HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR HOME?
Lots of people, especially real estate agents, think they can divine exactly
what a house should be in order to appeal to people. They might come up with an
ideal square footage, promote a certain bedroom-to-bathroom ratio, and go on and
on about the value of a deck versus a patio. I think that is mostly nonsense,
because when it comes down to it, the only thing that's truly important in a
house is the way it feels. A place that feels solid, not a home that keeps you
cool in the summer and toasty warm in the winter. A house that will stand up for
all the ages, rather than fall apart before the decade's out. Whether you are
renovating a home, building an addition, or simply maintaining what you've got,
I believe it's a lot better to let yourself be guided by that principle rather
than try to add a few haphazard things that might attract some future buyers.
More than anything, I want you to think of your house as a place to treasure
and care for, not patch together. This investment goes far deeper than simply
owning a few shares of some dot-com or blue-chip stock. It's an investment in
ourselves and our quality of life. As the very symbol of family life, a house
demands respect from the people who live in it.
A house is more like a living, breathing organism than a pile of brick and
lumber. Think about the mess of wiring that lies coiled behind the walls, or the
plumbing that snakes its way to sinks and bathroom fixtures. Consider having a
greater appreciation of the things that are covered up by paint and paper on the
walls, and the systems that flow just beneath the plush carpets and polished
wood of the floors. It is this unseen portion of your house that does more to
make you feel comfortable and secure than any cushy sofa or swath of fabric
hanging in a window. And if the hidden things aren't working properly, then
what......
Whatever you do to your house, repairing or renovating it, you have an
obligation to make sure the job gets done right. And as a homeowner, you should
have the same standards, because ultimately a good home is tactile.
Check list for your home ONCE A YEAR:
- Professionally clean the chimney
- Drain the water heater
- Clean sump pump and pit
- Professionally clean the furnace, boiler, and air conditioning unit
Check list for your home ONCE EVERY SIX MONTHS:
- Inspect your home
- Clean out the coils from behind the refrigerator, dryer vent and roof
gutters
Check list for your home ONCE A MONTH:
- Test all GFCI breakers
- Disinfect shelves of refrigerator, sinks and bathtubs
