It feels absolutely amazing to finally receive the keys to your new Riviera Maya home. You’re ready to kick back, relax and enjoy it to the fullest. Which is great, of course! But, you need to keep your investment protected. This means you need to do routine maintenance. While the Riviera Maya is a beautiful place and destination, it has some contributing elements you need to consider. The weather is perfect year-round, its award-winning beaches are gorgeous, to say the least, and the picturesque Caribbean Sea provides plenty of enjoyable activities. Of course, there is also the fabulous cuisine, variety of shopping, and welcoming atmosphere everywhere you go. This is paradise.
While the sun, sand and sea are great for maintaing a tan, they can be negative for maintaining a home. We all know what salty weather and waters can do to your home if not cared for properly. Humidity is also a key factor to consider in your maintenance fees. The pleasurable weather can take its toll on physical structures easily. TYou will also notice the region’s saltiness and humid climate. This can promote mold, rust, and a shortened lifespan for most building materials.
Performing simple maintenance tasks periodically will slow down and prevent deterioration. These are especially important when you own a vacation or investment home that you don’t visit regularly. In those cases, however, having a property manager can be a big help. Here are several preventative measures that will keep your dream home in perfect condition.
Simple Tasks Made Easy
- Rust is inevitable on anything metal; but it can be controlled. When rust starts to appear, you need to immediately take some steel wool or wet/dry sandpaper to it. After removing all the corrosion, use rust preventative spray paint and coat the metal. Alloy generously. Note: do not overspray. Apply two separate coats evenly. If you use wet/dry sandpaper, make sure you saturate it with water.
- Mold can develop on most everything inside and outside the home. Basically, mold grows in places that lack direct sunlight and are in areas that are constantly moist.
- Prevent mold inside your home with a dehumidifier (air conditioner) and fans during the hottest part of the day or night.}
- Be aware of any areas that are closed up and have little to no circulating air. This could be bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. Place a box of baking soda or cat litter to absorb the moister.
- Repair any water leaks or potential pipes that could break at any time.
- Power wash off any mold on the exterior walls and horizontal surfaces like sidewalks and patio slabs. Then apply a fresh coat of vertical or horizontal (pending wall or floor) paint every 2 to 3 years. Make sure the pain is mold prohibitive and/or add a mold inhibitive additive.
- Take a few moments to check your exterior and interior masonry walks from cracks and/or crumbling. Do not let any masonry that is in need of repair go undone.
- The longer it sits, the faster it crumbles. Immediately repair any chips, cracks or crumbling no matter how small they are. Then cover with a good coat of paint.
- Seal or caulk around tubs and showers, sinks and faucets, and any exterior seams that join together. Caulking is a water-based sealant that peels away when moisture gets behind the surface. Silicone is a sealant and adhesive. It can be used inside or out. The adhesive helps keep moisture from getting behind the seam. Use only silicone on exterior repairs (remember that silicone cannot be painted over).
- Appliances can also be susceptible to rust. You can apply a light coat of spray furniture wax like Pledge. At the first sight of rust, take a very fine wet/dry sandpaper (soak the sandpaper in water), isolate the rusted area and remove the rust. Go to your local hardware store and buy some epoxy-based appliance paint. Apply two separate even coats.
- Air conditioners can be your best friends during the hot, humid months. However, if they don’t work properly due to lack of maintenance they can be your worst enemy. In a tropical climate, like the Riviera Maya, you need your ACs serviced at least every six months. Between that time, you need to make sure that you clean the filters every two to three months and remove any heavy clumps of dust accumulated. Do not bury the thermostat. If the compressor runs for long periods of time, it will freeze up the compressor. This, in turn, will blow warm air, as well as ruin the unit.
- In the Riviera Maya, water is filled with lots of minerals that can build up inside your water heater (and other tubes). It is suggested to shut down the unit and drain it at least once a year. You will clear out some of the sediment that accumulates at the bottom of the tank. Also, use white vinegar to clean your faucets regularly to get rid of the accumulated salt.
- If you have any wood cabinets, doors or windows, you need to condition the frames and shutters periodically. It is suggested to use a Murphy’s Oil Soap solution or comparable product to clean and moisturize any interior or exterior wood components.
- If interior wood starts to splinter or the protective coating starts to peel off, sand until the surface is smooth. For interior use, apply a polyurethane that is water based.
- For exterior wood surfaces, sand until the surface is smooth and then apply an oil-based urethane. Make sure the coating provides UV protection.
These basic suggestions will help secure the value of your investment. Even though these preventive tasks and minor repairs seem tedious and time-consuming, they will save you money in the long run on expensive repairs and replacements. Like any other major investment, you have to upkeep it to bring a good return on investment.
Property Management Services
If you purchased your home for seasonal stays, lengthy vacations or for investment purposes, you might want to hire a property management company. Yes, you will have to forfeit a percentage of your gross income, but the minimal amount spent is well worth the investment especially if the property sits unoccupied for any length of time. If you own a stand-alone home or condo, there are still plenty of tasks that need to be done on a weekly, monthly, semi and/or annual basis. Besides, if you’re using it for vacation rentals, they will make sure everything is properly set to receive guests.
There are some advantages to working with property management.
- When you are not staying or having renters visiting your home, it sits vacant. A management company can perform weekly checks to make sure nothing seems out of the ordinary and/or checks for potential or current problems.
- Your property management can make sure the condo/home is ready for you or your renters upon arrival. They can also welcome your guests upon their arrival. This a great way to assure a positive experience.
- If any problems pop up before, during or after you or your guests visit, the manager will make arrangements to get them handled immediately – this includes those repairs we mentioned above.
- The property manager will arrange cleaning after you or your renters leave. They can also do a deep cleaning per your request.
- You can also request that the property management service schedules preventive pest control services on demand.
- The property management company can receive and manage your rental income. They can also make payments to the utility and cable companies, HOA (if applicable), and even pay your annual tax bill upon request.
- You can add services like pool and yard maintenance, preventive maintenance on appliances and air conditioners as well.
Don’t Overlook These Details
You will eliminate long distance headaches by hiring a local management company. They will make sure everything is being handlede the way you expect it to be. They can be an extension of you without having to be present. When looking for a management company, you can start by asking your neighbors and local friends for references. Once you narrow your search down to a few prospective companies, go on line and look at their reviews. Take time to select a management company you feel completely comfortable with.
Don’t Let Maintenance Scare You Away
Having a home – anywhere in the world – requires maintenance. The reason why we emphasize so much on it here is due to the climate itself. It is highly important to maintain your investment and to make sure it is being well taken care of. Don’t let the stress of maintaining a home from afar scare you from investing in your dream Riviera Maya property, however. Whether you make your regular visits or have a property manager take care of it, it is one of the smartest investment decisions you can make today.
Some Homes Require Less Maintenance
When you are looking to invest in a home in the Riviera Maya, there are certain properties that are built with maintenance thought of ahead of time by both architects and developers. You can take a look at Puerta Azul Tulum, which sources its materials locally to ensure that maintenance is kept to a minimum and materials are already made to withstand the harsh weather conditions of the humid climate. If you’re looking for one in Playa del Carmen, you might want to take a look at Reina Roja Residence, which also sources its woods from the region and works them into beautiful furniture, walls and floors. This, in turn, means that maintenance is also minimal in that aspect.
Purchasing your dream property abroad is probably one of the most exciting adventures you will ever experience. Following the provided suggestions and recommendations will make that dream last forever!
And remember, at Top Mexico Real Estate…we make it happen!