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Most people don’t consider the lives of their homes, assuming they will last forever. But just like any other human-made creation, they only keep going for so long. Eventually, they start to depreciate.
Officials estimate the rate of building depreciation to be around 4% per year. That means that after just 20 years, the majority of structures will completely depreciate (according to accounting practices).
Naturally, that’s not true in all places, all the time. However, it emphasizes the fact that depreciation has a massive cumulative effect. Over time, it accelerates, slamming property values into the ground. As such, it’s not true that homes last forever or go up in value. They require maintenance and care.
The question many people now want to know is how to make their homes last longer. Uncovering this secret could reduce depreciation and help them become their “forever” homes.
Currently, most homeowners spend 1 to 3% of the value of their property on maintenance annually. That’s quite a lot of money when you consider the average property retails for more than $400,000 in some parts of the country.
But are they spending this money wisely?
In many cases, they’re not. That’s because it isn’t well understood what constitutes a good home investment. Maintenance can be tricky.
The purpose of this post is to provide you with tactics and strategies to make your new home last a lifetime. It goes into detail about what works, what doesn’t, and where you should spend your money first.
Use The Highest Quality Materials
If building a property from scratch, use the highest quality materials. Adding the best will reduce wear and tear over time, allowing your home to thrive.
Start with the foundations. Choose a high-quality concrete with a double membrane to prevent water penetration into the substructure. Use materials that won’t move around or experience subsidence.
Next, move on to the roofing. Talking to professionals, like AMC Roofing, can help you decide on which materials to use. Slate is the top choice for longevity, but it is also heavy and costly, so alternatives, like tile, might be better for your situation.
You should also consider the walls. Some property owners now add cladding for additional weatherproofing. This material isn’t structural but is easy to replace and protects the basic material underneath.
Invest In Home Improvements
Next, you’ll want to invest in home improvements. Putting money into these periodically can be an excellent way to maintain embodied value in the home and prevent agents from classifying it as derelict.
The wiring and plumbing are the two most critical aspects to get right since these can have significant knock-on effects on the property.
Wiring and plumbing wear out over time. Wires last around 40 years before needing to be replaced, while plumbing takes around 20 to 30 years to go out of date. At this point, the system needs ripping out and starting anew.
Meanwhile, you also should pay attention to your exterior structures and cladding. Beware of weathering involving chimney pointing. It can crumble over time and requires specialist maintenance to put right.
Also, watch out for problems with your cladding (if you have any). Loose-hanging material is an eyesore and could make it difficult to sell your house in the future.
Plan For Old Age
You can also make a home last a lifetime by preparing for old age (or “aging in place”). Setting it up so you don’t have to move out until the last minute can be an excellent way to hold onto it for longer.
Planning for old age involves setting up the property with an accessible design. Adding non-slip flooring to the bathroom and building wider doorways lets you plan for the future and anticipate your likely needs.
Pay close attention to bathroom safety. Ensure you have grab rails, walk-in showers, and seating options you can use to avoid slipping over.
Putting a room on the ground floor you can eventually transform into a bedroom is also an excellent idea. This helps you avoid the hassle of installing stair lifts or other systems when you get older. It also means you’re less likely to fall if you start having mobility issues in the future.
Protect Against Environmental Threats
When thinking long-term about your property, it also pays to consider the environmental threats it faces. Nature can sometimes take its toll.
Start with the basics, like overhanging trees surrounding your property. Cut them back or transplant them to a safe location to avoid damage to your roof or structure.
Next, move on to pest control. Look for possible entry points into your home and block them off. Avoid leaving food in the basement or attic as crumbs can attract animals and insects.
Think about your storm preparedness too if you’re in an at-risk zone. Areas liable to high winds and flooding are more widespread in the past, so it is well worth looking into these and whether you’re at risk.
If you are at risk, invest in panels you can use to cover your windows before a storm. Make sure there’s nothing in the vicinity that could fall on your home, causing damage. If high winds are the main problem, check the roof is secure and use advanced fittings to ensure it remains strong, even if you lose tiles.
For flood, check you have a sump pump and adequate sandbag protection. Drainage can also help in some situations (unless the water ingress is severe).
Finally, make sure you have tools nearby to deal with fire. Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and flame-proof materials can all help.
Choose A Classic Design
Another pro tip for making your new home last a lifetime is to choose one with a classic design. Getting this right makes you less likely to want to move out for aesthetic reasons.
For example, don’t choose an arts and crafts-style house if you can’t live with the design long-term. Similarly, avoid modernist or brutalist architecture as it can affect how you feel.
Instead, pick a classic design that reminds you of your childhood. Think about what it means and represents to you.
Consider also the interior. For the flooring, opt for tiles or hardwood, while for the countertops use granite or quartz for less staining. Select natural, neutral materials that won’t age after a few years or look garish.
Opt for high-quality furniture that showcases the best your home has to offer. Fit wooden sideboards, gray sofas, and heavy-duty wardrobes.
Finally on design, consider the color palette. Think about the combination of tones you will use and what you want to live with.
Classic color themes won’t go out of style, so copying these from older properties is an excellent option.
Implement Sustainable Practices
You should also consider the environment when choosing a home. Ecological considerations are critical now, but they may become even more important in the future.
Start by considering solar power. Could you add panels to your roof and then sell the excess back to the grid? These arrangements can help you make extra profit every year without having to invest in the stock market.
Next, think about how you want to use energy in your home. Leveraging LED lighting and efficient appliances can reduce electricity consumption by up to 90%, allowing you to enjoy a larger property without the same environmental overhead. Today, it is possible to run a home on less energy than a property half that size fifty years ago because of the rapid advances in energy technology now reaching thermodynamic limits.
Water efficiency is also possible in today’s homes and could help your home remain appealing for longer. For example, you could install a dual-flush toilet or a rainwater harvesting system for washing and showering.
Again, recent innovations let you save up to 50% of the water a typical property uses.
Set Up A Preventative Maintenance System
Setting up a preventative maintenance schedule is also beneficial. This way, you can get the jump on issues before they start causing you serious problems.
The easiest way to do this is to set up an inspection calendar for the main elements of the home including:
- Landscaping
- Plumbing
- Roofing
- Electricals
- HVAC
- Fireplaces
- Flooring
Having these on rotation can automate much of the maintenance process, preventing issues from arising. It can also stop damaged parts of various systems from harming other components, leading to higher repair costs.
For example, getting a roofer to check your roof every couple of years stops gaps from opening up and water seeping in. This, in turn, reduces the damage further and makes it less likely repair costs will rise.
Finally, it can help to seal your windows and doors. These prevent damage to your buildings by stopping water and pests from getting through. It is also helpful for reducing the cost of home heating and cooling, cutting your bills.
Home sealing is a relatively straightforward job but many owners miss out on it because they worry about the cost. It can prevent drafts and maintain building work.
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