Maintenance

While not a factor in appraising a log home to be constructed, maintenance plays a role in evaluating existing houses. Like conventional homes, log homes require periodic maintenance. As with conventional housing, neglecting maintenance affects the appearance and perceived value of the home.

Log home manufacturers and builders stress the importance of maintaining a water resistant wood preservative on the exterior log surfaces with UV protection or inhibitors. Failure to do so may result in a gray weathered appearance that some people find attractive but many do not.

While this may affect the perceived value of the house, the condition is not usually serious and is easily remedied by simply pressure washing or bleaching the exterior and applying a sealant. While the condition may look serious, it is usually no more serious than a conventional home in need of re-painting.