When budgeting for your mortgage, plan for home maintenance costs that you are likely to encounter. As a homebuyer, you expect to spend money on landscaping and replacing burned out light bulbs. Yet over the course of a year, other home maintenance needs may come up that you’ve not planned for. Read on to prepare for these unexpected home maintenance costs.
Exterior Home Maintenance Costs
As a new homeowner, you’ll work to keep your property in great shape. It’s important to maintain the exterior of your home for curb appeal and to retain the value of your property.
Power wash your driveway, sidewalks, and the siding of your home. Wind, snow, and storms splatter driveways and siding with mud and debris. Clean your driveway to prevent staining over time. Power wash the siding to keep your home’s color looking fresh and new.
Managing and Maintaining Trees
You may enjoy the big, established tree in your new front yard, but that same tree’s roots can invade the drain line from your home and lead to a hefty repair bill. One unexpected home maintenance cost is the removal of invasive tree roots.
Another consideration for new homeowners is larger trees on the property that are too close to the house. During storms, nearby tree limbs can cause damage to the roofing, windows, or siding. Older or dying trees may topple over, damaging your home. Tree removal services are pricey home maintenance costs you should budget for.
Maintenance of Basement Sump Pumps
Basement sump pumps channel water from the lowest levels of the home into wastewater drains to keep your basement dry. A typical sump pump has an anticipated lifespan of 10 and 12 years. Sump pumps subjected to heavy use will wear out faster without periodic cleaning and maintenance services.
As the sump pump collects pooled water from a basement floor, it often gathers mud and loose debris. These materials can clog the pump. Find a plumber who offers sump pump cleanings to keep it functioning properly.
Budgeting For Annual Home Maintenance Costs
To prepare for annual home maintenance costs, many insurers recommend budgeting a figure between 1% and 3% of the total value of the residence towards these expenses. Owners of homes worth $100,000 can anticipate paying between $1,000 and $3,000 annually to maintain their property over the course of a year.
Rhode Island Real Estate Inspection Services provides home inspections in Rhode Island. Contact us to schedule an appointment.