People often do things to their homes that they don’t realize could affect them in the long term. And we aren’t talking about the BIG things—this is all about the little stuff you may not even think about.
We have our top five things to never do to your home. Some of this may seem very obvious, but we have toured enough homes over the years to know that common sense does not always prevail. As your New Orleans real estate agents, we want to make sure you’re not creating larger problems for yourself down the line!
#1: NEVER smoke in your home
We know. This SEEMS obvious – but you would be shocked. It’s one thing to tell your 87-year-old grandma, who has been smoking in her house for 50 years, to stop now. But, we wish you would NEVER EVER do it.
When potential buyers walk into houses that people have been smoking in, it’s an immediate turn-off. You can see their noses scrunch up and the faces they make. These buyers start factoring in how much time, effort, and money it will take to get this smoke smell out of the home.
Removing smoke smells from a house can require cleaning air ducts, cleaning walls, removing flooring, and even changing all the sheetrock.
These smoke smells and stains (yes, the walls are stained!) will likely make you lose out on offers and money.
#2: NEVER skip maintaining your home
Regular upkeep and maintenance on your home is an absolute must! Those little things like a tiny leak under your sink should be addressed ASAP. Ignoring that will lead to rotten wood and potential mold growth. So, that tiny leak leads to more money out of your pocket!
Another item homeowners don’t maintain is their HVAC system. Having your units cleaned and serviced yearly (if not twice a year) will keep your system running longer and more efficiently. Trust us; we have done enough home inspections to know who has kept up with their AC units! And please don’t forget to change that air filter regularly, too!
Regular maintenance is your home’s best friend!
#3: NEVER dump grease down your drains
It seems like a no-brainer, right? It’s not. About half the sewer inspections we perform on homes involve jetting grease out of the plumbing lines. This can cause serious issues and ruin your plumbing!
#4: NEVER flush anything except toilet paper
New Orleans has old pipes, y’all. Flushing anything beyond toilet paper can wreak havoc on your plumbing system.
Flushable wipes? NOPE. Don’t even think about it! They are not biodegradable, and many plumbers we work with tell us they cause sewage backups in homes.
#5: NEVER let rodents live rent-free
Do you hear scratching in your attic or walls? If so, it’s time to call an exterminator. Many homeowners have told us they didn’t think it was a big deal. However, it really is!
Rodents can chew through wiring, create health issues, and allow water to get into your home as they create holes as access points.
If you’re not sure if you have furry friends living in your attic or walls, get into the attic and check for animal droppings. Not into being Dora the Explorer? Call a professional.
While this isn’t all of our advice, these are the lesser-known things you should never do to your home!
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