It doesn’t matter if you’re flipping houses, doing some DIY jobs around your rental flat, or buying your own home, learning these five skills will make your life a lot easier and your living space much better. Let’s take a look.
Table of Contents
1. Cut your Own Keys
If you are planning to flip houses, rent out a property (or if you just lose your keys a lot) then you should learn the basics of locksmithing. While you may want to consult a professional when installing or repairing locks, there are some simple tasks you can pick up at home. One such tasks is cutting your own keys. If you fancy learning the ropes, this guide walks you through everything you need to know including choosing the best key machine.
2. Get to Grips with Plumbing Maintenance
There’s a reason why plumbers get paid a pretty good rate. It’s a dirty job and it requires skill. Having said that, learning some basic plumbing can be a lifesaver in the case of an emergency. Save yourself some time and money by getting on YouTube and learning how to fix a leaky sink, turn the water back on, or fix that faulty faucet. Master basic plumbing maintenance won’t only save you some dollars in the short term on unnecessary calls to your plumber, it could potentially prevent more serious plumbing disasters such as flooding that can end up costing a bomb.
3. Lay your Own Tiles
Tiling may be time-consuming, but it is also pretty simple to learn. Find a tiling class (you’ll find a lot of Home Depot or DIY stores offer free classes) or watch some YouTube videos to see how it’s done. Once you master the technique and invest in the tools, such as a level and tile saw, the sky is the limit.
4. Learn How to Repair Drywall
If you plan to invest in real estate, mastering basic drywall repair is a must. Hanging drywall is a task best left for experts of advanced DIYers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn to patch drywall. Whether it’s a hole from a botched attempt at hanging shelves or patching a nail hole, patching drywall is a fairly straightforward skill that can be learned with just a few video tutorials. Every landlord should learn this skill. Once you learn the basics, you will be able to fill in small and large holes with just some spackle, a saw, and a roll of drywall tape.
5. Paint like a Pro
Painting doesn’t require many tools. Simply grab some pain, a roller, and a paint pan and you’re ready to go. If you plan to do a good bit of painting, it’s worth investing in a good-quality paintbrush. Go for an angled brush around 2 inches wide.
Practice your painting skills so you can redecorate your interiors, cover dodgy wall murals, and keep the outside of your property looking spick and span for next to nothing. All you need is to learn the basic technique; carefully paint the edges and corners using a paintbrush then simply fill in the rest of the wall using the roller. Check out a few video tutorials to get the hang of it and learn how to block off edges with tape, then find a spot on the wall to practice on. Generally speaking, slow and steady movements are best when painting as it allows the paint to settle into the grooves and any texture on the walls. This means fewer coats of paint are needed and you can get the job done quicker.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be a handyman to be a real estate investor or landlord, but mastering the basics can definitely help you save time and money. Whether it’s patching a hole in the wall, fixing a leak, or cutting a new key, making simple repairs on your property gives you peace of mind and that oh-so-smug satisfied feeling.