Rethinking Property Value: Why Maintenance Is the New Investment Strategy
When people hear “property,” they usually think location, yields or the next big deal. Of course, those things matter but after years in the industry, wearing several different hats, I’ve realised the real magic happens not only when you buy the property, but when you look after it too.
I’ve had a front-row seat to the full property journey – as a private landlord, as a property manager, working for a property investor and now as Head of Sales at Master Group, a maintenance solutions provider. More recently, I’ve coached one of my best friends through the emotional rollercoaster of purchasing her first home, often referring to myself as a property aficionado/guru. The mixture of different roles within the industry has given me a 360-degree view of what makes a property perform and spoiler alert - it’s not just the postcode. It’s the planning, the people and the proactive maintenance that keeps everything running smoothly long after exchange and completion.
The Landlord’s Reality
Being a landlord is rarely as passive as people think. You quickly learn that behind every “steady” rental income are hundreds of little things that can go wrong, from boiler breakdowns on a Sunday night to tenants calling about an emergency dripping tap that’s been “dripping for weeks.”
My experience has taught me that ultimately the landlords who plan ahead always sleep better at night. The ones who set aside budgets for maintenance, do regular checks and communicate openly with tenants are the ones who avoid the nasty and costly surprises.
It’s not glamorous work but it’s gold dust when it comes to protecting your profit and reputation. Treat maintenance as part of your investment strategy, not just an inconvenience that eats into your rent.
The Investor’s View
When I worked for a property investor several years ago, I started to witness how the maintenance conversation scales up. It isn’t just about fixing leaky taps anymore; it’s about how well your portfolio stands up to scrutiny.
Lenders, buyers and regulators are all paying attention to how assets are managed. A well-maintained property doesn’t just look better, it’s worth more. It rents faster, holds stronger resale value and meets today’s ESG and compliance expectations.
I’d go as far as saying property maintenance is like a silent brand ambassador, it quietly tells the market that your property is cared for, compliant and prepared for what the future may hold.
The Maintenance Side
Fast-forward to now and I’m on the other side of the table, helping homeowners, landlords and managing agents stay on top of property maintenance through smarter systems and honestly, it’s a game-changer.
Technology has taken us from “Oh no, something’s broken” to “We saw that coming.” Predictive maintenance tools, live reporting and real-time communication ensures issues can be handled and often prevented before they escalate - saving time, money and stress for everyone involved.
It’s the kind of innovation that makes you wonder how we ever coped with endless calls, email chains and emergency callouts at midnight. (If you know, you know.)
The Bigger Picture
Despite the property sector being initially slow at tapping into tech world, what’s exciting about this moment is how connected it’s becoming. Landlords, investors and maintenance providers are no longer operating across multiple devices, tabs or windows, we’re forming part of one ecosystem.
When everyone collaborates - sharing data, planning works in advance and aligning around sustainability and compliance - the results are transformational. It’s smoother, smarter and cost effective.
If I’ve learned anything from operating across four different sides of the industry, it’s that you don’t build property value once; you build it every day through care, communication and consistency.
Nicole Hinds, Head of Sales, Master Group
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