Homeownership comes with its fair share of projects and upkeep, but some common shortcuts or outdated advice can cost you more in the long run. From painting brick to leaving your ceiling fan on 24/7, here are some mistakes you’ll want to avoid!
- Leaving Cabinet Doors on While Painting- you have to fully commit! Painting cabinets and swapping out the hardware can make a huge difference, but you’ll regret taking the shortcut of leaving the doors on. It’s worth your time to do it the right way!
- Flushing Wipes- friends, we know there are very few things that can safely be flushed. Stick to toilet paper, even if a wipe claims to be “flushable.” They don’t disintegrate quickly enough to safely pass through the plumbing, which can lead to clogs.
- Covering Wallpaper with Water-Based Paint- yes, you can paint over the outdated wallpaper, but be sure to use oil-based primer and latex paint! Per HouseLogic.com, it can “reactivate wallpaper glue and cause the paper to peel.”
- Painting Exterior Brick- you love it or you hate it. We’ve all seen people do it! Similar to the last mistake, you can change things up, but you’re better off with a brick stain. Brick needs to breathe. With paint, the brick and mortar will start to crumble in time.
- Skipping the Last Mow Before Winter- we’ve mentioned this one before, but don’t forget to mow one last time before the cold months! If the grass is too tall, you could end up with mice and other rodents hiding away in your yard.
- Leaving Hose Connected Over Winter- another thing to do before it gets too cold is disconnect your hose! Otherwise you risk ruining your pipes, faucet, and the hose.
- Keeping an Old Fashioned Thermostat- for $100-$200, you could install a smart thermostat with a schedule, or get a wifi enabled one to operate it from your phone, and save money on heating and cooling. It’s easy to forget changing the thermostat before you or your family leaves the house, which is money down the drain. According to HouseLogic.com, “most homes can recoup the smart thermostat investment in less than two years. Plus, many energy companies offer rebates that greatly reduce the price of a thermostat. Some may even provide one for free.”
- Putting a Brick in your Toilet- we’ve all heard of this one, right? Correct, placing a weight into your older toilet tank can save you money, but a brick will deteriorate. Which will lead to damage. If you’re set on reducing the water use, you can “fill a half-gallon jug with sand and drop it in the tank instead (saving about half a gallon per flush).” (HouseLogic.com)
- Cleaning Windows on a Sunny Day- the sun can dry the windows too quickly, which will create smears. Wait for a cloudy day instead!
- Letting Ceiling Fans Run Forever – Ceiling fans don’t decrease the temperature in a room; they increase how quickly your sweat evaporates, making you feel cooler. Since running ceiling fans is only beneficial when people are in the rooms to enjoy their breeze, save money by turning them off when you’re out.
- Not Hiring a Professional When It’s Time To Sell- we had to throw this one in! If you’re ready to sell, it’s important to hire the best. Someone who knows the local market. Who knows what’s worth fixing and what’s not. Who knows how to price your home for success. Who knows the best marketing approach. Our team has decades of experience and can help you when it’s time to sell ! We can’t say we’ve seen it all, but a lot of it. We’re happy to answer any and all questions and be there each step of the way!
Your Friends in Real Estate,
Jason Burkholder Team
Hometown Property Sales
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Jason Burkholder
Kelly Burkholder
Jaci Hoosier
Ron Weaver
717-371-0557 – cell
717-207-9083 – office
*Post adapted from this HouseLogic article
