Did you know June is National Homeownership month?

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to share our stories and create opportunities for future homeowners. 

Every year we like to celebrate this month by sharing stories of homeowners from across the country and to celebrate the many benefits of owning your home. We hope you join us this month to discover how easy it can be to become a homeowner!

Reaching the goal of owning a home is so important that the government has established various programs and agencies to help more Americans achieve homeowner status.

 Buying a house is one of the most important purchasing decisions someone can make. The property may become your home, as well as one of your most valuable assets. However, the process behind buying a house can be overwhelming and stressful.

• Down payment assistance

• Closing costs assistance

• Homebuyer assistance programs 

• First-time homebuyers' programs 

• Mortgage assistance 

• Special loans designed for lower-income & moderate-income individuals 

• Tax credits

Owning a home has tremendous value, and not just for the homeowner. It helps fuel the economy through the housing market and strengthens the local community. The Importance of Homeownership For many people, owning a home represents the stability, independence and freedom of reaching adulthood. While that perception may be changing to some degree as more people wait longer to buy homes, it is still a major milestone.

 By becoming a homeowner, people get a step closer to the American dream. This month also shares the joys of being a homeowner, which can encourage others to achieve the same thing. Most Americans had no way of really owning a home in the 1800s. There can be risks and barriers associated with buying a home such as the threat of depreciation, being tied down to one place, and saving enough money for a down payment. However, a significant thing to remember is that home ownership has both financial and social benefits, such as:

• 1. Paying a Low Mortgage Rate

• 2. Hedging Against Inflation

• 3. Saving Money on Taxes

• 4. Building Equity

• 5. Stability 

• 6. Forcing you to save

• 7. Building a strong credit history

• 9. Privacy

• 10. Improved quality of life 

• 11. A sense of Pride and Accomplishment

• 12.Build and improve credit

• 13. Freedom to customize and improve your dwelling

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of shopping for the home of your dreams, which is why it’s essential to think about what key qualities you are looking for before choosing your home, such as:

• The price range you can afford

• School district

• Community/neighborhood

• One or two-story 

• How many rooms you prefer 

• Proximity to work 

And when owning a home, you need to take note that you should also be considering the home maintenance checklist. When you're buying a home, you are acutely aware of the numbers -- the down payment, mortgage rate, closing costs, fees and so much more. But one of the things you might not consider is what comes after the sale is done, and that's the money you should set aside for home repairs and maintenance.

A good rule of thumb is to budget between one and three percent of your home's purchase price each year to cover typical homeowner maintenance. If you're considering renovation, or if your home is an older one, it's best to err on the side of caution and set aside three percent each year.

While it's a good idea to have a nest egg of savings to take care of those unexpected problems, you might be able to avoid those issues altogether by sticking to a homeowner's maintenance checklist.

Just like you, your house and its many components get a year older every 12 months. Here are a few annual maintenance tasks that can help your home age gracefully:

• Clean clothes dryer exhaust. Lint buildup in the dryer vent will affect the dryer's efficiency and may create a fire hazard. In fact, about 15,500 house fires are caused by clothes dryers each year. 

• Lubricate garage door springs. Whether you have an opener or not, greasing your garage door springs can make it much easier to operate.

• Drain hot water heater. Sediment that collects in the bottom of the heater can affect its longevity.

• Paint the exterior. If your home has wood siding, don't wait until flaking starts to think about painting. If you're not well-versed in painting, it's probably best to hire a pro.

• Look for signs of termites. A swarm of termites can lead to huge expenses. A termite primer from a trusted store they can help you spot them.

• Clean septic tank. If your sewage collects in a tank, it should be inspected annually and emptied as needed. The average household needs a septic tank cleaning every two or three years.

• Check your fire extinguisher. At least once per year, check the gauge to see if it is still holding the proper pressure, that its hose in not dry rotted, and the date it was certified or manufactured. Most non-rechargeable fire extinguishers need to be replaced every 10 years.

• Exercise fixture supply valves and inspect lines. These include supply valves and lines for toilets, faucets, clothes washer and dishwashing machines, ice makers and more. Valves that aren't opened and closed occasionally may seize over time, and not being able to turn them off promptly in case of a leak may create an even bigger headache.

• Clean your bathroom exhaust fan. These can become clogged with lint, dust, hairspray and more, hurting efficiency. This may be as simple as pulling the fan cover off the ceiling and using a vacuum, and some fans can be easily removed to be fully cleaned.

• Clean refrigerator coils. Haven't pulled out your refrigerator in a while? You'll be amazed at how much dirt and dust will collect in the air passages under your fridge. Use a brush and vacuum and/or compressed air canister to get things cleaned up again, which can improve efficiency and save energy, too. If you have pets that shed, consider doing this twice per year.

• Check the roofing material. The life expectancy of a roof varies based on the type of materials. Many asphalts shingle roofs last from 20 to 30 years, but some higher quality materials can protect your home much longer. 

• Replace exterior decks. Your local weather and how often sealant is applied can determine how long your home's wooden deck remains safe and structurally sound. The average lifespan of a wooden deck is considered to be about 20 years. Some might look into home equity loans for this kind of home improvement.

• Replace kitchen and bathroom faucets. It may be time to replace your kitchen and bath faucets when they're about 15 years old. A handy homeowner should be able to handle the project if they have the right tools.

• Install new HVAC units. The life expectancy of your home's HVAC system components is largely determined by how they're maintained. However, even units that have been properly serviced begin wearing out when they're 15 to 20 years old -- in some cases even sooner. New units should always be installed by a qualified professional. The Department of Energy can help you research the purchase of a new system.

If you're planning to live in your home for a very long time, this homeowner's maintenance checklist will help ensure your home is safe and secure. If you're looking at a home renovation timeline, keeping up with these tasks in addition to making big renovations can help ensure a better resale value in the future. Either way, proper maintenance can give your home a fighting chance to stand strong for generations.