HOMEOWNERSHIP: The American Dream or Nightmare?

Let’s be real, owning a home is a common goal for most people and has been apart of the American psyche since the beginning our country’s founding. To this very day, owning your home could be seen as your most valuable asset contrarily it can also be your biggest liability.

The other evening, I started watching Ramit Sethi's "How to Get Rich" on Netflix, and it truly opened my eyes. Listening to his perspective on homeownership not always living up to its hype really motivated me to finally launch Bodhitree's latest offerings (keep reading). It also prompted me to delve deeper into what it truly means to be a homeowner today.  But first…a little backstory.

When we purchased our first home in 1998, we consulted with a financial planner who, conveniently, was also a friend, so we received this advice for free (lol). He recommended buying a home slightly above our means, although as a young couple just starting out, we had already set a budget and weren't entirely convinced by his suggestion.

His theory was to increase our budget slightly higher than we could comfortably afford because while your mortgage payment remains static, your salary tends to increase over time. He emphasized that your home would become one of your most significant investments. Luckily, we heeded his advice, and as of today we own four homes. Consequently, this has granted me a moderate level of experience in navigating the challenges of homeownership. However, regrettably, that same guidance might not lead to similar outcomes in today's economic climate.

UC Berkeley conducted a study and showed how homeownership in California continues to erode. The younger generation is getting priced out of the California housing market and most people are pushing 50 by the time they can afford to own. According to thereadeal.com , home buyers across Southern California must earn more than $200,000 a year in order to qualify for a typical house mortgage. It's unfortunate, and if you're not yet a homeowner, feel free to pause here and switch over to Netflix to watch a few episodes of Ramit's "How to Get Rich." 

However, if you're already a homeowner or aspire to become one, please continue reading.

Ramit went on to explain that when attaining a mortgage, there is so much more to factor in to your monthly budget on top of the principal and interest on your new abode.  You not only have to consider the cost of homeowner’s insurance - that’s a whole other post - but your property tax on top of that as well. Finally, there's one aspect that people often overlook when it comes to financial planning after becoming homeowners: upkeep and repairs. This is where renters tend to find themselves with a bit more disposable income, whether it's for savings, unexpected expenses, or perhaps even a getaway to Belize! (lol)

Surprisingly, a widely accepted guideline suggests allocating 1% to 4% of your home's value annually for maintenance and repairs. Considering the escalating real estate prices — given that land is a finite resource — and with the average single-family home in California priced at $790,000, this translates to saving between $7,900 to $31,600 per year to uphold and enhance your investment. Not a goal easily attained on top of your fixed and recurring expenses.

Which leads me to why I've chosen this topic for our second blog post, and if you've made it this far, I commend you. As I've reiterated numerous times, Bodhitree Home Cleaning surpasses the typical "mow, blow, and go" mentality. Our conscientious attention to detail truly sets us apart. We treat your home as if it were our own, meticulously eradicating smudges from light switch plates and doors, removing dog eye boogers that mysteriously find their way onto walls (lol), and even sanitizing your toothbrush holder and any accumulated grime that typically goes unnoticed. 

And yes, all of these EXTRAS are included in our home cleaning cost.

But wait, there’s more!  (haha) We are extremely happy to introduce a LAUNDRY LIST (see what I did there) of add-on-services. More times than not we get asked to attack these tedious tasks that always tend to get put on the back burner because our clients just don’t have the time. Nudging us to buckle down and finally put it all down on the computer screen. Making Bodhitree Home Cleaning once again, more than just your run of the mill home cleaner. We are more of a Home Upkeep & Maintenance Care Solution Service if you will.

I was talking to my Dad a couple months ago about this launch and the importance to be able to offer such services to our clients. Conveying to him that finding people is HALF THE BATTLE. His response to me was “No, Char, finding people is the FULL BATTLE”.  (haha)  I agreed wholeheartedly and it took as another sign I was on the right track. (I love signs)

I established Bodhitree with the goal of addressing our clients' home cleaning needs, aiming to both save them time and enhance their quality of life. We pursue excellence in every cleaning session, not just initially, but consistently thereafter. Our supplementary services will now serve as the ideal final touch, positioning us as a convenient and comprehensive solution for maintaining your home and safeguarding its value.

A sneak peak of some of Bodhitree’s additional cleaning services will include: 

• Window Cleaning

• Carpet Cleaning

• Tile and Grout Steam Cleaning

• Interior Oven Cleaning

• Interior Refrigerator / Freezer Organization and Deep Clean

• Garbage Disposal Refresh (Do your clean dishes ever smell like egg?) 

• Washing Machine Purification 

• Bodhitree’s Signature Carpet Refresh (Goodbye Dust Mites and Allergens)

And more, but you’ll have to wait for the complete list!  ;)

It's crucial to prioritize the care and maintenance of your property. Consistent upkeep not only helps avoid expensive issues down the line but also extends the lifespan of your costly appliances, textiles and mechanical systems, enhancing your home's overall value. While maintenance requires both time and financial investment, it serves as a safeguard for your home's worth and guarantees the well-being and security of your family. A good friend told me many moons ago, “You gotta spend to SAVE”, lol, she wasn’t wrong.

Bodhitree’s new services will be available to add-on to any home cleaning with advance notice. Stay tuned for the complete list. We are ecstatic to be able to offer this to our clients and know you will be too!  Until then, thanks for taking some time to read a little Peace of (my) Mind and CHEERS to HOMEOWNERSHIP!  (I suppose)  haha