Home is where the heart is and for most of us, it is also where are money lives too. As our biggest investment, we need to take good care of our nest as well as nest egg. The best way to do that, no matter what the economic climate, is to keep your home in good repair.

So where is the best place to start keeping your nest in good repair? Like most things in life, the best place to begin is with a plan. Get organized by starting an inventory of projects. Grab a notebook and binder or your computer and make a list of every squeaky door, stuck drawer, paint peel, chipped tile, and missing molding in every room. You can group them by room or project.

Now look at your monthly budget. How much can you set aside each month to devote to upkeep? Even with as little as $25 per month, you can make big change.

Unless you have an urgent repair to make, you doors are a great place to start. Ed Mansfield from Husband’s For Hire, a handyman business in central Massachusetts, recommends, “Check your outside doors to see if they are properly adjusted. Replace the weather stripping and add a door sweep if you feel any cold air when the door is closed.” Both of these repairs cost less than $10 per door.

If your budget allows it, consider getting or replacing your storm door this year. “Many new storm doors have easily replaceable glass and screening,” says Ed. For another way to stretch your repair budget, check with your tax professional about rebates and credits in your area.

If it is warm enough in where you live, clean and repaint your door. Check to see if the tops and bottoms of the doors were painted. An unpainted or unsealed surface can let moisture in and cause swelling in wet weather.

“Door knobs and locks are simple replacements that can quickly and inexpensively update the look of your house and increase the curb appeal of your house,” reminds Ed Mansfield. Check the How To… section for directions on replacing a doorknob.

Even if your budget is zero this week, tighten the screws on the hinges and doorknobs in your house and if it squeaks, oil it.

So now you can close the door on the first set of home maintenance projects. Great job!

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