Buying a new home is an unforgettable experience. But so is realizing that you’ve wasted an untold amount of money on botched fixes, faulty plumbing, or just plain hideous decorations. Here are some of the most common homeowner mistakes that can prove costly.
Rushing Interior Design
When you first move in, you might be antsy to start making the house your home. You may rush to put your personal touch on everything, so it looks just right. Often, however, people race through the decorating and design phase too quickly. Doing too much too fast may result in substandard work, or even a look that you learn to hate – not love. Give yourself a little time to consider precisely what you want, research everything thoroughly, and discuss what to do. This way, your house’s interiors scream “wow” and not “oh no, what now?!”
Ignoring the Small Things
When you first move into a new home, you may feel excited to have finally made it in. You may also find yourself ignoring simple fixes because they can always wait for another day. After all, a running toilet is no big deal, right? Wrong. A running toilet may seem like a nuisance, but it can add hundreds of dollars to a water bill throughout a few months. The same goes for gaps in doors or windows. They may seem like nothing major but can have a serious effect on your energy bills over time.
Neglecting the Outside of The Home
Rushing interior decorations can be costly but ignoring your exterior can be disastrous. Not focusing on exterior maintenance can prove to be costlier in the long run than nearly any other mistake you can make. Why? By avoiding upkeep on things such as gutters, drains or downspouts, you may be putting your home at risk for severe structural damage. Sagging or leaking gutters, or puddles near the drain, may point to blockages. These blockages could result in damage to your roof and ceilings, or even your foundation!
Think You Can Do It All
With so much invested in your new home, money may be a major concern – especially when it comes to projects. That doesn’t mean that you should jump at every opportunity to fix things yourself. When it comes to projects, not everything should be DIY. Know your own limitations, and you can save yourself money in the long term. This is especially true with regards to work on services, such as plumbing or electrical work. After all, just because you were great at Super Mario, that doesn’t make you a star plumber.
Ignoring Home Insurance
When buying a home, especially for the first time, money can be especially tight. In such instances, you may find yourself wondering “do I really need homeowner’s insurance?” Simply put, the answer is yes!
In many cases, homeowner’s insurance is a requirement – not an option. This is especially true when if you have a mortgage. If you take out a mortgage, most lenders will likely require that you have home insurance. This is because the lender wants to ensure that its financial investment in your property (after all, that is what a mortgage is for) is protected if it is damaged or destroyed by a fire or other accident.
At Insurance Online, customers can compare hundreds of quotes – and not just from the big providers – at any time 24/7. We’re more than just an insurance company. Our agents live and work in the same communities as you so you can be assured you’ll get the right policy from someone that understands your needs. So, when life happens, Insurance Online is just a click away. Contact us today at (800) 313-8013 for home coverage.