Owning a home requires a significant upfront investment. No matter what type of loan you use to buy a residential property, closing costs and a down payment will use up a good chunk of your savings. Then, you will have costly payments each month to cover the mortgage, insurance, taxes, and utilities. While these expenses may be worth it to own a home, that doesn’t mean you should stop finding ways to save money as a homeowner.
An unexpected cost that new homeowners face is repairs/maintenance. Homes are complex buildings with various systems, all of which can encounter issues. A pipe could burst due to low temperatures in the winter. Wooden framing can rot over time if exposed to moisture or certain pests. Appliances can malfunction and need a repair to function normally or even a full replacement.
While avoiding these costs entirely may be impossible, there are still steps you can take to lower their impact or prevent them altogether in your Spring City home.
Update Exterior Features When Needed
Your house is meant to be a shelter for you and your family. That means protection against the elements like weather events or uncomfortable temperatures. If you have exterior features like siding, a roof, or windows that are compromised, the whole home is at risk of serious damage from the environment. This damage could become irreversible if unaddressed, leading to costly repairs.
It is better to update these exterior features to protect the home from larger repair costs. Invest in stucco remediation and replace it with longer-lasting siding material that prevents water leakage. Consider a new roof if you encounter leaks or notice visible degradation. If you feel a lot of drafts from your windows, replace them with more efficient models.
Routine Maintenance Checks
Many features in a home can lose their functionality over time. Plumbing systems can rust, appliances can wear down, electrical components can drain more power, etc. Aside from the energy inefficiency concerns, there is the risk of fire when electrical components are faulty. This explains why you must upgrade your home’s electrical panel to save you from these issues. Routine maintenance checks are vital for your home’s safety and for everyone else living in the same house. There is also a cost-saving element when these checks are done regularly. Performing routine maintenance checks on the various elements of the house can help you spot problem areas before they escalate into larger risks.
You can either conduct research and perform regular inspections yourself or hire contractors to come in for more complex maintenance tasks. If appliances call for regular maintenance, make sure you keep up with them so they last longer.
Respond ASAP
If you cannot prevent repairs from being necessary, then you can minimize the damage that results from the issue. If you notice a problem, don’t ignore it because it seems minor or irrelevant. Maintenance issues tend to worsen over time, and the last thing you want to happen is a disaster that could have been prevented by quick and decisive action.
For example, if you notice an infestation of crickets, don’t wait to contact pest control services for a cricket problem. The longer you wait, the worse the infestation will get. Additionally, if you notice a small water stain on the walls or ceilings of the home, call a water restoration company in Spring City immediately to locate the source and make fast repairs.
Consult the Inspection Report
When you first bought your home, there was probably an inspection conducted unless it was waived (which you should never do as a buyer). This inspection is a report of all the current and potential repairs that could be needed as the new owner of the property.
Consulting this report regularly is a good practice to get into. While the inspector may have stated that some issues may not be urgent, being aware that they could escalate is important to prevent costly repairs. Take note of what the inspector pointed out as potential problems in the future and pay special attention to those areas.
DIY Is Not Always the Answer
Let’s be honest, some homeowners are overconfident about their DIY abilities. Whether or not you fall into this category, knowing your limits is important when you are considering repairs and home maintenance.
Being underequipped, either from a lack of tools or knowledge, is a recipe for disaster when making repairs in your home. You could end up exacerbating the original issue, making it far more expensive to deal with. Rather than potentially increase the repair costs, don’t hesitate to contact professional contractors that have a much better track record with tackling important projects. While some repairs are manageable on your own, understand that a professional touch is needed sometimes to save you money.
As the Homeowner, Responsibility is on Your Shoulders Alone
The home is yours. There is no landlord that is going to call in their maintenance team to make repairs on the house. When you become a homeowner in Spring City, PA, you accept responsibility for taking care of your property, not just for yourself and your family, but for future buyers as well.
Accept the fact that you will need to take steps to protect your home from significant damage. Whether that means updating the roof/siding, performing regular maintenance checks, consulting the inspection report, or calling in a professional, these strategies are your best defense against even more expensive repairs that may result if you do nothing.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.