On Thursday, April 23rd, our real estate team hosted an incredible "Panel of Pros" event. We sat down with some of the best in the business—an HVAC specialist, a plumber, a home inspector, a roofer, an insurance agent, and a pest inspector—to talk about what it really takes to protect your biggest investment.

The overarching theme of the night was simple but powerful: Homes age, just like cars. The major difference? While your car depreciates the moment you drive it off the lot, your home is an appreciating asset. However, it only remains a strong asset if you maintain it.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind?

We asked our attendees a critical question: When was the last time you were in your own attic or crawlspace? For most homeowners, the answer is "rarely" or "never." But those hidden spaces house the main arteries of your home—your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. While standard pest reports are great for catching wood-destroying organisms like termites or wood rot, they don't generally look for rodents like rats, mice, or even pigeons. These intruders can wreak havoc on your home's vital systems without you ever knowing.

The 1% Rule for Home Maintenance

To keep your home running smoothly, you need a maintenance and upkeep plan. A great financial rule of thumb is to save 1% of your home’s value every year in a dedicated fund to cover routine updates, unexpected repairs, and necessary upgrades.

Top Takeaways from Our Panel of Pros

Our attendees walked away with notebooks full of tips. Here are the top action items from our experts:

• Review Your Coverage: Read your home insurance policy and know exactly what is covered before disaster strikes.

• Check In Annually: You should hear from your insurance agent yearly. If you’ve made upgrades or renovations, they need to know so your coverage matches your home's current value.

• Schedule Routine Maintenance: Treat your home like your vehicle.

• Roofing: Get a roof inspection every 2 years (or every 1 year if you have a tile roof).

• Pests: Schedule a general pest and rodent inspection once a year. A rodent inspection is a separate inspection. 

• HVAC: Have your heating and air conditioning serviced every spring, and remember to change your filters regularly! Service before summer.

• Plumbing: Flush your water heater once a year if it's tankless, and every couple of years for a traditional tank. Have a sewer line inspection every couple of years.

Need a Pro? We've Got You Covered! You don't have to tackle home maintenance alone. If you need a trusted recommendation for a plumber, roofer, HVAC tech, or any other home professional, our team has a vetted list of experts. Reach out to us today, and we’ll connect you with the best in the business!