Your home is a major responsibility. The tasks you must do to keep it clean, serviced, and up to date in its security are many, and they can be overwhelming at times. However, with a proactive attitude and a to-do household management checklist to guide you, you’ll find it easy to stay on top of things. Here are some helpful guides on the areas to include in your list.
1. Research Different Types of Mortgages Before Choosing One
One of the biggest headaches in the homeownership journey for most people settling on a mortgage. How to tell the best mortgaging option for your property will take more work than you think. It goes beyond the fixed interest rate or adjustable option, longer or shorter term life mortgage.
You must first consider how much you want to borrow. Doing this is important as it will affect your down payment, which will also be impacted by the state of your credit. With a figure in mind, let’s look at the different types. A mortgage advanced by private lenders such as credit unions and banks is a conventional mortgage.
The government doesn’t back it, and you’ll typically need a higher credit score to access this loan. A higher credit score makes you more likely to get a lower mortgage rate. The jumbo mortgage option is a type of non-conforming conventional loan.
It’s popular for luxury home buyers due to the price implications. These mortgages are riskier since government-sponsored entities don’t back them. You’ll need a credit score above 700 to access Jumbo mortgage services.
Another mortgage option to consider is the Federal Housing Administration loans. The government guarantees these, and they’re more accessible to different varieties of borrowers. You can be considered for a downpayment with a credit score as low as 580.
2. Choose a Storage Company for Items That Aren’t Needed in Your Home
Do extensive research when looking for a storage unit for your items. You want to avoid overpaying while getting low service quality. Read through the reviews, paying attention to the comments your local portable storage services branch has attracted online.
You’ll likely find positive and negative customer reviews, so pay attention to how a company responds. Are they professional or rude? Also, go through their policies, as you may find rules that could be more useful to your household management checklist.
After your research, compare the costs and reviews of the ones you have narrowed down on.
Call the companies and ask for quotes directly. You can then use the opportunity to ask for an offer or promotion and hear if you can get a bargain. Do you plan to access your items from time to time?
Check if your preferred storage company allows this. Due to security risks, many storage companies won’t allow their customers to access their storage. Check if you’re getting a fair payment for the size and specifications of your preferred storage unit.
Do a size estimation online to understand what you’ll pay for. If you plan to store away high-value goods, consider paying a premium. It’ll assure you not only of security but climate control and pest control for your items.
3. Rent a Dumpster to Throw Out Your Family’s Clutter
Before you settle on your preferred local dumpster rental company, consider the clutter you’re throwing out. What’s the size and weight of your waste? Different rental companies offer different rental options for your mess.
If you’re throwing away heavy materials, you’ll need a dumpster capable of handling their weight. More negligible residential waste may need a size-specific dumpster, which will also depend on the space where it will be placed. Choose the dumpster that’s the right size, depending on the scope of work in your household management checklist.
Different dumpster rentals have varying delivery and pickup instructions. Delays in dropping off your dumpster can affect your timelines if you’re decluttering as part of a renovation project. You also want the dumpster to be picked up at the agreed time. So once you find a company you want to work with, iron out the details. Remember to ensure the dumpster is placed in a paved, flat spot convenient for your work.
4. Inquire About the Status of Your Roof
The roof is a significant investment in your home. It protects your family from the elements and extreme weather seasons. A strong roof will keep your home’s occupants warm in winter and cool in summer.
Regular roof maintenance is a money-saving hack. You will avoid expensive repairs and overhauls, and the roof can serve you much longer. The cost of fixing minor repair issues is lower than replacing a roof.
Include your roof maintenance in your household management checklist. A robust and sturdy roof is the first line of protection for the contents of your house. It defends the elements of the roofing structure, maintaining the supporting beams, walls, rafters, and foundation all in place.
A well-kept roof improves your home’s curb appeal and adds value to your property. So call in the roofing services experts to work on your roof regularly. They’ll inspect the roof for signs of peeling, stains, and any missing shingles and perform any necessary work.
Your roofer will also check if animals and pests have made a home on the roof. They’ll remove all debris from the gutters and roof and ensure the roof ventilation is in good working condition. A roofing professional will inspect the flashing and caulking for leaks and check and sweep the chimney for a comprehensive job.
5. Hire Experts to Routinely Clean Your Chimney
Speaking of chimneys, start paying attention to yours. Chimneys keep your home warm. Cleaning your vent ensures that the deadly carbon monoxide poisoning people are often warned about is dealt with.
Though odorless and invisible, the gas can have fatal consequences for your family. Your chimney should be clear of twigs, dirt, and other debris buildup. These unwanted substances hinder the chimney’s ability to release toxins and smoke from the fire.
Work with chimney services to deal with this. They’re best placed to ensure the safety of your chimney. They come with specialized tools and expertise to clean the debris and remove dirt without damaging the walls.
Remember to include them in your household management checklist. A clean chimney will facilitate a comfortable indoor temperature. A clean vent reduces the risk of house fires, especially for wood-burning furnaces.
You should have the chimney cleaned out by a professional as often as possible. The cleaner focuses on removing creosote, which can contribute to a fire if it is not removed. A dirty chimney can block smoke from going out into the atmosphere, instead pushing it back into the house.
It’s a hazard because it can lead to choking and is generally unsafe to inhale. Furthermore, smoke and ash can lead to costly repair work. You can avoid this extra expense when you have your chimney cleaned regularly.
6. Ensure That You Have Enough Insulation For Your Home
When your home is insulated, your energy costs will certainly be less, but the benefits don’t end there. With less fossil fuel burned to produce heat in your home, you’ll also decrease the polluting gases you produce, which include sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. So, in this sense, insulation helps protect the environment, a benefit you want as an environmentally conscious homeowner.
Hire a reputable company to offer spray foam insulation services for your home. Insulating foam provides effective thermal insulation, so include this service in your household management checklist. When installing protecting foam on the walls or roof, you also effectively block sound energy from traveling in and out of your house. The good thing about using foam is it makes it easier to get insulation to hard-to-reach spaces.
It expands and fills the crannies, such as those in the roof. If you choose to DIY, position your foam spray nozzle into the crack or crevice and spray it in. You’ll need to wait for the insulating foam to fill the area.
Don’t overspray because the insulating foam expands after spraying. Allow it about half an hour to dry, then cut out the excess foam. Leave the remaining layer of insulation to dry over 24 hours.
7. Assess the Status of Your HVAC System
A functional HVAC system ensures comfortable indoor temperatures for you and your family all year. When the heating and cooling system isn’t functioning correctly, you’ll likely spend more on energy bills. Ensure to include it in your household management checklist.
You want to avoid paying out of your pocket for unplanned repairs, so plan early. First, have a professional check your HVAC unit. They are best placed to diagnose and handle the complex parts inside your unit and replace them expertly.
If you notice increased humidity levels in your home, the AC is likely not working correctly. Call in the technicians because high humidity could mean difficulties in breathing for those with respiratory problems and mold and mildew growth. Professionals will help ensure the right levels in your home and improve the air quality.
A well-maintained HVAC is advantageous because it won’t break down suddenly. You will have serviced it, so potential issues will be resolved in their early stages. Keep the repairs and servicing as regular as possible to fully enjoy the benefits.
8. Install New Garage Doors as Needed
A garage door provides more than a space for your car. A professionally installed door will protect your car from extreme weather conditions such as storms, blizzards, and frostbite. However, a broken down or very old door won’t provide adequate protection for your car, even inside the garage.
As you prepare your household management checklist, budget for a garage door installation service. A new door will help reduce heating bills and lower your energy costs. When professionally installed, it blocks heat in the home from escaping through the garage.
A sturdy garage door will also ward off burglars from your home. Thieves know how to spot a broken down door, or one they can compromise and break into your home. They usually target the garage door as they know you probably don’t pay much attention to it, making for easy entry.
Besides enhancing safety, a new door will boost your property’s curb appeal. Not only will this improve the beauty of your home, but also its value. There are varieties of garage door styles, from traditional to modern models. Talk to your garage door supplier to find out what best suits your home.
9. Compare the Pricing Between Several Concrete Professionals
As part of your household management checklist, consider working with a reputable professional to install or repair your concrete surfaces. As you compare different concrete contractors, think about the function of the surface you want to work on. Research local contractors and ask to see their past work.
Inquire about their charges to install or repair the surfaces. As you do this, keep the expected lifespan of the floor in mind. A professional contractor will give you detailed cost estimates based on your requirements. They are also best placed to advise on the best concrete and coating type.
10. Consider Adding More Rooms to Your Home
To add more space to your home, work with one of the general contractors of repute in your area. An expert contractor may advise on putting up walls and a roof around your patio to make it part of the rooms in your home. When done, it needs to feel like part of the home and should be accessible through the main house.
Your household management checklist can also include budgeting for finishing up the basement space. This way, it can become an extra room you can use as a man cave or theatre room. Another helpful idea is to finish the garage and convert it into a spare room. However, this space will cease to be known as a garage.
You’ll likely spend much of your time at home, especially during weekends and holidays. Make your house a space you want to be in and one where you’re proud to welcome and entertain your guests. With an elaborate budget, you can turn your ordinary-looking house into a haven and a favorite destination.