6 Maintenance Services Performed by Property Preservation Companies

What happens when you need to foreclose on a home or can’t sell it? Besides having to deal with the financial aftermath, you’ll want to ensure your real estate is protected in the meantime, which means investing in property preservation. A crumbling estate won’t be appealing to potential buyers and few people have the time to perform regular upkeep themselves. Here are 6 tasks that are necessary to maintain a property.


1. Junk
It isn’t unusual for some tenants to leave many items behind, especially if the house was foreclosed upon. In many cases the items will have to be junked, and some especially resentful former residents may simply leave large piles of trash in the yard. Disposing of these discarded materials safely and properly can be extremely time-consuming. A property preservation company will make sure that it’s removed quickly so the house can be put on the market more quickly.

2. Structural Damage
Once you’re able to get inside the house, you may discover some unpleasant structural damage that the previous residents have left. This can include holes in the walls from hanging pictures, cracks and other gaps due to installation of overhead fans or other devices, and even doors ripped off hinges or openings in the roof. In order to protect the interior of the house from further exposure to the elements and seal off any potential entrances from squatters or even pests, it is necessary to repair these major damages quickly.

3. Electricity
When left unattended, breakers, light fixtures, and other electrical components of a home can easily deteriorate or cause a fire hazard. A property preservation company can check to ensure all devices that need to be are unplugged and that the wiring remains in working order. Animals and the weather can also affect electricity, so regular maintenance and inspections are necessary if the property is on the market for a long period.

4. Cleaning
Few tenants who are forced to live their homes are going to be kind enough to give it a good scrubbing before they exit. They’re certainly not getting a deposit back, after all. A complete clean of the interior and the exterior of the house will be necessary using professional tools such as a power washer to blast grime off walls and fences. Landscaping such as grass trimming, watering, and raking leaves is another necessary maintenance routine that will need to be performed regularly to increase a home’s curb appeal and livability.


5. Improvements
Sometimes a home just isn’t going to budge no matter how much tlc it is given. A property preservationist can help you upgrade certain aspects of the home such as outdated HVAC systems, new ductwork, replace old pipes, or electrical rewiring. All of these might be necessary to make the house saleable.

6. Security
Once your tenants leave, who is to say that there is no one else out there with a key? Many residents make copies and freely distribute them to friends and neighbors who may visit often. Property preservation companies will secure the home, changing all locks, fixing windows and other entrances, and ensuring that there won’t be any unpleasant break-ins.