What Type of Homeowner Will You Be?
Scott P. Rogers
Every homeowner cares for their home in their own way.
Some take a more reactive approach -- fixing things when they break, but not doing much beyond the necessities. Others are more proactive -- regularly updating and upgrading their home to keep it functioning well, looking good, and feeling modern.
Neither approach is wrong.
But over the course of many years, and especially when it’s time to sell, these two strategies can lead to very different experiences.
Here's what I mean...
Homeowner 1: Fix-It-As-Needed
You handle repairs as they come up -- but you don't spend much time or money updating things unless there’s a pressing need. That dripping faucet? Fixed. But the 1998 light fixtures or the worn carpet in the bedroom? They still work, so they get to stay.
What this often means when it's time to sell:
1. A longer list of updates and upgrades that now feel urgent
2. Spending money on improvements right before selling -- without much chance to enjoy them
3. Somewhat lower levels of buyer interest, because buyers can tell the home still needs a bit of love
Homeowner 2: Keep-It-Fresh
You take a more ongoing approach -- making periodic improvements even when things are still functional. you might repaint before walls are feeling overly worn, dirty or out of date, you might update flooring before it’s fully worn out, or make a few small updates in bathrooms every 5 to 10 years.
What this often means when it's time to sell:
1. Fewer last-minute projects
2. A home that feels well-loved and well-maintained
3. Somewhat higher buyer interest, since many buyers are looking for something move-in ready
So… which homeowner will you be?
If you own your home now -- or if you will soon -- it’s worth thinking about how you want to care for it in the years ahead.
Being a “Keep-It-Fresh" homeowner can come with a bit more time, effort, and cost upfront. But it also means enjoying a nicer space today, and potentially having a much smoother experience when you decide to sell.
And of course, this isn’t entirely black and white. Many (probably most) homeowners fall somewhere in between -- and that’s okay too.
My point is... the ways in which you care for your home now will shape how it feels to live in and how it performs on the market down the road.
Are you currently a "Fix-It-As-Needed" homeowner and you want to become a bit more of a "Keep-It-Fresh" homeowner? I'm happy to walk through your home with you to identify areas where you might focus your time, energy, and yes - money, over the next three to five years to work towards this goal.
Some take a more reactive approach -- fixing things when they break, but not doing much beyond the necessities. Others are more proactive -- regularly updating and upgrading their home to keep it functioning well, looking good, and feeling modern.
Neither approach is wrong.
But over the course of many years, and especially when it’s time to sell, these two strategies can lead to very different experiences.
Here's what I mean...
Homeowner 1: Fix-It-As-Needed
You handle repairs as they come up -- but you don't spend much time or money updating things unless there’s a pressing need. That dripping faucet? Fixed. But the 1998 light fixtures or the worn carpet in the bedroom? They still work, so they get to stay.
What this often means when it's time to sell:
1. A longer list of updates and upgrades that now feel urgent
2. Spending money on improvements right before selling -- without much chance to enjoy them
3. Somewhat lower levels of buyer interest, because buyers can tell the home still needs a bit of love
Homeowner 2: Keep-It-Fresh
You take a more ongoing approach -- making periodic improvements even when things are still functional. you might repaint before walls are feeling overly worn, dirty or out of date, you might update flooring before it’s fully worn out, or make a few small updates in bathrooms every 5 to 10 years.
What this often means when it's time to sell:
1. Fewer last-minute projects
2. A home that feels well-loved and well-maintained
3. Somewhat higher buyer interest, since many buyers are looking for something move-in ready
So… which homeowner will you be?
If you own your home now -- or if you will soon -- it’s worth thinking about how you want to care for it in the years ahead.
Being a “Keep-It-Fresh" homeowner can come with a bit more time, effort, and cost upfront. But it also means enjoying a nicer space today, and potentially having a much smoother experience when you decide to sell.
And of course, this isn’t entirely black and white. Many (probably most) homeowners fall somewhere in between -- and that’s okay too.
My point is... the ways in which you care for your home now will shape how it feels to live in and how it performs on the market down the road.
Are you currently a "Fix-It-As-Needed" homeowner and you want to become a bit more of a "Keep-It-Fresh" homeowner? I'm happy to walk through your home with you to identify areas where you might focus your time, energy, and yes - money, over the next three to five years to work towards this goal.
