Did you know the location of your rental property matters? The environment around your property could increase some of the maintenance items that you need to perform.
if you’re considering purchasing a rental property, you’re going to want to check out this blog post!
No matter what type of property you own, you’re going to need to keep it well maintained. The location of the property matters because it can impact any additional maintenance required in order to minimize the large expenditures in the future. For the purpose of this blog post, we focus on three unique locations: Oceanfront properties & Beach Houses, Lake Houses, and Properties in the Mountains.
OCEANFRONT PROPERTIES & BEACH HOUSES
PROPERTIES NEAR THE OCEAN:
Regularly clean decks, roofs, and carpets to prevent mildew or mold
Pressure wash twice a year to remove layers of sand, salt, mold & moss
Have regular pest control elements in place and scheduled checks
Minimize the amount of metals you have outside of the house as salt & sea air can make the metal rust
Good materials to use to avoid this include stainless steel, aluminum, or powder coated metal
Decks and other wood accents need to be protected with a varnish of some sort to protect against the moist environment
You’ll need to paint the exterior more often as the elements will cause cracks and weather the paint.
Check roof several times a year as being on the coastline increases the amount of rain and tropical storms that can cause damage
Wash your windows regularly as salt will accumulate on the glass
Your HVAC will need the filters replaced more frequently as being by the ocean will cause it to collect sand and other fine particles
Learn about flooding insurance and preventative measures for the specific area you’re in (depends on location on the coastline, distance from the ocean, etc.)
LAKE HOUSES
PROPERTIES NEAR THE LAKE:
Control the humidity in your house – invest in a humidifier for winter months, run ac during summer, open vents as needed, etc.
“Lake-effect” weather means there may be stronger winds so be sure you have strong, properly installed windows & wall insulation
Considering upgrading your doors to heavy duty bolts to ensure the heavy winds won’t forcibly open the doors easily.
Avoid freezing pipes by insulate water pipes and running cool water
Is there a sand bed? Make sure you’re handling the excess sand issues: pressure wash 2x a year, protect exterior wood, replace HVAC filters often, etc.
Check roof often for loose shingles and other damage and update ASAP
Flooding is a very real possibility so be sure you have flood insurance and other flood prevention measures in place.
Understand that you may have strangers near your home as they are accessing the lake so keep your personal property closer to the house and indoors or in a storage shed/garage as often as possible.
MOUNTAIN HOUSE
PROPERTIES NEAR THE MOUNTAIN:
With the amount of trees surrounding your property, you’ll need to maintain growth next to the property building to limit damage from falling branches, tree limbs, etc.
Wildfires are more common in these areas so it’s important to implement fire mitigation strategies such as removing “fuels” from your property – this includes dry leaves and debris so be sure you’re always cleaning these away.
Fireplaces need to be maintained in any home but they are generally used most often in mountain homes since the temperature is generally lower at night no matter the season, so you’ll have to be up to date on that
Taking this a step further, temperature control is going to be essential here as the outdoor temperature can change rapidly so be sure to keep these systems in check and efficiently running.
Gutters need to be regularly cleaned and properly maintained DURING ALL SEASONS in order to minimize damage from freezing water, blocked up by copious amounts of leaves, etc. How the water will flow is also super important – not just for keeping moisture away from the house but also to avoid having still water that would attract more mosquitoes and other pests.
You will have snow…and probably LOTS OF IT!! So be sure you’re prepared. ALWAYS have snow removal tools accessible, well maintained, and ready to be used. Be strategic about how to keep the roof maintained, eliminate damming and icicles, etc.
Invest in a generator. It’ll be worth it, we promise!
Septic systems and wells are almost a guarantee for these types of homes so be sure they are regularly maintained as if something goes wrong it’ll take longer to have it repaired.
Before you buy an investment property, talk with a Real Estate Team who understands what you’re looking for. We have years of experience handling our own rental portfolio as well as working with individuals who are beginning their real estate investment journey.
Contact our team by using the form below and we’ll get in touch with you to provide the resources and information you need to successfully manage your property