Owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream, and that dream is still very much alive today. There are plenty of benefits to owning a home including: increased freedom, stability and privacy. It’s important to make the most of homes, and after you’ve secured a home of your own, you’ll want to be sure you do everything you can to maximize that ownership.

Here are three ways that first time homebuyers can make the most of their home.

Building Equity

Equity is the amount of your home that you own after accounting for debt. To put it simply, to increase your home’s equity, your property value must increase, or your amount of debt must decrease.

An easy way to increase a home’s value and equity is to maintain your house. This means everyday upkeep and preservation. You can save money in the long run by doing routine, home maintenance. So be sure you take care of your lawn and you clean those dirty gutters that you’ve been meaning to do. An unkempt and ignored home won’t get you far.

Renovation

One of the greatest things about homeownership is the ability to customize and personalize your living space. Compared to those who rent, there are no restrictions or red tape you need to get through if you’re the owner. You’re able to do as you please. Home renovations, either big or small, can have huge benefits to homeowners:

• Get More Space. Add some more square footage to your home and make organization easier.
• Put in Your Personal Touch. Everyone loves to let their creative juices flow. Renovations are a great opportunity to do so.
• Increase Its Appeal. If you want to make the most of your home, you need to think about the long run. Making your home more appealing not just only for you but for future buyers.

Basement Finishing

While remodeling is starting a whole new project, finishing a basement is completing something that was previously started. Basements are an often-forgotten part of houses but can be a huge asset for any homeowner. Here are some of the benefits to finishing that basement:

• Increase Home Value. It’s one of the greatest outcomes of a finished basement.
• Live More Comfortably. A finished basement offers more living space, storage and privacy.
• Save Money. A lot of unfinished basements don’t have the proper insulation that the rest of the house might have. Finishing a basement can be more energy efficient and steadily save you money over time.

If you’re interested in making the most out of your first house, consider following these tips and watch your equity soar!