Did you recently land the home of your dreams or are you a seasoned homeowner already? Either way, when you own a home it’s important to be prepared for unforeseen situations. After all, your home is probably the biggest asset you’ll ever own. U.S. News published a smart list of New Year’s resolutions for homeowners. Below is my quick summary of the article. Link to full article (with annoying ads) provided below.
1. Conduct a Home Assessment
Walk through your home room by room and make a list of the problems you’re seeing. Mechanical and structural issues should be grouped into one bucket, cosmetic issues into another and wish list items into a third. That way, if you’re on a limited budget, you can prioritize where your money should go.
2. Build an Emergency Fund for Home Repairs
Most people should expect to spend 1% to 3% of their home’s value on annual maintenance and repairs. If you want to avoid unpleasant financial surprises, you may want to err on the higher end of that range.
3. Have Your Heating and Cooling Systems Maintained
It’s important to have your heating and cooling systems maintained at least once a year, and ideally, before their respective seasons kick in.
4. Change Your HVAC Filters Regularly
5. Have Your Dryer Vent Cleaned Out
A clogged dryer vent can make your dryer work less efficiently, plus it’s a potential fire hazard.
6. Test Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
7. Clean Out Your Gutters
Clogged gutters can lead to improper drainage, which can lead to water damage inside and outside of your home. For folks living in harsh winter climates, clogged gutters will also exacerbate ice dams.
8. Make Sure Your Home Is Sealed Well
Doing so could not only make for a more comfortable indoor environment, but also, save you money on heating and cooling bills. Use a long-tipped lighter to find air leaks around windows and doors. ***the article suggests using a candle. That works too but don’t drip any wax on your nice hardwood floors or carpets.
9. Clean Your Appliances
I have two dogs. You’d be amazed at how their hair finds its way into EVERYTHING. Whether or not you have pets, it’s a good idea to keep your appliances clean, especially large ones that have venting apparatuses.
10. Inspect Your Roof
Walk around your house and look out for things like curling or missing shingles, which will tell you that your roof needs work.
11. Have Your Fireplace and Chimney Cleaned and Inspected
If you’re lucky enough to have a wood-burning fireplace, have it inspected at least annually.
12. Trim Your Trees
Trees tend to be bare during the winter months, so it’s easier to spot hanging limbs you should cut down. Plus, hanging tree limbs can be a problem during the winter. They can buckle under the weight of snow and cause damage to your property.
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Full article here: 12 New Year’s Resolutions Every Homeowner Should Make | Real Estate | U.S. News (usnews.com)
