Be a Better Homeowner
A home is a big investment. To be a better homeowner, focus on improving areas of your property and getting to know the neighborhood. Establish a good rapport with your neighbors and keep up on routine maintenance to maximize the benefits of owning a home. Here are five simple ways to be responsible for your property and keep it well-maintained.
Meet Your Neighbors
Getting to know your neighbors is one of the best ways to be a better homeowner. A friendly neighbor is priceless if you happen to lock yourself out of your house or need someone to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Even if you’re in town, a good relationship with your neighbors will help boost your home’s safety and contribute to pleasant, day-to-day interactions.
Make Maintenance a Priority to Be a Better Homeowner
Maintaining the appearance and function of your home increases your property value and allows you to take pride in your house. Keep up with yearly inspections, including the roof, chimney, HVAC system, and foundation inspections. Check the interior of your home as part of monthly maintenance. This will help you catch any changes in the appearance of walls, ceilings, or floors. Likewise, examine the exterior for cracks, damage, or evidence of a pest infestation.
Create an Emergency Fund
Starting an emergency fund offers peace of mind, knowing you’ll be prepared if something unexpected occurs. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what the costs of major repairs might be. Appliances will reach the end of their lifespans. Your roofing materials won’t last forever. An emergency fund will help you feel ready to deal with problems when they occur. Create a budget to save a percentage of your income and put aside those funds for home emergencies.
Boost Energy-Efficiency to Be a Better Homeowner
Making your home more energy-efficient is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your utility bills. Get a home energy audit to assess your home’s energy efficiency. The information gathered during the audit will determine what areas of your house need attention. You might discover drafty windows and doors, insufficient insulation, and unnecessarily plugged-in appliances, including phone chargers, computers, and televisions.
Read Your Home Warranty
A home warranty covers the cost of repairing certain components in your home for a period of time. The warranty can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars on costly repairs with little to no out-of-pocket expenses. Read and familiarize yourself with your warranty coverage so you’ll be better prepared in case an appliance breaks down. Keep the warranty information in a safe place, so you can quickly retrieve it if necessary.
Good Homeowner Tips
Being a good homeowner starts with the upkeep of your home and its most important systems. Create an emergency fund and hold onto warranty information to make it easier to keep your home running smoothly. You’ll have peace of mind when you’re prepared for the unexpected.
Cole’s Inspection Services provides inspection services to customers in Statesville and the surrounding area of North Carolina. Contact us to schedule an appointment.