For many people, owning a home is the ultimate dream. It’s a source of pride. It’s meant to be your oasis that fills you with joy and provides you with a place to build incredible memories. But for all the pros, there are also negatives to homeownership. When you first move into the home, it’s all sunshine and roses, but as any homeowner can attest, it rarely stays that way.
Between the monthly bills, maintenance, repairs, and renovations, it’s likely the most expensive thing you’ll ever invest in. Besides that, the upkeep of a home can prove to be extremely trying, even for those who are looking forward to the experience.
Photo by Zachary Kadolph on Unsplash
Before you start viewing your home negatively, we’ve got some simple tips that can make homeownership a whole lot less stressful. We want to help you reignite the joy you first felt and ensure you stay enamoured with your home.
Create a Home Maintenance Schedule
Did you know one of the best ways to cut down on repairs in a home is preventive maintenance? Staying on top of home maintenance and addressing potential problems before they spiral out of control can save you a lot of stress and money. The problem is that it can be hard to keep track of the maintenance you’ve done, when it was done, and what needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
A good plan is to create a home maintenance schedule. It doesn’t have to include too many details, just general projects and maintenance that should be done at regular intervals. These simple maintenance steps can keep your home in excellent condition and ward off typical issues.
Some of the maintenance projects you’ll want to do regularly can include:
- Check seals around windows and doors, and look for cracks and damage.
- Check the roof for any potential damage.
- Inspect fencing for any issues.
- Check and clean the gutters in spring and autumn.
- Prune large trees and bushes near the home so they don’t cause damage.
- Check any exterior paintwork, and look for peeling and flaking.
- Service your boiler if applicable.
- Check pipes to ensure there are no leaks.
Anytime you find problems, be sure to address them immediately before they can get worse. Often, the bigger the problem gets, the more expensive it can become to repair. It’s wise to note the schedule and maintenance in your calendar to ensure it isn’t forgotten.
Proper Home Insurance Is Non-Negotiable
While home insurance is an added expense in the realm of homeownership, it needs to be seen as a non-negotiable one. The fact is that you never know when something could happen in terms of unforeseen expenses.
Whether it’s caused by weather damage, a fluke incident, an accident, or some other issue, home insurance can save you piles of money. And it’s more than just a money saver; it also eliminates the stress of unexpected expenses. Ask yourself how you would scrape together a large sum of money unexpectedly. Why put yourself through that? With all that money you’ll be saving thanks to home insurance, you can put it toward things you enjoy, like hobbies, trips, and real money slots.
Create a “Rainy Day Savings” Account
Speaking of unforeseen expenses, while home insurance is fabulous and can save you money, not everything is covered. Maybe you want to do some renovations, a makeover project, or some other DIY project in the home.
A rainy day savings account is something that you can draw money from without impacting your regular budget. Even if you can only afford to put away small amounts at a time, it adds up and will come in handy later on. Moreover, knowing you have savings you can draw from will take away stress.
Don’t Tackle Too Many Projects and Renovations at Once
A common issue that homeowners can find themselves trapped in is taking on too many projects at once. There’s nothing wrong with having a vision and big goals, but when you try to take on too much at once, the stress can be suffocating and paralyzing. It’s always a good idea to approach projects one at a time. This means you don’t start the next project until the current one is finished.
A good way to use this tip is to work on one room or one space in the home at once. People’s lives can get busy, and what you may have considered a small project can easily take much longer than you thought. Maybe you don’t have as much free time available for the project, perhaps the budget is holding you back, or you may be having a hard time finding the materials and finishes you want. Whatever the case, one room in disarray is much easier to handle than an entire house.
Experts Can Alleviate Your Stress
Finally, if you get yourself into a bind where you have bitten off more than you can chew with repairs or renovations, this should be your signal to contact an expert. Experts can make quick work of projects, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing it was done properly and up to code.
If you are going to hire experts and contractors, be sure to do your research first. This means asking for referrals, following up with those referrals, and getting multiple quotes.
Owning a Home Doesn’t Mean You Have to Fall Victim to Stress
With tips like these, you can eliminate much of the stress that tends to go hand in hand with owning a home. Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule, addressing issues as they pop up, obtaining proper home insurance, and not biting off more than you can chew are all fabulous starting points.
