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An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That old wise saying could never ring more true, especially when it comes to homeownership today. Not only is our home the most valuable investment most of us ever make, it's also the most expensive to maintain.
According to the latest statistics, the average homeowner should budget between one and three percent of a homes value every year for maintenance and repairs. So, if your home is worth $100,000 you should budget $1,000 to $3,000 each year for maintenance and repairs. Keeping a problem from happening is much better and cheaper than trying to fix the problem after it happens (Your cost can often triple by waiting or delaying). It takes far less money to maintain it than it does to fix it or replace it. Keeping that one philosophy in mind can save you thousands of dollars a year and a ton of headaches. If you're like me it's always tempting to have the opposite philosophy, and that is "if it's not broken it must be O.K."
A house is funny; something can give you years of worry-free service. But if you continue to neglect it long enough it will turn on you without warning. And at the most inconvenient times - when you least expect it. Here's a few quick and easy home maintenance tips any can perform. You don't need a special license or training to do them.
1. Walk around your house at least once a week.
Do this often enough and you'll find small problems before they turn into big ones. But most important you'll spot any potential problems ahead of time before they sneak up on you. You may like surprises but not the kind a neglected house can bring you.
2. Get a book on how to do minor repairs around your house.
A survey taken by a leading University estimated over 41% of all home maintenance and repairs required little or no training to perform. Almost half of the repairs or maintenance your home will ever need you can do - with a little extra knowledge and desire. Most repairmen charge anywhere from $100 to $300 an hour. So, learning how to do a few minor repairs and maintenance checks could save you a ton of cash. Imagine not having to call a repairman every time something sticks, leaks or makes a funny sound. When you have a job that's over your head you'll have another source of information to verify what the repair man is telling you. 3. Stay on top of home maintenenance. What's strange about neglected home maintenance? It happens quietly. And before you know it, that one item turns into a list of items that need fixing. If you've been a homeowner for long, you know how fast minor maintenance projects can grow. In addition, as you neglect those minor maintenance projects they can quickly turn into repair projects. Finally, the neglected repairs quickly turn into replacement projects and those projects never come cheap. In conclusion, that's why it's a good idea to develop the habit of catching the home maintenance habit now. It's a habit that will save you thousands of dollars, just by being nosy. Nosy about things around, under, on top and inside your house. For more information on this weeks subject consult the Home Improvement Guide - Like having your own home repair and improvement advisor in your PC. Also comes with valuable free bonuses.
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