Becoming a homeowner is an exciting event in your life, but with it comes a bit of responsibility that you should be prepared for. Even if you buy a home in pristine condition, it will inevitably need a little TLC after you live in it for a number of years. There is a silver lining though – many of the updates you make throughout your home will benefit you when it comes to its resale value.
Depending on the condition of your home when you purchased it and how well you maintain it, the updates you need to make after a decade vary. However, the eight items below are some of the most common updates that a homeowner will need to make.
Buying New Appliances
Sometimes you stumble upon a home that comes with brand new appliances. Other times, you will fall in love with a home, outdated appliances and all. In either scenario, after a certain amount of time passes, you may begin to notice your dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes as well, your washing machine started leaking or your refrigerator’s ice-maker stopped working.
Fresh Paint
After 10 years of wear and tear, dirt and dust, chances are your walls will look a little dingy. Even if this is something you just do for your own enjoyment, slapping a new coat of paint on the walls can transform a room and give it new life. Also, don’t forget your home exterior – even if you just need to touch up the trim or shutters, new paint can add serious curb appeal.
Windows & Doors
Depending on how old your home’s windows and doors are, they may simply need to be replaced. However, in most cases, a little DIY project can make all the difference. Re-glaze your windows to keep your heat and air conditioning from seeping through. The seals on your exterior doors will break down over time, but applying new weather stripping can keep the outdoor elements from coming in and keep your indoor heating and cooling from escaping. These are both cost-effective methods to make your home more energy-efficient without spending an arm and a leg to replace windows and doors.
Replace The Hot Water Heater
An old hot water heater can cause serious damage to your home if it starts to leak. Fortunately, you can often find the manufacture date somewhere on the tank. So check yours out if you haven’t already, and if it’s been close to 10 years, go ahead and replace it to be safe.
Re-Caulk Surfaces
This one may not have been on your radar, but it’s actually something you can do quickly and inexpensively on your own. Not only does re-caulking refresh the look of showers, tubs, and sinks but it can also prevent water from leaking in between the cracks.
Install New Carpet
While flooring might be an expense you’d rather not deal with, sometimes it’s a necessary update for your home. The good news is that newly installed carpet can make a big impact when it comes to selling your home quickly and for full price. Even if you aren’t planning to sell your home, carpets get dirty and hold in odors after a while, so you really can’t go wrong with putting down new flooring.
Replace Your Garbage Disposal
You may heed the advice of putting ice cubes down your garbage disposal to help de-gunk the blads and keep it as clean as possible, but over time, the blade will inevitably wear down and you will need to replace it. You will probably notice that it needs to be updated when it stops pushing food particles through quickly.
Refresh Your Landscaping
If you consistently maintain your yard, you probably won’t have too many updated to make. However, 10 years go by, you may find that some trees and shrubs have become overgrown or you could use some fresh greenery or flowering plants to increase your home’s curb appeal.