Keeping up with Home Improvements

Being a homeowner is one of the most rewarding parts of life, but it is also a large undertaking. From the day you move in to the day you sell your home, there will always be something that will need to be repaired or remodeled. You may want to undertake some changes simply to elevate your comfort level – like installing central air conditioning – or to spruce up the home’s aesthetics, such as adding a few stained-glass windows.
But other work will need to be done to maintain the property and minimize problems later on. These may include replacing a hazardous roof, fixing broken windows, and repairing leaky pipes. These are all necessities. Left undone, they can lead to major problems and damages within the home.
If you decide one day to sell, other improvements will likely be made to increase the home’s value and appeal to potential buyers.
From the very beginning, get in the habit of taking an inventory, at least once every year, of every nook and cranny of your home to check for potential problems. Examine the roof, foundation, plumbing, electrical wiring – basically everything. Try to fix trouble spots as soon as you uncover them.

This proactive approach will help you avoid larger expenses later on, so leave no stone unturned when taking your inventory.
You may expect to spend one percent of the purchase price of your home every year to handle a myriad of tasks, including painting, tree trimming, repairing gutters, caulking windows, and routine system repairs and maintenance.
An older home will usually require more maintenance, although a lot will depend on how well it has been maintained over the years.
Tell yourself that the upkeep of your home is mandatory, and budget accordingly. Otherwise, your home’s value will suffer if you allow it to fall into a state of disrepair. Remember, there is usually a direct link between a property’s condition and its market value: The better its condition, the more a buyer will likely pay for it down the road.
Adopt the attitude that the cost of good home maintenance is usually minor compared to what it will cost to remedy a situation that you allowed to get out of hand. For example, unclogging and sealing gutters may cost a few hundred dollars. But repairing damage to a corner of your home where gutters have leaked can potentially cost several thousands dollars.
As a Member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I have a wealth of real estate and homeownership information that may be of help to you. Feel free to contact me any time to learn more about this important information, and be sure to forward this article on to any friends or family that may be interested as well.

Is Your Realtor Your Financial Adviser?

In a recent article in the Business and Jobs section of the Indianapolis Star, weekly columnist Peter Dunn argues that your agent just may be your number one financial adviser. The premise for his opinion is that a home is the biggest purchase most people will make and that a financial adviser's primary role is in risk assessment and avoiding mistakes. Strictly speaking, a Realtor is not a financial adviser, but the goal of any good Realtor is to offer expert advice in pursuit of his client's goals. If you've never thought of your current or future home in terms of investing, read Dunn's article to learn more about how a Realtor can help you in one of the biggest financial decisions you may make. Click here to read the article at indystar.com