Maintaining your home
Like owning a car, your home will need regular upkeep to keep it safe and uphold its value. It's your biggest investment — protect it.
As a homeowner, caring for and maintaining your home is an important responsibility. Regular upkeep can prevent costly problems from arising, make mechanical systems last longer and have a positive impact on your home's value. Maintenance will cost you time and money, but it can protect your home's value and ensure the comfort and safety of your family.
To help you plan for home maintenance costs:
Set aside time and money. You'll need to ensure you plan for the necessary resources needed to maintain your property, such as lawn care, gutter cleaning, appliance upkeep and more.
Plan ahead for major purchases and home improvements. If you know your roof, for example, will need replacement in a few years, be sure to make this part of your savings plan now.
Take periodic inventory of your home's appliances, roof, decks, etc. Take note of when warranties end, the age of certain features and when manufacturers recommend replacement.
Make sure your insurance is active and current. By maintaining an adequate amount of homeowner's insurance (generally the cost to rebuild your home if damaged or destroyed) you'll have the protection you need for serious damage or a disaster.
Use this worksheet to help you identify any home maintenance issues year-round and repair them before they become more problematic and potentially more expensive.
