The single largest investment that most of us will make is the purchase of a house. It’s not just shelter- it’s an emotional center for our families. It represents safety, acceptance, and love. It’s home. But as in all relationships, we have to spend a little TLC keeping the relationship with our house healthy!
Here are the top 5 maintenance projects that will make your house love you back:
Paint: Remember that paint only lasts 3-5 years. Paint isn’t just about aesthetics or design trends (although, happily, paint is a great creative way to reflect your personality, both inside and out). Paint is also an important protective membrane for the wood work of your house! Keep your woodwork and walls safe from the elements by refreshing your paint routinely.
Climate control: Make sure that your HVAC is serviced regularly. Service contracts for this important central system are affordable- often less than $100 per year. They include routine seasonal maintenance that will identify and prevent issues that might otherwise escalate to expensive repairs or even replacements. Keeping your HVAC well-maintained also has a positive impact on your energy bills (good for the environment and also good for the checkbook).
Doors and Windows: If your house faces North West, check on your doors and windows each winter. Homes have a higher occurrence of rot, peeling, and leaks if they face this direction. A little weather protection goes a long way with doors and windows
Pest control: Many pests damage your home silently, thoroughly and before you even know they’re there. This is another area where having a routine service contract can prevent major heartache by preventing problems from even gaining foothold.
Rainy Day Fund: When you purchase a house, try to set aside 10% of the home’s worth for repairs and emergencies. Property managers earn this every year, because that’s typically what it costs to maintain a property. Can’t afford a giant Rainy Day Fund immediately? Try to put away 10% of your mortgage each month until you have a great safety net should any major repairs or improvements come up in your home’s future.
Be kind to your house, and it will be kind to you.
