Home Buyer Guide

I received an email from past clients a couple of years ago, that had been in their home for 6 months asking for a plumber for the outside faucets.    I asked her if it was because they did not disconnect their hoses -- and she said YES, we are rookie homeowners.     She also told me a first-time home buyer guide with all the stuff they should know but in the first few years, they probably won't know, would be nice.

So, long story short, I put together information for my first-timers, so they don't incur this extra charge when they usually cannot afford it!

For every first-time buyer, they will get a guide separated by season what they need to do, to prevent extra expenses.   Some items that are included -

 Exterior - 

~ unhook hoses when you hear the temps dip below freezing and keep them unhooked the entire winter

~ don't call your insurance company to look for hail damage, as it puts an inquiry, and shows up on the CLUE report.   Call a roofing company to inspect.

~ don't put ice melt on your concrete, it deteriorates the concrete

~ if you live in an HOA, get your house painted before the HOA gives you notice, and don't leave stuff in front of the fence

~ close the vents into the crawlspaces in the fall, open them in the spring

Mechanicals - 

~ change furnace filters more than once a year

~ have your furnace and A/C serviced and cleaned yearly

Interior - 

~ when you hear the toilet flushing on its own, time to look to see what needs replacing to save water

~ change out smoke alarms and CO detectors every ten years

~ if you see any water damage -- call someone right away, we don't have much trouble with mold, but causes lots of problems and affects your health

~ call me when you need referrals for repairs or technicians

~ don't take a contractor's bid, always get three bids/opinions

~ when you smell gas, call your gas company IMMEDIATELY and get out

These are the items I have thought of, think of anything else?    I know this list will differ depending on where you live.   Those in the south won't have snow, but Mother Nature has other things in mind!