8 Updates Your Home Needs Every 10 Years
Becoming a homeowner is an exciting event in your life, but with it comes a bit of responsibility that you should be prepared for. Even if you buy a home in pristine condition, it will inevitably need a little TLC after you live in it for a number of years. There is a silver lining though – many of the updates you make throughout your home will benefit you when it comes to its resale value. Depending on the condition of your home when you purchased it and how well you maintain it, the updates you need to make after a decade will vary. However, the eight items below are some of the most common updates that a homeowner will need to make, especially if he or she plans to sell in the near future.
1. Buy new appliances
Sometimes you stumble upon a prize when you’re searching for a home – one with brand new or nearly new appliances. And other times, you fall in love with a home, outdated appliances and all – and decide you’ll replace them eventually. In either scenario, after a certain amount of time passes, you may begin to notice your dishwasher isn’t cleaning dishes as well, your washing machine started leaking or your refrigerator’s ice-maker stopped working properly.
It might seem less intimidating to buy one appliance at a time to avoid putting a big dent into your bank account, but it may be worth checking into buying a full suite of appliances at once since retailers generally will give a hefty discount when you purchase a bundle.
2. Apply a fresh coat of paint
After 10 years of wear and tear, dirt and dust, chances are your walls will look a little dingy. Even if this is something you just do for your own enjoyment, slapping a new coat of paint on the walls can transform a room and give it new life. While you’re at it, don’t forget your home’s exterior – even if you just need to touch up the trim or shutters, new paint can add serious curb appeal.
3. Give your windows and doors some love
Depending on how old your home’s windows and doors are, they may simply need to be replaced. But in most cases, a little DIY project can make all the difference. Re-glaze your windows to keep your heat and air conditioning from seeping through. The seals on your exterior doors will break down over time, but applying new weather stripping can keep the outdoor elements from coming in and keep your indoor heating and cooling from escaping. These are both cost-effective methods to make your home more energy-efficient without spending an arm and a leg to replace windows and doors.
4. Replace the hot water heater
An old hot water heater can cause serious damage to your home if it starts to leak. I can speak from experience, since that situation recently happened at my home. We purchased our house without having any knowledge of the home’s history and unfortunately, found out too late that the hot water heater was in need of replacement. Fortunately, you can often find the manufacture date somewhere on the tank. So go check yours out if you haven’t already, and if it’s been close to 10 years (or more!), go ahead and replace it to be safe.
5. Re-caulk surfaces
This one may not be have been on your radar, but it’s actually something you can do quickly and inexpensively on your own! Not only does new caulking refresh the look of showers, tubs and sinks, but it can also prevent water from leaking in between the cracks.
6. Install new carpet
While flooring might be an expense you’d rather not deal with, sometimes it’s a necessary update for your home. The good news is that newly installed carpet can make a big impact when it comes to selling your home quickly and for full price. And even if you aren’t planning to sell now (or ever), carpet gets dirty and holds in odors after a while, so you really can’t go wrong with putting down new flooring.
7. Replace your garbage disposal
You may heed the advice of putting ice cubes down your garbage disposal to help de-gunk the blades and keep it as clean as possible, but over time, the blade will inevitably wear down and you’ll need to replace it. You’ll probably notice that it needs to be updated when it stops pushing food particles through quickly.
8. Refresh your landscape
If you consistently maintain your yard, you probably won’t have too many updates to make. However, after 10 years go by, you may find that some trees and shrubs have become overgrown or you could use some fresh greenery or flowering plants to increase your home’s curb appeal.
This is an especially important step if you intend to put your home on the market, as the exterior appearance provides the first impression of what your home has to offer.
Owning a home is a rewarding experience, and investing a bit of your time and money into it can really pay off in the form of adding value to your home and saving on energy costs.
Home improvements that consistently add value include updating appliances, applying fresh interior and exterior paint, replacing or resealing windows and doors for energy efficiency, replacing an aging hot water heater, re-caulking showers and sinks, installing new flooring or carpet, replacing a worn garbage disposal, and refreshing landscaping for curb appeal. These updates protect your home's condition, reduce maintenance costs, and strengthen its resale value whether you plan to sell soon or stay for years to come.
Many home systems and finishes have a natural lifespan of around ten years, after which updates can prevent larger problems and protect your home's value. Appliances, hot water heaters, carpet, caulking, and exterior paint are among the items most commonly in need of attention after a decade of regular use. The exact timeline depends on the condition of your home when you purchased it and how well it has been maintained since. Staying proactive with updates is generally less expensive than addressing deferred maintenance before a sale or after a system failure.
Yes, fresh paint is one of the most cost-effective home improvements available to homeowners. Interior paint refreshes the appearance of rooms and makes a home feel newer and better maintained to buyers. Exterior paint and trim touch-ups improve curb appeal, which is often the first impression buyers form before stepping inside. In competitive markets across Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, curb appeal can meaningfully influence how quickly a home sells and at what price.
Most hot water heaters have a lifespan of approximately eight to twelve years. The manufacture date is typically printed on a label on the tank. If your water heater is approaching or past the ten-year mark, replacing it proactively can help you avoid the risk of leaks or flooding, which can cause serious and expensive damage to your home. If you purchased a home without knowing the water heater's history, checking the manufacture date is a good early step in your homeownership maintenance routine.
Yes. Improving the energy efficiency of your windows and doors can reduce monthly heating and cooling costs and is an attractive feature for buyers. In many cases, full replacement is not necessary. Re-glazing windows and replacing worn weather stripping on exterior doors are cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency and extend the life of existing windows and doors. In climates like those in Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, where temperature extremes affect energy bills year-round, these updates can offer a meaningful return on investment.
New carpet can have a positive impact on a home's appeal to buyers and its ability to sell quickly and at full price. Carpet that is stained, worn, or holding odors can be a deterrent for buyers even if the rest of the home is well-maintained. Installing new carpet before listing is a relatively modest investment that can make a strong impression during showings. If you are not planning to sell, new flooring still improves daily comfort and home hygiene.
Yes. Landscaping and curb appeal are among the first things buyers notice when they arrive at a property. Overgrown trees and shrubs, patchy grass, or outdated planting beds can reduce a home's appeal before a buyer ever steps inside. Refreshing landscaping with maintained plants, fresh mulch, and clean edges is a relatively low-cost update that can meaningfully improve a home's first impression. For homeowners in Atlantic Bay's markets across Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, climate-appropriate plantings that require minimal upkeep are particularly valued.
The timing of home updates relative to a refinance depends on your goals. If you are refinancing to access equity for home improvements, completing the refinance first gives you the funds to make updates. If updates will meaningfully increase your home's appraised value, completing them before refinancing may result in a higher appraisal and more favorable loan terms. An Atlantic Bay Mortgage Banker can help you think through the right sequence based on your specific situation and the improvements you are planning.