The five traits of a good homeowner

Key Insights

• Keep track of your manuals, aesthetic choices and home improvement efforts.
• Know your local codes, rules and responsibilities when it comes to your home and your neighbors.
• Ensure that you keep up on home maintenance to prevent costly issues from occurring later.

Owning a home is a big responsibility. Whether you are born to be an ideal homeowner or need to adopt new traits in preparation for purchasing, the following traits showcase what it means to be a responsible homeowner.

1. They keep track of all home changes and documents

Life is so much easier when you know what color paint you used in the mud room, especially when the kids cause scuffs and it needs a touch-up. Keep a running list of paint colors, carpet, flooring and everything in between.

In addition to all your aesthetic choices, you should record any updates you make to the home, like installing a new furnace or updating a bathroom. While it might not be on your mind right now, you may want to sell in the future, and having all that information together will save you a lot of time when it comes to listing.

A spreadsheet on your computer or a list in your phone is a simple way to keep track of all your updates and aesthetic choices you’ve made so you don’t have to dig through your records later.

Speaking of digging through records, you’ll probably need those manuals at some point in time, as well as all your HOA and tax documents. While a filing cabinet always works, you can also digitize all your documents (most are listed online) to free up some space and prevent clutter from building up.

2. They know their local codes and policies

Are there any street parking limits? Is there a noise ordinance? Do you need a permit to hold a party or burn something in your backyard? Your local ordinances and city policies are specific and often not communicated as thoroughly as you might like. It’s your responsibility to do some detective work and see if there are any limits, rules or guidelines that you need to follow.

Likewise, your HOA may have parameters for your neighborhood. Some may implement rules like what kind of shed you can have in the backyard or what color you can paint your home. It’s better to find out what those rules are before you start a project so you don’t run into issues later on.

Knowing what you can and can’t do, as well as what you need to get approved ahead of time, will prevent you from wasting time, money and creating potential conflict with your HOA, city or neighbors later on. Remember, being a good homeowner often coincides with being a good neighbor.

3. They know what their responsibilities are

When it comes to your neighbors, you want to have a good relationship and be able to rely on each other. Start off by knowing what your responsibilities are when it comes to your shared spaces with your neighbors.

Take the time to learn things like what areas are yours to shovel and find out what you need to clean up after a storm when trees have fallen. Exchanging phone numbers and setting expectations with your neighbors can also be helpful in establishing boundaries and creating helpful relationships. It’s always nice to have someone to call if raccoons are getting into your trash or a sprinkler head is on the fritz and leaking water onto the road, and being a good neighbor can help you keep up with your home.

4. They keep up on maintenance

Just as shared spaces impact both you and your neighbor, so does your home. An overgrown lawn or sagging roof can cause neighborhood values to drop. Some neighbors may even be bothered enough to get the HOA involved. The best way to avoid any conflict is to stay on top of your curb appeal and how your home looks from the street. Having a beautiful landscape doesn’t have to be labor-intensive (though there is the exercise bonus you get from all that hard work), but it is important to have harmony with your neighbors and keep your home presentable.

Just like your exterior, being a good homeowner means keeping up with all home maintenance. Cleaning, keeping clutter manageable and staying on top of leaky faucets, warped flooring or other structural issues is key to stopping issues from becoming full-blown problems and costing you extra time and money down the road. Create a list of seasonal projects (like cleaning your gutters in the fall) to stay on top of necessary upkeep and manage your home efficiently.

5. They love their home

The best thing you can do as a homeowner is to love your home. The more you love it, the more you’ll want to take care of it, so do what you need to in order to make it your own!

Make updates like installing smart, efficient home devices that make caring for your home easy and effortless. Paint the walls, make renovations and style it accordingly to make your four walls a haven and oasis.

Ready to become a homeowner?

Being a good homeowner comes down to being responsible and caring for your property. If you’re ready to take on the responsibility and joy of being a homeowner, reach out to Edina Realty or one of our experienced, trusted agents and start your search today!