The biggest difference between being a homeowner and renting a property is that when you own one, you are responsible for taking care of it entirely. No landlord will be there to help you should something go wrong. Because of this, despite the extra freedom you might have, the fact that you own something of great value comes with risk. There are several risks to consider that you might not have thought much about when you were a tenant. Read on to find out what they are and what to do about them.
Protect Against Appliance Failure
It can become very stressful when a big appliance goes wrong, such as a washing machine or oven, or you need a new boiler. These will often cost a decent amount of money to replace. Realistically, you’ll need to get the new versions at some point – and quickly. This is because being without them will cause a lot of disruption.
However, you can take out insurance for a small amount each month to protect against these things happening. If you do this, you can get the replacements immediately, and it will almost be as though nothing happened at all. Plus, you don’t have to pay much money in one go. Alternatively, if you don’t want a monthly payment, you’ll need to ensure you have a good amount of money in your savings account. If you don’t do either of these things, you may have to use a credit card or borrow money, which can lead to problems.
Krupesh Bhat, Founder and Chief Editor at Home Warranty Reviews says, “investing in a home warranty will help a homeowner stay away from the trouble of paying extra money in case of a breakdown.” Homeowners will have coverage against unforeseen circumstances, and problems caused due to normal wear and tear of appliances. So they won’t have to worry in case of a sudden breakdown.
Protect From Burglars
No matter where you live or what kind of property you have, there is always a chance that someone will try to break into it to take what isn’t theirs. The effect on you could be that not only could you lose expensive and potentially irreplaceable possessions. But also, your home may not feel as safe and comfortable as it once did.
It’s important not to get complacent when you are a homeowner. Even if you don’t think you have anything worth stealing, a thief isn’t going to know that. And they may break in if they can, just to make sure.
Apart from investing in good locks for your doors and windows and using them, the best thing you can do is set up some form of deterrent. A burglar won’t want to waste their time and risk getting caught by trying to break into a property that tells them it is protected through CCTV or motion-detecting lights, and so on. They will just move on to somewhere else instead. If you’re interested in finding out more, you may want to check out our post on the four main types of Home Security Systems.
Protect Against Pests
Humans aren’t the only potential problems when it comes to unwanted visitors. Pests can be an issue too. This means insects, rodents, or even birds, and once they’re in your home, they can do a lot of damage. The larger animals will come in through holes in the roof and walls. So, it’s good to check these areas periodically and block up any entrances that a larger creature might use. If you have chimneys, make sure these are swept regularly.
When it comes to insects and bugs, they will always find a way in. So, in this case, the best thing to do is not give them a reason to enter. Keep your home clean, always put lids back on food containers, and keep a watchful eye out for droppings. If you see something, call in an expert to help you get rid of whatever problem you have.