Homebuying Hurdle: Maintenance
‘I enjoy the 24/7 maintenance that a landlord provides.’
We get it. One of the perks of leasing is that you can call the maintenance department for just about anything. Even if it’s seven in the morning and your smoke alarm runs out of batteries, your apartment complex most likely has an after-hours emergency maintenance crew on standby. From the free trash pick-up to the complimentary lawn service, living in an apartment complex or having a landlord comes with advantages. It is hard to leave maintenance amenities behind, but don't let it stop you from venturing off to find your very first home. One way to avoid accruing a large maintenance bill is by starting your new home scouting with an inspection. Requiring an inspection helps eliminate hidden home improvement surprises like leaky pipes or foundation issues. When you schedule an inspection, you are making sure that your new home was well maintained by all previous owners. Keep in mind that before you purchase your first home, it is important to know your own lifestyle habits. A home with a yard and garden may be beautiful, but not if mowing the yard every two weeks sounds like a hassle. Instead, opt for a townhome or condo that doesn’t include landscape maintenance. Have the best of both worlds and just plant a windowsill herb garden!
THINKING OF BUYING YOUR FIRST HOME?
Don't forget that if you aren’t big on DIY projects (or don’t even know what DIY stands for) then a fixer-upper home is probably not for you. However, if a brand-new home is not in the cards for your budget right now, opt for a home that has just undergone major home improvements like roof, plumbing or electrical replacements. It is important to maintain a monthly emergency budget specifically for home maintenance repairs. Use this money for weekly routine fixes like a leaky faucet or an A/C check in the summer. These routine fixes may be really low on your to-do list, but they could be signs of bigger problems like busted pipes or an A/C burnout. Maintain all appliances on a daily basis to prevent more costly maintenance repairs. As much as we would like to, we can’t escape responsibility forever. Buying a home may seem like an added stressor, but you will soon fall into a pattern just like you did when you ventured off on your own to your first apartment in the city. There will be many learning curves, but you will handle them with confidence just like you’ve always done!
Home maintenance helps your home outlive your mortgage.