There are many benefits to owning a home. From building equity, to living out the American dream, owning a home can prove to be a great experience. Unlike renting a home, if something happens to the house, you are the one responsible for handling it. This means unexpected expenses that may not be in your budget. Some experts recommend the 1% rule to help plan for any unexpected expenses. This means taking 1% of the purchase price each year and setting it to the side to cover any repairs that are needed. When owning a home, it is essential to have homeowner's insurance to ensure you have something to help cover the expenses when they get too big for you wallet. Here are some unexpected expenses you may need to be wary of.
Appliance Repairs
Your home is likely to include several different appliances throughout the home especially in the kitchen and the laundry room. From time to time, one of these appliances are going to break or completely give out. When this happens, you can suffer through not having it or you can enjoy its convenience and get it fixed. Whether it is your dishwasher or your washing machine, it is important that you repair it or replace it to help keep your home running more efficiently. Check to see if the appliance has a warranty or if it is covered under your homeowner's policy. If the appliance causes damage to the home like flooding and more, your homeowner's insurance may cover the cost of any repairs.
Pests
It is not uncommon to encounter some unwanted visitors from time to time. Raccoons, mice, termites, and more are known to wreak havoc on homes. To help be prepared for these pests, you want to protect your home with proper pest control techniques. Even if you have a local pest company come out and spray, you still may find a squirrel in the attic or a mouse in the basement. These pests can cause major health problems and structural damage. Be prepared to step up your pest control game or else you could end up paying much more to cover up the damage they can do.
Window Replacement
Your windows are crucial component of your home. They allow natural light in, encourage airflow, and much more. As your windows age, you could find your energy bills increasing and mold developing around them from old seals. When it is time to replace your windows, you can expect to pay around $11,319 on average for vinyl windows. This is anything but costly but it can help keep your energy bills down. In order to prolong your windows lifespan, you want to add caulk to the seals periodically and clean the windows consistently. Contact a business, such as the Central Florida Insurance Agency of Town 'N' Country, for more information.
Share28 March 2016
