Owning a home has a lot of perks (goodbye pet policies!). But those perks come with a lot of responsibility. Between daily chores and preventative maintenance, it’s easy to forget a few things. Let’s refresh your memory! Here are seven frequently-forgotten tasks that will help you stay on top of homeownership.
These tasks are especially important for new homeowners, but veterans may be forgetting a few of these, too!
1. Save for Unexpected Problems
You can’t stop things like your dishwasher from breaking, but you can set some cash aside to pay for unexpected replacements. As a general rule of thumb, you want to save 1-3 percent of your home’s initial price each year so that you can afford unexpected problems.
2. Form an Inspection Habit
Detecting certain issues early (like a rodent infestation or mold growth) can be the difference between a simple fix and an unaffordable disaster. Take the time to properly inspect your basement, attic, insulation and roof at least once during that first year. Then, make an annual habit of it! Tip: If you would rather have an annual inspection conducted by a professional home inspector, visit Angie’s List to find the best local service provider to fit your needs.
3. Buy a Bunch of Furnace Filters
Changing your furnace filter regularly is one of the easiest ways you can save money (since your furnace will last longer) and improve your health (since the air you breathe will be cleaner). But remembering to pick up a filter from the hardware store every few months isn’t always so easy. Nip that problem in the bud by purchasing in bulk! Take a look at your furnace and write down the filter size, then order enough to last for a few years (the exact number you need will vary depending on the type of furnace you have).
4. Get to Know Your Appliances
Just like cars and televisions, the appliances in your home have different life expectancies. For example, furnaces usually last for 15-20 years, but water heaters tend to start wearing down after 10 years. It’s worth figuring out how old each appliance in your house is because then you can plan ahead for their replacements. A new furnace can cost as much as $5,000, so a little heads up can really help!
5. Take Advantage of Tax Credits
Did you know that you can receive credits for things like installing solar panels or purchasing Energy Star appliances. Do some research early on about the different tax credits that may apply to you, and then reap the benefits when tax time rolls around!
6. Start Keeping Records
Every improvement or repair you make to your home – from adding caulk around your bathtub to installing a new roof – will increase its resale value. Make sure all of your hard work pays off by keeping track right from the start! Tip: If you’re not crazy about creating an enormous filing cabinet of records, you can store their home details on BrightNest (for free!) in the Homefolio.
7. Beef Up Your Insurance
Take a good look at your homeowners insurance policy and look for any relevant gaps (this is a situation where professional advice can be really helpful). Two areas of coverage to consider are flood and fire protection, which aren’t always included in standard policies. Tip: It’s also worth taking another look at your car insurance because you now have a much bigger asset (your home) to lose in the event of a lawsuit.
