When you are a homeowner, you are left with some tough decisions to make. With all of your DIY projects, you have to figure out if it is actually adding value to the house or taking away from it. After all, when your little daughter wants to paint her room pink with bright green carpeting, is it really improving your house? Or better yet, when your spouse has this great idea about converting the basement into an animal shelter, it can make home ownership not so enjoyable.
Buy New or Repair
One of the most expensive things about owning a home instead of renting one are the appliances. There have been horror stories about couples who have bought a house only to have all the appliances go out on them at once. This includes the water heater, furnace, and air conditioning. Once you own the place, it is up to you to fix it. Or pay someone to fix it for you.
How to Decide as a Homeowner
Think of this as a guide for deciding what to do about faulty appliances. For instance, if your appliances are only a year or two old, there is a good chance the warranty is still valid. Always check with the manufacturer before you consult a repairman. They may just come out and fix it for free. And even if the appliance is closer to five years old, there may be a parts warranty still in place where you would only have to pay for labor.
Even if you have to pay for a repair, it could be worth it instead of having to buy completely new. For instance, call directly a washing machine repair company in Montreal if your washer or dryer is acting up. They may have a simple and inexpensive repair.
However, if you have a water heater that is pushing 20 years old or a stove that seems like it came over on the Mayflower, then it is probably time to cut ties with it. And the good news for you, many of these appliance places offer their own financing with zero percent down and no interest for a year. They are almost making you buy them! No homeowner likes to spend money on general fixes, but it is all about stepping up and being responsible.
