There are a few key, effective strategies you can use to budget for maintenance and repair costs in 2023. By planning ahead, you can keep your costs low as you seek to optimize your property’s rental promise.
1. Plan ahead: Try to anticipate and budget expenses for regular maintenance tasks, such as HVAC system upkeep or roof repairs. This can help you avoid unexpected costs and stay on top of preventative maintenance.
2. Keep an eye on early warning signs: Look for signs that something may need repair or maintenance, such as a leaky faucet or a noisy HVAC system. Addressing issues early on can often save you money in the long run.
3. Shop around: Don’t be afraid to get quotes from multiple contractors or repair companies. You may be able to find a better deal by comparing prices. If you have a professional property manager for your rental they can often provide that level of judgment for you without the multiple bids, particularly if the task is not costly.
4. Consider the long-term cost: When budgeting for repairs or maintenance, it’s important to consider the long-term cost of different options. For example, it may be more expensive upfront to replace an older HVAC system, but it could save you money in the long run by being more energy-efficient.
5. Prioritize repairs: If you have limited funds for repairs, prioritize the most important or urgent issues. This may mean tackling a roof repair before a cosmetic issue like repainting a room.
6. Don’t neglect preventative maintenance: Regular maintenance tasks, such as changing the air filter in your HVAC system or cleaning gutters, can help prevent larger and more costly repairs down the road.
7. Utilize warranties: If you have a warranty on a particular item, be sure to use it. This can save you money on repairs or replacements.
If you make it through a calendar year without any maintenance expenses at your rental property, that is not always a good sign. By following these tips, you can effectively budget for maintenance and repair costs and keep them as low as possible.
How Columbia Property Management Can Help
As a premier property management company here in the D.C. area, we can help you plan for your property’s potential challenges before you rent.
We have strong ties to many area handymen, trades people and general contractors. We work with them on a regular basis to help provide our clients competitive rates from licensed vendors. See the Resources page on our website for more advice on what to do in 2023.
*this article was assisted by an AI engine then edited by Scott Bloom.
Scott Bloom, Owner and Senior Property Manager,
Columbia Property Management
Bloom founded Columbia Property Management in 2012. CPM’s goal is to provide a powerful, personal level of service to our clients. We focus on smaller landlords, professionally managing their assets, so they can succeed by investing in rental real estate.
Scott is an active member in multiple professional organizations including the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) and serves on the property management committee of Greater Capital Area Association of REALTORS® (GCAAR).
For more information and resources, go to www.ColumbiaPM.com
