I bought my first home as a single woman in Austin in January 2017. Despite the large percentage of single women home buyers, there is very little information geared towards this growing segment. That’s why we’ve created our Single Women Home Buyers Series. We’ll be covering a long list of common concerns and questions, but if you have a specific issue we encourage you to email us so we can help!
If you remember my pro/con list from one of our earlier posts, you might have noticed that there were a few entries regarding lifestyle and upkeep. I envisioned that home ownership involved countless weekend trips to The Home Depot and yardwork; very different from the fun and free lifestyle I was living in an apartment. The fact is that you can absolutely enjoy the benefits of home ownership without sacrificing your lifestyle. Here are my 4 Pro Tips for Maintaining Your Lifestyle Post Home Purchase.
Find Replacement Amenities
The pool at my apartment was one of my favorite amenities, but I’ve found ways to substitute it. When I want to swim for exercise, I head to Deep Eddy. When I want a luxurious day by the pool, I check out one of the many hotels in Austin that offer day passes for the pool. (The W is my personal favorite.)
I also used the gym in my apartment building on days that I didn’t have time to get to Crossfit. Now, I either workout at home in my make-shift carport gym or head over to Austin Bouldering Project, where you can get a punch card for gym access. This helps me keep my routine fresh and fun, with limited additional expense.
Use Uber
When I went from living in an apartment downtown a home on the East Side, the first thing I saw changing was how often I went out downtown. While this may be true to some extent, it’s by choice. Car services in Austin now cover a good distance outside downtown so you can still easily get a ride for your night out. Bonus: in the summer your ride is air conditioned, unlike my former sweaty walks home.
Outsource the Yard
If you have an aversion to yardwork, I recommend looking for a home with a small yard and outsourcing the upkeep. You can hire just about anything these days, from general yard maintenance to dog poop removal. Want to have even less upkeep? You can install artificial turf or xeriscaping and eliminate basically all outdoor maintenance. If you want to do it on your own, estimate about 2 hours every two weeks for yardwork.
Automate Your Maintenance
With the technology available, you can make your home plug and play. I have my air filters shipped on auto-send, so when they arrive I know it’s time to change them. I also rotate my mattress on this same schedule. This take the thinking out of doing.
Considering Buying a Home in Austin?
We can help! We have a combined 55+ years of experience in real estate and can help you get a great deal. Check out our Austin Home Buyer page to learn more about who we are and how we work. Then, call us at (512) 827-8323 or email us at info@11OaksRealty.com to schedule a no obligation consultation.
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