Are You Keeping Up With the Joneses

Published by julia | Filed under Buyer / Seller Tips, Market Trends, Pinellas County Homes, Real Estate

People have been competing for the best homes and the best stuff for their homes since people quit living in caves, although it may been going on as far back as that.  This process is frequently known as keeping up with the Jones’s.  This wanting to have something that another has or wanting better than what that individual has is what drives people to continue to improve homes that they are already comfortable in.  This can spur on the building of an additional room or garage.  It can spur on the building of decks or porches, or the simple instillation of an awning or gazebo. No matter what form it takes, keeping of with the Jones’s increases property values and helps to ensure the continuous growth of a neighborhood.

One of the most common methods of keeping up with the Jones’s is to see what is popular in today’s modern housing magazines.  These magazines focus on the latest trends in furnishing and landscaping.  They cover how to do the projects and who can do them for the home owners.  They even list prices for the different projects.  Another way to see what the fabled Jones’s are doing is to see what is going on in the neighborhood.  If a home owner is building a new porch or deck, chances are that others will also engage in that activity.  If small white picket fences are being replaced by privacy fences, that will be what the Jones’s are currently up to.

While the purchase and installment of a swimming pool is typically seen when competing with the Jones’s, the play toys such as swing sets and see-saws should not be forgotten.  They may be older types of entertainment, but they are still very valuable.  In addition, they do not come with a higher property tax.

It is unfortunate, but very true, that the process of keeping up with the Jones’s may cost a household more than just the initial set up costs.  Some home improvements may cause the property taxes to rise as well.  This increase of property tax can be due to the overall increase in property value or the increase in square footage of the property.  The different toys meant to help keep up with the Jones’s may have maintenance costs as well.  A pool can require higher electrical and water bills, larger windows can mean higher heating costs, and a new fence means more painting and repairs.

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