Proactive Maintenance Strategies

Proactive Maintenance Strategies with American West Realty and Management

As a seasoned property manager and real estate investor in Cody, Wyoming, I've learned that proactive maintenance is a key strategy to keeping your properties in top condition and avoiding costly repairs. In this blog post, I'll share some of the most effective strategies we use at American West Realty and Management to ensure properties remain in excellent shape year-round.

1. Regular Inspections. The first step is to inspect the property regularly - and know what to look for. These inspections should be thorough and systematic, covering all major aspects of the property. Some inspections can take place at any time of year, while others should be seasonal (e.g. heating and cooling).

• Exterior Inspections: check for signs of wear and tear on the roof, siding, and foundation. Look for issues with guttters, downspouts, and drainage systems to ensure water is not sitting against the property. Look for landscaping that may be contacting the structures.
• Interior Inspections: Look at the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and appliances. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

2. Scheduled Maintenance. Create a calendar of regular maintenance events.

• HVAC Maintenance: Change filters every 1-3 months. Have a professional service the system annually.
• Plumbing: Regularly check plumbing and the water heater for leaks. Report any problems immediately, including toilets that run/flush constantly. Flush the water heater once a year.
• Roof and Gutter: clean gutters and downspouts twice a year and verify they are draining away from the structure. Inspect the roof after any major weather event.

3. Prompt Repairs. Addressing problems when they are small prevents them from becoming a larger issue.

• Leaky faucets: a dripping faucet can waste a significant amount of water.
• Running Toilets: this is our #1 water waster! A toilet that runs or flushes constantly can increase your water bill by hundreds of dollars per month.
• Cracked caulking: updating the caulking around doors and windows can increase energy efficiency. Caulking around sinks and tubs can prevent water damage.
• Peeling paint: Touching up the paint improves the appearance and protects the materials from weather damage.

4. Use Technology. Streamline your maintenance process and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

• Maintenance Management Software: American West Realty and Management utilizes PropertyMeld to track all maintenance requests. This software reduced scheduling time by over 90%, improved communication with vendors and tenants, and improved record keeping.
• Smart Home Devices: Depending on the situation, we may recommend installing a smart thermostat, leak detectors, security systems, or other technology. These devices are all designed to alert you before a small problem becomes a bigger issue.

5. Educate Tenants. Your tenants play a critical role when it comes to maintaining the property. Educate them on the base maintenance tasks and encourage them to report issues early.

• Early Reporting: The most important thing a Tenant can do is report potential maintenance issues quickly.
• Accurate Reporting: The tenant needs to provide enough information that we can assign the correct vendor, specifically qualified for the job.
• Troubleshooting: American West Realty and Management trains our staff to troubleshoot the most common problems with the tenant over the phone. This prevents us from sending an expensive contractor to the property for simple fixes.

6. Budget for Maintenance: Every property experiences on-going maintenance costs (and the occasional unexpected repair). It's important to create a reserve fund to cover these costs so they don't eat into your budget. Contact American West Realty and Management and we can help you determine a reasonable reserve for your property.

7. Reliable Contractors. American West Realty and Management maintains a deep bench of qualified contractors that are licensed and insured. Establishing relationships with professional cleaners, plumbers, electricians, and other vendors ensures we can respond quickly to any situation.

Conclusion

Proactive maintenance is just one of the many ways American West Realty and Management can protect your property, income, time, and sanity. A well-maintained property is better for you, and it will attract a higher-quality renter that is willing to pay more and stay longer.

If you have questions or need a professional property manager to handle your investment property in Cody or Powell, don't hesitate to reach out to us!