As a new homeowner, you are beginning a rewarding but sometimes demanding and overwhelming life adventure. Thankfully, there are ways to make first-time homeownership less arduous and more fulfilling. Follow the tips listed below in order to win at homeownership.
1.) Make a Home Maintenance Checklist
Some say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is as true with home maintenance as it is in other areas of life. Familiarize yourself with the maintenance tasks you should be completing in order to keep your household running smoothly, and then make a checklist of the things you should be doing every month vs. every quarter. Believe it or not, things like air conditioners, refrigerators, dishwashers, vacuums, range hoods, and even washer/dryers can all require varying degrees of maintenance depending on the age, model, etc. The earlier you understand what needs to be done, the better off you’ll be. If you stay on top of these items, you will reduce wear and tear as well as the risk of things getting out of hand and turning into major repairs.Â
Add reminders to your phone calendar to stay on top of regular home maintenance items along with any other maintenance items you might have for your home, car, or appliances.Â
2.) Start an Emergency House Fund
Let’s face it, even if you do everything right maintenance wise, things will still break occasionally. To prevent yourself from operating without a dishwasher or washing machine while you save up to replace or repair said appliance, create an emergency house fund that allocates a set amount towards future home repairs. You’ll be glad you did!
3.) Create a Homeowner Binder
Gather all your appliance warranties and other important documents like house paperwork, insurance papers, and your deed into one easy-to-find location such as a homeowner binder. No more digging through junk drawers or closets for that pesky warranty!
4.) Get To Know Your Neighbors
Your neighbors can make or break your experience as a first-time homeowner. To get off on the right foot, introduce yourself, bring your neighbors cookies, etc. Building a good friendship will ensure you have someone who will look after your house when you are away and a place to borrow a rake from when needed.
5.) Research Cleaning Products For Your Home
Make sure you use the right cleaning products for your specific surfaces. For example, quartz countertops require specific cleaning products. Learn what you can and cannot use on your surfaces and stock up on the right stuff so your new home keeps its original shine.Â
6.) Create an Emergency Contact List of ProfessionalsÂ
Again, even when you do everything right, you will still need skilled professional help on occasion to service your appliances, landscape your yard, repair your roof, etc. To make it less stressful when something breaks, compile a list of trusted professionals and their contact information and leave it in an easy-to-access location.Â
7.) Locate Circuit Breaker and Water Main Shut-Off ValveÂ
Another worst-case situation is a water leak or electrical problem. It’s important to know the location of your circuit breaker and how to shut off your water at the main valve when something goes awry.Â
First-time homeownership is an exciting stage of life. However, it can be a bit overwhelming when you don’t know what to expect. Keep the above tips for new homeowners in mind to ensure you are ready for all your house has to throw at you those first few years. Cachet Homes wishes you the best of luck and a happy homeownership!
