For most of us, our homes are our biggest investments. While we do our best to keep it in top shape, it’s easy to make small mistakes that can end up costing us big time. Whether it’s investing in an impractical home improvement or neglecting important maintenance, there are a lot of expensive mistakes homeowners can make.
Are you guilty of any of these common errors?
- Forgetting to Clean Out Your Air Ducts
Cleaning out your air ducts is a task that’s easy to forget about, but dirt and debris build-up can cause real problems. Eventually, dirty ducts will start to restrict airflow and make your HAVC system work less efficiently. After a while, this can shorten the life expectancy of your system. - Ignoring that Leaking Faucet
That dripping faucet is more than just annoying. Did you know that even one drip a minute can waste up to 34 gallons a year? Not only is this terrible for the environment, but it will raise your water bill too! - Failing to Hone Your DIY Skills
Sure, there are some things that you should leave to the pros, but learning some basic DIY skills will help you save a ton of money when it comes to home repairs and upgrades. - Choosing an Impractical Home Improvement
Sure, it might seem like a great idea to add a cheetah-print carpet in your closet or build a cat-patio in your back yard, but an impractical home improvement could end up hurting your resale value. If there’s something you really want and you plan to stay in your home for a long time, this might not matter to you. However, it’s always smart to stop and think these things through before you make a commitment. - Over-Watering Your Lawn
A lush, green lawn is every homeowner’s dream, but when it comes to watering, more isn’t always better. Instead of relying on your automatic sprinkler, make sure you check once in a while to ensure you aren’t wasting water on already-saturated grass. - Forgetting to Check Your Roof
Your roof is something that’s “out of sight, out of mind,” but it’s important to check it at least once a year. This will help you can catch small problems before they get big. - Not Controlling the Temperature
If you haven’t already, definitely consider investing in a programmable thermostat. Heating or cooling an empty house is just a waste, and you’ll quickly make your money back in the form of savings on your energy bill. - Using Traditional Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs are another thing in your home that sucks up energy and cost you money. Change these out for LED bulbs, and you’ll notice a change almost immediately. - Ignoring Your Home’s Foundation
Your home’s foundation is another thing that you don’t think much about. However, it’s important to watch for signs of damage, like mold on the outside of the house, insects inside, strange smells, or noticeable cracks. If any of these red flags arise, have it looked at right away. - Dragging Out Your Mortgage Repayment
The longer it takes you to pay off your mortgage, the more you’ll pay in interest fees. Make some extra payments whenever you can, and you could end up shaving thousands of dollars and several years off your repayment plan!
If any of the items on this list hit a nerve with you, take a deep breath. There are a ton of things to remember when you’re a homeowner! You can protect your home (and your wallet!) by creating a home maintenance checklist, thinking through that home improvement before you start, and figuring out how to knock down your mortgage faster!
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