Homeownership is one of the best feelings you can have as an adult.  It brings you a sense of accomplishment, pride and fulfillment.  But with homeownership comes much more responsibility and stress; making mortgage payments, keeping up with repairs, dealing with higher utility bills to name a few.  By no means is homeownership cheap.

I think it’s fair to say that finding ways to save money is something that everyone would love to do.

Suggested Reading: Arizona Home Plus Program

One of the messages my father instilled in me throughout my childhood was to take care of my possessions; no matter if it was my school books, my bicycle or as I grew older, my first car and now my home.  He always said it was easier to take care of my things from the onset than to repair them once broken or replace them.

No truer words have been said as it relates to homeownership.  Here are things you can do (and make dad proud) that will reduce the maintenance costs of your home over the long haul.

Check the Insulation in Your Attic 

If you have an unfinished attic there should be at least six inches of insulation everywhere (more if you live in the northern part of the United States).

If you think your home is lacking the proper insulation, or if what insulation you do have appears damaged it might be time to install new insulation.

Did you know that some states even offer financial incentives, up to a 75% refund, to encourage homeowners to better insulate their homes.

Negotiate a Better Mortgage Rate with HARP

If you make the decision to update some of the areas of your home that need repair, there is a government program set up to assist, The Home Affordable Refinance Plan (HARP).

HARP has helped save many Americans to reduce their monthly mortgage payments by as much as $3,500 in their first year.

The program was set to expire in 2017 but has been extended, for the meantime, to 2018. In order to qualify for HARP, you’ll need good or excellent credit, so if you don’t have a very good credit rating then this probably isn’t for you, but the good news is, if approved, once you’re in, you’re in.

Never Pay For Home Repairs Again

Many homeowners don’t have the extra cash on-hand to pay for repairs when something in the house breaks. Furnace breakdowns, electrical issues, broken refrigerator, a broken furnace or an electrical malfunction on a ceiling fan; these are costly repairs.

A home warranty program is a minor cost, in the big picture that can save you major money.  A Home Warranty Program can save you a lot of money in the long run. It will cover any unexpected repairs to your appliances, plumbing, water heaters, heating and other electrical systems; even better if they can’t fix it, they’ll replace it.

The Certo Team
55 N. Arizona Place Suite #103
Chandler, AZ 85225
602-429-6789