Deferred Maintenance: A Homeowners Guide

Homes need constant repair in order to remain functional, because appliances and equipment that are used on a regular basis will deteriorate with time. Homeowners who put off repairs and upgrades will find themselves dealing with all of these problems at once when the time comes to sell. Deferred maintenance can devalue a property. Some deferred maintenance, like plumbing leaks, can lead to other costly issues, like mold. Repairing problems in their early stages can prevent a more costly problem from occurring.

What to Do About Deferred Maintenance When Selling

Homeowners who want to sell their North West Calgary property must make repairs to their home before putting the house on the market. Once the home is put on the market, the homeowner may find making upgrades to be a cumbersome ordeal, because some upgrades could require the real estate listing to be updated as well. Homeowners who want to get their deferred maintenance taken care of before listing their home for sale should do the following:

Get a Home Inspection

A pre-listing inspection will help the homeowner determine what kind of maintenance needs to be performed in order for the home to be restored to good condition. Home inspections can be costly, but they're very thorough. After getting a home inspection, the homeowner will be given a report that shows exactly what needs to be done.

Prioritize

Sometimes there is too much home maintenance to be performed all at once. If the homeowner cannot afford to make all the necessary repairs, he or she must pick which repairs take priority. Deferred maintenance can occur both inside and outside the home. Deferred maintenance outside the home might include an un-mowed or unkempt yard and overgrown trees or shrubbery. Nice curb appeal and proper landscape maintenance can help sell a home for more money. A real estate agent can help the homeowner prioritize by telling the homeowner which repairs are most likely to deter buyers.

Work With a Professional

Working with a professional handy man, contractor or repair person can help ensure that the repairs are done properly. If the repairs are made in a way that is sloppy or incorrect, this could lead to problems during the home selling process. Working with a professional can help ensure that this doesn't happen.

How to Prevent Deferred Maintenance

Deferred maintenance can be avoided. There are many things that homeowners can do to ensure that their home is properly maintained.

Budget

Budgeting for repairs can help the homeowner ensure that there will be money for home repairs when the time comes. It's estimated that homeowners spend approximately 1% of the purchase price of their home in maintenance every year. Putting away enough in savings so that there is money available to do repairs can help ensure that the home can be repaired when the time comes.

Make Repairs Regularly

Make one home repair each week. Making repairs regularly helps keep the home in good condition. Since deferred maintenance problems can lead to other maintenance problems, staying on top of repairs can help make maintenance manageable.

Keep a List of Repairs to Make

Many homeowners find it helps to keep a list of needed repairs. Items can be added or subtracted from this list as needed. Having this list also makes it easier to decide which repairs need to be made now and which repairs can wait till later.

Contact Your Real Estate Agent

A good real estate agent can help you decide what to do about deferred maintenance if you decide to sell your home. For more information about how you can sell your property, contact your real estate agent.