10 Rules Of Owning A Home

10 Rules of Owning a House


Owning a home is a tremendous joy--and a big responsibility. Here are 10 rules home owners should live by.





1. Take care of your home

Experts recommend budgeting 1 to 3% of your home’s value for maintenance and repairs each year.

2. Build equity

Making an extra principal payment when possible can decrease the interest you pay over the life of your loan.

3. Make a good first impression

Keep your front entrance clear and welcoming. Curb appeal improves the neighborhood and enhances your home’s value.

4. Be properly insured

In most cases you only need to insure the replacement value of your home and personal property, not the land.

5. Love the neighborhood--not just the house

And if you’re not happy with your current neighborhood, start thinking and planning where to move next.

6. Make improvements

Statistics show updated kitchens and baths often make a difference in a sale.

7. Safety first

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure the security of your family.

8. Beat your bills

Improvements in the insulation of windows, doors, and storm doors can save energy costs and increase your home’s resale value.

9. Go neutral

If you’re thinking of moving in a year or so, choose light, neutral paint colors so there’s less work when you sell.

10. Know when it's time to move

Over time people often outgrow a house or neighborhood. If you’re thinking of making a change, please call or email to discuss the next steps.