When somebody purchases a home, they normally expect to be the person in charge of what it’s used for.

The whole point of owning your own property is that you can, within reason, do what you want with it and enjoy all the freedoms that come from not having to answer to anybody but yourself. It is part of what makes buying a house so great, but also what can make it a headache.

One issue that can arise when people take their first steps into home ownership is that all of a sudden, friends and family can decide that they want a piece of the action as well. From unexpected roommates to last-minute storage space, a homeowner can wind up being burdened with favors that never seem to be returned if they are not careful. Having strong boundaries and understanding when it is OK to say no becomes an even more important skill.