Affordable home maintenance for older homes. What resources are available to help you refurbish or maintain an older home?
The average home in Memphis is 46 years old, meaning many homeowners in our community live in houses that have been around longer than they have. Most people have great experiences in old homes, however, their rich history means they might be in need of a little more TLC. So, what options are available for you to do some home maintenance on your older home?
Simple touches
Don’t let outdated finishes or a bit of wallpaper discourage you from buying an older home! There are simple things you can do to refurbish your old home that only require a hardware store and a little dip into your budget. Things like adding fresh or new coats of paint, replacing door knobs or cabinet pulls, and investing in a new light fixture or two can make a home feel brand new. Some repairs you can do easily and inexpensively, such as filling holes left in a wall or using a little oil to fix a squeaky door. However, many older homes need work done that requires a professional, significant financial investment, or both. Luckily, there are several resources available to help you maintain your home.
MLGW weatherization and home repair programming
MLGW’s Share the Pennies is a community contribution program that allows homeowners to round up their bill payments and apply the money toward grants for low income tenants to make weatherization or energy efficiency repairs to their homes. This not only provides assistance to make necessary home repairs that old homes often need, but helps you to save money in the long run by cutting energy costs and lowering your utility bill.
Post Purchase support and Home Repair Loan options through UHI
Older homes can present serious challenges that you’ll want to address – they may need a new roof, lead-based paint abatement, new HVAC, foundational updates, and much more. Luckly, United Housing offers several resources that can help you with the process of refurbishing or maintaining an older home. Our Home Repair Loan program can help you upgrade your home for accessibility and security, and can be used for a variety of projects including plumbing, roofing, electrical and more. The loans range from $5,000 to $15,000 and have a low, fixed interest rate with affordable monthly payments over a repayment term of 10 years. You can click here to find out if you’re eligible for a home repair loan. Additionally, UHI offers Post-Purchase homeowner workshops that focus on teaching new homeowners how to successfully navigate homeownership by providing education on budgeting, credit, insurance and other financial responsibilities that come with owning and maintaining a home.
Old houses are charming, and are usually very well built and full of character – but you might find a few more needed renovations in them than you would in a newer home. However, don’t let that discourage you. Call United Housing at 901-272-1122 and start making plans as to how you could fix up your house. With the necessary support and resources, you can create a home for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.
