Summer…the time for vacations and longer days.  For homeowners, the work never seems to end.  For smart homeowners, the right maintenance prevents a larger repair down the road.

Here are some tips to keep your home in tip-top shape this season.

Help your gutters do their job. Remove any winter debris by giving the gutters a quick purge with your leaf blower or garden hose extension. Check for loose or disconnected elbows and tighten when needed.
Service your A/C. Most homeowners can change air filters and vacuum out  floor registers.  Call your contractor if you need additional service.
How’s your siding? Warm and sunny days give an excuse for playing with the hose. Give your siding the once over with soap and water, a brush & the garden hose.
Check the Play and Sitting Areas of your home.  Children will be planning to enjoy the outdoors…so be sure to give your swing sets and lawn furniture the once over with some bleach and soapy water.  Always test an area first.  Also, tighten any loose connections.
Window of Opportunity. GET A SQUEEGEE!  No one likes this job, but, a squeegee makes it a little easier.

Do a walk-thru and make a list of items that need repair or service.  This way, you can work to get a contractor to price a full day of work at a value rate rather than several short trips that will typically cost more.

Contact HMMA at: hmma@hmmainc.com for a Free Summer Maintenance Walk Thru Checklist.

 

 

 

 

Keep Warm this Winter

Keep warm this year!

Of course, the best solution is to have your home professionally insulated.

Until then:

•  Be sure to close doors to unused rooms and keep the heat where you are.
• Cover your floors!  Area rugs add a nice color accent and warmth to your rooms.
• Use decorative door warmers to keep the cold out.  If you don’t have one handy…head out to your local hardware store and buy some pipe foam.  You can cut it in half and slide it under the door OR use two and cover with a pretty fabric wide enough to slide one on each side of the door.
• Remember to ALWAYS shut off space heaters when you leave the room. Never leave them unattended.

Call HMMA, Inc. at: 201-943-3331 for more tips on keeping your home warm, remodeling, insulation, whole home generators and more.

 

Change of Season

Some thoughts for change of season:
Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Replace the batteries.
Check your clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure all drainage areas are unblocked by leaves and debris. Consider installing gutter guards to make the job a lot easier.
Check the wood trim around windows, doors, railings and decks. Use caulk to fill the holes or completely replace the wood.
Now is a good time to check your roof for wear and tear. If the shingles are curling, buckling or crackling, replace them. If you have any leaks or gaps, heavy snow and ice will find its way in. Call in a professional before the weather goes cold.
Bring in hoses indoors…drain and store for spring.
Clean and replace filters in your furnace or heating system.  Don’t forget to oil the furnace. Contact your local utility company who will often check out your system for free.
Check out your snow blower, shovels, scrapers, etc.  Making sure these items are in tip top shape before the first snow will save you time, energy and lot’s of time on line at your local hardware or repair shop.
For more home maintenance tips or for a quote on your upcoming projects.  Call HMMA, Inc., at: 201-943-3331.

Improve Your Property Management Success

So, you want to be a landlord?

Well, running a successful and profitable property, whether it is a rental home, apartment, condo or commercial building requires dedication, hard work, perseverance and the right tools.

Some folks enter the property management business by accident: They have a home that hasn’t sold, so they decide to rent until it does.

Other folks are looking for an income opportunity.

Well, there are many important aspects to consider and here are some of them:

1. Remember that there will be vacancy periods.  Keep this in mind when pricing your rent.  Once you know what you want to receive monthly you can choose to add an additional cushion for the times that the property will be between renters.
2. Just because you CAN fix something, it isn’t ALWAYS the best choice.  Whether it is a timing issue, a cost issue or other reason, you may find that hiring a reliable outside professional provides the quickest and least troublesome repair.
3. Hiring a professional for a small job today is somewhat like an ‘interview’ for future; larger projects.  Note this message from DALE CARNEGIE:

4. Once you have a successful experience with the work of a local professional on a small project, you will have someone to turn to when the larger repairs arise.

5. Another useful tool is a Move In/Move Out Checklist. There are several available online like this one from HUD.gov: http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=90106.pdf

Have the new/outgoing tenant sign off on the property.  Adding photos can help you both agree on the condition of the property as well.

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As always, check with your professional advisors when entering any new project and let us know if these ideas have helped you or if you have questions regarding any property repairs for your current properties.

HMMA, Inc: 201-943-3331

 

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Contractor

10 Points to Include When Interviewing a Contractor on Your Next Project:

1. Contractor should provide Workers Compensation and Liability Insurance certificate naming you as the ‘additional’ insured.
2. The liability should cover the value of your home.
3. How many similar jobs have they done?
4. Are Recommendations Available?
5. An Itemized price quote including necessary items and any recommended additions.
6. An estimated timeline with start end end dates.
7. What will effect the timeline and how with those items be addressed?
8. What approvals are needed and who will obtain them?
9. How will your property be left on a daily basis?  Will they clean up daily or at the end of the job?
10. How will payments be expected and what receipts/guarantees for work will be provided?