On today's blog, we are going to take you to one of the properties we actually manage and show you how our team of property managers might evaluate a house and look for risks and problems that we would want to take care of before that property hits the market .Come with us on this property assessment.
We are at a five bedroom house with about 4,100 square feet of space. We'll go inside to assess how it looks and what we need to do. The first thing we'll check when we walk in is the paint. We can decide pretty quickly if we need a paint job or just a touch up. In here, the paint looks fresh, so we'll just touch up a few spaces. You can also see there are no blinds on the windows, so we'll get a bid to ensure the windows are covered for tenants.
In the kitchen, we'll take a complete inventory of the appliances and amenities. We check all the stovetops, and you can see that this property has custom cabinets and a lot of stainless steel. We always record the serial numbers on each appliance in case something is damaged or stolen. In the backyard, there's a sandbox that can create a problem because it could become a litter box for neighborhood pets. Our recommendation to the owner will either be to remove it or to seal it. There is fake grass at this property, which is attractive but can become too hot in the summer. Fortunately, our owner added some sprinklers so the grass is watered and kept cool.Always inspect the air conditioning equipment. Make sure it's here and functioning. People steal air conditioners frequently, and it can cost between $2,000 and $5,000 to replace a unit. Therefore, we will get a bid on putting a cage around the unit to protect it. We always look at the insulation around the units return lines to make sure it's in good condition.
This property has a master bedroom with large closet. It's in good shape but there are some areas on the baseboard needing touch up paint. We also see a couple of spots on the walls, and we'll want to make sure all the carpets are cleaned. In the master bath, we do a risk assessment as well as cosmetic assessment. Notice the ankle stops and make sure the right supply lines are in place to avoid floods. Look at tubs and showers to make sure all caulk in place.
Always check for small things like light bulbs and batteries, but don't miss the big things. For example, there's a large stair case here, and we want to check it to make sure it's secure. On the stairs, look for any tripping hazards.
In the garage, look at the floors and make sure there aren't any oil stains. Those can be slip hazards and they also look really dirty. In here we have a water conditioning system, and we'll make a note about whether it takes pellets and record any contract information for system. Check the water heater and see if its gas or electric, and how many gallons it holds. Having that information on hand when we send a plumber out is very helpful. This garage also has earthquake straps and a bumper barrier, which is a great idea. It means tenants won't damage their cars when pulling in.
Finally, we lock up the house, submit our bids and get it on the market. This is how we conduct an assessment. If you have any questions or you'd like more information, please contact us at Blackbird Realty and Property Management.