One of the great challenges in real estate is the temptation to do everything ourselves. After all, we’re smart. We work hard. We can do it all ourselves and save money doing it. Why pay someone else when we can do it just as well? The reason of course is because despite our confidence, when it comes to many things, we really can’t do it as well as the experts.
While it is critical to drive every penny to the bottom line, don’t save today by doing something yourself that may cost you more in the future to replace, repair or re-do. Sure you can mow the lawn, paint the bathroom and fix a simple toilet problem, but it will serve you well to never get into elements that you do not have the experience or the expertise to deal with. I know you’re smart enough to figure out virtually anything. But the fact is that in many cases you are dollars ahead to let someone else do it while you spend your time doing something more important to your long term plans. Remember, you will never drown if you don’t get in over your head.
You may find it wise to stay away from electrical service problems, plumbing inside the walls, full unit/home painting, HVAC repairs, structural considerations and concrete. These items tend to lead to even bigger problems if the little ones are not dealt with property. When unskilled or inexperienced labor is applied in these areas, they often come back to bite us. The net effect is that we frequently end up redoing repairs at ever higher costs. For the time, effort and expense involved, bite the bullet and get tough jobs done right the first time.
Your time is more valuable in any number of areas than in doing simple activities like mowing the lawn and weeding the flowers. Unless you really love to do these things, pay someone else to do them and use the time elsewhere. In my case, I’ll pay the neighborhood kid the $20 to mow my lawn so that I can spend an extra hour in bed on Saturday morning. The same is true with many chores that used to occupy far too much of my time. So consider your options wisely. Spend the time you need to, where you need to, in order to yield the highest dividends in your life. Your real estate should be your servant and not your master. It’s a good life, enjoy it. We’re happy to help when we can.