The Once-a-Year Home Maintenance Checklist (That Actually Matters)

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Let’s be honest. Most of us only think about home maintenance when something starts dripping, buzzing, or making a noise that sounds expensive. This is not that list. This is the once-a-year checklist that actually saves you money, stress, and surprise water features in your basement . You can do this in one afternoon. Maybe two, if you keep stopping for coffee and “just one more YouTube video.” Here we go. 1. Change your furnace filter (yes… really). If you can’t remember the last time you changed it, that’s your answer. A dirty filter: makes your furnace work harder lowers air quality and quietly increases your heating bill Pro tip: write the date on the new filter. Your future self will thank you. 2. Test your sump pump (before it becomes a personality test). Pour a bucket of water into the pit and make sure it: turns on pumps out and turns off again If it doesn’t, your basement may soon become a very exclusive indoor pool — especially with our spring melt and heavy rain around King...

SiZe - Does it matter?

Ah, the age-old question. Does size matter? Any house can feel like home if you put the right time, care, and people into it. Homes come in all shapes and sizes, allowing us to have some options when looking into a house to make our home. Is it better to have a larger home or a smaller home? When looking into buying a new home, many people think they should aim to get the largest house they can afford (sometimes not afford). But square feet per dollar is not always the best measurement of a house’s worth. Let me show you some of the perks of owning a smaller home and of course some of the cons. 

Pro: 


  • Lower bills. Just think of all the space you won’t be heating in the winter and cooling in the summer! In a smaller home, you’ll notice lower utility bills all around. Another expense that will likely decrease is the amount you spend on furniture for your home. you will have to buy less of it.


  • You’re less likely to hoard a bunch of stuff you don’t need. If you’re limited on space, you’ll learn to use less. And usually buy better quality of the things you do need. So you can stop carting around all those useless items that you have lugged around for the past years like that guitar you were always going to learn how to play.


  • Cleaning and maintenance. Less space means fewer square feet to mop, dust, and fix. It is also much easier to keep tidy, no more finding cups and plates hidden in rooms you never knew you had (thanks kids for the science experiments).


  • Your home will be cozy and comforting. Small homes can be charming, cozy, and entirely complete.

Con: 


  • Rooms can become puzzles. Speaking of furniture, if you are bringing large pieces with you from a more spacious previous home, you could have a hard time fitting it all in. 


  • Things clutter easily. Though you will be less likely to hoard in a smaller home, you will still have to be conscious of the items you do have in your space. Especially for those who have children and/or spouses (because obviously, you are not to blame).


  • It’s tough to host gatherings. Your house might not be the most comfortable place to host the entire extended family for Thanksgiving. However with some families that could also be a pro.


No matter what home you buy, as a realtor I always try to guide my clients into the right home, not the biggest, not the smallest. But the one that will work best for them and the families growing needs.




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