Neglected lawns turn into nothing but weeds and moss. Often they have to be totally stripped and replanted. Water Damage and Insect infestation are the biggest consequences of neglecting your home. One leads to another, as insects love wet, rotting wood. Termites and carpenter ants can destroy your home.
Home ownership is a big responsibility.
While you own it, that home is under your stewardship. Like all things, it's better to leave it better than you found it. Keep up with your home so that it doesn't become an overwhelming job to fix it up. You can keep the costs as low as possible by doing most of it yourself. There is nothing wrong with taking shortcuts.