5 Tips for Being a Homeowner Prepared for Anything

Homeownership doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but it should. Owning a home is a major responsibility that goes beyond whether or not you can afford payments. Maintaining and caring for your home requires awareness of basic components and knowledge of what warning signs to look for.  No matter your technical background or lack thereof, you can increase your homeownership skills and preserve your largest asset. Upgrade your homeowner experience with these tips that’ll decrease financial stress and increase your home ownership confidence. 1. Curate a Basic Toolbox You don’t have to be a weekend home improvement warrior, but you do need some basic tools at home. At minimum, you’ll need a screwdriver, a hammer, an adjustable wrench, and some hardware.  An adjustable screwdriver set offers homeowners immediate access to multiple flathead and Phillips sizes at an affordable price. Stash this set in your kitchen drawer or as your primary set until you build out your toolbox.  Here are a few more tools to add: - Pliers - Needle-nose to grasp small components. - Utility knife - Break down boxes, cut wires, and more. - Stud finder - Know where to hammer and where to avoid. - LED rechargeable work light - Magnetic, clip-on, or on a stand, you need to see clearly. - Level - Shelves work best when straight. - Tape measure - Get a sturdy, 20-foot or longer option. 2. Secure DIY Essentials That Pull Double-Duty Homeownership is the ultimate upgrade for even a novice crafter. As a homeowner, you now have space to be creative and make your own. Secure core DIY tools and equipment that you can use for multiple projects over the years.  - Long-arm grabber - Hang holiday lights, adjust curtains, and water hard-to-reach plants. - Short-handled paintbrushes - Paint in tight quarters without ruining the adjacent wall. - Empty paint jars - Keep leftover paint for touch-ups and store indoors (excessive heat and cold will ruin paint). - Drop cloths - Protect furniture and floors from paint, dust, and debris. - Painter’s tape - Gentle adhesive blocks paint bleed and separates project areas. - Glue - Stash wood and super glue for home repairs, toy reconstruction, and creative endeavors. - Clamps - Keep projects together while glue dries, secure dropcloths, or corral cords with padded-foot clamps. 3. Build a Maintenance Closet for Easy Fixes and Less Stress Make your high school janitor proud and dedicate an area for home maintenance supplies. By preserving space for this function, you can keep track of your inventory and keep dangerous chemicals out of reach. Organize the space to contain paper, products, cleaning tools, and chemicals. Label shelves and bins to make using this space more enjoyable. Install wall or door storage to save space and wrangle awkward items like brooms and mops. Here are a few items for your maintenance closet: - Wall repair kit - A small putty knife and drywall patch make quick work of dents and dings. - Batteries - Stash AA, AAA, and the batteries your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors require. - Caulk kit - Store a caulk gun and tube of each type of caulk used in your home – window caulk and kitchen caulk are different. Seal the end of an open tube with a cap or nail. - Basic cleaners - Toilet bowl gel, surface cleaner, glass cleaner, and antiseptic cleaner. - Cleaning gear - Rubber gloves, apron, safety glasses, scrub brushes, and a bucket protect you from harsh chemicals. - Replacement items - HVAC filters, lightbulbs, and water filters. Buy on sale or in bulk to save and stay on top of maintenance schedules. - A maintenance binder - Include a calendar for regular reference and make note of inspections, service, and tasks. 4. Integrate Automation and Technology to Manage Costs and Energy Use You don’t need to be a technology geek to create a smart home. Upgrades that help you monitor energy use can pay for themselves by adjusting utilization and alerting you to potential issues.  Here are a few upgrades that can reduce the need for maintenance and lower your bills. - Smart thermostat - Set a temperature schedule and adjust it remotely. - Water leak sensors - Get alerts when out-of-sight appliances and fixtures fail.  - Battery backup sump system - When your frontline flood protection fails, your backup system keeps basements dry. - Smart water shut-off - Respond immediately to burst pipes or failed fixtures without the panic. 5. Outfit Your Home With Safety Features and Tools Most homes will be equipped with basic safety features like a smoke detector. However, there’s more you need to do to protect your home and everyone inside.   - Carbon monoxide detector - Sense this odorless danger before it reaches poisonous levels. - Fire extinguisher - Keep in the kitchen, near the fireplace, and in the laundry room – these areas present a higher risk of fire. - Plumber’s wrench - This large wrench is a must for water and gas shutoffs. - Gas sniffer - Sense potential gas leaks with this tool. - Portable power - Power banks and generators keep you connected in an outage or emergency. - Basic emergency kit - Canned food, water, first aid supplies, and blankets stored in a water-tight tote might save your life. Keep enough for three days’ worth per person. Include basic tools, rope, and rechargeable LED flashlights and lanterns. Manage Your Home and Protect Your Largest Asset When you manage your home intentionally, you can effectively monitor potential issues and resolve them before it’s too late. Get in sync with your home and integrate these tips with your regular schedule. When you do, you’ll protect your largest wealth-building asset and enjoy a more comfortable, calm life at home.