Home Binders on Home Maintenance

Benefits of Home Maintenance and Staying Organized

Being a homeowner comes with responsibilities. When something breaks, you can’t simply call the landlord to fix it. You’re the one in charge of any repairs, maintenance, finances, and improvements.

When it comes to home repairs, it’s best to be proactive. You never want to ignore any problems or damage you see in your home. A minor problem can turn into a big, more costly one before you know it! Consistent, regular maintenance of your home is important to combat the usual wear and tear.

It’s also important to keep records of any maintenance and upgrades you have completed. This will come in handy when you decide to sell your home in the future.

Create a home manual JUST for your home. The buyers will love it and be confident they are purchasing a home that has been well cared for! Get a large binder with clear plastic pockets to hold important documents:

1. Home inspections
2. Owner manuals for your home and its systems
3. Service records. Whenever you do sell, these records show where you have added value and what you’ve done to keep up your home. Several types of improvements also can qualify for tax incentives so be sure to share the receipts on a yearly basis with your CPA.
4. Warranties
5.  Age and info on your roof, furnace, water heater, washer/dryer, refrigerator and other important appliances
6. Possible floor plan (if applicable)
7. Include paint colors and other decorating information
8. Receipts for furniture
9. Landscaping work and how to care for your plants, shrubs, and flowers.
10. Any upgrades you have completed; including invoices
11. Maintain an updated list of service providers. This list should include your plumber, electrician, utility company, landscaper, HVAC, etc.  
12. Pest control receipts

Expect the unexpected!! A good rule of thumb is to expect to pay about 1% of your home’s value in maintenance and upkeep costs per year.  If you budget for these “unexpected” items, they won’t be such a surprise when it comes time!

• Create an inspection list and go through your home twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to check on the condition of each item. Your list should include both inside and outside items: roof, windows, foundation, gutters, attic, insulation, HVAC, chimney, driveway, and etc. Look for damage from water leaks, mold, and pests such as termites, mice, squirrels, etc. Sample Home Maintenance List

• Know your major appliances – such as fridge, stove/oven, dish washer, washer/dryer.  Know how they work, how to maintain them (like changing your filters), who to call for repairs, and how old they are now and their life expectancies. How long they last depends a lot on your care of them and also your specific product. The life expectancy of a typical appliance depends to a great extent on the use it receives. Moreover, appliances are often replaced long before they are worn out because changes in styling, technology and consumer preferences make newer products more desirable. Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators last about 13 years. Some of the appliances with the shortest lifespan are: compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years).

• Buy tools you’ll use regularly to maintain your home and to make minor repairs. Every homeowner should have a tool box but don’t go out and buy something you may only need once; you can sometimes rent or share the cost with friends or neighbors. Experts say you should buy tape measure, utility knife, four-in-one screwdriver, hammer, putty knife, saw, wrench, pliers, drill/driver. Every homeowner usually goes through a tube of caulk each year.