wet. It is extremely important to ensure downspouts divert water away from the home, that landscaping around the perimeter of the house is properly graded so water flows away from foundation walls, and any gaps or cracks are sealed to prevent moisture intrusion. Over time if not addressed, bad drainage can cause major structural issues, settlement, and cracks in foundations or concrete work.