Long-term investment properties in California’s Wine Country come with long-term investment expenses. Perhaps the largest expense that many rental property owners face is maintenance. Repairs will be necessary on a pretty routine basis when you own a home, even if it’s newer and in excellent condition.
No one enjoys paying for these repairs, but they do serve a purpose.
Maintaining your Sonoma County rental property over time will increase your asset’s value and provide for better tenant retention. Residents are your customers, and the number one reason that most tenants leave their rental home is because their maintenance concerns are not addressed in a timely manner. All of that turnover will only drive up costs.
You also want your investment to grow in value. Deferred maintenance only harms the value of your investment and costs you money in the long term. Preventative maintenance will help you have a better investment experience, and we want to help owners understand how to maintain your property over time.
Sonoma County Rental Homes and Plumbing
Plumbing will always need your attention when you rent out a home.
Water damage is expensive for rental homes in Healdsburg, Windsor or Santa Rosa, and it’s never fun to fix. Small leaks might not seem like a big deal, and it’s easy to put them off. But, over time they can turn into larger leaks that damage floors and walls and eventually lead to rot and mold.
Avoiding leaks is a big part of your long-term maintenance plan. When you’re inspecting the property or checking it before and after tenants move in and out, inspect every possible area where water damage may occur:
- Inspect under sinks
- Check the floors around toilets and tubs; there should not be any softening
- Look for drooping or discolored ceilings and walls
If you do see some signs of a leak or moisture, you’ll need a plumber right away. Other preventative plumbing measures include checking gutters and irrigation systems, including sprinklers.
Ongoing HVAC Services: Find a Great Technician
Another expensive system in your rental property is the heating and cooling system. Rental properties in Healdsburg, North SMananta Rosa, or Windsor will require both heat and air conditioning throughout the year. Residents will switch from one service to the other as seasons change. Annual and seasonal inspections will help you prevent expensive repairs.
Have a licensed technician inspect your system and make sure it’s working properly. This attention once or twice a year will also extend the life of your furnace and your air conditioning unit. The heating and cooling of your property will be more efficient. Your tenants will appreciate it too, as it will improve their air quality inside the home and keep their energy costs down.
Vendors Help with Long Term Maintenance
One of the best reasons to work with a professional company like Healdsburg Property Management is the vendor relationships that come with the partnership. Property managers have their own in-house maintenance teams or they have access to the best vendors and contractors in the area. These are licensed and insured professionals who stand behind their work. The long-term care and maintenance of your investment property will require a great network of local vendors.
You’ll also want to educate tenants as they move in. Your residents have a role to play in helping you maintain your investment property over time.
Well-maintained rental properties rent for more money and to better tenants. They also appreciate faster and provide you with a stronger investment portfolio. If you have any questions about how to effectively maintain your rental property in Sonoma County, please contact us. We’ll be happy to help.
Healdsburg Property Management manages single-family homes, duplexes, four-plexes and multi-unit properties of up to seven units throughout Sonoma County’s Wine Country, including Healdsburg, Windsor, Northern Santa Rosa, Cloverdale and Forestville.