Are You A Good Homeowner? It’s Time To Find Out

Most people know what it means to be a good business leader or parent, but relatively few understand the principles of being a good homeowner. It’s a skill we are losing as society becomes more atomized. 

Fortunately, it’s never too late to learn. Anyone can become the star of their neighborhood if they go about it in the right way. Here’s what you need to do: 

Get Involved In The Community

The first step to being a good homeowner is to get involved in the community. Make sure you do something, even if you are an introvert. 

Getting involved in the community could take many forms, including: 

• Attend local community events, such as festivals, block parties, and community meetings (particularly if you live in an apartment or condo building)
• Join local community organizations, such as crime watch groups, community centers, and neighborhood associations
• Start running your own community groups, based on a topic or theme you feel strongly about
• Support local businesses by building relationships with owners and getting to know them
• Become a good neighbor by engaging in small acts of kindness when you can, such as offering a plate of cookies to people who live closeby
• Volunteer your time for various community projects, including park beautification, litter picks and cleanups, and community garden maintenance

You’ll find that once you start making changes to your routine, the atmosphere of the entire community begins to adjust. Suddenly, everyone sees the benefits of getting involved. 

Be Responsible For Your Property

The late Wayne Dyer made an interesting comment once about poor communities in the U.S. He said that most people were unemployed and had plenty of time to focus on beautifying their properties and making them look fantastic.

However, he noticed that the opposite was the case whenever he passed through these communities. Despite having a free schedule, there was trash everywhere, houses looked dilapidated, and nobody maintained an attractive garden.

At the same time, busy people in wealthier neighborhoods always had well-kept lawns and garbage-free driveways. 

Therefore, being a good homeowner doesn’t seem to depend on how much time you have. Instead, it’s about your priorities. If your property matters to you, you will take care of it. If it doesn’t, you won’t. 

Maintain Every Aspect Of Your Home

Most homeowners believe their properties will appreciate in value over the years just by virtue of time passing. However, that’s by no means guaranteed. If you don’t look after your home, you could wind up actually losing money on it. 

According to Moss – Heating | Cooling, keeping your HVAC in good condition is essential. Failing systems can dramatically reduce the value of your home. 

You also need to take care of your roof. If buyers suspect an issue, they will lower their offers. 

Damp, subsidence, and structural issues can also wreck valuations. Therefore, good homeowners always address these issues immediately. 

Be Financially Responsible

Running a small home is similar to a business. Just like the latter, you have expenses and income to manage. 

Unfortunately, balancing the two can be challenging. Mortgages and bills can be expensive. 

Therefore, good homeowners carefully manage their money. They work out what they have coming in every month and balance that against what goes out.

They are not short-term thinkers, either. Instead, they make smart financial decisions for the long term. They think about whether they can support themselves, their family, and all the maintenance costs that come with owning a home.

Prioritize Safety

Another thing good homeowners do is prioritize safety. They take steps to reduce or eliminate the risk of accidents and injuries. For instance, they might install smoke detectors, keep walkways clear and remove asbestos safely by hiring professionals. They also make sure their electrics are up-to-date and modernized.

Respect The Environment

Being a good homeowner also means living in harmony with nature – at least, as much as possible. The community you live in isn’t just for you to enjoy now, but all the generations that will come after you. 

Respecting nature can take many forms. For instance, homeowners can: 

• Reduce water usage by installing low-flow faucets and showers, and collecting rainwater
• Using eco-friendly detergents, cleaning agents, and pesticides
• Recycle more waste to reduce garbage going to landfill
• Reducing plastic usage, particularly the use of single-use items, such as straws and thin bags
• Plant native species that can thrive in the garden without excessive watering or fertilizer
• Compost as much food waste as possible 

In summary, becoming a good homeowner takes time. However, it can be a great way for you and your family to give back to the community.