25 Tips For New Homeowners
Becoming a homeowner is an exciting and rewarding milestone. However, managing a home comes with its own set of responsibilities. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just new to owning your current property, there are several key tips to help you adjust to your homeowner role and maintain your home efficiently.
Below are 25 practical steps you can take to ensure your home stays in great condition while also providing a comfortable and safe living space.
- Know Your Home’s Systems: Understand the layout of your home, including the location of the main water shut-off valve, circuit breakers, and HVAC systems. Familiarizing yourself with these areas will be helpful in case of emergencies or routine maintenance.
- Inspect Regularly: Schedule regular inspections for things like your roof, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. Catching problems early can save you money on expensive repairs down the road.
- Keep a Home Maintenance Calendar: Create a yearly maintenance schedule to keep track of seasonal tasks. This can include cleaning gutters, servicing the HVAC system, checking smoke detectors, or winterizing pipes.
- Prioritize Home Safety: Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers in strategic locations. Ensure that your home is properly secured with locks on windows and doors and a working security system.
- Know Your Insurance Coverage: Make sure you have the right type of homeowner’s insurance. Check to ensure it covers not just the structure of your home, but also personal belongings and potential liability.
- Start a Home Improvement Plan: If you plan to renovate or improve certain areas, make a list of priorities. Plan your budget and timeline so that improvements can be done gradually and within your financial capacity.
- Landscaping and Lawn Care: Maintain the yard and outdoor areas. Regular lawn mowing, trimming bushes, and caring for plants not only improve curb appeal but also contribute to the longevity of your property.
- Get to Know Your Neighborhood: Build relationships with your neighbors, understand the community’s rules (if applicable), and learn about local amenities such as schools, grocery stores, and parks.
- Have an Emergency Fund for Repairs: While not all fixes come with a high price tag, brace yourself for the big-ticket items. These can include a new roof, new windows, new air conditioner, new appliances, etc. Sure, it might be more fun to use your cash for a kitchen renovation or bathroom remodel, but sometimes the “boring” expenses have to be put first.
You want your home to be enjoyable for you and your family, as well as keeping it updated to increase the value of your property. It’s easier than you think. Here are some top tips that will boost the value of your home.
- Curb Appeal: Colorful landscaping, a power-washed walkway or a fresh coat of paint on the front door can make your home look attractive and welcoming.
- Beautify your Bath: Replace an outdated vanity, old fixtures, lighting or add a new tile floor. A small investment can bring a big return and give your bath an updated, modern look.
- Kitchens are hot: Start by swapping out just one item, such as a chipped sink or old microwave for a shiny new stainless model. Small kitchen updates will add big value to your home.
- Pick up a paint brush: One of the easiest and most cost-effective improvements of all is paint! Freshly painted rooms in neutral colors look clean and updated.
- Make more room: Increase the living space by decluttering and removing the things you don’t need or use. Clean out your closets, thin out your shelves and remove furniture that blocks traffic flow.
- Go big: Feeling claustrophobic? Converting an unfinished attic or basement is always a great way to gain some extra space at a much smaller cost than building an addition. Adding a deck is another simple way to increase your space and make the most of it.
As a homeowner you have the freedom to make changes to your home so it fits your family and your lifestyle. Whether you’re hiring a contractor or a handyman, here are some tips to keep the lines of communication open and the repair project running smoothly:
- Ask around for recommendations for a Contractor: Before you choose a contractor, talk to your friends and coworkers about whom they’ve hired in the past and whether they were pleased. You may also want to check out a website – like www.angieslist.com – that lists local contractors and reviews about their work.
- Get multiple bids. It’s a good idea to shop around, compare prices and check out pictures of completed projects. But be respectful of others’ time. When you invite a potential contractor to discuss your ideas and see your space, be realistic about what’s possible, mindful of your budget and open to professional input.
- Ensure you’re speaking the same language. Your definition of “colonial style” might not be the same as your contractor’s. It may help to have pictures of what you’d like the finished product to look like. Consider visiting a website like www.houzz.com for design ideas and examples of your color and design preferences.
- Put it in writing. Determine up front what you’re willing to spend and ensure the details of the project are all in the contract. If you request a change to the original plan, you will probably be asked to sign a change order, which includes a detailed description of the change and the cost.
- Be friendly. You and your contractor are on the same side, seeking the same positive result. Keep in mind that construction can be a noisy, messy thing. Try not to let it irritate you. And be aware that weather can influence the schedule; if it’s raining, outside work may be delayed. Try to be patient.
Making smaller home improvements? With good planning – and a consideration of your skills and free time – you could save a good chunk of cash on your next project by becoming a weekend DIY warrior! Here are some tips:
- Evaluate how much of the work you can realistically do yourself. For instance, if you’re looking to add a room onto your house, perhaps you can paint the walls and stain and varnish the trim when it’s complete.
- Set priorities. Focus on improvements that will give you the most bang for your buck first. Decide what is critical and what isn’t. You may need to rethink the scale of your project to fit your budget, and you may find simple changes – such as new fixtures, a different paint color or improved lighting – can alter the feel of a room without gutting out and overhauling the entire space.
- Consider less costly alternatives to project details. Do some research. You may not be aware of some of the new options available to help your vision become a reality, such as a prefabricated fireplace unit vs. traditional masonry. Or laminate or linoleum countertops instead of granite. Or stock cabinets instead of custom ones.
- Try to schedule your project for an “off” time of year. For instance, schedule your central air installation in winter, not summer.
- Shop for materials that are on sale. Building supply stores often mark down items due to overstocks or other factors.
Homeownership is a journey that requires ongoing attention and effort. By understanding your home's systems, staying on top of maintenance tasks, ensuring safety and security, and preparing for emergencies, you can make your new home a comfortable and functional space for years to come. Taking small steps to stay organized and informed will help you navigate the responsibilities of homeownership with confidence.
If your home projects require financing, contact the local lenders you trust at 1st Community Credit Union. Our experts can help you choose the home loan option that best fits your budget.
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