As a homeowner of some 13 years, I know all too well the excitement — and anxiety — around buying and maintaining your first home.
Back in 2005, my husband and I bought our place in Chicago with no money down and used that down payment money to renovate the kitchen and master bathroom — two areas that can increase a home’s resale value. That was a smart move for us rookie homeowners. But there would be plenty of mistakes and lessons learned the hard way in the years to come.
Now, with friends and family coming to me for homeownership tips, I decided to brush up. Here's what I learned — both from the experts and from experience — that every new homeowner should keep top of mind.