Expect the Unexpected: The Hilarious Side of Owning a Home

It probably goes without saying (but I’m going to say it anyway — me being a real estate agent and all) that I’m a big fan of people owning homes when they’re able. Yet you might start noticing some subtle changes sneaking up on you as a new homeowner. Some of these may baffle you. Some will be useful. And you’ll find that many of them are strangely universal. Here are a few I’ve observed over my many years of owning homes across the country.

1)      Your ‘Just in Case’ items begin to multiply like rabbits!

Whether it’s the garage, a junk drawer, the basement, or a storage closet, everyone has that special place where the multiplication begins. Old screws, mysterious brackets, half-empty paint cans (none of them match and none are labeled), cables and wires to who-knows-what, warranties and manuals from appliances long ago tossed, and old receipts (you know… just in case you need to return something you bought five years ago) start breeding until there are more of these items than there are humans on planet Earth.

2)      Trash Day becomes a game of Clue!

You learn to watch that one dependable neighbor who seems to have all the intel on when to put out the trash. Sometimes it’s a holiday week that delays pickup; other times it’s a holiday the trash company doesn’t recognize so there isn’t a delay. Either way, they somehow know. They even seem to have a bead on the weather, predicting the perfect moment to set the cans out so they don’t get blown away or flooded. And you’ll master the art of the last-minute toss, slipping something stinky into the bin just in time to avoid turning your garage into an odorous hovel.

3)      You participate in the Mysterious Sound Olympics!

Competition categories include:

·       Crouch-and-Listen Squats – Tiptoe across the room, squat and bend low, listen for creaks, identify source of noise. Points are awarded based on form of squat and accuracy of identification.

·       Floorboard Spring – Dash from room to room in record time, locate source of squeak without tripping. Points are earned for speed, accuracy, and safety.  

·       Intruder Decathlon – A multi-event of bravely investigating strange noises and mysterious footsteps. Points are based on retention of sanity and life.  

·       Faucet Drip Minute Dash – Count the drips per minute from any leaky faucet, determine if it’s time to call the plumber. Points are earned if house does not flood.

4)      Homeownership redefines fun (and tests your confidence)!

Forget Saturday brunches, pancakes, and cocktails — you’ve moved on from that frivolity! Now it’s, “I’m just running to the hardware store really quick.” Three hours later, you’re knee-deep in a project you thought would take 20 minutes. This is your new definition of FUN. Your confidence soars after staying up until midnight doing Google searches, chatting with ChatGPT, and watching YouTube tutorials… and somehow, against all odds, YOU HAVE GOT THIS!

After Trash Day Clue, the Mysterious Sound Olympics, and endless “just in case” discoveries — and after redefining fun and testing your confidence — you’ll realize these ridiculous, wonderful moments are what truly make a house feel like home. If you’re ready to start collecting your own homeowner adventures, I’d love to help you find the perfect place to do it.

Sandi Downing Real Estate/Keller Williams Greater Omaha

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