You may be wondering, “I’m moving out of my house. Why should I bother with home maintenance projects?” It’s a valid question. After all, you’re moving out, and that’s the end of it – right? Wrong.
It pays to take care of a few maintenance tasks before you say goodbye to your home, especially when you’re a homeowner in Tampa, FL, and planning to sell your property later. This vibrant city is a hot spot for real estate and witnessed a 38.4% increase in home values from 2021 to 2022, with the graph still going upward. So, if your home looks drab and outdated with damaged walls, broken windows, and an old roof, it won’t get a fair price in the market. In contrast, a fully functional and updated home will have more potential buyers bidding for it, resulting in a higher price. And if you plan to use your home for rental income, the return on investment (ROI) can be huge after making essential improvements.
On the other hand, if you’re a tenant of a rented property, ensuring the living space is in decent condition before you leave prevents any chances of losing the security deposit.
Planning the Move
Those who say planning makes the actual moving process easier are right. It provides you sufficient time to plan the logistics of moving, which is the most challenging part of the process, especially when moving out of Tampa to a different state or country. The laws, requirements, and regulations of relocation are so complex that hiring only the best movers ensures safe and efficient transportation of your belongings to the new home.
So, look for reliable long distance movers in Tampa, and you’ll be good to go. They can help pack your stuff, provide moving supplies, and even offer online shipment tracking for a stress-free moving experience.
The other advantage of planning the move is that you can easily find time to do the necessary repairs or maintenance tasks before vacating your home. Follow this guide to ensure you don’t leave anything undone.
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Repair and Paint the Walls
Walls start to wear and tear no matter the duration of your stay in the house. It could be from removing picture frames and drilling holes in shelves to dents from furniture bumps, stains from smoke, and discoloration due to humidity. You can use a little paint to hide most of the blemishes, but if the wall has significant structural damage, it requires more than just a coat of paint.
So, look around and check if any wall needs repairs. Depending on the severity of the damage, you can either prime and paint the wall or use joint compound and spackle (such as Plaster of Paris) to fix the fractured wall. Once done, give it a fresh coat of paint.
If you’re selling your home, use colors that bring in more money.
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Perform Roof and Gutter Maintenance
A house’s two most critical components are its roof and gutter system. If either of them is in disrepair, you will jeopardize the safety and security of the entire home. So, before you move out, inspect both components for any signs of wear and tear.
Check the roof for broken tiles, shingles, or loose flashing. If you find any of these problems, fix them immediately, as they can lead to water leakage and higher chances of future damage. Then, inspect the gutters for debris buildup, broken or loose parts, or any signs of rust and corrosion. Also, clean the gutters thoroughly and repair any minor damage to function optimally.
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Check the Plumbing
Imagine you move out, and a plumbing emergency strikes before the occupants can move in. Not only will the potential occupants be inconvenienced by this issue, but you may also be held responsible for paying the repair costs.
Some common plumbing issues you should check include leaky faucets, clogged toilets, and low water pressure. The kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room plumbing should be checked as a priority. Make sure to fix any problems before closing the house for good.
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Clean Your House Thoroughly
You’ve likely built up a lot of dirt and debris over the last few days when packing, moving stuff, and cleaning out your belongings. So, simply dusting or mopping the floors and wiping down surfaces isn’t enough. You must deep clean every corner of your house to ensure it looks and smells fresh before the new occupants move in.
Also, pay special attention to the kitchen, living room, bathrooms, and bedrooms. They should all be vacuumed thoroughly and wiped down with a disinfectant. Lastly, inspect all areas for mold growth and remove it before you move out.
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Clean and Maintain Your Appliances
If you’re leaving appliances behind for the new occupants, ensure their functionality and cleanliness.
Examine the oven and stove to see if they are clean and working correctly. Check for any problems with the refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, washer/dryer, or other appliances you’re leaving behind. Clean them thoroughly and have them serviced if necessary. It’s the least you can do to ensure the new occupants have a comfortable living experience.
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Clean and Service the HVAC System
A home’s HVAC system is necessary for providing comfortable living conditions year-round. Besides its health and safety benefits, the HVAC system also helps increase the house’s value and appeal to potential buyers.
So, before you move out, have the HVAC system professionally serviced and cleaned. It will ensure that all parts are in good condition and functional before the new occupants arrive. It’s also crucial to change the air filters to ensure that the air in the house is clean and safe to breathe.
Conclusion
Although you’re soon moving out of your current house, you must take measures to create a better living environment for the incoming occupants. Cleaning the entire house and all the appliances, repairing and repainting the walls, and servicing the HVAC system are a few essential maintenance tasks you should prioritize. Next, focus on roof repairs and gutter cleaning to ensure the house is secure and ready for anyone to move in. Lastly, to make the moving experience smoother, hire a moving company to help you relocate and enjoy the start of a new chapter in life.
