Smart Home Maintenance: Save Money, Prevent Repairs & Prepare to Sell
Bodacious Estate Conversations | Episode 104
Featuring Tom Almanza, Founder of Lemonade Property Services
Owning a home comes with a never-ending list of responsibilities. From clogged gutters and leaky faucets to painting, cleaning, and unexpected repairs, keeping a property in good condition takes time, money, and reliable help.
But what if you had one company you could call for nearly everything?
In Episode 104 of Bodacious Estate Conversations, host Kasey King sits down with Tom Almanza, founder of Lemonade Property Services in York, Pennsylvania, to discuss practical ways homeowners, families, and real estate investors can simplify property maintenance.
Tom shares how preventative maintenance can reduce costly surprises, which improvements make sense before selling a home, and why having a dependable service provider matters—especially for older homeowners and families managing properties from a distance.
The Story Behind Lemonade Property Services
Tom's company name has an unusual origin.
After losing $288,000 in a business investment involving someone he trusted, Tom decided to rebuild rather than let the experience define his future.
Inspired by the familiar expression about making lemonade from life's lemons, he launched Lemonade Property Services in February 2020.
His goal wasn't simply to create another handyman business. He wanted to build a company that homeowners could rely on for long-term property care.
Today, Lemonade provides a range of maintenance, cleaning, painting, and property improvement services in the York County area.
Why Finding Reliable Contractors Is So Difficult
One of the biggest challenges homeowners face isn't necessarily identifying what needs to be fixed.
It's finding someone dependable to do the work.
Tom explains that skilled independent contractors often become booked quickly. Even when homeowners find someone they trust, that person may not have the availability to handle every project.
Lemonade's approach is to provide a single point of contact for multiple services.
Instead of coordinating several different contractors, homeowners can contact one company for many common property needs.
These services include:
Gutter cleaning and pressure washing
Handyman repairs and basic carpentry
Drywall repairs and fixture installation
Interior and exterior painting
Deep cleaning and move-out cleaning
Junk removal and property cleanouts
Pest control
Luxury vinyl plank flooring installation
Selected plumbing, electrical, and HVAC maintenance tasks
Specific services depend on the work involved and the company's capabilities.
Preventative Maintenance: Small Tasks That Can Prevent Bigger Problems
Many homeowners wait until something breaks before scheduling maintenance.
Tom believes that approach can become expensive.
His company offers preventative maintenance programs designed to catch problems early and help keep properties functioning properly.
For real estate investors, the process can begin with a detailed property snapshot that documents room measurements, appliances, windows, doors, and other important information.
From there, scheduled maintenance visits may include:
Replacing HVAC filters
Cleaning air-conditioning coils
Checking appliances and outlets
Cleaning refrigerator condensers
Clearing slow drains
Cleaning dryer vents
Inspecting visible property conditions
Cleaning gutters seasonally
For rental property owners, these visits also provide an opportunity to document property conditions and identify issues before they become more serious.
The takeaway: Regular maintenance can be less disruptive and less expensive than waiting for preventable damage.
Helping Aging Parents Maintain Their Homes
One of the most useful parts of our conversation involves older homeowners.
As people age, tasks such as climbing ladders, cleaning gutters, moving furniture, or handling small repairs can become increasingly difficult.
Family members may want to help but lack the time, skills, or proximity to manage every issue.
Tom explains how his prepaid handyman and cleaning service bundles can give families access to help when needed.
During the interview, he describes how eligible customers could use prepaid service hours at more than one property, including a parent's home within the company's service area.
For adult children helping aging parents remain safely in their homes, having reliable maintenance assistance can reduce some of the day-to-day burden.
These services may also make practical gifts for parents who no longer want to handle certain household tasks themselves.
Getting a House Ready to Sell: Which Improvements Matter?
When a homeowner decides to sell, the list of potential projects can feel overwhelming.
Does the house need new flooring? Should the walls be repainted? Is a full renovation necessary?
Tom explains that many pre-sale projects focus on relatively straightforward improvements rather than major remodeling.
Common requests include:
Cleanouts and junk removal: Removing unwanted belongings, old carpet, and accumulated clutter.
Painting: Refreshing walls, doors, shutters, trim, and other surfaces that show wear.
Flooring updates: Replacing dated or damaged flooring with practical alternatives such as luxury vinyl plank.
Deep cleaning: Preparing the home for photography, showings, or new occupants.
Exterior maintenance: Pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and addressing visible trim deterioration.
Pest control: Responding to evidence of rodents or insects discovered during a cleanout or property turnover.
These improvements can help a home feel cleaner, better maintained, and more inviting to prospective buyers.
However, not every project produces a worthwhile return. Before spending money, homeowners should consider the property's condition, local market, likely buyer expectations, and selling strategy.
A Practical Solution for Executors and Out-of-Town Heirs
Managing an inherited home can be especially challenging when family members live outside the area.
Someone may need to coordinate cleaning, remove belongings, arrange repairs, maintain the yard, or prepare the property for sale.
Each additional contractor creates another phone call, appointment, and decision.
A property maintenance company that handles multiple services can simplify part of that process.
For executors and heirs, having reliable local professionals can be particularly valuable when the property is vacant or family members cannot visit frequently.
That's also where Guided Home Prep helps: coordinating the broader process so families have a clear plan instead of managing every moving part themselves.
Maintenance for Rental Property Owners
Tom also works with landlords, property managers, and real estate investors.
For rental properties, preventative maintenance can help reduce tenant complaints, document conditions, and keep turnovers moving.
Lemonade offers services ranging from minor repairs to cleaning, painting, and selected property upgrades.
Tom emphasizes that his goal is to build ongoing relationships with customers rather than simply complete one-time jobs.
For investors managing multiple properties, having a dependable maintenance partner can make day-to-day operations more manageable.
Tom's Approach: One Call, Less Stress
Throughout the conversation, Tom returns to one central idea: homeowners shouldn't have to coordinate five different companies for routine property needs.
His long-term vision is to make Lemonade Property Services a dependable resource for maintaining and improving homes.
He also discusses his personal background, including growing up near Chicago, moving to York County, founding Greater York Baptist Church, and building his business around perseverance and service.
His story is a reminder that difficult experiences can lead to meaningful new opportunities.
Connect With Tom Almanza
Lemonade Property Services
York, Pennsylvania
Phone: 717-259-2747
Tom describes the company's general service area as approximately one hour from East York, although availability and coverage should be confirmed directly.
Watch or Listen to Episode 104
Lemonade Property Services: Smart Maintenance for Every Home
Need Help Preparing a Home for Sale?
Whether you're downsizing, managing an inherited property, or helping a loved one transition to a new living situation, preparing a home can involve far more than putting a sign in the yard.
At Guided Home Prep, we help homeowners and executors coordinate cleanouts, repairs, cleaning, property improvements, and the steps needed to move forward.
You don't have to manage everything alone.
No pressure. Just clarity and a plan.
Start a Conversation With Guided Home Prep
Note: Service offerings, maintenance plans, pricing, and coverage areas may change. Contact Lemonade Property Services directly for current details.
