A significant difference between owning a home and renting a home or apartment is the maintenance that is involved. Home ownerships requires constant maintenance. Without it, a home's value will inevitably decrease. In addition, if a home is not properly maintained, refinancing can become impossible as well as selling. What does maintaining a home involve?

The interior of a home needs to be kept maintained. Performing repairs as they are needed will make maintenance easier. It is often the small things that go unnoticed that will later become bigger, more expensive items to repair. Things such as a leaky faucet can be as simple as a worn washer but, if left broken, can mean replacement of the entire faucet. Making these small repairs can save a lot of money in the future.

Floors need to also be maintained. Whether it's cleaning a wood or laminate floor or cleaning carpets, all floor surfaces should be maintained so that they do not need to be replaced. Replacing floors is an expensive alternative.

Keeping the paint on walls clean and fresh can eliminate the need to repaint too often. Although painting is not expensive, it is time consuming and a considerable amount of work. Cleaning fingermarks and dirt off of walls can extend the life of the paint so that repainting is not needed for quite some time.

The exterior of the home needs to be maintained as well. Siding should be kept clean and exterior paint should be touched up as needed. The down side of any exterior maintenance is that due to weather conditions, eventually it will need to be redone. Siding last for a very long time, possibly forever if maintained. Paint, on the other hand, will fade over time and the exterior will have to be repainted. The easiest way besides hiring someone else to do this, is to rent a professional paint sprayer. This will make the job easier and can be done in one day.

Roofs also become worn and need to be replaced over time. Making small roof repairs, caulking and keeping a roof clean will extend its life. It is worth the effort since replacing a roof is an expensive alternative.

Maintaining a home requires effort but, in the long run, it will provide a sense of satisfaction and security. Remember that a well maintained home is a happy home.