When the colder days and darker nights set in it means that it’s more important than ever to keep up with maintenance, so you can prevent any of the issues that are prone to popping up in the autumn/winter seasons. Especially if you’re thinking about selling your property soon or in the next few years.
There are a whole host of potential issues that can put a spanner in the works when you’re looking to sell, or make it that bit harder, so it’s well-worth keeping on top of them.
Windows
If you’ve got problematic windows in your home, then it can be a big sticking point when selling. Potential buyers will be on the look-out for anything that could pose a problem in the future. Feel for signs of a draft when it starts getting colder and monitor your heating bill to check nothing’s afoot. Keeping an eye out for condensation is necessary to as this can lead to further structural issues for your windows, as it can cause rot, mould and you may have to replace the windows altogether if this sets in. Lots of heat can be lost through windows, so double-glazing is often the preference for potential buyers.
Guttering
Those scenic orange crunchy leaves might look lovely to walk in, but they can be a menace for your guttering. Clogged or leaky gutters can cause structural problems, a leaking roof and cause damage to the inside of your property, which would all be costly to fix and is not something that buyers will want passed onto them. Unclogging guttering during autumn and keeping them maintained is important, make sure water flows properly and there aren’t any cracks or dents which could get worse if left unchecked.
Pipes
Another issue for the colder months is freezing pipes. Pipes can burst when the water inside them freezes and expands, so ensure that you have pipe covering i.e insulation wrapped around to stop this from happening. Or you can always keep your heating on at a low-level during winter to prevent this, such as when you’re away for the weekend.
Insulation
Potential buyers will want to know all about your property and this means your energy efficiency and ratings too. Adding insulation to your property can help to reduce your bills and it’ll also add value to your property. If your bills are increasing this could be because you’re losing heat through walls etc so insulation is worth looking at. Loft insulation can be the best course of action.
Radiators
Buyers will want to ensure the water temperatures in your property are good and keep your water warm, so maintaining normal boiler pressure and checking it regularly is worthwhile. Bleeding your radiators to make sure your central heating is working well needs to be carried out yourself too – you can do this yourself or enlist help.
For anymore tips and advice about selling your property all year round, contact our team at Home EA today.