subject: 10 Rules Of Owning A House In Southern California [print this page] Owning a home is a tremendous joy--and a big responsibility. Here are 10 rules home owners in the Southern California area should live by.
1. Take care of your home
Experts recommend budgeting 1 to 3% of your homes value for maintenance and repairs each year.
2. Build equity
Making an extra principal payment when possible can decrease the interest you pay over the life of your loan.
3. Make a good first impression
Keep your front entrance clear and welcoming. Curb appeal improves the neighborhood and enhances your homes value.
4. Be properly insured
In most cases you only need to insure the replacement value of your home and personal property, not the land.
5. Love the neighborhood--not just the house
And if youre not happy with your current neighborhood, start thinking and planning where to move next.
6. Make improvements
Statistics show updated kitchens and baths often make a difference in a sale.
7. Safety first
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure the security of your family.
8. Beat your bills
Improvements in the insulation of windows, doors, and storm doors can save energy costs and increase your homes resale value.
9. Go neutral
If youre thinking of moving in a year or so, choose light, neutral paint colors so theres less work when you sell.
10. Know when it's time to move
Over time people often outgrow a house or neighborhood. If youre thinking of making a change, please call or email to discuss the next steps.
If you are a part of the Palos Verdes and South Bay area of Southern California please contact Katie Muck for more helpful home tips or visit her site www.katiemuck.com. She can help you with buying or selling your home as well.
