new home owner

[bballrcks14]

any advice on being a new home owner?

[darthsinatra]

Insulate everything possible to within an inch of its life. Document every repair and staple any receipts to your notes. Paint the walls after you move all your stuff in, not before. Buy the best tools you can afford; properly maintained they will last you a lifetime. Neither a borrower nor a lender be. To thine own self be true. Oh wait, wrong play. Good luck!

[bballrcks14]

kind of scary.. but i am so excitted and its better than renting the crazy appartments they have down here

[darthsinatra]

kind of scary.. but i am so excitted and its better than renting the crazy appartments they have down here

Man I remember when I bought my first place. The process itself wasn't all that scary for me bc my family has a RE background and I am very handy. But I just remember feeling such a huge sense of obligation and, sometimes, dread, realizing that this huge pile of bricks all around me was 100% MY responsibility. It was a weird feeling. But it passed and nothing terrible happened nor is it likely to, and I would not change a thing. Except that one refi. Ugh.

[StrangeTanks]

Figure out where the water shut off is.

It's ridiculous when something happens where you have to run around like a maniac because something broke and water is shooting all over the place but you have no clue in the world where or how to turn off the water.

Takes 5 minutes and its free.

[Cya]

any advice on being a new home owner?

Shovel your sidewalk, mow your grass, use weed killer where needed. Find out if there's a civic in your neighborhood, and get involved. Be a good neighbor! Oh, and keep 2 plastic chairs handy to block your parking spot when that 1/2 inch of snowfall appears.
It's the Philly way!

[OldMama]

Take some time to label your circuits if they aren't already labelled. Be sure to have a plunger and a snake. If I can unclog a toilet, anyone can.

Change your locks. You never know how many keys the former owners may have given to cleaning people, friends, etc.

[ShoshTrvls]

Start building a fund for repair, preferably in a separate account. Things will need to be replaced, often sooner than you think. If you've already put away money, paying for the new hot water heater, washing machine or roof won't hurt as much.

[Politburo]

Figure out where the water shut off is.

It's ridiculous when something happens where you have to run around like a maniac because something broke and water is shooting all over the place but you have no clue in the world where or how to turn off the water.

Takes 5 minutes and its free.

Might want to also make sure it actually works. When we moved in, the original shutoff didn't fully close and leaked from the stem when 'closed'. Luckily it worked enough to be able to install another shutoff d/s without messing with the curb box (also replaced all the individual shutoffs for each tap, many of which were frozen open).

[toxigal]

i agree with the majority of stuff here except waiting until after you move in your stuff to paint. it is so much easier to do when the house is empty!

[thesomersteam]

Pat yourself on the back, celebrate and go out to dinner. You will be well rewarded 5 years from now and in the interim enjoy all the advantages of home-ownership.

And if you really enjoy it and if it is within your budget, look to buy another one - for investment purposes : )

[Brian616]

Man I remember when I bought my first place. The process itself wasn't all that scary for me bc my family has a RE background and I am very handy. But I just remember feeling such a huge sense of obligation and, sometimes, dread, realizing that this huge pile of bricks all around me was 100% MY responsibility. It was a weird feeling. But it passed and nothing terrible happened nor is it likely to, and I would not change a thing. Except that one refi. Ugh.

I bought my first house in 2008, and didnt' sleep a wink the first night. It was new (well, total rehab), and had done fine in inspections, but I was sure the roof was going to collapse since we had finished signing all the paperwork.

Actual advice? Don't feel pressure to make repairs/remodel too quickly. It takes 2-3 years to get the house the way you want it.

[seand]

Amazon.com: Renovation: Completely Revised and Updated (9781561585885): Michael Litchfield: Books
Should be a mandatory purchase, like title insurance. Even for stuff you hire others to do its important to understand the principles of what they are doing.

I actually slightly prefer the older version because it has more detail on the older construction techniques used in Philly houses.

Amazon.com: Renovation: A Complete Guide (Updated 2nd Edition) (9780806997759): Michael Litchfield: Books

[DocAwesome]

Just took your word and got a used copy myself. Had outstanding reviews.

[seand]

Just took your word and got a used copy myself. Had outstanding reviews.

Its the most useful book you will ever own.

[leemike]

Hi,If you are going to buy a home and don't know so much about the real estate then must hire a real estate agent for better guide line and if you don't want then must take the advice of any broker for the paper work because they know better than a common man.
so there are some advice for new home buyer.
"Water is 90 percent of a homeowner's problems,"
Roofs should be next on the maintenance checklist. If a roof is more than 12 years old, get it professionally inspected.
Inspect all plumbing and fixtures. Make sure the shut-off valves on toilets and sinks turn easily and are not rusted shut. If they are corroded, replace them.so best of luck for your new home.