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Ways To Help Maintain Property Values In Your Neighborhood

Learn techniques that you can employ to help keep your neighborhood looking great. From painting and landscaping to community organization, protect your home's value through these strategies.

Author: Lisa Andree
Date: May 20, 2011 - 12:42:34 PM

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Maintaining your home’s value is an ongoing process. Whether you are planning on selling it anytime soon or not, it’s always a good idea to keep things in good shape, both inside and out. Whenever something needs repair, from a leaky faucet to a broken sprinkler system, the best policy is to tackle it sooner rather than later.

Since the homes in your neighborhood can affect your property value, sometimes a team effort is the best approach. A community cleanup is a great way to get everyone involved. Work together to tidy up yards and home exteriors. Neighbors can also strive for continuity in regard to paint colors and landscaping. If there are reluctant homeowners, hopefully they will see the benefits of a few hours spent on “sweat equity”, and get on board.

A neighborhood co-op is both a fun and economical way to get the job done. Yard work, interior and exterior fix-ups, are carried out in the form of trade-offs. Since everyone has varying skill levels, it’s best to leave plumbing and electrical work to the professionals.   However, for simple jobs like inside cleaning and painting, the cooperative approach can speed up the process and create a win win situation!

Everyone should take a good look at the entire neighborhood as well as their own property. As you begin reviewing what needs to be done, check the city and county codes to make sure there are no neighborhood violations. Illegal signage, trash, junked vehicles, and overgrown landscaping are a few areas to check into first.

Your home’s interior is usually the place that sees the most wear and tear. To maintain your property value, keep repairs in check. Replace, repaint, and update on an as need basis. Small touches such as new fixtures, hardware, and trim can make a big difference. Get the most bang for your buck by researching time-tested styles and decorating schemes.

Just like a home’s interior, landscaping can become dated. Sometimes, keeping the lawn green and free of weeds and leaves is not enough. When it comes to your yard and garden, think curb appeal and low maintenance. Eye-catching plantings, new mailboxes or house numbers, decorative fences in wood, iron, or stone, and irrigation systems are all worthwhile upgrades. Garage and garden shed areas also contribute to a home’s overall look. Make sure yours are clean, freshly painted and organized.

Painting and or pressure washing will keep your home’s exterior looking good. In addition to making sure that the exterior is at its best, check around windows and doors for spots that need recaulking. Windows and doors should also be clean and broken screens and glass need to be replaced immediately.

If you are planning on putting your home on the market in the near future, have a walk through with the potential real estate agent. That way, they can give you an idea of any upgrades that could make your home more appealing to prospective buyers. Updating kitchens and bathrooms are typically effective ways to raise your home’s value.

In a community or neighborhood, the surrounding homes do influence how your home is perceived. Hopefully in places that do not have guidelines in place, homeowners will realize that maintaining their home ultimately benefits everyone. Although doing your job to put your home’s best foot forward may not persuade your neighbors to follow suit, it’s a start!

View all articles by Lisa Andree

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