Homeownership is one of the greatest tools that the average American has available to them to grow their wealth and gain financial independence and stability. But that doesn’t mean that owning a home isn’t still an incredibly expensive endeavor. There is a lot of work that comes with owning a home, and that includes maintenance work to keep your home in good condition and preserve its value over time. This maintenance work needs to include some items that are purely seasonal. Here are three of the most important seasonal home services that you should add to your budget as a homeowner.
Landscaping
The first of the important seasonal home services that you should add to your budget is landscaping. While for some homeowners landscaping is a year-round event, for most people, just taking care of landscaping during the summer and spring can be enough. When your plants are in bloom and the grass is green and the weather is nice, it is critical that you are putting effort and care into your landscaping. Landscaping has a dramatic impact on the curb appeal of your home, which while superficial can result in a major increase in the perceived value of your home.
Pest Control
Another crucial seasonal home service that you need to add to your budget is pest control. Depending on the time of year, different pests are more likely to try to enter your home. These pests can cause damage and even disease. Pests can carry diseases into your home if you don’t take measures to keep them out. During the winter months, make sure that you are keeping an eye out for animals trying to gain entrance to your home through holes in your walls, roof, or foundation, and work with an exterminator to eliminate pest problems as soon as they arise.
Sealcoating Your Driveway
The final seasonal home service that you should add to your budget is sealcoating your driveway. Your driveway and other pavement at your home is susceptible to cracking and breaking due to moisture and temperature swings during the seasonal changes. By sealcoating your driveway during the summer, you are able to better protect your driveway from this type of cracking and damage for a longer lasting and smoother driveway.
Taking care of your home is a year-round effort. But what you have to do to keep your home in good condition shifts with the season. Make sure that you are including these three seasonal home services to your budget so that you aren’t blindsided by the costs.
Check out this article on home improvements that don’t cost a fortune!