Calling All Homeowners Far and Wide!

First off – congratulations – homeownership in this day and age is not an easy feat, and you already did the hardest part. Now comes the secondary piece of homeownership that is less talked about, but just as important – home maintenance and keeping the value of your home.

Let’s start simple and chat about the 1% rule of maintenance.

This rule states that owners of a newer home should plan to spend at least 1% of their home’s value on annual maintenance and repairs. Individuals who have purchased homes that were built earlier on should plan to spend up to 3%.

This might sound a little overwhelming, but we’ll break it down for you into a few different categories:

Yearly Maintenance

Maintenance required every 3-5 years

Maintenance required every 5-10 years

Maintenance and Renovation to consider at 10-20 years

Yearly:

Staying on top of these tasks is going to keep your wallet fuller in the long run.

• Roof inspections and gutter cleanings are not sexy, but they are important and keep you from spending a lot more in the long term
• You don’t want to be hot or cold – yearly HVAC cleaning + servicing is a must
• Bugs? Wind? Extra money because your window insulation isn’t up to snuff? Check the caulking around windows, door, tubs, and sinks to avoid those pests
• Water stains? We all love those, right? NOT. Get your plumbing under sinks + around fixtures inspected
• Peeling paint is a fun alliteration, but it’s ugly and needs to be touched up more often than you’d like

3 – 5 Year maintenance

This is the kind of maintenance that keeps your home looking new + fresh, even when you’ve lived there for a while.

• High traffic areas like hallways and kitchens get a lot of love, but if they’re starting to look a little unloved, you might need to pick up a paintbrush
• When rugs start to look a little rugged, it might be time for an upgrade.
• Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to your home, but they need to be refinished every now and then
• No one loves a dirty dishwasher and a refrigerator that looks like it should have been left in the last decade – don’t be that person
• Window treatments are easy to forget about, but they make a world of difference. Keep up with maintenance + replace them when you think it’s time

5-10 + Year Maintence

We’re entering territory that might be getting out of your range of expertise + that is okay. Calling in a contractor and a designer is the right move, especially when we’re talking about the long-term value of your home.

• Roofs are literally the only thing above your head; make sure that you don’t avoid this and replace it when necessary
• Being cold in the winter is a bummer. Being hot in the summer burns a little bit. Make sure you’re upgrading your HVAC system not only for your comfort, but for overall efficiency
• Some things never go out of style, but kitchens do. This is the centerpiece of your home and one of the primary places that you and others will spend time. Don’t cut corners when it comes to replacements and renovations.
• The wallpaper that has been in your bathroom for 10 years has not aged like you wanted it to – consider an update to make the throne room fit for the kind of royalty you are
• Not all windows are created equal, and they certainly weren’t all installed properly. When you start feeling a breeze or seeing condensation – it’s time to get this checked

10-20 Year Maintenance and Renovation

At this point you’ve got a couple more grey hairs, and your house might start to look a little “lived in.” Quick fixes have come and gone, and at this point in your life you know long-term solutions are better anyway.

• Showers need to be replaced. It’s a sad fact of life that they do not last forever + that mold you’ve been ignoring is a real problem
• Foundational repairs are not fun, but solving them before they become a real problem is always a good idea
• You might love your home, but you want a little more space – do not rely on YouTube for these additions; call a professional

Homeownership is a huge milestone in life, and your home is your haven. Make sure you’re checking in on it and taking care of it in the way it deserves. Small issues become larger ones when they’re ignored for too long, and you don’t want to deal with that.

If you’re looking to make any updates, solve an issue,  or looking for design ideas, call Jil Young Designs 919-988-0045 , take a look at our website JilYoungdesigns.com, and follow us on Facebook Jil Young Designs to see our latest projects.