As a homeowner, you can benefit from some tax breaks that can make your home more affordable, with thousands of dollars shaved off from your IRS bill each year. It’s a benefit to remember about when tax season rolls around.

Read over the list below to see what could pertain to your situation. And, no matter what, please remember to always consult with your professional and trusted tax advisor.

When I first started my blog, I asked my past clients for topics that would be helpful to them. One of the questions that came up from multiple people was "what projects will add value to my home when it is time for resale?"

This is a great question. While it's possible to over improve a home - like spending $80,000 on a new kitchen in a neighborhood of homes that sell for $175,000, even when in tip top shape - most of the time, these projects will add resale value to your home. If you ever have any questions about projects on your home, always feel free to reach out to me directly and I can talk to you about your specific house.

Not on a floodplain and not worried about your home getting damaged by flooding? That could be a costly mistake!

Even a “low-risk” home could be hit with damage from flooding, and most standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t include flood protection.

Take the time to learn what is and isn’t covered in your home’s insurance policy and whether adding additional flood insurance is a good idea even if your home is not considered to be in an official floodplain by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency).

No one wants their home damaged or destroyed by fire or flooding. Or have treasured items stolen from them. It’s devastating to even think about it.

That’s why you – like all homeowners — rely on insurance coverage to help cover the cost to rebuild your home and replace your belongings. Having it gives you some comfort and relief, right?

But even good insurance is only as good as the records YOU keep!

Your insurance company can only be as helpful to you as you are to them. It’s a simple fact, and that’s why you need to take inventory of your belongings.

Don’t ever just “rubber stamp” your homeowner’s insurance policy before you renew! How you live in your home and what possessions you own can change from year to year.

It’s always a good idea to reassess your needs and consider any changes in your home that could affect your insurance rates and coverage.

Before you sign off on that annual renewal, make sure you are fully covered for your current situation but also see where you can save money. You might be able to take any savings and put it toward additional coverage you need now.

The wear and tear on your home from the outside elements each season is something you should never ignore as a homeowner. Rain, wind (especially during hurricane season), frost (yes, even in the Greater Gainesville area), and sun can cause damage over a period of time if left unchecked.

Whether you’re living in a single-family home or a townhome, you need to schedule regular maintenance that tackles the exterior of your home and your yard if you have one.

Even for condo owners, you should make sure your association is taking care of these items too, especially if you are living in a smaller building and/or self- managed building.

No one plans to waste money purposely… but sometimes it happens, especially when it comes to our homes. As a first-time homeowner (and even those who are more seasoned), you don’t want your excitement over a new home to crank-up your spending.

Owning a home already adds new expenses compared to renting. At any point in time, you have to spend money unexpectedly for a repair or a replacement, so make sure you always have enough savings on hand and avoid making any of these costly spending mistakes.

You never know if and when something will happen — whether it’s a big catastrophe or something less destructive – so you need to be prepared!

It’s essential to choose the right company, the right price, and the right coverage for your specific situation.

Keep in mind, homeowners insurance is really a collection of different kinds of coverage such as fire, theft, liability and windstorm wrapped up into a single policy.

Have you ever heard of radon? Well, it’s a big deal.

It’s an odorless, colorless gas and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

It can get trapped in our homes and be at such high levels that it can affect your health. And, you wouldn’t ever know it unless you tested for it!

Read below to learn more about radon and your home, how to test for radon in your home and how to remediate it if you have high levels.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel.

You must have a CO detector if you have fuel-burning appliances in your home. And if you have such appliances on more than one level of your home, you should have a carbon monoxide detector on each level. And it’s very important to install them near bedrooms too.

For a typical three-bedroom, two-bath home with an attic and basement, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends four CO detectors.

As a homeowner, you just never know when you’ll face unexpected and costly repairs for your home. A home warranty can sound like a great solution to this dilemma, but is it really worth it?

Home warranties have gotten a bad rap in the past, but like any warranty or insurance policy, the upfront cost could be worth it in the end. But you do need to read the fine print and understand any of the terms and conditions!

Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of home warranties and whether it’s something that will fit your particular needs and budget.

With busy schedules, it’s easy to let regular home maintenance fall off your to-do list. Last week I realized it had been 6 months since I cleaned the filter in my A/C wall unit in the room above my garage – gross!

Like many homeowners, you might try to cram certain projects into one weekend. Or worse yet, disaster strikes and you get hit with a large bill since you never got around to a minor task that turned into a major issue.

Stop causing yourself so much stress! Let the professionals help you, and better yet, have a maintenance plan with them.