People who choose to invest in residential properties now find themselves in the unique position of owning residences they don't actually live in. However, from a financial and operational perspective, it's still up to you to maintain due diligence and provide responsible, effective property management.

One of the ways this is achieved is through regular property maintenance, and depending on where you live in the country, this involves being aware of and adapting to the seasonal changes. Here are a few key steps to take for responsible property management and maintaining your residences throughout the seasons.

Summer: Improvement Phase

This is typically when warm, more stable weather persists, so if you have any improvements or low-priority repairs to make, now is the time to do it. Painting and other larger projects, such as infrastructure upgrades or renovations, are all easier to accomplish during this period. This is also your chance to work on landscaping if you want to improve the curb appeal of the exterior.

For maintenance, this primarily involves landscaping if you have that as a substantial feature. Lawn and garden care, for example, is important, since long grass with weeds severely impacts curb appeal. If you have seasonal residents, such as students who are now vacating, this is also a good time to do cleaning.

Autumn: Winter Preparedness

Good property management is about anticipation, and much of the damage winter can inflict on a property can be drastically mitigated with preparation during the autumn season. For example, ensuring that leaves are kept out of eavestroughs and downspouts is one of the most effective ways to prevent ice and snow buildup in these crucial parts of your property.

It's also important to inspect and maintain heating systems, such as the furnace. This is not something you want to fail on you and require expensive repair in the middle of winter, with residents paying rent. Also, ensure any external water sources, such as for hoses, are turned off.

Winter: Monitoring

As winter settles in, if you're in a part of the country that has snowfall, then it's important to ensure regular snow removal. Depending on your property management situation, this may either be your responsibility, such as for an apartment complex, or the residents' responsibility if it is a detached home.

Regardless, in most areas, there is legal liability for someone if a slip, fall, or injury occurs due to a failure to remove snow or ice. It's also crucial to monitor heat and water usage, especially if you want to prevent frozen water pipes.

Spring: Maintenance Assessment

As the weather warms and snow melts, spring is the best time to see whether winter did any damage. This may manifest as ice formation or damage to eavestroughs, roof shingles, or other parts of the property. Any place where water could get in, freeze and expand, then thaw and melt, could potentially require repair. This is also a good time to have air conditioning systems inspected, since heat waves haven't yet started to put a strain on these systems.

To ensure your property management efforts receive the necessary inspections and maintenance, contact Occupancy Solutions and let us help.