10 Things That Can Reduce The Value Of Your Home in San Diego
These are things that homeowners allow to happen over time either because they don't realize the gradual deterioration or perhaps even budget constraints. Either way, the value lost is measurable and correcting is likely to require some financial planning.
1. Allowing your lawn to turn to weeds. Even if the weeds are green, eventually they will take over and the grass will struggle to survive. To reseed or replace a lawn is very costly and all the water used to feed the weeds was a waste of money and valuable resources that require conservation.
2. Not keeping up with the paint or the stucco finish on the home. When the paint or the stucco finsih starts to go, the home becomes dull and the curb appeal really suffers. If not taken care of, the weather will also start to affect the wood and trims and they will deteriorate and eventually need replaced. A good paint job with good preparations first, will save many thousands of dollars over the life of ownership.
3. Cracked sidewalks and driveway. Driveways and sidewalks are prone to cracking when either there is soils movement, settling or as is most often the case, the ground is too wet and when it dries, it shrinks. Over watering without proper drainage causes serious problems. Stop doing that!
4. The roof. This poor thing is often so neglected. Imagine if you had to stay in one position year after year through every bit of weather. The burning sun, the wet, the wind, the cold, eventually it suffers and begins to rebel. Not only does the appearance suffer but what's under the surface can dry out, shrink and ultimately lead to leaks. You can't always see the roof but if you need proof of this, go to the beach and find the older sun worshipers. Look at their faces. Proof enough?
5. On the inside of a home, clutter and dirt tend to destroy many surfaces. And most of the time, it is needless destruction. Kitchens and baths need to be updated usually about every 10 to 12 years. New surfaces and products and improved lighting keep the home looking great and functioning at it optimal.
6. Appliances that are out of date and not energy efficient get two strikes. Not only do they usually look bad, they also require more energy and money to operate. Deferred cleaning also allows the interior of dishwashers and stoves to deteriorate. Take a good look, it usually isn't pretty.
7. Interior painting. This is one area that would be easiest to address and sadly is usually the last thing to get any consideration. The reason is no one wants to remove the furniture or unsettle the living environment. Its like not wanting to take a bath just because you looked so great that day!
8. Flooring and carpets. These require professional cleaning now and then and when that doesn't happen, the accumulated dirt does it's thing and causes the carpet fibers and backing to break down. If you have hard surface flooring such as tile and wood, these as well need special attention now and then. Tile flooring depending on what it is, generally starts to look like the year it was installed ( dated). The grout seal wears off and soil and stains accumulate. Wood floors can last a lifetime if cared for properly but most often they are just taken for granted and allowed to wear. As the finish wears off, the wood surface can deteriorate requiring sanding and to be totally refinished. It is so much less expensive to care for them right in the first place. Would you walk on your wooden furniture with heels or boots? I seriously doubt it but over time even the strongest of floor finishes wears off and then the wood is totally vulnerable. If you have nice wooden floors, the pitter patter of socked or bare feet should be your own.
9. If your home has the old water valves at the sinks, toilet and washing machine that came with the house, you can count on a flood a lot sooner than any chance of you winning the lottery. These valves are not expensive and neither are the newer ball valves. Get them changed and breath easier.
10. All the little things on the Honey Do list. If you need a new hinge on a door, get it. If you need to put on a new dimmer, do it. Generally women notice first the things that are going wrong with the house. If the issues are being ignored, by the time they are repaired ( if that ever happens) a lot more damage has been done. Deferred maintenance in a home is the number one killer and trying to resuscitate one in distress ( not unlike the hospital bill) will be so much more expensive than taking care of it in the first place. Nothing lasts forever but the goal here is for the home to outlast the occupants.
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