Does your home need a little love and attention? A well-kept home creates a welcoming, relaxing, well-functioning environment, which is so important to our health and well-being, especially in these times. And maintaining a home pays off in tangible (it adds to a home's long-term value) and intangible ways (you love being in your home).
Need some extra motivation to keep up with the upkeep and maintain that love-your-home feeling? Try this: Think about how your home would be perceived if you put it on the market to sell. That perspective can help you keep your to-do list manageable and repair costs down, and it can help you feel less overwhelmed. So take a proactive approach now and show your home some love with these five easy tips:
1. Out with the Old
Give your home’s storage areas some room to breathe. If you have recently moved into a new home, or you’ve been living in your current home for years, take time to sell, donate, or recycle items that no longer serve your needs. From expired food to outdated fashion and technology—purge your cabinets, closets, and consoles of things you don’t use. They are taking up valuable space. Need help getting started? This decluttering checklist can help.
2. Green It Up
Houseplants can bring freshness to any room in your home. They can be incorporated in so many ways, including decorative pots, wall planters, and hanging globes. Fresh herbs in the kitchen can be beautiful and fragrant, as well as practical. Choose the right plant for the right space to keep maintenance at a minimum.
3. Get Ahead of the Curve
Give your home the time and care it needs. Use a home maintenance checklist and stay on top of seasonal maintenance. Regular home maintenance will add to the comfort, beauty, and efficiency of your home. And if you ever do decide to sell, keeping a well-maintained home as well as a home maintenance log both can add to your home’s value.
4. If It’s Broke, Fix It
Tackle little repairs before they become big repairs. From squeaks and creaks to moisture and leaks, the sooner you fix the problem, the better for your home and your wallet. For home systems and appliances, use your home warranty for covered breakdowns.
5. Make Your Home Work for You
When you enter a well-kept home, what do you notice? Things are neat, in good repair, and you can easily move through the house. Surfaces are clutter-free and clean. Look at your home through the same lens. Start by removing items that create visible clutter, such as too many books and old magazines, knickknacks, unnecessary throw pillows, and so on. Then tackle the bigger issues like functionality and efficient traffic flow. This may require a bit of moving things around, like the furniture and rugs.
Keep It Going
When you make these five tips part of your regular maintenance routine, they help you keep feeling the home love every day, whether your home is a place you may sell someday, or it's your forever home.
Home Warranties Can Help
Remember that a home warranty can provide some added peace of mind as a homeowner. If you are buying or selling a home, be sure to ask your real estate agent about a home warranty plan for you.
Not planning to move just yet? Consider purchasing a home warranty before breakdowns occur, so you’ll be ready when covered items fail.
