San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
HOW-TO HELP FOR THE HAPPY HOMEOWNER
Up your owner satisfaction level by following these tips
You own a home. And that’s no small feat, as buying and maintaining a residence is likely one of the most expensive transactions and hard-work endeavors you’ll engage in during your life.
But are you proud of your property? How happy are you with your habitat?
Recent research suggests that many factors affect a homeowner’s satisfaction level with their abodes. A survey by Sears Home Services found that the most important of these factors include a home that feels secure/safe (chosen by 54.4 percent of homeowner respondents), the location of the residence (52.7 percent), having a relaxing location indoors (51.4 percent), the home’s privacy (49.3 percent), size/square footage (46.4 percent), and the home’s outdoor amenities (43.0 percent).
The poll also revealed that the most popular hues employed to decorate happy homes are white
(46.8 percent) and neutral colors like brown and beige (39.5 percent) versus earth tones (20.6 percent); noise levels, pests, insufficient size and being too close to neighbors are among the things that increase a homeowner’s dissatisfaction; and satisfied homeowners forked over $4,475 on repairs, on average and $698 on home décor.
Elena Cardone, a Realtor with Cardone Global Estates, powered by EXP in Miami, found these survey results to be on par with what she has seen in the housing market over the last two years.
“A home has always been at the heart of the family dynamic, but even more so since the pandemic has forced us to spend even more time at home. We are seeing more homeowners making their homes a priority nowadays, which is why I believe that taking steps to increase home satisfaction will remain important going forward,” she says.
Jennifer Oglesby, product manager with Longwood, Fla.based Transform Home Improvements, says your home is the one place you can control, so it’s important that you are content with those quarters.
“I’m not surprised, for example, that safety and security ranked tops for contributing to homeowner satisfaction, according to this poll. Having a space that is safe and secure will make occupants feel comfortable,” she says.
Likewise, having a relaxed indoor space contributes to the concept of having a safe and comfortable sanctuary of your own.
“People love a space that makes them feel recharged and rejuvenated so that they can get ready for the outside world and life’s everyday challenges,” notes Khari Washington, a Realtor with 1st United Realty & Mortgage, Inc. in Riverside.
Of course, it stands to reason that your address will also strongly dictate how pleased you are with your property.
“As we say in real estate, it’s always about location, location, location,” Cardone explains. “Parents want top-rated school districts and schools to be close to home. Homeowners value quality medical facilities that don’t require traveling far. And proximity to entertainment, restaurants, movie theaters, malls, grocery stores, recreational areas like parks, and nature trails significantly add to your level of happiness as a homeowner, too.”
Emily Perez with New York City-based Kitchen Infinity US believes the colors you choose to decorate your home can make a huge difference in your satisfaction quotient as well.
“White and neutral colors, as chosen by most of the surveyed homeowners, can help you feel livelier and more positive inside the home, while earth tones can sometimes make a space look dirty and affect your moods,” she says.
Oglesby agrees. “Neutral hues can make a space feel larger and allow you to change the theme or accent colors more easily than having to repaint every time you want to make changes,” she says.
When it comes to spending dollars on home improvement, investing more in upgrades won’t necessarily up your happiness level, the experts concur.
“There are going to be some projects where you will have to spend more money to create the satisfaction you desire – for example, if you want to put in a swimming pool, that’s going to be costly if you want to do it right,” adds Cardone. “But there are plenty of ways to slim down a budget or take on projects without breaking the bank. For instance, if you are handy, commit to projects that you can handle yourself. Try inexpensive ways to make a dramatic difference, such as painting a room in a new color. Add accent items like throws, pillows and little knickknacks. You can probably find some nice and inexpensive artwork online. Also, try moving your existing furniture around for a fresh look.”