A Few Weekend Fixes Can Make A Big Difference In Comfort, Livability
Industry veteran Michael Power provided a wealth of information at a recent gathering of MH professionals, including a session on how to maintain and update your home.
The talk was geared toward community owners and managers, but we at MHVillage felt the advice was so good that it would be valuable, too, to residents and homeowners.
Power has been a partner in ownership of 25 manufactured home communities during his career. He also has rehabbed more than 2,000 homes and purchased 1,000 new homes in the operation of communities in North Carolina.
“If you have home rehab needs, get in there right now… the clock is ticking,” he told more than 100 attendees during a presentation at the 26th Annual George Allen International Networking Roundtable in Indianapolis.
How To Update Your Home
His tips ranged from how to shop and clean to how to hire help and apply the final touches.
On buying products — such as paint brushes, gloves and cleaning solvents — he advised to avoid time spent going from place to place.
“Pick one place and stick with it. Buy the best stuff, and stick to a brand,” Power said. This is about reducing frustration, and the cost of traveling from place-to-place for the sake of saving a few bucks.
When it comes to repairs and updates, be reasonable about how “perfect” you want to make the home. Remodeling, he said, really is about patching holes, painting and laying new carpet.
“It’s really not that difficult,” Power said. “You don’t have to hire a giant company. If you’re hiring, get the person who has their name on the side of the truck and comes with two workers. It’s the best value option.”
Power also suggests taking out old, solid doors.
“Get doors that have a pane of glass,” he said. “Let a little light in.”
After the the heavy lifting is complete, lightly scent each room with a pleasant aroma that will allow a guest’s olfactory system to say “Oh, this is a nice place.”
Finally, make the place brighter with some simple swap-outs — put up new shower curtains, lay down fresh mats and make sure every fixture has a fresh light bulb of the proper wattage. Take a suggestion from the audience, too: Cut some flowers and make them a centerpiece on your kitchen island or dining table or at your coffee spot.
