Most people live in apartments, condos, or other rental property until they are financially ready to buy a home of their own. Owning a home is a very rewarding and worthwhile experience. Even so, not everyone is prepared for the responsibilities of home ownership. Besides making the transition to a new location with new neighbors and vendors new homeowners must also deal with many other ‘new’ things.
New Concepts for New Homeowners
When you live in rental property the landlord is responsible for many things. Besides ensuring the property is safe and secure the landlord should keep the property in good repair. This is a huge advantage for those that rent. If you have a leaky faucet or the toilet won’t flush you simply call the landlord to remedy the situation. Similarly, you count on the fact that the lawn of the apartment or condo complex will be mowed and tended to as needed.
When you make the decision to buy a house you should take some time to research what homeownership entails. For example, you will be responsible for maintaining the home on the inside and out. In other words, if something breaks and you want it fixed or replaced you will either have to do it yourself or hire someone to make the repairs.
An absolute must of home ownership is house insurance This insurance will provide coverage for your home and its belongings. It also covers accidents that may happen on your property.
Home renovations are another major consideration of owning a home. Many people buy a house with plans of adding rooms or renovating an existing space. Before purchasing a home with these types of expectations you should explore the costs involved in such processes. In addition, you should carefully consider your own skills and knowledge related to home improvements.
Do it yourself projects can be cost-effective but they can also be draining both physically and emotionally. Plus, some projects require permits and the work must be completed by a licensed professional.
Making It Work
One of the best ways to tackle home ownership is to take things step-by-step. Planning will ahead will help prepare you for new responsibilities you will face. For instance, if you are not a ‘handyman’ type you can find local contractors to call on when needed, or you can learn how to make basic home repairs yourself. When it comes to things like insurance you can visit Budget Direct to learn about your best options.
The point is, you should not let the responsibilities of homeownership overwhelm you. From sites that offer detailed instructions for completing home improvement projects to sites that sell insurance, the Internet can guide you through the responsibilities associated with homeownership.
Photo credit: tillwe / Foter / CC BY-SA
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It was definitley an adjustment when we moved from an apartment into our house, but planning ahead and taking things one thing at at time definitley helped!
These are all excellent points. My husband calls our house the money pit because something is always in need of repair (and it really does seem like there’s always at least one thing that needs attention), but I love our home anyway. :)
Insurance is definitely a must and is often overlooked. I think often young, naive renters just assume someone else will be responsible if something happens and don’t realize this isn’t the case.