Whether you’re in your forever home or just a home you plan on staying in for a long time, it’s going to age with you. That doesn’t mean that your home’s quality has to deteriorate though. Keeping your aging home up-to-date as possible, and it can mean maintaining the comfort and security that it provides you day and night.
New Appliances and Technology
One specific area where you can keep your older home current is in terms of technology. Newer, more energy-efficient versions of many appliances are coming out all the time, so think about upgrades in terms of the fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and laundry machines. Also, take advantage of opportunities to upgrade or even install new technology, be it a security system or WiFi.
Keep in mind that new appliances are more commonly high-efficiency devices. Also, though they do help with decreasing your electric and gas bills, they may require a specialist to help repair them if they break down. But in larger cities, it is beneficial to have energy-efficient appliances.
Preventative Maintenance
If your older home has air conditioning, then make sure it’s properly taken care of. If your region of the country has a cold season and a hot season, then you should have preventative HVAC maintenance performed by a professional twice a year in between when it’s spring and fall. Make sure your AC is ready for the work that summer will demand of it, and then have it checked again for any repairs or upgrades it might need after the heat dissipates.
Other maintenance should include having your roof and attic inspected. Seeing as it is the part of the home that takes the biggest beating over the years, it is good to make sure that nothing is damaged. It is always better to catch it sooner rather than later. Another thing you can do, depending on how old your home is, is to have the insulation in your attic replaced. There are many new options for insulation that not only keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter but also help with any messy blow-in insulation.
Go Open Concept
One huge trend in modern homes is open-concept floor plans. See if you can have any internal walls removed to spread out the main living area of your home. Having an open flow from the front door through the living room into the dining room and kitchen is something many families love to have, and if you haven’t had it yet yourself, you might just wind up loving it. With a splash of new paint and a change of view, you will be able to enjoy more face-to-face time with family and friends as well as have a greater amount of light throughout your newly refinished home.
If you do end up remodeling your home, a great thing to keep in mind is electrical outlets and ethernet ports. Many older homes could benefit from a fresh rewire to bring things up to code, also having ethernet ports throughout your home helps with any connectivity issues that you may have with WiFi.
Structural Integrity
Before you knock down any internal walls, make sure that they aren’t load-bearing. For that matter, have professionals check the whole home for settling while discussing with a contractor about the interior. There may only be so much that can be done with certain areas within your home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it your own. If any settling has occurred you will want to make sure that nothing is needed to help stabilize or prevent your foundation from cracking. There are homes that have been condemned due to faulty foundations.
Older Homes Still Matter
Just because a home is aging doesn’t mean it’s any less valuable than newer construction. Older communities have tremendous advantages all their own, including being closer to amenities and work locations, unique charm, and trees that have had a chance to grow big and tall. With the right upkeep, you can make your aging home a contemporary classic you love to call home or make it attractive to potential buyers in the future. Or, you could end up loving it so much that you live there for years to come.
