Purchasing a new home is a big commitment, but the real challenge is maintaining it over the years to come. Focus on caring for the house to protect your investment and keep your home comfortable. Here are five things you can do to be a better homeowner.
1. Make Repairs Promptly to Be a Better Homeowner
You may be tempted to ignore minor problems that are showing up in your new home. It’s hard to face the fact that there could be something wrong with a property you just bought. Of course, procrastination never pays off. The best time to repair an issue is when you first notice it. Otherwise, the problem can become bigger and lead to damage in other areas.
Don’t ignore the puddle that showed up on the basement floor. Track down its source and determine whether there’s a plumbing problem, a condensation issue, or a crack in the foundation. If the front porch light is flickering or a faucet is dripping, fix it yourself or call a professional to make repairs as soon as possible.
2. Spruce Up Outside
The first thing visitors will notice about your house is how it looks as they approach from the road. If your house doesn’t appeal to you every day when you come home, it’s likely that others won’t find it attractive either.
To increase your home’s value, improve its curb appeal. Power-washing the exterior, upgrading the landscape, and repairing little problems like cracked siding or loose shutters are simple ways to be a better homeowner.
3. Improve the Neighborhood
Every home in a neighborhood is impacted by the surrounding properties. You will be a better homeowner when you know what affects the appearance and safety of your neighborhood and make improvements.
Is your home adjacent to an overgrown vacant lot? It may not be your responsibility to clean it up, but tidying up the lot will boost the value of your property and the value of your neighbors’ homes.
Get to know your neighbors and start a neighborhood watch program. Find ways to become involved in local government by campaigning for lower speed limits and addressing storm sewer problems with the city.
4. Learn Basic Repairs to Be a Better Homeowner
While you won’t get an HVAC license to do weekend repairs, it is worthwhile to learn how to complete some common home maintenance. Painting, repairing drywall, and installing laminate flooring are all tasks for DIYers who want to do their own upgrades and save money.
Many homeowners delay repairs to put off receiving an expensive bill from a contractor or repair service. When you’re able to make complete repairs on your own, you’ll be less likely to put them off.
5. Boost Energy Efficiency
One final way to be a better homeowner is to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Start with sealing gaps around windows. Inspect door sweeps and thresholds to make sure they fit together well. Add extra insulation in the attic or crawlspace, and get the HVAC system inspected for efficiency and performance.
When you take steps to reduce energy costs, you’ll save money on monthly utility bills. Boosting the efficiency of your home also eases the demand on your heating and cooling system, extending its life.
There is always something you can do to keep your home in good shape. Be a better homeowner by paying attention to these small tasks every day.
TUFF Home Inspections provides home inspection services in New Jersey. Contact us to request an appointment.